KUAR | By Ronak Patel
Young adults who grew up in foster care were honored at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion on Thursday. There were 74 young adults in the foster care system that graduated from high school or received their GED, according to a program from the event.
The graduation ceremony was hosted by the Arkansas Division of Children & Family Services. Mischa Martin, director of the Division of Children & Family Services, said in an interview the event is a way to bring together the children in the foster care system.
“We just like to come together even though they probably celebrated at the local level to do something special for them to really recognize the challenges they face to finish and make them feel valued and special. They'll walk away with a gift card and some gifts from our nonprofit as well,” Martin said.
Ronak Patel/KUAR News
Gov. Asa Hutchinson shares words of encouragement with graduates. Hutchinson spoke with some of the graduates before the ceremony about their future plans.