Project Grow’s Inaugural Graduation Celebration
A formal celebration of Project Grow’s graduates has been on Adopt-A-Family’s wish list for years, and on May 16, the agency hosted its inaugural Project Grow Graduation. The ceremony was designed to celebrate the achievements of the program’s fifth grade students as they transition out of the program, out of elementary school, and on to their next stage of development.
The event provided an opportunity for the 11 graduates and their families to reflect on their elementary school years at Project Grow. The students enjoyed dinner and cake and heard words of affirmation from their Project Grow teachers and AAF CEO Matt Constantine. Youth Success Coach Michelle Pinto encouraged them to stay connected with AAF in the future by participating in the Youth Success Program. After diplomas and gifts were distributed, the grads threw their caps in the air to celebrate this special rite of passage. 
Because Project Grow aims to instill a sense of stability in children who have faced the unpredictability of homelessness, it is important to take the time to mark these momentous transitions and reinforce a sense of continuity. We are proud to have begun the tradition of celebrating each graduation to help make that connection; the mission at AAF is a holistic one, providing resources, opportunities, and support for family members at every stage of life. While in Project Grow, students are provided with support to overcome academic, social, and emotional barriers so they are equipped to excel in and out of the classroom.
A special “thank you” goes out to the Project Grow Graduation Committee for spearheading this endeavor with dedication and care. We are grateful for the many donors who made the event possible. We’d also like to acknowledge the amazing team of teachers, advisors, therapists, tutors, volunteers, and donors who have supported these students throughout their time in Project Grow.
Congratulations to our graduates! We look forward to cheering you on in middle school and beyond!
Click here to view the event photo album on Facebook