The Washington Youth Academy Foundation participated in the Kitsap Great Give on April 24th.  This one-day fundraising event was supported by donating over $4,700.  This will be matched by a percentage yet to be calculated from sponsors of the Kitsap Great Give.  All money raised by the Foundation goes directly to support Academy programs and to support Academy graduates achieve their dreams.  Whether it be college, trade school, job training or other support, the Foundation is here to support these kids who learned success from the Washington Youth Academy.

​If you forgot to donate during the Great Give you can still make a difference and donate here [Click Here to Donate]

The Washington Youth Academy Foundation annual fundraiser is April 24, 2018 in connection with the Kitsap Great Give.  This is your opportunity to help us raise needed funds to support academic programs such as robotics and the library or help fund continuing education support for cadet graduates.  Our goal this year is to raise $10,000 with the support of corporate matching fund donors.  You can use the following form to make your donation on April 24th.  We need your help to continue the work of your Foundation.

The Washington Youth Academy was honored in September for its efforts to train each and every cadet with critical preparedness skills they can take with them back to their home communities.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency gave an honorable mention to the Youth Academy in its national Individual and Community Preparedness Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Youth Preparedness.
To date, 835 cadets have completed Community Emergency Response Team training. This year, the Puget Sound Energy Foundation provided grants to the Washington Youth Academy Foundation for the purchase of Community Emergency Response Team kits to give to the cadets when they go home. By giving all of the cadets Community Emergency Response Team training, the Youth Academy is turning them into preparedness ambassadors for their own communities.
“We’re getting our young people to be leaders in their community,” the application for the honor states. “They might not use this training every day, but if we get a major earthquake or even a storm event, we think they’ll be able to figure out what to do, to be there to help. Before this, most of these cadets have never even held a fire extinguisher or understood the basics of first aid. As a final test of their CERT training, the cadets conduct a mass casualty drill and practice what they've learned -- some cadets practicing as injured, while others demonstrate search and rescue skills.”
Empowered youth can help engage their families, their peers and their communities in disaster readiness. Youth are empowered through understanding of risks and knowing protective actions, per the National Strategy for Youth Preparedness Education.
Trainers from CERT teams in Pierce County and Kitsap County helped do the initial training. Lately, though, the program has been self-sustaining with cadre going through specific training so then they can pass on that knowledge back to the cadets.

​The Washington Youth Academy Foundation, supported by a grant from the Puget Sound Energy Foundation, provided CERT packs for training and provided to cadets who sign up with their local community CERT program.

Cadet Amanda Torres, of Yakima, noted in the article that she hadn’t ever thought of emergency kits before the CERT training. Now, non-perishable items like canned goods and bottled water are something she actually thinks about.
“Now, I know how to use a fire extinguisher,” she added. “I never had to use one before, but it’s pretty easy. There were some pretty important lessons we learned here that we can take with us after graduation.”
The program began as a pilot with just a few cadets back in cycle 2014-2 when Washington Youth Academy Director Larry Pierce was brainstorming with WYA Programs officer Patrick Cruz on ways to help the preparedness mission outlined by Maj. Gen. Bret D.  Daugherty, the adjutant general in charge of the Washington Military Department, including the Youth Academy. Every cadet has been trained since cycle 15-1.

Cruz credited the cadre and the cadets for taking preparedness seriously and getting everyone on board.
“Besides CERT training and CPR training, our cadets also embrace community service, donating many hours of service to their community,” Pierce said. “The last cycle, for instance, donated 7,992 hours of community service to the local area, which included creating care packages for the needy.”

Ms. Arel Solie, Homeland Security Commander, Washington State Patrol, has assumed Board Chair responsibilities for the Washington Youth Academy Foundation.  Ms. Solie has been a member of the Foundation since September 2012 and previously served as the Foundation Vice Chair.

​Mr. Michael McBreen was approved as the Foundation Vice Chair effective January 1, 2018

The Maj Gen Tim and Mary Lowenberg scholarship for excellence was awarded to Cadet Isrial Alvarado from class 2017-2.  Mr. Joe Huden, Foundation Board Chair, awarded the scholarship at the cadet dinner on December 14th.  Mr. Huden dedicated the scholarship in the memory of Maj Gen Lowenberg giving the class a glimpse of how he inspired him and made the Academy possible.  Mr. Huden said, "it is my honor and privilege to award this scholarship in honor of a great man."

The 2016 Foundation Annual Report has been published to the website.  You can view the report at this link [Click Here]

Want to make a difference? Are you a Federal employee or retiree? Please consider donating today to the #WashingtonYouthAcademyFoundation thru the Combined Federal Campaign. Our code is 97172 and here is the link to donate https://cfcgiving.opm.gov/welcome. 

Your donation allows the Foundation to fund Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs and to assist Academy graduates with funding for college, trade  school, apprenticeships and job training.

​Last day to pledge is January 12th.  Please help.