Happy Grads and Dad's month to you all!

We have many incredible things happening with our kids this month.  We have three boys receiving their High School diplomas and walking with the other students from Educational Options at Golden Valley Unified School District.  Two of them have earned the privilege to be on the honor roll.  We also have one of our Foster boys getting his High School diploma from Reedley High School.  These young men have worked very hard to attain what they initially thought was impossible.  They have had to get caught up on their credits and work extra hard to get to this point in a relatively short time.  So far this school year, we have had five boys at the ranch receive their diplomas.  This is a tremendous credit to the boys, the teachers, and our relationships with the boys' Probation Officers, too. Since we began our partnership with Golden Valley Unified School District, we have had 16 boys complete their High School education. Considering our boys come to us between the ages of 13-17 and are only with us for a year, it is not that common for them to be able to complete their High School education.  We are very proud of them and will be having lots of parties for them ... with NO alcohol being consumed!

We also had our 9th Annual Valley Teen Ranch Prom with the ladies of Alpha Delta Chi Sorority at Fresno State.  DerManouel Insurance Group provided the dinner and decorations.  John Glueck was our photographer and Steve Burst was the DJ.  The River Church provided the room and we had a tremendous and memorable time together.  The boys were in their tuxedos, thanks to AJ's Tuxedos. They looked like, felt like, and acted like Kings!  The ladies were beautifully dressed and we didn't want the evening to end. The boys told me they had never been to a prom, worn a tuxedo, or had a party that didn't include alcohol and drugs ... and they actually had FUN!  They couldn't believe that these nice girls actually talked to them, danced with them, and enjoyed themselves, too.  Our theme was SHINE and they are still shinning as they look at the photos.

Yesterday on Facebook, I read a comment from one of our Fost/Adopt parents.  Two of our families attend the same church.  One of their adopted daughters is 10 and was helping teach the younger children in Sunday School.  One of the younger children was adopted by our other family.  The older child was so happy that she got to help another child that was adopted ... by Valley Teen Ranch!  Now that's a story that Oprah can't tell on her most memorable moments!  Actually, I think my most memorable stories during the past 24 years of my life as CEO of Valley Teen Ranch are pretty special, too, because our stories include Jesus!

Your gifts this month will help us make these graduations extra special for our kids.  Have Happy and safe Graduations and Father's Day celebrations, too.

To donate visit the Valley Teen Ranch Website at valleytenranch.org