CINCINNATI, OH – Hamilton County Jobs and Family Services celebrated its largest-ever class of high school graduates in foster care this week, honoring 97 students for overcoming significant odds.
A Milestone Celebration
The agency threw a festive graduation party on June 4 at Maple Ridge Lodge in Mount Airy Forest. Complete with music, balloons, and high energy, the annual event aimed to give these resilient students the exact same celebration any high school graduate deserves.
“We want to let them know that we support them and want them to succeed,” Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus stated during the event.
Overcoming the Odds
The agency, which currently holds custody of over 2,100 children, has been hosting these graduation celebrations for 27 years. With roughly 20% of the foster population aged 16 and older, achieving graduation is a massive milestone.
Among the 97 graduates honored were:
- Nathan Cornist (19): Graduated via Cincinnati Public Schools’ virtual program and plans to attend trade school for welding.
- Mariah Myers: Graduated from Withrow High School and is headed to Xavier University this fall to study psychology and business, with ultimate goals of law school.
95% Success Rate Driven by Local Program
The high graduation numbers are heavily credited to the agency’s Kids in School Rule program, led by Eric Young. The initiative assigns education specialists to foster youth to ensure school stability, even if their foster home placement changes.
The program has yielded incredible results across local districts:
- Cincinnati Public Schools: 95% graduation rate among program participants.
- Winton Woods City School District: 100% graduation rate.
- Northwest Local School District: 100% graduation rate.
Officials noted that the program is entirely focused on giving students the tools they need to transition successfully into independent adulthood.
