Unfortunately, unless we call our Senators and Reps, on December 26th, Michigan will lose one of the greatest, most successful, teen programs around. Once the facility is closed it will be nearly impossible to reopen it as there is a waiting list for 16 other states to open such an Academy, we go to the bottom of the list. Please help us get the word out...time is of the essence. Also, please find Save Michigan Youth Challenge Academy on Facebook.

I have a brother who is at MYCA and doing an awesome job there!! Some of you people who leave these comments on here and DONT even know what your even talking about, Well you need to do some research before you start blabbing your mouth!! Stop being so selfish and saying its the parents fault, I grew up just fin raised with the same parents, and I turned out fine, But if you all havent noticed, times are changing, there is more crime, easier drugs to get to, more teen pregnancies,and so forth. This is a school that is going to save my brothers life!!! We arent just talking about graduating from highschool, but staying away from the crime and drugs. And the long term success stats are actually very high, specially compared to one of a public highschool, where you can walk into that school and leave half drunk, or stoned!!!! This school there is NONE of that going on!! I think that every school should be ran this way!! We need to think of our kids and their future!! Public schools just dont do that for everyone! So stop complaining and start listening!!!

Sister of Private Stahl Platoon 3!!!!!!!

I too would like to thank Jeff for his posts. I know a bit about MYCA, but not as much as he does! Thank you for researching and sharing with us. As I said in an earlier post, if you have the facts and still don't agree, then it's not out of ignorance and I respect that decision.
Thank you Jeff!

Dave Guizzetti - You are absolutely right. The Michigan Constitution does prohibit Private School funding. I did not mean to include private schools is my post. I meant to say Public and Charter. I often lump Private and Charter together in my mind and it slipped out as I wrote the comment.

Thank, Mr. Winston for your well thought out, and logical information. After reading the article, I was left wondering about the costs. Your obvious knowledge of the subject was enlightening, and it was refreshing, for once, to have someone make a point without being glib or rude to others.

The information you provided has prompted me to seek out more details about this Academy, and also to email my local State of Michigan Rep. & Senator in support of this project.

Thanks, again!

Did they change the Michigan Constitution? Last I read, it says NO State Aid for private schools.

‘No public monies or property shall be appropriated or paid or any public credit utilized, by the legislature or any other political subdivision or agency of the state directly or indirectly to aid or maintain any private, denominational or other nonpublic, pre-elementary, elementary, or secondary school.’ (MICHIGAN CONSTITUTION Article VIII § 2).

It is really so sad to read the comments from pattyann and a few others. I wish I had known about this school 5 years ago. My son was not a "bad" kid or a "delinquent", he had medical problems at birth which made him slow in school. Public schools, especially here in the U.P., or at least the small one my son attended, no I should not put them all in the same category, but this one did not care about these kids that fall through the cracks and who are definitely being left behind. I tried for years to get help for him, to no avail. This school should be more advertised or something - maybe my son would still be alive.

The last couple of comments addressed the funding of the program. Maybe I can shed a little light on these issues.

The State of Michigan pays an average of $7,000 per student for every student regardless of if they are in public, private, or charter schools. It is called the Per Pupil Foundation Allowance(Different School Districts receive different funding, but $7,000 is a fair figure to use).

MYCA serves roughly 300 students a year. If they were part of a School District, they would receive $2.1 million in per pupil funding anyway. Double what the state's portion of matching funds to keep it open. So... if these kids were in their traditional High School... Michigan would have to pay twice as much for their education. (Michigan's portion of the funding for MYCA is $1.025 million per year).

MYCA has been in operation for 10 years. They operate now on the exact same funding they received 10 years ago. MYCA has had no increase in funding even though prices of operation have skyrocketed. They have continually cut and trimmed the fat out of their operation to live within their means. No one is asking for a funding increase, they are just asking for their existing funding.

Traditional Schools are responsible for their students for 7 hours a day, 5 days a week. MYCA is responsible for their students for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; providing housing, food, clothing, and supplies. Obvioulsy, this costs substantially more than the 7 hours that a public school operates.

Michigan's graduation rate is 75% statewide, MYCA's graduation rate is 90%. Graduates of MYCA are required to find and maintain employment as a condition of their graduation. This ensures that each and every graduate give back to Michigan in the form of payroll taxes, etc. We should reward MYCA for their success in beating the state average.

I have looked at the numbers for this program... no matter how you slice it; it SAVES MICHIGAN TAX DOLLARS. Period.

In response to jenna modean - You have it backwards. First of all, families do not pay tuition - the program is free. However, you are not... as you put it, "...paying for their bad behavior, when it's NO fault of mine(yours)". You are in fact... paying for their GOOD behavior. If these kids end up in jails and prisons, then you would be paying for their BAD behavior. Since each one of these kids voluntarily saw the error in their past ways, and have voluntarily realized that their life needs to change, and have voluntarily sought out an alternative to make their lives better... you are paying for their GOOD behavior!

In an earlier comment, I pointed out the selfishness of people who cry about paying for someone else. Should your entire community be hateful and selfish toward you if your home catches on fire? Should people wonder... is it her fault for having faulty wiring, for smoking in bed, for not having a fire-supression system installed in her home. Why should their tax dollars be used to put out YOUR fire. Your fire was no fault of theirs.

My wife and I do not have kids... we receive no benefit from paying our taxes to educate other peoples' kids. But we pay it, and we do not complain. Once upon a time, someone else paid for my public education. This is what communities do. We all support one another. When everyone pitches in, the community gets stronger, more prosperous, and more pleasant. When people live within themselves and do not support the community... it is the lone person who may prosper... on the backs of their neighbors.

Why should you pay for someone else... because it is the right thing to do. You are making an INVESTMENT in the future; not their future, not your future but in OUR future!

Do the parents of these delinquents pay anything in tuition or fees, or is every expense put on the shoulder of the Taxpayers who have no real direct responsibility to their past disruptive behavior??? I'd like to know why I'm paying for their bad behavior, when it's NO fault of mine.

I've read the article and all the comments. It seems to me that the Academy is a great place, and that it's doing incredible things for these kids. My question is, though, why does it cost 4 million dollars to operate? It sounds like a bit much to work with so few cadets.

I know of many entire school districts here in the Upper Peninsula that are able to operate with less money than this.

I'm all in favor of what these folks are doing with these kids, but maybe they can find some ways to trim some fat from the budget and ask the state & feds for a little less money. That should make everyone happy (except for maybe PattyAnn). Just kidding, P.A.

Our family has always been there to take care of each other , this program is esp helpful for those the schools fail to help and protect, today public schools are hurendous to be in , dont believe me go see for yourself, No control, bullying, sexual encounters IN PUBLIC, complain and it only gets worse. My grand daughter is there , doing EXCELLANT and I am looking forward for her to complete this , for without it she wouldnt make it and she makes Straight A'S, Now tell me there isnt a problem with OUR SCHOOLS, this program works, I was in douht of this but Now I see this child Finally Happy and SECURE with herself and Life. without it we may have lost her to a rotten society

My son is currently attending the MYCA and this program must continue for him and other children . Since he has been in this program he has made so much progress and is now talking about his future in a positive way.I went to visit this past Sunday not only was I impressed with my son ,I was impressed with all of OUR children. These kids are trying to save their futures it is up to us to help them.

I am a grandmother to a cadet. My son died 3 years ago and this is the first good i have seen with his son. He loves this program and is excelling in it.I only wish he could have found it sooner. Maybe now he stands a chance of growing into a productive man. Please please don't close this program our youth needs more of these programs. Sometimes parants and grandparants need a helping hand to raise a boy into a man.
we also need to remember it takes a town to raise a child....

I have read a few comments on here and I am going to challenge all that say they have funded their childs education in full.
I have yet to meet anyone who has IN FULL paid the full bill on their childs education, EVER! Including multi-milionairs! To say you have funded the whole entire education of your child is a faceless lie.
I would love to see just 1 person try to proove they have not accepted 1 dollar of support for their childs education.
The reason for my confidence? Even private schools get assistance from the state and federal governement. Assistance that helps those very schools with programs that help with the education of your children.
So please, with all due respect for all, do not sound like a fool in pointing at people asking about where the parental responsibility is. It's demeaning TV 7&4's intent in allowing us the ability to post and view opinions.

In my opinion, this is a great model of what a state program should consist of. Taking youth, that would otherwise be a cost to the community, "and creating at a 99% rate!", a productive citizen of the state of Michigan. If there was a better use of state and federal money collected from the tax payer, I have not seen many quite as good as this.
There are others that help the disabled and so on but those dont have as high numbers for returning those people to the beat without needing assistance after their program ended.
Our turn is done, meaning, "we are not children anymore, we have learned our life lessons to be as were are today. It is now our childrens turn, they have not had life lessons to make them what they should be.
Using our tax money for a program like this is the MOST possitive investment our state has decided to invest in.
Stopping the funding to this type of program would be both irresponsible as well as a crime against the people of Michigan.
I havent seen any statistics but when you think about it, the dollar value over each head that passes through that course that will not be in front of a judge or on state assistance is an enormous relief on your taxes.
I hope this made good sense to many as it should. Hoping all is well with whom reads this opinion.

I'm not going to quote statistics, I'm not going to jump down Pattyann's throat, all I'm going to do is this: I ask each one of you who do not feel MYCA is worth saving, PLEASE go to
http://ngycp.org/site/state/mi/
Read the Cadet Stories and Parent Stories links. Explore the site a little bit, read the testimonials, the success stories and watch the video. This might help convince you that MYCA IS worth fighting for. If not, then I thank you for at least taking the time to get more information to base your decision on.

If you want revenue and tax savings, this program promotes just that. The facts are there: Two million per year in revenue and tax savings, compared to one million retained in the budget this year. "...as one of the nation's most effective and cost efficient programs...". I can think of many programs that are not; cut them.

Here's another way to put it. How about a single, underage, 16 year old mother who applies and receives services through the state. Let's cut her off. Statistics show she will be on these services for quite a few years if not indefinately, especially if she doesn't get a diploma or GED.

MYCA accepts these girls as well.

I have to pipe in here again and reiterate a few things. First I believe that the reason that it is funded by the government both on the federal and state level is because it is run by our National Guard, a branch of our military which falls under Federal and State regulations (I will be confirming this one). I have already asked some parents both graduated and current cycle parents about a fundraiser or seeking funds from another source to continue this program. They have not been able give me an answer on that. I plan to ask the Colonel at visitation this weekend and believe that it may not be able to be funded this way because of the military branch it is associated with but that will not keep me from asking. Also keep in mind that our facility ranks in the top 3 of the 33 other Youth ChalleNGe Academies throughout the United States.

Second, it will cost the state twice as much if we close the doors, as we will have to pay for unemployment benefits of the 50 employees there (which in turn will DECREASE the revenue into the state and actually increase our shortfall). Now as a Graduation requirement from these Cadets they HAVE to secure a combination of full time job/school/military within 30 days of graduating. This will only ADD revenues into the state to help the shortfall. Do we not want these kids to help pay into the system by working rather than drawing from the system by court/jail/welfare? This really is a no brainer.

Third, the kids there that haven't completed their training could turn back to their old ways and if they do it WILL COST taxpayers even more should the court and jail be re-involved.

We are parents of a curent Cadet who is 17 (18 in November). Until this program came to light we were about ready to kick him out (which the though just broke my heart). We did take things away, all of it, you know what he did, he snuck out at night to get what he wanted, he skipped school to do some of the things we had grounded him from, etc. Plus we had to trust the public school system that parents will be notified of such things. When we were notified (via a telephone recording on our machine or letter in the mail, our child found a way to intercept and delete such information to "cover" his wrong-doings.) What ever happened to "no child left behind"? By closing the program, you are doing just that. How about this suggestion, my child has only gone to the PUBLIC system for a TOTAL of 2 1/2 years - Can all the tax money we have paid into the school system (for his years he didn't attend) be transferred to MYCA?

So in other words you name it, we tried it. This program was our last resort and our last hope.

We have already paid court costs and fees, twice with this child (with him paying most of it), he did his court ordered stuff, etc, only to end up getting in more trouble. We (the parents) have taken the intiative to get counseling (and paid for it ourselves), speaking with pastors, other school options, all paid for ourselves. We have never ever asked for any help from anyone or applied for any governmental assistance. We have one income, my husbands as I am a stay home mom trying to raise our five children the right way. This one time, we are in need and are asking for support. This program has PROVEN to be one of the best out there, why would you want to cut it.

Also Mike, you talk of personal responsiblity, please explain this to me as I am confused. If we (both parents and child) were not taking personal responsiblity as stated above what were we actually doing?

Also, for any of you that may not be aware of this the legal age of a child in the State of Michigan is 17 years old. This was inacted because of the gang issues here. Members of gangs would ask the "under 18" kids to do the crimes they needed. The 17 year olds were happy to comply as they could not be tried as adults, Michigan changed that which really complicates things for parents who just want to do right by their kids.

Again, this a choice (a Good one) that the kid must make themselves in order to attend. The application process is grueling. In some cases you have to drive many hours (and from what I understand we have families coming from the UP - 8 hour drive) to have their child in this program (Seminars, open houses, interviews, etc. and a stack of paperwork a mile high). I can assure you, and I'm sure most of you parents out there with us in Cycle 21 would agree with me, we all come from all walks of life, and have tried almost everything ourselves to help our child, this was a last resort. 800 kids apply for this program, only 190 are accepted. For those of us whose kids have not QUIT yet, we are so proud of the acomplishemnts our sons/daughters are making and we are going to do what is right for our kids.

As for Pattyann, she asked about the long term effects. If she would have read the whole article the statistics are in there on the success rate.

Other than what is taken from the parents of these delinquents in the form of taxes, like all of us pay; are they required to pay any fees or tuition? If not..... why not?

Are you aware that most private schools also receive a portion of funding from the state. Suppose parents could collect donations for private school but possibly we would run into people who have no interest in funding it.I wouldn't call this a private school.Its different and anyone who has the "guts" and determination can be one of the select few that attend!My son did. Maybe someone you care about will attend someday too.

I would be careful the judgment I passed on the families of MYCA. I too have a son attending! I have been through every step of enrollment and every briefing. This was not handed to them.I have been married 21 years and counting,I have four wonderful sons, my husband and I have worked hard struggled,sacrificed and yes paid for everything!Our children were right there beside us!We are not needy because we've worked hard and our children work hard too, they basically have what they can earn money for above the basic needs. We shop thrift stores, rummage sales and recycle from one child to another and yes our children will take out student loans to pay for their college. I have one son looking at the army reserves between his junior and senior year.What a mother of 4 sons is willing to sacrifice for her country. Yes I could influence this son not to serve his country but my selfless side shows support! Quietly I worry. As the same for my son who decided to better himself with the MYCA also decided to serve his country,upon graduation. I can think of lots of other programs that do not produce.You'll be protected by most of these youths in one way or another. I just spoke to a man in the grocery store who was working construction on the VA grounds during 911 and was amazed how fast it was secured, correct me if I make a mistake but I believe that included the cadets of MYCA. No pun intended to traditional school settings, but its not that students necessarily quit school,maybe the school quit them! Hats off to the lady that had the money to pay for her daughters education, my children have the RESPONSIBILITY to pay for their own education. The unfortunate situation of having a son with extended medical needs (not educational) has made all my sons including the medically fragile son realize that everyone has to put their best foot forward!This is not a hand out this is a helping hand to students. I guess people would rather complain about youths,instead of helping them help themselves.

As the mother of a current cadet, I was crushed when I found out that the state of Michigan may be turning its head away from these young adults with the cadets possibly not having the opportunity to complete the program this cycle....a program that they chose to attend on their own. The Michigan Youth Challenge Academy, at an annual cost of about $1 million produces approximately 300 new taxpayers into the Michigan economy and provides educational services (GED and vocational college) to their cadets. At the same time, the MYCA is keeping these kids out of the court system, out of jail, and out of trouble. Is there a better return on our taxpayers money than this? I think we'd be hard pressed to find something as valuable as this program is to Michigan's young people.

I am the grandparent of the Florida Youth Challenge graduate. I have seen first hand what this program can do and I thank God that it exists.
It doesn’t make any difference what type of lifestyle you come from or how you have lived your life the next child at risk may be your own. Our children are faced with things that we never even imagined and they are pulled in so many different directions that sometimes they lose their way. Look around you at your family and friends; you will see that despite their best efforts some are losing their children to outside influences. Our kids are turning to crime and delinquency at an alarming speed. Each day more and more are dropping out of schools and turning to crime or welfare. We have a program that is working to change that and this program has been very successful where many others have failed. When you consider the cost of this program per cadet be sure to compare it to what the cost would be if the program is lost. Would you rather your tax dollars be spent teaching our children how to become productive adults or paying for prisons to hold them, healthcare for their dangerous lifestyles, or welfare for them and their offspring?

I'm not interested in funding what amounts to a private school. Any one else whose child isn't cutting it in public school has their parents pay for private school.

If this program is as good as you say, get sponsors to help fund your child's 'tuition' to go there. Tax dollars should not fund any schooling that is only for a select few.

I can see I am the underdog here but also feel the need to clarify my comments...You may think I am ignorant, uncaring or as one comment said "perfect"...I am none of the above. I am a working mother married for over 30 years with 2 adult children. We have scraped, sacrificed and went without to raise our children. The article states that this program does not allow cell phones, videos,computers and other comforts of home. I would hope that if the young man in the story was doing as poorly as stated in the article that these types of luxuries would have already been taken away from him by his parents. All I am trying to say is where does it end, when do we quit relying on our government to continually create special programs to take care of the person that does not fit into the traditional systems that have been in place for years.Everyone will have some sort of special need in their lifetime our tax dollars will only go so far. I wish the young man in the story and everyone who attends this program the best of luck.....

Katrina Morgan - in your post you blame the Governor by saying, "Our governer talks about educating our work force and about the benifits of a college education but she is willing to close a program that does just what she is preaching about".

Governor Granholm has been a HUGE supporter and advocate for the Michigan Youth Challenge Academy. In fact, a couple of years ago, she tried to get he funding to expand the program to have three additional locations throughout the state.

The truth of the matter is that it was the Republican-led Senate who cut the program from their budget proposal. The Democrat-led Huse of Representatives kept the funding for MYCA in their budget proposal. Currently the School Aid Fund budget which is responsible for funding MYCA has been refered to a Conference Committee where both sides will has-out their differences and come to a compromise.

The Conference Committee consists of three members from each chamber - Two Republicans and one Democrat from the Senate... and Two Democrats and one Republican from the House of Representatives.

There are several ways that you can help to save this program. First - Contact your local Senator and Representative to let them know that you want to Save the MYCA. Next, write a letter to the members of the Conference Committee:

Senator Alan Cropsey
senacropsey@senate.michigan.gov

Senator Roger Kahn
senrkahn@senate.michigan.gov

Senator Liz Brater
senlbrater@senate.michigan.gov

Representative Rashida Tlaib
rashidatlaib@house.mi.gov

Representative Terry Brown
terrybrown@house.mi.gov

Representative Tonya Schuitmaker
tonyaschuitmaker@house.mi.gov

Go to www.savemyca.com - sign the online petition (Conference Committee members will receive a copy of who signs the petition to show how much state-wide supportthere s for this program.) So far, over 4,200 people have signed to support the program - the goal is to get 5,000 signatures. After you sign the petition... tell your friends.

Join the SAVE THE MICHGAN YOUTH CHLLENGE ACADEMY facebook page. This is the best method of keeping up on new developments in the effort to save the program.

Write letters to the editor of your local newspaper to support the program. Remember... our lawmakers are from every corner of the state, they all read their local paper.

Tell your friends, family, and neighbors about the program and the funding ssue, and encourage them to join the fight.

I'm sorry to say that I haven't seen most of your "better than you comments", I too like most can out wit people that are perfect! Please remember for every perfect person in the world, breaks in life have been the foundation! Cadets are working for these breaks that weren't handed out! They too can be the next "better than you crowd" with a purpose and a respect for others!

Hold on people let's not be at each others throats, let's use our "heads" to get this goal accomplished! Yes there are programs for special needs!I won't give you my opinion on that!I owned and operated a home serving special needs adults, they lived with my family in the same home,for 11 years.I wouldn't at all put these young people in a category where they don't belong. The cadets that even venture this program are the status of society that I want to rub elbows with, they are the cream of the crop! I know most think this is some sort of "camp" for pampering and self-esteem building (not w/o earning it), but rest assured it's not! As I see it, those who volunteer for this program haven't failed thus far,possibly something has failed them! Could it be our schools taking the easy way out, with "special needs" programs? Have we looked at the results? My son was and is looking to get a quality education with the passion it takes to serve our country in these turbulent times, he is receiving that currently at MYCA. It has been the challenge of his youth and it has definitely been a challenge, but he will have the skills he needs to serve our country if he so chooses! This is not a "pamper camp" these cadets are the "cream of the crop"!

This sounds like a successful and much needed program. Having taught primary education for over 30 years it was obvious even in young children that all were not going to learn in the tradtional way. Also we all know that children can become "lost" in their teens despite their family background and efforts to keep them focused on adult goals. The new additional funding seems to make it a no brainer.

Katrina did you even read the article? It was the Democratic controlled House that voted to keep the program fully funded. It was the Republican controlled Senate that gutted the program. The Governor wasn't even mentioned??!!

Back to the 'basics' of "Family taking care of Family". I hear this from Pattiann and My question to her is, What ARE the basics? I used to hear people say, That it takes a village to raise a child, our 'Village' now, is the community.
Take a wide eyed look around you at what our community is becoming, but first, please, remove your notion of perfection so you can see the realness around you. And then ask yourself again, is it really the parents faults when 'all' children get misdirected? No, it isn't. Or did you fall into the category of parents who's children were such 'Angels'? I often find that when parents think their children are such 'angels' that their children are usually very deceiving to their parent and you just haven't caught on. You are looking at an economy where we do NOT have the option for Mother's or Father's to stay home and rear the children properly. We have to trust that our community and our school systems become that 'village' that HELPS with the raising of your children, so that you can do an honest days work and put food on the table. What do you do when that isn't enough? A good parent.... A GOOD PARENT.. will sacrifice some pride and seek help from 'The Village". These fine and very GIVING parents decided to seek help for their misdirected or misunderstood children. They didn't just push their children out and give up on them so that they could become worse. The helped their children find DIRECTION. POSITIVE Direction mind you.
This program is needed. Simply put. It is doing something positive for our youth. It isn't Taking over where the parent should be doing something. The Parent DID do something. Correctly. And It is keeping them from becoming yet another number in orange jumpsuits. If there is something out there that can take a child who has just given up, turned rebellious, or even been misdirected by their peers and needs a bit of 'special' guidance, then I absolutely back up this program 100%. I have Four WONDERFUL children but should one of them become misdirected at some point, I would be comforted to know that there is still a 'village' to turn to for help.
To you parents who did the RIGHT thing. My respect for you is sky high. Good luck with your child's future, should this program stick around, there may be hope for other misguided children. You did nothing wrong in parenting. And your child has potential and guidance now.
Here's to Hoping.

Common folks, enough dumping on Pattyann. She had a opinion about OUR tax monies, and how it is spent. I feel that everyone that HASN'T had a child go through this program should be sceptical of it. Monies are tight and there is alot of good PROGRAMS that are going to take hits or get cancelled. We can't afford everything for everyone! She never said her family was "perfect". Nobody has a perfect family, however $26666.66 for 5 months per student is alot of monies. Besides Mr. accountant $.22 is alot of money for SOME households! Why don't you parents, that are so happy with the results the program had with YOUR child, fund it YOURSELVES. (you know like my daughters college education, that I paid for) While everyone is entitled to their opinion, its obvious that were all not going to agree on everything. Besides, what ever happened to PERSONAL RESPONDSIBILITY!

For those that can afford to donate any amount of money to this acadamy PLEASE do so. You can go to www.ngycp.org and click on the donate link on the left. This is a great opportunity for many of these childern. Our governer talks about educating our work force and about the benifits of a college education but she is willing to close a program that does just what she is preaching about.

My daughter graduated in June 2007 at FLYCA (Florida). I almost gave up, yes, on my own child. I was at the point I wanted her out of my house and really didn't care where she went. It was that bad! We are and have always been close, but the 15 to 16 year old stage played its toll on us.

Before she attended FLYCA, she was on drugs, not going to school, hanging out with the wrong people, and I really could make a page of the things she had done. She did not learn that from me, noone in my family, her dad, or anyone in his family. Both me and her dad come from homes where our parents were still married to one another. Neither family was rich but believed in 'family'. Noone in either family was drug users. These kids find a way to 'be themselves' in todays world.

Once finding out about FLYCA, I got the application going. She was furious with me. I can't say I 'made' her go, but she had a choice to go or pack up and go to her father.

She has been out for 2 years and is so different. She now has a baby girl who will be a year and I have to say she is a good mommy and works hard to maintain for her daughter.

Me and other mothers have talked and wondered why our kids got to this point. These kids come from all walks of life. You can't pick them out and seperate them. Why? Because they are all there for the same reason...to better themselves! Some are there to finish school, some are there because they know they need a better direction in life, some are there because they want to prepare for the military...ect.

The graduates have a high success rate and if you wrote to each one individually, you would see over 99% would say they commend the academies for what they have done for these young women and men.

The one thing these academies do is make these kids understand who they are and what they can really become. Nothing interested my daughter in school. She didn't care about anything, activities, clubs, nothing. Then near the prom they have, she writes and is the happiest person ever because she is running for prom queen. Yes, she got it! I was there to witness her getting her crown!

To cut the budget and do away with MYCA is crazy! Especially doing it in the middle of class. These kids already have a low self-esteem and want something better for themselves. In the academy they are taught not to quit, and strive forward. So, cutting the funding is not the answer in any means.

I truly hope that the ones sitting back making these decisions look into this and see what they are about to destroy!!!

I am amazed that the people we vote in office can't see the forest for the trees. They talk about saving money, wow, look at their paychecks compared to the rest of us. They need to refigure as Mark did & see the cost plus the cost for the kids in the program. Also, they are pulling it right out from under the feet of those in the program & not letting them finish which is the way our MI gov't does. Time for them to go.

It would be a horrible loss if the program shut down. There are so many others that could benefit from it. Hopefully the state will realize this.

And, for Pattyann, I'm glad my tax dollars pay for programs like this. Would you rather save your tax dollars for when some of these troubled kids end up in prison? Its not always the parents fault why these kids go bad and that was a very uneducated statement on your part.

Ok everyone, yes it is more money we are being asked for: SO What it is money not your everything. The children (ALL children) belongs to us all as God gave us as adults the job of raising and doing our best to provide for them all that we can. well here is another of the best options we are given to help them. Please stop looking at the me factor, that is SO unimporant the youth of this nation is who has to deal the most with all of our mistakes that made us go into the area of negatives we are in at this time as a nation. They did nothing to cause it so why could ANYONE want to delay or take away any type of program that could help them become better citizens or people in general. Because of all of this states money issuses our TRADITIONAL schools truely do not always provide the better education that the children need to accomplish much of anything because there isn't much left here in what use to be one of the most excellent states in our Country. PLEASE go to the websites given in the comments I have read and see for yourself whatever we may be able to do to help them. God BLESS the children of this world.

Our state govt. is a joke our youth are the future! Be it the academy or public schools etc. Whenever the state makes cuts these areas are always high on the list. Why dont they cut their own spending, wages, aides, ect! There are too many people doing too little and the only things they fight for or protect is whoever fattens their pockets. Also our president should fight just as hard for programs like this and education as he is for health care!

There is not enough going on for kids these days. Losing this would be another hit that they don't deserve.

My nephew went to the MYCA a few years back. Before he left he had no real direction in life, he was drinking and skipping school and heading for real trouble. After attending MYCA and receiving his GED, he went on to join the military and would still be there had he not gotten sick. I am pleased to say though that he will be attending college in the Fall. He is focused on education and career, and none of this would have been possible for him had he not attended MYCA. I urge the state to give other kids a chance to become productive members of society. Everyone complains about out of control kids and their criminal activities, and here we have a program that helps prevent those things and they want to close it. It will cost so much more if they are not allowed to continue to help these kids.

The success rate proves how important this program is. These children have fallen through the cracks and have already been let down. They make this life-changing decision and they deserve not only praise and credit for that decision but the funding to turn their lives around and feel better about themselves.

Wow, pattyann, I am so glad you had such perfect children, who had such a perfect upbringing and learned perfectly in the traditional setting. I'm also certain that in your perfect raising of your children, they are unable to empathize with anyone who doesn't fit the traditional mold!

Honestly, I'm sad to hear you make such ignorant and insensitive comments about a program that is proving itself over and over again.

As a teacher, I am encouraged to see programs out there that reach out to kids that struggle to learn in the traditional setting.

As a former teacher of Robert, I am proud of him for choosing this program! Way to go! You've got a lot of people cheering you on!

I think Michigan should fund this program. The figures alone prove it out. And, what can be wrong with helping these kids get on the right track? We should be doing everything possible to help our kids become productive, happy adults.

I think this program should be continued at least until the present class has graduated. Not doing so would do more harm to people going the program. They are already troubled children. To cut the program now would give them the feeling that society has given up on them. I would urge them not to give up on them now. Thanks for Listening

This program not only prepares graduates to enter the work force there is a large percentage of grads that enlist in the US Military within a few weeks of graduation. I personally know two young men that graduated from the Florida Youth Challenge (FLYCA)who are currently stationed in Iraq...they were both high school drop outs and now they are PROTECTING OUR FUTURES AND OUR COUNTRY. SAVE MYCA...PROTECT THESE KIDS NOW...many of them will PROTECT YOUR PEACE OF MIND in the future.

In resoponse to PattyAnn, Since my daughter has been at MYCA as July 5th, I have seen major improvement in that a tradition school cannot offer her. Yes mabye these kids are special and have different needs , but no matter what all kids are special in some way or another. When you say we need to get back to families taking care of families, well in todays sociaty for some families it is a difficult thing to do all of the time. I don't know about you but most of the people I know have to to have a 2 person income to just get by, and lets not forget about the single parent who may have to work long hours or 2-3 jobs to support their family. To cut funding to this Program will be detrimental to the children already involved and their families, not to mention future cadets and our society. If you ask my opinion todays society with all of the new electronics etc, etc and our economy the way it is, has made children the way they are today. We need programs like this to give our children who are OUR future a chance to succeed as you have been given a chance. If the funding is stopped my child as well as all of the other cadets there right now may lose their chance at a bright and prosporus future. It is a no brainer we can't let funding end for this program, if I am correct it only costs $22 a day for these kids to be there. It is far more less then if they were in juvenlie detention , or incarcerated , or a teen parent on welfare. Let's keep the doors open to MYCA and give our kids and future cadets a chance.

Kim Artushenia

First of all I would like to congratulate you on having such a perfect life. How rare it is to find someone who is so much better than the rest of us unwashed masses.

Seriously, the audacity your statement, "Why should our tax money be spent on programs for "special" needy people simply because they did not fit in with the "traditional" school environment" left such a bitter taste in my mouth that my first reaction was to simply ignore it. But than thoughts of your statement began to creep back in to my mind to the point where I felt that I would explode if I did not respond. So here we go!

I am curious to wonder where your definition of "special" 'needy' comes from. How about special education programs for the blind, deaf, autistic, developmentally or emotionally impared students. Are they not worthy of an education either. Special programs and special schools exist for them and others.

Are your precious tax-dollars only worthy of going to programs that give corporations and special interests more and more tax breaks? Do you scoff at the people whose home is on fire when the fire dept. comes to put it out... people who are wasting YOUR resources in case YOUR home catches fire? Just because you and your family are absolutely perfect doesn't give you the right to demand that everyone else live up to your lofty standards.

According to the US Census Bureau, there are just over 4.5 million households in Michigan. The $1.025 million in funding to keep the program going will cost every household $0.22. 22 cents. The Michigan Youth Challenge Academy is a single program that services the ENTIRE state of Michigan. The current class has students from every corner of the state including several from the Upper Penninnsula.

You asked about the statistics for long-term results. How about this. 98% of MYCA graduates report no further run-ins with the law. 28% of MYCA graduates go on to join the Armed Services and defend our country (Two former graduates have given their lives in Iraq). Each MYCA cadet must complete a minimum of 40 hours of service to the community before they can graduate. Each cadet must have two mentors lined up before being accepted to the academy and must receive mentorship for 12 months following graduation to keep them on the right path.

Here are some other interesting statistics for you. According to the US Dept. of Justice, Drop-outs have an 88% chance of being incarcerated by the time they reach 25 years old. The cost of incarcerating a juvenile in Michigan is approx. $35,000/year and the cost of incarceratng an adult in Michigan is approx. $48,000/yr. This means that there is an 88% chance that these kids will commit crimes - crimes that create victims and destroy families. Once they commit the crime, tax-payers will pay for courts, lawyers, prosecutors, and the price of incarceration. Serious crimes require multiple years of incarceration... costing tax-payers even more.

Believe it or not, most of these kids come from good families. For a variety of reasons and outside circumstances... the traditional model of education just doesn't work for them. It isn't that they are especially "Special" or 'needy'... they just learn differently than others. The most telling statistic about MYCA is this... the program is 100% voluntary. They can drop-out of MYCA just as easily as they dropped out of their traditional school. Kids can not be sentenced to the program by a judge; parents can not force their kids in to the program. Each and every cadet at he academy is there because they identified that they wanted to change their lives for the better... they saw that they were headed down the wrong path and wanted a way to better their lives.

Even someone as perfect as yourself can agree that giving these kids the opportunity to turn things around is worth $0.22 per household.

My son Ryan was one of the 1st group in 1999 when the program started. He was 15 and scared to death. He cried and begged us not to make him go but he wasn't going to school, hanging with a couple of losers, and he was headed nowhere. Now, he was not in trouble yet but the odds were against him because of the choices he was making. We did the hardest thing a parent can do and made him stick with it. The 1st 4 weeks were so hard because he called us (when they let him) and told us they all hated him and everything was impossible so we talked to the officers working with him. These men knew how to get respect and yes, it was a lot like boot camp but I had a lot of faith in them as they assured me Ryan had a lot of potential but Ryan had to see that and to trust them. Everytime we went to see him it was the same-more begging & crying to come home. Soon there was a change in Ryan. He started to catch on and see how much these officers cared about him and that he was headed in the wrong direction. He graduated with Most Improved Cadet award and again lots of tears but this time it was because he didn't want to leave all of the good friends he made and most of all, the officers who did so much for him. Today, 10 years later, he works hard and lives in Ohio. He is a good father to his 4 year old son and a law abiding citizen. I believe he is who he is today because of MYC Academy. Please urge Michigan to support this program-it makes a real impact on these kids that will last a lifetime!! Thank you for listening!
April L. Brunger

I cannot believe the short-sightedness of our state government regarding the planned closing of the Michigan Youth Challenge Academy. In addition to the cost of unemployment insurance for the 50 staff members who will be left without jobs, they should consider the potential cost of arraignment, trials,& housing of any of these young men & women who might become involved in criminal activity without this program. Talk about "penny wise & pound foolish"!

While it may be true that most children do just fine in a traditional school setting and go on to live normal lives without getting into trouble, there are other people that this type of setting just doesn't work for. They have a hard time grasping things and have a problem with paying attention. MYCA is a great alternative to help these young members of society to not fall through the cracks and become another negative statistic. We should be doing everything we can to make sure no child is left behind. A traditional public school system is not always the right thing for every person.
$1,000,000.00 vs $2,000,000.00 in unemployment? It's a no brainer. Not to mention if these young people do not get this opportunity the state of Michigan will more than likely be paying for their incarceration and welfare if they do not at least obtain at GED. Michigan does need a budget reform, but our government should use their head when making these decisions. Closing prisons, laying off State Troopers, Closing educational programs such as MYCA are just bad decisions. How about cutting the salaries of members of the Michigan Government?!

This is such a no brainer that we should fund the program and keep the 50+ people employed. To cut a program as important as this would only hurt our already underemployed state. Save a million to spend two just doesn't make sense.

Pattyanne - Just so you know, Our son, who is currently in this program with Lori's, is the oldest of five children with both of his parents still married (19 years and high school sweathears), who still love each other, support from grandparents who also are still married (39+) years and a support system all around him that have tried to work with him on many different levels. I know every family has dynamics but I do not believe we are dysfunctional. We feel we have tried EVERY single option to no avail - new schools, different programs, working with ALL teachers in the traditional high school, jobs, mentors, pastors, priests, counseling, you name it we probably have tried it - none worked and his life was heading towards jail and a life of dispair, this program was our last hope. We love our kids, we are trying to teach our children the right thing. Since he has been there since July 5, we have seen a TREMENDOUS change in him already, he no longer is a delinquent kid, but a young man with a very bright future. My taxes pay for the public school system which has failed him in a BIG way - and under the "No child left behind" I believe this program to be the last chance for him Not to be left behind. Also please know that he received a top notch education at the christian school he attended from Preschool to 8th grade (only goes to 8th grade). We had minor issues with him but teachers there along with us worked to keep him on target, it was only when he entered the public school system that we saw a drastic change in the way his life was going. Maybe if the public school system implimented some of the the things that MYCA does, there wouldn't be so many kids out there slipping through the cracks.

You are worried about your taxes being paid for this program, well look at it this way, It isn't just the unemployment of the MYCA people but the taxpayer cost it will have for a few reasons: a) higher taxes being paid by working state residents to pay unemployment benefits, which is already having a major effect on families that have been able to keep employment; b) court costs/programs, etc increase that is covered by state funding if these kids turn back to their old ways, and c) possible jail time (more taxpayer money) if these kids turn back to their old ways.

Please go the Youth Challenge Program www.ngycp.org to find our more about the program that is carried throughout the United States with the Michigan facility being ranked in the top 3.

We also have a son in this Cycle, with Lori. Her son and our son are in the same Platoon. We cannot explain in words what kind of changes we have already seen with our child as well (He's not a child anymore but is transforming into a young man!). He didn't "drop" out of high school, but at this point is so far behind he would never catch up (He is a child being left behind). Our son was also starting to get into some illegal activities as well. Unfortunately in our part of the state, no one wants to carry this story. We were able to do an interview with our local radio station here in Livingston County at the WHMI radio station (www.whmi.com). You can hear our interview there under replay programs and it is under the August 16th date.

We have written to every Rep and Senator and have also written to the Conference Committe Members asking them to please save this program. (Which I have included below.) Please contact everyone you know to help us save this program.

Dear Conference Committee Members:
Senator Cropsey
Senator Kahn
Senator Brater
Representative Tlaib
Representative Brown and
Representative Schuitmaker:

We are writing to you to express our concerns about the funding cut for the Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy (MYCA) program as the cut would close the doors to a phenomenal program; we are hoping and praying that this program's funding is not cut.

Since MYCA's inception in August 1999, they have worked with the same budget, no increase, no decrease. It is "One of the nation's most effective and cost efficient programs for targeting youth who are at the greatest risk for substance abuse, teen pregnancy, delinquency, and criminal activity" (emphasis added) and the Michigan facility is ranked one of the best facilities out of the 34 in the United States.

We do understand the economic crisis our state is in. We have similarly suffered from the economy as Bill works in Manufacturing. We do understand certain things need to be cut, however this program, we believe, should not be one of them. The saying that "the children are our future" - those currently attending MYCA are our very near future as one of the cadets in this cycle is our son, Cadet Private Mrozek and will be 18 by the time he graduates in December.
With that, we understand that the State of Michigan ranks first in the nation for unemployment. If we close MYCA we will just add to that unemployment number, we would hate to see that happen. By closing the MYCA facility, tax revenues you would normally receive from those employees would disappear and will only increase our State's shortfall in the budget by having to pay unemployment benefits. Also, with not keeping the MYCA budget in place you will also lose the employment opportunities from the 130(+/-) Cadets that are currently there. Part of the Graduation REQUIREMENT is that they must secure full/part time employment and/or schooling. In essence approximately 180 possible individuals losing their job and/or not getting employment (50+/- current MYCA employees and 130+/- potential employable Cadets by December). To us, cutting the program does not make sense, it will just put our state deeper in the hole and raise unemployment levels even higher.

It isn't just the unemployment of the MYCA people but the taxpayer cost it will have for a few reasons: a) higher taxes being paid by working state residents to pay unemployment benefits, which is already having a major effect on families that have been able to keep employment; b) court costs/programs, etc increase that is covered by state funding if these kids turn back to their old ways, and c) possible jail time (more taxpayer money) if these kids turn back to their old ways.

We also do not believe this to be a "social" program for a couple of reasons:

1) Our child will not graduate in a traditional high school. At this point he is too far behind to even try and catch up. We did try other alternatives to no avail, he will end up in the system somewhere and probably sometime soon. Yet we are still paying taxes for a HS dropout that we should be utilizing. Just so you know our son did not attend the public schools until high school. We do feel that the public system did fail him. We were happy to sacrifice to put him in our Church's Christian Day School, but the tax funds we paid during his "school years" did not benefit him through the public system. As far as we know, our school gets very little if any state assistance, we would have and would welcome the opportunity for a "school of choice voucher" program. To us the public school failed our child and this is his last option to find his OWN success in a "non-traditional" setting which he is currently succeeding at; and

2) This is run by our National Guard. Not only will our child get his GED and some college credit to be able to continue his education (because at graduation he will have the skills needed to be successful in school), he will be prepared should he decided to join a branch of our US Armed Services; (Tony scored an 87 on the ASVAB and as of his 8/17 letter he is considering the Air Force or Navy. He has also passed every Pre-GED test already.)
MYCA is set up as a 22 week program, as we believe it is to get rid of the bad and rebuild the person they are suppose to be. Completing half of the program could have detrimental effects on the families, communities they reside in, and most importantly to themselves, to the degree that they could easily slide back to old behaviors, crimes, drugs, gangs, etc., and possibly worse as it could just be another "negative" to add to their own personal esteem.

As a parent that has a child there at the Academy we are starting to see a young responsible man, instead of a delinquent. The positive changes we are experiencing through his successes and letters is almost unbelievable to us. This program must be allowed to continue. Not just for our child, but every child currently enrolled in the program and also any future kids that choose to make a change for the better. The Cadets there are starting to realize and understand that they can accomplish anything they put their minds to. They are becoming respectful, responsible, young adults with bright futures ahead of them. That is the best investment we can make not just for them or their families but their own communities as well.

In a nutshell, by keeping the doors open to MYCA you will continue to receive the revenues from the individuals currently employed there and ADD revenues in December when the kids there are employed when they come home. (Side Note: Our son is in the process of seeking full time employment and has something lined up but not yet confirmed. The company wants to hire him, but he must have a diploma/GED and be 18 years of age. By the time he graduates in December he will be 18 and he should start work 12/7, if all falls into place.)

Thank you for taking the time to read our concerns. Please feel free to contact us should you have any other further questions, comments, or concerns we would be happy to speak with any one of you.

Respectfully and Sincerely,
Bill and Trish Mrozek
Parents of Cadet Private Mrozek PL2, Cycle 21

This seems to be a no brainer! I believe another issue has been left out of the equation; most of these kids over 70% will be incarcerated at least one time if they don’t receive at least a GED. The cost of that and dysfunctional families/lifestyles will cost the State over seven digits because elected officials refuse to use due diligence when vetting which programs to cut!

I would also like to pass along the link to the online petition that State Rep Kate Segal started. It's a quick way to show our support for the 150+ kids and the wonderful staff at MYCA.
If anyone has any questions on this program at all, I am more than happy to talk with you.
www.savemyca.com

Thanks, Lori Tidey

It truly amazes me that we have another state/federally sponsored program to do what parents and family should no...raise our children.Why should our tax money be spent on programs for "special" needy people simply because they did not fit in with the "traditional" school environment. And the suggestion that the state should spend a million to get 3 million is ridiculous. The end result may be good with the person in this story but what are the statics for the long term results. We need to get back to the basics of family taking care of family.