We want to introduce you to two diligent Hope Gardens seniors who graduated from high school this summer. Given the trauma they and their families have been through, they deserve serious props for this important achievement.
Dayton spent the majority of his high school years living at Hope Gardens with his mother and two brothers. We spent many afternoons playing hoops together on the asphalt makeshift court that Deed & Truth provided the students. Dayton is an excellent student and really took his education seriously. As a result he graduated with honors this summer.Dayton will be attending community college this fall as he pursues his goal of a University Degree. Deed & Truth wanted both, to honor him, and give him an important tool he would need to go to college. Below, Dayton poses with the new HP laptop computer D&T gave him as a graduation gift. He is a very polite (and very tall) young man and he wanted to express his gratitude to our donors who made this gift possible.
Oscar also graduated this year (and he too is very tall). He had to overcome a lot of obstacles to accomplish that feat. Aside from the general trauma that goes with the struggles of a family trying diligently to overcome homelessness, Oscar was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of the school year. He has been undergoing treatment, and given the dangers of the covid-19 virus, he is extremely vulnerable. However, he didn’t let his health issues stop him from graduating. His health restrictions will be keeping him from attending college in the fall but the following year he has plans for getting his college education.
Oscar was also an important member of the marching band. He is an excellent saxophone player. His favorite artist is Kenny G. Deed & Truth had plans to fly Oscar to Oakland to see an intimate Kenny G concert and to meet him prior to the concert. Unfortunately, the concert had to be indefinitely postponed. However, Deed & Truth did get Oscar a HS Graduation Ring and an autographed wall art collage of his favorite inspirational artist.
Thank you all for supporting Deed and Truth and helping us encourage these two young men in their educational and developmental journey. Please keep Dayton and Oscar in your prayers. Pray for the grants and scholarships that will be needed and the perseverance to end the cycle of homelessness through education. Pray too that they reach the incredible potential they both possess by developing their passions, skills, and God-given giftedness. Please pray for Oscar’s cancer treatments to be successful so that he might move forward in his life cancer-free.
