Dauphin News

Rep. Joe Kerwin of Dauphin County has been reappointed to the advisory council of the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy. This program offers a structured environment for at-risk youth, facilitating a path toward achieving educational milestones like credits or a GED through a military-style residential initiative. House Speaker Joanna McClinton appointed Kerwin to the position.

Kerwin, who had previously served on the council, was deployed with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in late 2023. Reflecting on the academy's impact, he remarked, "The academy is a fantastic program in which young people are learning about responsibility, leadership, discipline, and goal setting. I’ve seen it make a difference in the lives of young people when they are at their most vulnerable."

In addition to his role with the National Guard, Kerwin has experience as a criminal prosecutor and serves as a representative for northern Dauphin County, including West Hanover and Lower Paxton townships. "My time in the National Guard has taught me so much, and I hope to use my role on the council to pass those teachings onto the next generation," Kerwin stated.

The Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy supports Pennsylvania teens who face challenges in their academic endeavors, offering an alternative educational path.