LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla (CBS12) \u2014 Dozens of young people connected to South Florida\u2019s foster care system were recognized for reaching significant educational milestones during ChildNet\u2019s annual graduation celebration, highlighting achievements that many advocates say required extraordinary perseverance.<\/p>\n
Family members, caregivers, child advocates and community supporters gathered to honor graduates who earned high school diplomas, GEDs, vocational certifications and college degrees during the past year.<\/p>\n
For many of the graduates, the celebration marked the culmination of years of overcoming instability, hardship and challenges often associated with growing up in foster care.<\/p>\n
Former foster youth and child advocate Sophia Coffey encouraged graduates to recognize the significance of their accomplishments.<\/p>\n
\u201cTake a look around at all your peers. You guys have made it,\u201d Coffey said. \u201cClass of 2026, tonight we celebrate not only your accomplishments, but who you are becoming.\u201d<\/p>\n
See also: JAFCO Children’s Ability Center helps families of children with disabilities thrive<\/a><\/p>\n Among those honored was Savannah, who celebrated graduating from high school.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m graduating from high school today,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Another graduate, Dior, shared plans for the future after already being accepted to the University of Central Florida.<\/p>\n \u201cI already got accepted to my dream college for UCF and I\u2019m going to be majoring in criminal justice,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n ChildNet CEO Larry Rein said the graduates demonstrated resilience by reaching their goals despite facing obstacles that many of their peers may not have encountered.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re likely greater and stronger than a lot of your peers and your colleagues because you\u2019ve done it maybe with not quite the level of support that they had,\u201d Rein said. \u201cYou\u2019ve had to overcome things that maybe they didn\u2019t have to. So take tremendous, tremendous pride in what you\u2019ve done.\u201d<\/p>\n Advocates say educational milestones can be especially meaningful for young people who have experienced foster care, providing a foundation for future opportunities and independence.<\/p>\n \u201cThe message to the graduates first is that they should be incredibly, incredibly proud of what they\u2019ve done,\u201d Rein said.<\/p>\n Several graduates took time to thank ChildNet and those who supported them along the way.<\/p>\n \u201cI just want to say thank you, ChildNet, for all your support,\u201d said graduate Yasmine.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve been a lot of help to me, so I love you guys,\u201d Dior added.<\/p>\n Former foster parent Twiler Smith offered words of encouragement, reminding graduates to remain confident in their worth and potential.<\/p>\n \u201cJust remember, you have one life to live,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n \u201cI tell all kids to say, \u2018I am somebody.\u2019 Despite being neglected, despite what has happened to me, I am somebody,\u201d she added. \u201cThese kids rock today and they are somebody.\u201d<\/p>\n ChildNet is the lead community-based care agency serving Broward and Palm Beach counties, providing services to children and families involved in the child welfare system.<\/p>\n The graduation ceremony served as both a celebration of achievement and a reminder of the determination many foster youth demonstrate in pursuing their educational goals and building futures beyond the challenges they have faced.<\/p>\n For more Forever Family stories, visit foreverfamily.org <\/a>in partnership with ChildNet<\/a> and The Boca Raton.<\/p>\n