Foster Care 2025 High School Graduation Celebration, Fairfax County, VA

For the Tenth year in a row the Bernie L. Bates Foundation, (BLB), Inc. and Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter (PsiAA) of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. partnered with the Fairfax County Department of Family Services for their Foster Care Program’s Graduation Celebration for the 2025 Graduation Celebration.  This year the event took place on August 1, 2025 at the Corner Pocket, the Student Union building on George Mason University’s (GMU) main campus and is GMU’s arcade and pool hall area and is located on 4450 Rivanna Way, Fairfax, VA. The celebration took place from noon to 3 PM. The event had a casual feel this year and allowed the graduates to bring their friends and family for a fun time.

Fairfax County, VA Foster Care 2025 Graduation Celebration

Twenty highly motivated young people were recognized by the Fairfax County Department of Family Services, Foster Care Program during this High School, College Graduation Celebration. This was the largest Fairfax County Foster Care student graduation class in the history of the program.

These young graduates being celebrated were children who were removed from their biological families due to various reasons including abandonment, abuse and or neglect and several had been moved back and forth between foster and group homes. The challenges that stood between them and a diploma were significant.

The high school graduation rates for children raised in foster care are 49.6%, significantly less than the 87% national average and the statistics on college graduates are even lower. Having a high school diploma significantly increases the range of job opportunities and earning potential by $9,000.

Despite numerous obstacles, to include English as a second language for some, these young students graduated due to their hard work and the support of people both in and outside of their social circle.

Ms. Charisma Canty, Department of Family Services, Foster Care Program, served as the Master of Ceremony and presented the Class of 2025 with the theme,” The Best is Yet to Come.” Ms. Tamara Tanner, Social Services Specialist II, served as the lead hostess with members of the annual graduation committee and conducted the celebration. Eight sponsors and community partners presented gifts to the graduates. Each graduate was accompanied to the stage by their Social Service Point of Contact that gave a message to the graduates telling them that they can find the way to be successful in life by not letting their past define who they are or what they want to be.

Director Chisolm & Basileus, Bro. Buckner

Director Marvin Chisolm, BLB President and Brother Ray A. Buckner, Basileus, PsiAA Chapter were on the stage and congratulated the graduates for their monumental life changing achievement and presented each graduate with a Certificate of Achievement and a $100 gift card for their accomplishment. Directors Bradford Caldwell and James Cherry arrived early and helped the Foster Care staff set up the celebration area and had a chance to talk and encourage the graduates and engage with Family Service staff.

Article written by: Director Bradford Caldwell