Helping Out MYCA Cadets

Dear Editor,

Every week after I talk to my daughter Alexandria, who is currently at the Montana Youth Challenge Academy (MYCA) in Dillon, Mont., I post to let family and friends from near and far know how she is doing.

Last week I talked about a Cadet at the MYCA that does not have any family or friends support and how it absolutely breaks my heart. My daughter had explained to me that this Cadet hasn't been able to reach her family. They only get one phone call once a week, ours is on Sundays and at that time we only got 15 minutes. As the conversation went on I found out that this Cadet needed shoes, my heart broke! I cannot imagine not supporting my daughter in this journey to better herself!

After the post went out, I was reminded how fortunate so many of us are to live in the communities we do. The outreach I got from my friends was incredible and it was for a child that none of us have met. I was so overwhelmed by the love and support that so many are willing to share. I laid in bed that night, thanked God over and over, and just cried because my heart was so happy and full. We were all coming together to help this Cadet that hasn't asked for anything except the chance to change her own life. All I could think, was there are 100 cadets at the Montana Youth Challenge Academy and if there is one Cadet that is not getting the support they need I am sure there are more.

Some of the Cadets like Lexi are there because they recognized in themselves that they wanted to make changes in their lives but didn't know how. MYCA will give them the tools, resources, and strength to do just that. However, there are Cadets that are there because they have to be, and the program does the same for them.

Now, the Montana Youth Challenge does not cost us for our children to be there. MYCA is sponsored by the National Guard and the State of Montana. The cost to the parents is making sure our children have necessities like shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, soap, tampons, pads, school supplies, envelopes, stamps, hair ties, running shoes, you name it. If you need it in your daily life so do they.

Like I mentioned before, the Cadets only get so much time for phone calls. I personally have sent my daughter a total of 75 pre-stamped envelopes to write her family and friends. That is not including the necessities that I have had to mail to her. It gets extremely expensive and some families just cannot afford it or they have given up on their child.

I called Lexi's academic counselor last week and talked to her about the situation this one Cadet was in. Thanks to the friends that reached out, this Cadet is getting the shoes, necessities, and school supplies she needs. I also talked to her because I know that if one child doesn't have support there are others. I am meeting with Lexi's academic counselor on Sept. 15. I am working on getting a bank account opened in the Montana Youth Challenge name so that people can donate and the staff can get the Cadets the things they need. I really don't want to do a GoFundMe page as from what I understand they take part of the money.

From what I understood in my phone call with my daughter today is that right now when a Cadet needs something it is the staff helping them out of their own pockets. How wonderful is that but the expense cannot be easy. It is hard for me for one child, I cannot imagine trying to help all the Cadets that need it.

I am encouraging everyone of you to check out the Montana Youth Challenge website and Facebook page so you can see what these Cadets are doing and how this Academy is changing their lives. These are our children, our friends' children, our future! They deserve all the love and support they can get!Montana Youth Challenge Academy

http://www.youthchallenge.mt.gov

In the meantime, until we have all of this set up and you would like to donate, please send a check or money order in the name, Montana Youth Challenge Academy to either of the addresses below. Please put in the memo "Donation to help Cadets."

There are a total of 40 Youth Challenges across the United States. If this reaches you and you have one in your state please contact them to see what you can do to them. These Cadets are working so hard and need all the support they can get!

Please share and tag everyone you know. Lets get the word out and help bring some positive change in these Cadets' lives! #riseup #MontanaYouthChallengeAcademy. Montana Youth Challenge Academy at 790 E Cornell, Dillon, MT 59725 or Carol Ann Walton, 445 Mahon St Glasgow, MT 59230.

Sincerely,

Carol Ann Walton,

Glasgow, Mont.