Mentors needed for cadets in Mississippi Youth Challenge Academy at Camp Shelby

CAMP SHELBY, Miss. (WDAM) - The Mississippi Youth Challenge Academy is looking for community leaders to help guide the next generation of young adults.

The academy is open to teens aged between 16 and 18 who are at risk of not completing high school.

“We provide them with education, discipline, structure, and most importantly, values to be community leaders,” Rodney McDonald, recruitment, placement and mentoring manager, said.

The 17.5-month program is split into two phases at Camp Shelby, with the first dedicated to physical and mental development.

“We send our graduates back home with a plan, a workable plan,” McDonald said.

Leaders said mentors are currently needed to help support students after they finish the residential phase.

“He’s [the mentor] going to help that graduate stay on track with that plan for the next 12 months,” McDonald said.

Observer coach/trainer Cesar Nunez said he remembers needing that same guidance when he was younger.

“That helped me achieve a lot of personal goals and have good careers, great financial stability and stay out of trouble, most importantly,” Nunez said.

Nunez currently meets with his mentee once each week.

On Tuesday, the two discussed how the teen plans to complete his General Educational Development (GED) equivalency.

“What is he doing about it, what does he have to do to get from Point A to Point B and what I can do on my level to make sure he achieves that short-term goal?” Nunez said.

The academy has a 97% success rate of graduates entering college, the workforce or the military.

“If you can help a student get on track and stay on track, he’s pouring into the community, not taking away from the community,” McDonald said.

Youth Challenge mentors must be the same gender as the student, be at least 21 years of age and live within commuting distance of the student.

To learn more and apply, click HERE.

Want more WDAM 7 news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.