Joe Ryan's Stolen Graduation funds!

Joe has just graduated from Hutchinson Senior High! We are so proud of his accomplishments, despite the bad hands he was dealt along the way. Joe has been living with my family in Foster Care, on and off, for most of his life. He was shuffled around from school to school, by the county until he landed in Hutchinson, where he played football and found a good group of friends. For the last 6 months, he returned to Foster Care at my parents house. 
 
Yesterday, at his graduation party, Joe's graduation cards were stolen-- including all the money in them, which he intended to use as he starts college in the Fall. He responded, "It's okay everyone, I'm just glad you all could be here to celebrate". Probably a more mature response than many of us would have had. Joe doesn't have a family network to turn to for support, he's been in 'the system' his entire life, so although he's not saying so, this is a big deal. The people that showed up for his graduation party... Social Workers, Fridley neighbors, our family, and a handful of his friends. 

Yesterday was the first time Joe EVER had a party thrown for him, it's the first time he was celebrated, and it ended in such a disappointing way. I'm not okay with this, and I want to show him that people care.

I can't emphasize enough what a good kid Joe is, and so undeserving of how his celebration ended.