Fiftymen andwomen that were formerly homeless walked proudly in cap and gown across a stunningly decorated stage to receive their recognition and diplomas, graduating froma transformingRegenerationProgramthat took a year ormore to complete atTheCaring Place 2023 Graduation Ceremony. Families and friends gathered to celebrate thismilestone, accompanied by heavenly music, passionate testimonies and a powerful keynotemessage.The love and joy that permeated the air was truly heartwarming. Following the ceremony, therewas an after-party filledwith greatmusic and the finest cuisine. It was a time to reflect on the profound impact of The Caring Place ministry, not only on our immediate communities but also for the advancement of God's kingdom. For more pictures go to facebook.com/miamirescuemission or visit caringplace.org to learn more about the ministry. Alumni from three decades mingled with current students, staff, and faculty, during the InterVarsity South Florida 2023Gala inApril at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. Seventeen students were recognized as graduating Christian leaders on campus with individual blessings and prayers during the alumni commissioning and cord ceremony that concluded the three-hour signature event. BarryUniversity alumna and current Business faculty Clara Stroude Vazquez, as well as Chief of Culture and Inclusion at the Miami Heat, shared how to keep it real and contribute to Christian community to keep growing in love and godly character. InterVarsity-FIU alumnus and Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Lead Pastor Doug Sauder beamed like a proud older brother and shared how an InterVarsity urbanmission project some decades ago catalyzed him and several other IV students to incorporate 4KIDS, a national standard for foster care agencies. It all started when Doug came to FIU as a brand-new believer scared about how he would live out his faith on campus and beyond. His freshman year Doug met this guy that looked like Jesus, Gary Cameron (IV campus minister). That's how he connected with InterVarsity and the rest is history...a lovely reminder of the importance of God's campus work. 42 JUNE 2023 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition CELEBRATES GRADUATES 2023 Knox Theological Seminary Graduates 31st Class Knox Theological Seminary celebrated the commencement of the thirty-first graduating class on Friday, May 12, 2023, hosted by Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. This year, Knox conferred 43 graduates (not all pictured) who received degrees in Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies, Christian and Classical Studies, Master of Divinity, Doctor of Ministry, and Certificate in Biblical Languages. The commencement address was presented by Ginger Martin, president and CEO of First Nationa Bank, who inspired graduates to maintain the biblical practice of zeal. The full replay of the live stream can be found on the Knox Theological Seminary Facebook page, or learn more at knoxseminary.edu Did you knowonly half of youth in foster care graduate fromhigh school? Less than 3%graduate fromcollege. “We break barriers - insufficient support, lack of appropriate guidance, and unmet financial support- facing our youth, so they can overcome negative graduation odds among their peers in foster care,” says ColeenLaCosta, ExecutiveDirector of SpeakUp for Kids. “We cheer themon across the finish line and recognize themwithGIFTS forGRADS and our Scholarship.”The Flourishing Futures campaign exists to rally the community in celebration of young adults who, despite involvement in the foster care system, are graduating fromhigh school +GED, college, or vocational school. Created in partnership with Leadership Palm Beach County, Speak Up’s annual Scholarship offers awards to graduating high school seniors within the foster care systemandCommunityYouthVolunteers of STUDENTS SpeakUp forKids, a peer-to-peer advocacyprogram. “Our goal is to create a pathway for the community to rally around our youth, so each grad has the connections and support essential for a flourishing future,” says LaCosta. With a passion for influencing law and policy, ScholarshipAwardee SophiaMills, of Boca RatonCommunityHigh School, will attendHarvard University this fall. “MySSUFKexperience is significant because it allowedme to learnabout a real issue, connectwithcountless leaderswhoadvocate for foster children in my community, and use that knowledge to enact change,” says Mills, a Community Youth Volunteer of STUDENTS SUFK. “Growing in this organization helpedme findwhat I want to do in the future and allowedme to have ameaningful high school experience.” Youth likeSophiahave impacted the communitybyadvocating for theirpeers in the foster care system. Learnmorebyvisiting speakupforkidspbc.orgor emailing [email protected] Graduates Celebrate Life Changing Transformation at The Caring Place Scholarship Awardee Sophia Mills, Boca Raton Community High School InterVarsity Graduates (including those absent from the gala):Faedrah Mahotiere, Smitha Philip, Chiamaka Okafor, “Stella" Tavallaei, Belema Josiah, Nikita Rolle, Jabari Scott, Jalen Young, Geston Dessalines, Carla Louis, Ruben Garçon, Deborah “Debbie" Hew, Tatyana Moise, Kehinde “Kenny" Alawode, Patience Paul, Lee Seng Lau Alcantara, and Olayinka David. Claude DeLorme, Emeritus VP of Operations for the Marlins, and Ricky Hughes, graduate InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Gala Recognizes Graduates Speak Up for Kids Congratulates Scholarship Recipients andGraduates
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjE2MjU=