We're making progress, and your support keeps us moving forward! Here's what's happened so far: We want to give everyone an update on what has been done so far in the fight to preserve the Florida Youth ChalleNGe Academy — and what still needs to happen. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE: ✔ A statewide grassroots movement was built in just weeks by alumni, parents, cadets, staff supporters, and community members. ✔ Over 1,000 petition signatures have been gathered demanding leaders review preservation solutions instead of allowing this program to quietly disappear. ✔ Multiple media outlets across Florida have covered this issue, including First Coast News, Action News Jax, WKMG ClickOrlando, and others helping bring statewide attention to the closure threat. ✔ Alumni from classes spanning nearly 20 years stood together publicly at the Camp Blanding rally to prove the long-term impact this program has had on thousands of lives. ✔ A comprehensive preservation proposal and financial addendum were created outlining: • A civilian-state partnership model • Long-term ROI projections • Workforce development pathways • Reduced justice-system burden • Oversight and accountability reforms • Federal funding preservation opportunities ✔ The proposal has been sent to the Governor’s Office, Department of Military Affairs, legislators, candidates, media outlets, and multiple state agencies. ✔ We have continued documenting testimonies from graduates, families, teachers, military members, and community supporters showing this program changes lives. WHAT STILL NEEDS TO HAPPEN: ➡ Governor Ron DeSantis needs to directly acknowledge and review the preservation framework instead of redirecting questions back to the National Guard. ➡ State leadership must recognize that this is not simply a military issue anymore — this is now a Florida youth, workforce, public safety, and economic issue. ➡ A serious discussion must happen regarding a civilian/state transition model that preserves the program while reducing long-term state liabilities. ➡ Media attention must continue statewide. The more visibility this receives, the harder it becomes for this program to quietly disappear. ➡ Supporters need to continue: • Sharing the petition • Contacting state leaders • Sharing testimonies and videos • Speaking to local media • Keeping public pressure on decision makers This fight has already gone further than many people believed possible in just over a month because people who lived this program refused to stay silent. FLYCA taught us not to quit. We are applying that lesson now. #SaveFLYCA #ChallengeAccepted