True Up loves to fill the gap in unmet needs, which is why we decided to host a foster alumni graduation party! Each year, the Department for Community Based Services hosts a party with the same goal, however, the criteria is more narrow. We had a young adult on one of our grants who was ineligible to attend because he was adopted in the past. True Up decided not only to host a graduation party to celebrate those excluded, but we also included those who missed out on being celebrated in recent years as well.
The party was a success and everyone had fun snapping photos at the photo booth and playing bingo for cool prizes. Everyone left with full bellies (thanks Four Pegs for the generous donation), prizes, and day passes to Holiday World! Each graduate was also given a certificate of excellence, which acknowledged their graduation achievement and any successes they’ve made with True Up.
It is important to make a big deal out of celebrating these successes! Youth with a foster care history are less likely than their peers to graduate both high school and college. Among our graduates, we had a few who graduated from high school but two who blew it out of the water by earning their master’s degrees.
In order to continue to have successes like this we must put a focus on nurturing youth as they go through school and provide them with the support they need – like a family would.
Hear one True Up Peer Network member share their success in post-secondary education. Tia Humphrey, describes what it took for her to start her academic career and complete her master’s degree.
