Gifts for Grads

For most teens, graduating from high school is a milestone. For foster kids, it’s more like a miracle.

Removed from families due to abuse or neglect, foster children often attend multiple schools while bouncing from one temporary home to another.

“Children in foster care must overcome insurmountable odds to complete high school without the benefit of family support,” says Theresa Toia, founder of Friends of Foster Kids. “They deserve to know the community is proud of their accomplishment.”

A Macomb County nonprofit, Friends of Foster Kids expresses this community pride through its “Hats Off to Grads” program. This year, the charity will recognize 41 graduating foster children. Honorees will receive a special gift, along with a care package of essentials that will come in handy whether they’re moving on to college or independent living.

As First State Bank celebrates its centennial anniversary, we also want to celebrate the caring organizations that change lives in our community. We’re honored to give $5,000 to Friends of Foster Kids, our second of six donations in 2017. (The first recipient was the Macomb Charitable Foundation.)

Thank you for doing so much to let foster kids know their community cares!