Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central West Virginia are joining forces with the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy to help a growing number of West Virginia at-risk youth improve their chances for success as adults.
The new partnership was announced Friday by First Lady Joanne Jaeger Tomblin in a ceremony at the State Capitol.
"This is an ideal partnership that combines the strengths of two organizations whose missions are so closely aligned," said Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, West Virginia's adjutant general, during the ceremony. "It allows us to maximize our individual and collective efforts to help young people who are coming from difficult situations explore other opportunities available to them."
The Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy, managed by the West Virginia National Guard, trains and mentors selected at-risk 16- to 18-year-old youths to become contributing members of society by providing education, training and life skills development. Cadets live in a quasi-military environment in Preston County during the first 22 weeks of the program, during which they receive physical training and education and certification opportunities. Those completing one option available at the Academy receive diplomas from their originating high schools.
While at the Academy, each cadet develops a life plan to begin implementing during a one-year post residential follow-up program. Mentors provide support and encouragement to help cadets fulfill the goals of their plans.
"While at the Academy, the cadets learn key life skills that will help them personally and professionally," said Kathy Tasker, Academy director. "In the post-residential phase, we want them to continue to use those skills, and working with Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central West Virginia will allow us to provide greater support to the mentors and keep the cadets focused and on track."
Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central West Virginia is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sister of America, the nation's oldest mentoring program. The local nonprofit provides professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring programs to youth who live at or below the poverty level, primarily in single-parent homes, and face significant obstacles in life.
Earlier this month, the affiliate launched the West Virginia Mentoring Initiative to raise awareness to the growing number of state youth who need volunteer mentors. The initiative also supports development of long-term partnerships with the private sector to support their mentoring programs and provide access to career option exploration, job readiness training and internships for older youths.
"We're always looking to develop new ways to help more at-risk youth and this was just a perfect fit," said D. Beth Wolfe, board president for Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central West Virginia. "The partnership with the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy gives us another opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of at-risk youths each year."
The Academy will provide oversight and case management to mentors and cadets after graduation. During the one-year post-residential phase, Big Brothers Big Sisters will help graduates prepare for entering the workforce, develop job and continuing education opportunities, and coordinate community service activities.
Hoyer said he and Sara McDowell, executive director of the regional Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate, will seek private sector funding for the program and help develop career pathways with corporate and small business partners.
"While some of these young people choose the military as their career path, the majority want to get an education or find a career that will let them remain in West Virginia," Hoyer said. "Investing in our youth is the best way to help create generational change that helps to improve long-term economic and workforce development in West Virginia."
For information on involvement with the program, call Sara McDowell at 304-746-7900 or send email to sara@BigLittleWV.org.