Foster youth graduation open house is Sunday

CEDAR RAPIDS — On Sunday from 3 to 4:30 p.m., the fourth annual Foster Youth Graduation Open House, for graduates in the foster care system, will be held at Radiant Church (Cedar Rapids First Assembly), 3233 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE.

Foster students, along with the help of their case workers, sign up to participate in this event, which honors these students who have worked to achieve this landmark occasion and have beaten the odds. This year there are 21 students who are participating in this event, including one who is a college graduate.

Only 53 percent of foster youth graduate from high school and less than 3 percent graduate from college, making this a remarkable accomplishment for these 21 young men and women.

To encourage these young adults, the community is invited to rally behind them and show up with gift cards. Donations will be divided evenly among the students, or you can bring one for each of the students being honored. Online donations can be made at https://radiantchurch.live/events/fostergrad/