ATLANTA – Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) Director Bobby Cagle, along with many partners, will host nearly 300 foster youth for the Celebration of Excellence on Saturday. The statewide graduation ceremony will take place at noon at the Westin Perimeter in Atlanta. The event is closed to the public for privacy purposes.

The Celebration of Excellence is an annual event honoring the educational accomplishments of Georgia’s foster youth, who despite obstacles and adversity, have graduated from high school and college. This year’s graduating class received more than $30,000 in scholarships. Over the last twenty-five years, the Division has recognized the academic achievements of more than 5,000 youth in foster care.

“The Celebration of Excellence is an event I look forward to each year,” said DFCS Director Bobby Cagle. “These young people have faced many hardships and to see them accomplish such an important milestone is truly inspiring.”

The graduation ceremony is the culmination of a two-day forum focused on providing resources to the youth that will assist them as they begin college or trade school and enter the workforce. The teens will also participate in workshops designed to educate them on topics like; health and well-being, credit reporting and education and training vouchers.

The Division’s Independent Living Program (ILP) provides eligible youth with opportunities to successfully prepare for adulthood through appropriate referral resources and connections offered by community partners.