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Tacos and penguins and sloths, oh my! County Child and Family Well Being brought joy, celebration and accomplishment to local foster youth and teens enrolled in the Independent Living Skills program during a splashy high school graduation event at SeaWorld San Diego.
Nearly 200 graduates, family members and supporters attended the June 26 event to honor and cheer on 70 foster youth who earned their high school diplomas. For many, graduation marks not just an academic milestone, but a moment of resilience and triumph over challenges that can make educational success hard to achieve.
To help foster youth reach their goals, the County launched the Fostering Academic Success in Education (FASE) program in August 2020. Through FASE, students are paired with an Educational Social Worker who understands their unique needs and provides tutoring, technology support and guidance on financial aid and planning for the future.
Thanks to the FASE program, dedicated County staff and strong community partners, the Class of 2026 is stepping forward with confidence, pride and a vision for what comes next. Their achievements show what’s possible when support, determination and opportunity come together, and they remind us of the bright futures being built every day.