November 13, 2009
Dear friends,
Since I took office 11 months ago, I have been working to build support the Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy (MYCA). Some of you may have heard the news that unless funding for MYCA is fully restored, the program will be forced to close on December 26.
We cannot allow this to happen. This is a program that really works – and when something in government works, it deserves to continue. I refuse to give up on MYCA. Next week I will introduce special legislation to fully fund the Academy for the 2010 fiscal year.
In the meantime, I am continuing discussions with various private individuals and foundations that may be able to help with the funding shortfall.
Last summer the House of Representatives fully funded the MYCA for the next year at $1.2 million in its budget recommendations. The Senate, in its budget recommendations, unfortunately, did not fund MYCA – at all. There is no other way to say it: It was unconscionable.
At the end of budget negotiations we were successful in getting the Senate to agree to fund $643,000. That enabled the current class of cadets to graduate, but it's not enough. It represents a clear failure by the Senate to get beyond partisan rhetoric to recognize common sense.
I have worked especially hard to educate my fellow legislators about the worth of the Academy. Some knew about it already, but I can tell you that every single one of the 148 legislators (110 State Representatives and 38 Senators) know about it now. I have been stressing the success rate of both the program and the kids and what that means for everyone in this state.
These kids leave the program with a realistic path to being able to be tax-paying, law abiding citizens instead of winding up in prison or on welfare – both of which will cost the state much, much more.
I cannot emphasize enough that closing this program is the very definition of "penny-wise but pound-foolish."
Thank you for your help along this perilous journey. Please continue to make your voices heard. It's not over yet.
Sincerely,
State Representative Kate Segal
62nd District
Calhoun County
*** 11/13/2009 UPDATE ***
Segal to Fight for Full Funding to Keep MYCA Open
BATTLE CREEK – State Representative Kate Segal (D-Battle Creek) said today she will introduce legislation to fully fund the Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy in the wake of news that the academy will close by the end of the year if nothing is done. The quasi-military program run by the National Guard gives at-risk youths from across Michigan a chance to transform themselves into successful adults.
"Although we have made great strides over the past five months in keeping the academy running, I will not be satisfied until funding is fully restored and the academy can keep its doors open for good," Segal said. "Not only can we not afford to turn our backs on these young men and women, but with the economic challenges Battle Creek faces, we simply can't afford to lose any more jobs. I'm fighting to make sure our state invests in this valuable program and I hope all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both the House and Senate join me. Michigan's kids need it, our workers need it and our state needs it."
Since July, when Segal began working with academy leaders to save MYCA, she helped the program acquire $642,300 in state funding, which will allow the current class of cadets to graduate on Dec. 6. However, employees and program administrators were notified on Thursday that they will receive layoff notices on Nov. 23 stating that their last day of work will be Dec. 26 unless additional funding is found. At-risk kids from across Michigan will lose a chance to turn their lives around and more than 50 employees of the MYCA will lose their jobs.
"Our fight it is not over – I will not stop fighting for the MYCA," Segal said. ""These kids leave the program with a realistic path to being able to be tax-paying, law-abiding citizens instead of winding up in prison or on welfare – both of which will cost the state much, much more. I cannot emphasize enough that closing this program is the very definition of being 'penny-wise but pound-foolish.'"
*** 9/24/2009 UPDATE ***
Funding Restored for MYCA!
This afternoon the bipartisan School Aid conference committee passed voted to restore $642,300 in funding for the Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy (MYCA) – nearly two-thirds of the $1.025 million in state funding the academy needs to operate for the fiscal year 2010, and enough to at least allow the current class of cadets to complete the program.
This is a great victory for the staff, cadets and supporters from across the state who helped in our fight to save this fantastic program – but our work is far from finished. Please continue to raise your voice and keep our fight going until all of the funding is restored and the academy can keep its doors open for good!
*** 9/22/2009 UPDATE ***
MYCA Budget Decision in the Final Stages!
For months residents have been asking local and state officials to restore vital funding for the Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy (MYCA). As the state's Sept. 30 budget deadline nears, we must keep our momentum going.
A new committee of lawmakers from the House and Senate was recently announced to determine the School Aid budget that includes the MYCA. This is the budget that will be sent to the Legislature for a final vote. For a complete list of committee members, please click here and scroll to the bottom of the page.
Please continue to make your voices heard as we work to save the MYCA.
*** END OF UPDATES ***
>> Sign the petition to save the Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy!
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YES! I support saving the Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy.
The Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy (MYCA) is a free, nonprofit program run by the National Guard that provides at-risk youths with the education, discipline and life skills to transform themselves into successful adults.
Since its inception in 1999, the MYCA has graduated 1,772 cadets from across the state. It is considered one of the most successful of the 34 similar academies across the country.
But unless vital funding is restored to the state budget currently being considered by the Michigan Legislature, the academy will have to close its doors.
Not only will at-risk kids from across Michigan lose their last chance to graduate from high school, but more than 50 workers will lose their jobs. Supporting these unemployed workers will cost the state more money than restoring the funding!
Please join me in saving the Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy. Sign our petition to urge lawmakers to restore the funding needed to give our children the chance to become successful adults.
