Michigan Youth Challenge Academy to host enrollment information sessions
The Michigan Youth Challenge Academy (MYCA) to host information sessions for interested youth and parents to learn more about enrolling in the academy’s next class, Cycle #49, to begin on July 16.
The MYCA is a costfree alternative education program which offers at-risk youth the opportunity to change their future. As part of the curriculum, cadets participate in drill and ceremony formations, meet physical fitness standards, perform community service, and receive classroom instruction, according to a press release.
Candidates for the academy are 16 to 18 years old and are at risk of not graduating high school. Because of the voluntary nature of the program, applicants cannot be mandated to attend by parents or the justice system and there is no requirement for military obligation.
Graduates of the MYCA are eligible for the Michigan Job Challenge Program, an extension program of the MYCA, which teaches workplace essentials, provides opportunities to learn a skilled trade and assists with job placement.
Information sessions are a mandatory first step in the application process and are listed on the MYCA events page. There are options for in-person or virtual sessions. A virtual information session is 6 p.m. May 2. Register at at www.michigan.gov/ myca/events.
For more information, contact Frank Vasquez at 269-968-1397, or visit: www.michigan.gov/myca.
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency introduces new ways to connect with veterans
The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) congratulated Governor Gretchen Whitmer on the first 100 days of her second term in office. Within that time, the MVAA has introduced new ways to connect with Michigan veterans and their families.
They rolled out a new mobile unit, a fully equipped van staffed by an accredited Veteran Service Officer (VSO), that will bring MVAA services directly to veterans in the Detroit area, according to a press release.
Whitmer’s latest budget proposal would make it possible to hire more Veteran Service Officers to support underserved areas and provide claims support for the federal PACT Act. They look forward to continued collaboration with the Governor’s office and other state departments.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ MIVeterans.
Leadership and women veterans conference is April 28-29
The “Others Over Self ’23 Leadership Conference & Women Veterans Engage — Detroit” event is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 28 and 29, at 11687 American Avenue, Detroit.
The event is a twoday interactive gathering where business professionals, military people and veterans discuss and debate the issues, trends and emerging advocacy opportunities driving success in leadership.
It is presented by General Motors and hosted by the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights at the Union Carpenters and Millwrights Skilled Training Center in Detroit. Complimentary tickets for military women are courtesy of sponsors.
Registration includes access to both day’s Leadership Conference, remote access to Saturday’s Women Veterans Engage national conference, and an event bag filled with resources. For live attendees, registration also includes lunch on April 28, brunch on April 29, and attendance at the Friday evening reception. The Friday evening reception is a private comedy show with Shanie D. Live at Bert’s Comedy Warehouse in downtown Detroit.
Hotel and other costs are not included. For more information and tickets, visit tinyurl. com/WVE-Detroit.
Upcoming events
• Great Lakes National Cemetery to host a Spring Headstone Cleaning at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 29, at 4200 Belford Road, Holly. For more information, email sue_eandrews@yahoo.com.
• Oxford American Legion Post 108 to host Euchre from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, April 24 and Thursday, April 27, from 12 to 3 p.m. and Fish Dinners from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, April 28, at 130 E. Drahner Road, Oxford. Fish dinners range from $10 to $13. For more information, call 248-628-9081.
• Clarkston American Legion Post 377 to host Bingo from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, at 4819 Mary Sue Avenue. For more information, call 248-673-9301.
• Royal Oak American Legion Post 253 to host Music Trivia at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, at 1505 N. Main St. For more information, call 248-546-0490.
• Troy VFW Post 4037 Auxiliary to host Save the VFW Comedy Show presented by Jason Vest from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 19, at 2375 E. Maple Road. The post is close to closing its doors because of major repairs needed to the building. Tickets are $20 per person with 100 percent of the proceeds to go back to the post so they can make the necessary building repairs and continue to serve Oakland County veterans. Doors to the comedy event open at 7:30 p.m. Seating is limited. For more information, call 248-689-7289 from 1 to 9 p.m. daily. Tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com/e/ save-the-vfw-comedyshow-fundraiser-tickets606731318707. The Oakland Press is interested in all veterans events in Oakland County. Please send info. in the body of an email with subject line “Veterans Affairs” to Sharon Longman at sslstart@ aol.com. Allow two weeks’ notice for scheduled events and include a phone number for readers to call for more information.