Happy August! This summer, Saving Innocence has been in the thick of celebrating our graduating clients while also preparing them for the future.
Last week, Saving Innocence hosted our Annual Graduation Celebration, honoring seven youth who recently graduated from high school!
With incredible determination and strength, these brave survivors have overcome the unimaginable challenges of human trafficking, and put in the hard work to earn their diplomas. Every year, our staff-led ceremony is held as an opportunity to reflect on how far our clients have come and to dream together about where they’re headed next.
Each graduate was given a yellow rose that signified resilience and recognition of their achievement and were invited to give their rose to someone that’s impacted their life. Tears were shed as some graduates handed roses to their Saving Innocence Advocate, acknowledging the ways our team has supported them through this hard and beautiful journey. Each graduate was also gifted a laptop and supplies to support them heading into their next chapter. Included in their bags was a sweatshirt to each youth’s dream college.
The commencement speaker was a former client of Saving Innocence who recently graduated from community college and is now working towards becoming a culinary chef. It was inspirational to hear from a peer who is a step ahead in her own resilient journey. As she compared this life stage to the phase when a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, she reminded them: “Be patient with yourself. You’re now just growing your wings to bring momentum for the flight ahead of you.” With their high school diplomas in hand and aspiring college sweatshirts on their backs, so much good is only just beginning for these seven tenacious young adults.
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Watch a recap of our 2024 Annual Graduation Ceremony!