The S.O.G. Crew (Thump Records/ Universal Music Group) visit Sunburst Youth Academy at-risk youth program in Los Alamitos, California thanks to New Wine Church, the California National Guard, and the Orange County Department of Education. The mission of the Sunburst Youth Challenge program is to intervene in and reclaim the lives of at-risk youth to produce graduates with the values, skills, education, and self-discipline necessary to succeed as adults and citizens in their community.
Students who attend the program are immersed for five and a half months in a military-style environment where they can earn high school credits while developing leadership, pride, confidence, and academic skills. During their time at Sunburst, cadets live on base, attend high school during the day, and work on physical fitness, life skills, team building, and goal-setting activities before and after school.
“It is a huge blessing to have the opportunity to build relationships with these students. New Wine Church entertained the idea of The S.O.G. Crew Hip Hop visiting but due to the pandemic, never happened. A few weeks ago I was invited to be part of a crisis team at the program by being a youth counselor and helping with the sound thanks to Chaplain Yvette Estrada. Last night we did a concert for the students featuring S.O.G. Crew Hip Hop members DJ X316 Alex Muniz, Queen Jean, and invited friends K3iizle & Xoxo to rock it with us as well. We plan to do a concert once a month for the students while inviting new up & coming artists to showcase their artistry and advocacy. Last night we did a freestyle session during our presentation and many of the students joined us at the end to rock the microphone. I understand what these young men are going through. I was just like them and one day my life changed because someone gave me a chance to showcase my God-given talent as a Hip Hop Emcee. When the opportunity presented itself, I ran with it, and years later now I help build confidence encouraging young and old to pick up the microphone to rip it. What I love about this program is that they let us say little prayers for the students,” stated Dr. Robert “Battle Ax” Ornelas S.O.G. Crew member and former 2012 US Vice Presidential Candidate
Sunburst Youth Academy (SYA) is a FREE 5 1/2 month residential program for 16 – 18-year-old teens that are at risk of not graduating or are behind in credits. SYA is a non-profit organization that is run by the Army National Guard at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Facility and is part of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program. High School classes are conducted on the base through the Orange County Department of Education.
New Wine Church is a non-denominational church, that is bible-believing and all about Jesus.
The California National Guard is part of the National Guard of the United States, a dual federal-state military reserve force. The CA National Guard has three components: the CA Army National Guard, CA Air National Guard, and CA State Guard.
