Letter from Alan Smyth Celebrating Client Graduation

Dear Friend,

Saving Innocence has much to celebrate this summer. Our team is bursting with pride as a number of our clients graduate from high school and college.

Often, it’s easy to take for granted the milestones we achieve in life, such as graduating from school, surrounded by the cheering support of our family and friends.

For many of us, we have happy memories of walking across the stage and accepting our diploma with our loved ones proudly watching.

However, survivors of human trafficking, many of whom are also in the foster care system, face significant hurdles to graduating. A lack of family support and instability can lead to frequently changing schools, falling behind, or dropping out altogether.

Did you know that only 50-60% of foster kids graduate from high school? Among commercially sexually exploited children, the percentage is even smaller.

That’s why Saving Innocence’s work as a Foster Family Agency is so needed and critical in the lives of the youth we serve.

Our Saving Innocence advocates are honored to walk alongside our clients and connect them with educational opportunities, such as helping them enroll back in school, pursue homeschool options, or obtain a GED.

By completing their education, survivors are empowered to reclaim their lives, achieve their dreams, and reach their full potential.

Recently, three Saving Innocence team members accompanied one of our high school graduates to cheer her on as she walked across the stage.

Afterwards, she shared with them: “My aunt and uncle said I’d never graduate, but I did it.”

She is now working toward becoming an esthetician. Our team is so incredibly proud of her!

At Saving Innocence, we are committed to ensuring that every one of our clients knows they are celebrated and loved as they put on their hard-earned cap and gown for their special day.

Our team makes it a priority to attend client graduation ceremonies, driving near and far, to stand with our clients during one of the biggest moments of their lives.

To honor the resiliency and amazing achievements of our graduates, Saving Innocence is hosting our Annual Graduation Celebration in two weeks. Awards will be presented, gifts will be given, and our clients’ accomplishments will be recognized by our team and volunteers.

In order to pull this all off, can you help chip in a donation of $50, $100, $250, or $500 to show your support for our graduates who are now on their way to a brighter future?

Saving Innocence walks alongside our clients as they overcome the unimaginable challenges of human trafficking and continues to support them beyond graduation.

This requires substantial advocacy hours and resources.

Will you support Saving Innocence with a donation today so we can continue to empower survivors of human trafficking to live their lives with hope, dignity, and justice?

Thank you for your support!

Here’s to the class of 2024,

Alan Smyth and the Saving Innocence Team