Parent of YCP Cadet (April 2007)
We are so pleased with the progress of our son. You are to be praised for all that this YCP has done for these boys. You are truly making men out of these boys. Keep up the good work.
Parents of a recent YCP graduate
As parents of a YCP graduate , we are very grateful for this program. Our son earned his GED through the YCP Program and is currently attending Louisiana Technical College (Automotive Curriculum).
At the time that we applied to get him into YCP, we were very short on options for furthering his education. We were very concerned that he might not earn his GED and limit his options down the road. It took some convincing to get him to go to YCP. I believe he realized that he did need to earn a GED. As parents we were very concerned about the program and what might happen to him. We knew that this might be his last chance to complete his high school education.
It was a long 5 months for him and us. We were very proud of him for sticking it out and working to earn his GED. The small class sizes and attention that was given to his weaknesses really helped him. Even the little things, like writing letters, helped his communication skills. I can't tell you how relieved we were that he finished the program and earned his GED.
There aren't enough programs like YCP out there. We were fortunate that some friends of ours told us about the program. Since our son has gone through the program, we have provided others with information on YCP. We know at least two families that sent a child to the program (one has graduated and the other is still attending). We were very impressed with the Cadre, teachers, and counselors. They all do a fantastic job and have our deep gratitude.
Our state has suffered greatly this year with Hurricane's Katrina and Rita. I am sure your program, like many others in the state, will suffer funding cut backs. We are enclosing a small donation to your program. We have no doubt that it will be put to good use. As you search for funding resources, you might consider contacting those that have been through your program as well as the many grateful parents.
Continue what you are doing. You are doing a great job. Please let us know if we can ever assist you.
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PROUD Parent of a YCP Graduate
Your program gave me back my son. He arrived on that cold, rainy day not sure of what was going to happen to him, he came back to me as a young man with the courage, self esteem and determination to always look forward; never look back and that is his attitude today and every day.
THANK YOU!!
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A Recent Graduate
My experience as a cadet at YCP is an experience I will remember my whole life. At first, there's confusion "why am I here?" then "why are my parents doing this" then, for me, I felt the love, the caring, the support of all my family and friends. I learned the meaning of the words "Patience and perserverance". There were times, I wasn't sure I would make it, but I focused, I matured and I succeeded.
Thank you YCP for believing in me.
Parent Letter
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you again for the outstanding organization which you offer at YCP. YCP has been a life saver for my son. It has helped to mold him into the wonderful young man that he is today. Prior to his stay at YCP he was certainly heading down the wrong path for his future. I now feel confident that because of YCP he has the ability to fulfill all of his dreams and aspirations. You have not only helped to make me very proud of him, but most importantly he is proud of himself. He has a very bright future ahead of him.
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From a mother of a YCP graduate
I was a fairly stereotypical single mother, struggling to raise a teenage son on her own without the assistance of his father. I had struggled for several years trying to give to him what he needed in the way of "male" direction. He had no ambition, no direction, no goals for the future, no interest whatsoever in school, and appeared to have no grasp of how poorly his future looked if he continued on the road he was on.
Bringing him to YCP was not the easiest thing I ever did. Leaving him there, with the look of fear of the unknown in his eyes, nearly tore out my heart. But it was the right thing.
When I saw him that first Family Day, I teared up just watching him walk toward me. My son, who normally walked slouched over with his head hanging down, walked straight up, with a pride I'd never seen in his step.
The first visit home, I was floored by his way of dealing with me and with situations at home. He no longer argued with me on every point. The successes the YCP provided gave a self-confidence I've never seen in him. He realizes he can achieve anything he wants in life if he is willing to put forth the effort.
I can never thank you enough. Thank you for giving my son back. Thank you for giving him and me hope for his future being more bright than ever contemplated.
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