(SitNews) Anchorage, Alaska - Despite proposed budget cuts, the Alaska Military Youth Academy will continue in helping Alaska at-risk youth graduate with the values, skills, education and self-discipline necessary to succeed as adults.

“We understand the fiscal crisis the state faces, and we support Governor Walker’s budget proposal; we knew cuts would have to be made, so we’ve been leaving positions vacant,” said Bob Roses, AMYA director. “Those cuts have no impact on the 118 cadets who will be graduating from the program next week and should have no impact on future classes. We’re prepared to move forward and continue helping at-risk youth like the academy has been doing for the past 21 years.”

In Gov. Bill Walker’s recently released amended budget proposal, Alaska Military Youth Academy loses 16 positions, all of which are presently vacant. Alaska Military Youth Academy receives matching federal funding for its program, but no federal funds are jeopardized by these state budget cuts.

The current Class of 2016-1 provided more than 6,750 hours of community service; 81 cadets earned their high school credentials; others earned 7.0 transferrable credits each; and overall, this class’s grade-level average increased by 1.6 years.

The 118 cadets of Class 2016-1 will graduate from the program February 26, joining the 4,665 previous graduates since 1994. The graduation ceremony will start at 10 a.m. at the Dena’ina Center in downtown Anchorage.

Two days later, a new pre-apprenticeship program is set to begin Feb. 28, 2016. Fifty-two cadets will return to the academy and take part in a four-week vocational training course. This Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, a Title I Youth Program, is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and passed through the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Its three main focus areas are: construction (including carpentry, electrical, welding, labor, and ironworking and welding), culinary arts and information technology. Cadets will have the opportunity to emerge from the pre-apprenticeship program with hands-on training, certifications and connections to potential entry-level jobs or apprenticeship programs.

The Alaska Military Youth Academy is located on Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson-just outside Anchorage.

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

Alaska Military Youth Academy
www.akmya.org

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