Anthony and other teens in our group homes may not get traditional high school graduations – but we always celebrate them with our own commencement before college and trade school classes start. This is Anthony’s story.
Hope is a gift
College is back in session – and Anthony can’t believe he gets to be part of it. He’s a first-year student at Craven Community College.
As soon as he enrolled, he moved quickly to look the part of a college student. He went to student stores for the CCC T-shirt. He got the sweatshirt, too – and the cup. He started wearing the gear before classes started.
He worked hard to get here, so he’s ready to live the part, too. He’s got the study habits. He’s got the grit. He’s got the plan – a plan that seemed impossible a few years ago.
“I never saw myself going to college,” he says. “I never thought I would be good enough to go to college, or smart enough.”
Anthony had been in a dark place as a younger teen. He didn’t have a future in mind; he was living one day to the next. But in our Craven Transitional Living Home, he got the support he needed to see that every day is a new chance for him – a new step toward the person he wants to be.
“I’m going to be something in this life,” he says.
In the last few months, Anthony earned his high school diploma and showed us he’s ready to live on his own. So he “graduated” from the Craven group home to one of our independent living apartments.
His plan is to finish two years at CCC and transfer to NC A&T for a bachelor’s degree. He wants to be a counselor, and he wants to help kids.
Lisa Sharp is program manager for the Craven home, and she watched Anthony grow from a quiet kid on the sidelines to a leader in the home and a calming influence on other boys.
He’s got a gentleness, she says, that people respond to – from teens his age to the little kids he knows through his part-time job at the Y.
“Anthony has a natural talent,” Lisa says. “His instinct is automatically to bend down, get on their level, and talk to them.”
Anthony volunteers on the Y’s peer leadership group for youth. And he worked this summer as a Y camp counselor for 4- to 6-year-olds. “Don’t let the looks fool you,” he laughs. “Kids, they can be really adorable. But whew – the really adorable ones are going to get to you. I love my job, though.”
It’s the core of our work to walk alongside young people like Anthony – toward hope and healing.
At commencement, nobody missed Anthony’s evident joy when his name was called – or the optimism and hope in his voice for what life holds next. And once all of the diplomas were distributed and tassels were turned, MHC president / CEO Ben Williams shared his own hope for Anthony and each one of our new graduates:
My hope for you is that, no matter what, you will know you are deeply loved by God. And the opportunity to begin again is yours every day.”
Reginald Ponder September 22, 2025
Anthony,
I am so proud of you and the man you have become and are continuing to become. College will be a great adventure for you. Enjoy every day no matter how hard you have to work to achieve your goals. Each day, each step, each class, each test, everything is an opportunity to grow into the man you want to be and God wants you to be. My prayers are for you to get that college diploma and share the love of Jesus with everyone.
Jane September 21, 2025
Congratulations on your graduation, Anthony! It is so exciting to know that you are going to channel your special talents into helping other kids learn about their God-given potential! You are going to make a big difference in this world! God Bless You!
Hope Squires September 19, 2025
Anthony, College can be hard, but you’ve shown you can do hard things. Keep working hard to achieve your dreams and remember God loves you and is always—always—with you. Here’s a Bible verse for when you need it: “Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9
Judy Lucas September 19, 2025
Anthony I’m so proud of what you’ve accomplished with Gods help. Now you can go on helping others.
Penny S Hage September 19, 2025
Congratulations Anthony!! God has big things in store for you. Keep listening to that drive inside and you will succeed!!
Pam Patrick September 19, 2025
Anthony, I am so glad I was able to celebrate your graduation in person, your joy was very evident! You clearly have a lot to offer this world. Stay focused on your goals, lean on God, and you will achieve your dreams!