ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The National Guard Youth Foundation (NGYF), a certified 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the National Guard Youth Challenge Program, announced today that vocational scholarships have been awarded to 66 students across the country.
The scholarships, made possible through a grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation, will allow deserving youth to continue their education at various vocational programs nationwide.
The recipients of the scholarships are graduating cadets of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program (NGYCP) from 33 programs in 27 states and Puerto Rico. An additional 66 scholarships will be awarded in December. The Wal-Mart Foundation contributed a total of $250,000 to the NGYF in support of continuing vocational education for 132 NGYCP participants this year.
"Wal-Mart's support will allow 132 National Guard Youth Challenge program graduates to continue their education at vocational institutions across the country," said Air Force Lt. Gen. (Ret) John B. Conaway, chairman of the National Guard Youth Foundation.
Margaret McKenna, president of the Wal-Mart Foundation, said: "The National Guard Youth Challenge Program has given many of America's youth a second chance. Wal-Mart is honored to do our part to help these students gain the necessary job skills and technical training to enter the 21st century workforce."
The National Guard Youth Challenge Program is a 17-month, co-ed program for 16- to 18-year-old high school dropouts that offers them the opportunity to enhance their life skills, earn their GED, pursue higher education, improve their employment potential and broaden their chances at success.
Since being founded in 1993, the Youth Challenge has grown to 33 programs in 27 states and Puerto Rico and has graduated over 81,100 former high school dropouts. For more information about the National Guard Youth Challenge Program, go towww.ngycp.org.