Editor’s Note: For privacy reasons, names and certain details have been changed. These stories are shared by former houseparents who have served at various children’s homes to offer insight, encouragement, and prayer for those considering this role. To respect the privacy of the children in these stories, we use artistic depictions rather than real photos.
A Graduation Like No Other
Graduation is supposed to be a moment of celebration—a time for hugs, caps flying in the air, and hearing your name called as you cross the stage. But in 2020, everything looked different.
For two of our seniors, Heather and Marcus, graduation wasn’t what they had dreamed of. They had worked hard, overcome so much, and were ready for their moment. But instead of a packed auditorium filled with cheering families, they were left with a pandemic and the reality that their senior year had been taken away from them.
It was heartbreaking.
But if there’s one thing we’ve learned as houseparents, it’s that when something is taken, we find a way to give something back.
That’s how the drive-through graduation celebration came to life.
As a collective staff, many of us having been houseparents ourselves, we knew we had to do something. Two houseparent families came together to make sure Heather and Marcus didn’t feel forgotten.
We set up a tent outside, decorated in purple and gold, and invited everyone who had ever loved and supported them—teachers, church members, houseparents, and lifelong friends. And even though the world was shutting down, people showed up. Car after car pulled through, honking, cheering, and celebrating them.
Heather was overwhelmed with gratitude, later sharing:
“Thank you to everyone who made tonight happen. I will never forget this. Just knowing that so many people came out for us, it means everything.”
Marcus, always quieter but just as moved, admitted that night meant more to him than he could put into words.
For these two graduates—kids who had already lost so much in life—this moment gave them something no pandemic could take away.
Because when you grow up in a children’s home, family isn’t about blood. It’s about the people who show up for you.
And that night, they knew—they were loved.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the people who show up in the lives of children who need them most. We pray for every child who feels forgotten, that they may be surrounded by love and support. Lord, we ask that You bring new houseparents to fill the empty homes in children’s ministries across the country. May more children find security, stability, and joy in homes filled with Your love. We pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.