For the third consecutive year Epworth Children’s Home high school students achieved a 100% graduation rate. Epworth celebrated the graduation of six residents on May 29, 2014, during the Dreher High School Commencement at the Carolina Coliseum. The high school graduates came from across the state before being placed in Epworth’s care and have been residents for as little as a few months to over seven years.
“We are proud of these six young people who committed themselves to success in the classroom,” said Rev. John Holler, President of Epworth. “Providing educational opportunity is a priority at Epworth because we know that with a solid education our children can break the cycle of abuse and neglect and go on to live lives of self-respect, responsibility and productivity.”
Through Epworth’s Independent Living/Higher Education Program, all six residents are eligible to continue to call Epworth “home.” The program enables students who have graduated and aged-out of the foster care system to remain at Epworth as they transition into adulthood. The program is made possible by the donations of the congregations and community who support Epworth.
The program is an emergent piece of Epworth’s ministry as it answers the call to serve the growing population of high school residents at Epworth. All students in the program must continue their education, attend job training programs, or be employed. For students continuing their education Epworth assists them with transitioning into a college environment and provides a place for them to live on the weekend and on holidays.
Among the graduates and rising participants in the program are three students who will be profiled in the June issue of The Record, Epworth’s quarterly newsletter. Jazmine and Curtdrieka, pictured, came to Epworth within two days of each other over seven years ago and will be rooming together in college this Fall. The two girls share a sister-like bond and look forward to continuing their friendship in college. Also graduating was a young man known as Trevor, who came to Epworth from a violent home and now will be a first-generation college student studying criminal justice.
Photo: Jazmine and Curtdrieka, two of six Epworth Residents who graduated from Dreher High School on May 29. 100% of high school senior residents graduated for the third consecutive year.
