As shouts and applause echoed through the streets of Downtown Toledo, 24 foster youth took in the sunshine and cheers as guests of honor for Lucas County Children Services’ annual Graduation Celebration. They all had reasons to be proud of themselves; they had each overcome the challenges of foster care to earn their high school diplomas.
After being cheered by LCCS staff lining the sidewalks, the teens and their caregivers and caseworkers went inside for a ceremony to recognize their hard work, and finally to open the mountains of gifts donated by agency staff.
After lunch, donated by Friends of LCCS, the group hopped on a bus to take graduation pictures at Middlegrounds Metropark, then on to First Presbyterian Church of Maumee, where they met Love & Luggage volunteers. Each graduate received a duffle bag to fill with additional independent living items donated by members of the community. Love & Luggage volunteers stay connected to these youth and remain available to provide advice and support.
These young men and women are headed down a wide variety of paths, from learning to live independently, to trade apprenticeships, to nursing school, to military service.
Thank you to our agency staff, who worked together to ensure that every graduate received the gifts they wished for.
