Candy leis draped around their necks and caps and gowns perfectly positioned, 99 teenagers from across Clark County stepped into a celebration that marked more than just academic achievement this spring.

These young graduates had navigated the complex journey of completing high school while living in foster care — a dual challenge that required resilience beyond their years.

Clark County Family Services transformed what could have been a simple graduation ceremony into a comprehensive launch pad for independence. The gathering Wednesday buzzed with excitement as the teens posed for photos and participated in raffles for small appliances and household essentials — practical prizes that reflected the reality of aging out of the foster system.

Beyond the festivities, the event served as a crucial resource fair, connecting these young adults with pathways to postsecondary education, workforce development and housing assistance. As they prepare to pursue college degrees, vocational training and military service, these graduates receive the tools and connections needed to master the art of “adulting” while building their independent futures.

Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick said it’s her responsibility to get young constituents on a path to success. Here, that could mean giving them leads on jobs and apartments so they can get established and perhaps start their own families and give back to the community.

“These kids are on the way to being community members,” she said.

One of the young people with a bright future was Isaiah Holliday, who attended the resource fair with his foster parents. Holliday, 18, recently graduated from Durango High School and will attend UNLV to study psychology. 

He will stay with his foster parents, who took him in with his twin 17-year-old siblings more than three years ago, while he attends college. His goal is to be a lawyer and judge. 

James Renfro, Holliday’s foster father, said when he decided to foster, he knew he wanted to welcome siblings. He said he felt led, as a calling, to give youths in crisis stability.

“If I had a house with 30 rooms in it, I would have a house with 30 kids in it,” he said.

Officials say older kids are harder to get into homes — Family Services estimates that on any given day, 30 to 40 teens are living at the county-run Child Haven shelter awaiting a safe placement.

When a child is removed from their biological family they may need short-term or long-term placement. While reunification with biological families is the goal, some children may become permanently adopted, with foster families generally getting priority.

The county says most children come into the system because of neglect, and statistics show that completing high school isn’t easy for this population. 

Statewide, the foster youths in the class of 2024 had a graduation rate of about 43%, according to the Nevada Department of Education. The Nevada System of Higher Education supports former foster children who want to attend college with fee waivers and social services on campus to help see them through to their degrees.

Clark County Family Services Deputy Director Lisa Martinez said this year saw the most foster kids ever graduating from high school, and the number has been growing.

“That’s huge,” she said.

Foster parenting requires training and licensing. Family Services estimates that about 3,400 children are in Clark County foster care. Homes are needed for all ages and unique needs, including sibling groups, medically complex or developmentally disabled children, drug- and alcohol-exposed infants and teen mothers and their own children. To learn more about becoming a foster parent, visit clarkcountynv.gov/residents/family_services/divisions/foster_care/.