Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy

Troy Joslin is the Director of the Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy in Knightstown. This national program has 50 sites in 28 states & 1 US territory and serves at risk youth/high school dropouts ages 16-18 through the National Guard. It is a 17.5 month program: during the first 5.5 months, cadets stay at the Old Soldiers & Sailors Home (the only site in IN) in a military-style environment; during the second 12 months, cadets have a mentorship. There are 1800 graduates in Indiana, and after the program, 36% pursued further education, 26% were employed, and 2% went into the military. The voluntary program includes 40 community service hours and educational classes (GED, college courses, and/or vocational classes). There are 2 groups per year starting in January and July with an average class-size of 100. Funding is provided (75% federal & 25% state), so no cadet or their family needs to pay for this program. Cadets create an action plan for how they want life to be after the program.

Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy is always hiring and looking for volunteers to be mentors for the cadets.For more information see hoosieryouthchallenge.org