AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Eleven students with ties to the justice system earned high school diplomas or GEDs Thursday through the Thrive program, a Richmond County initiative aimed at rehabilitating and supporting at-risk youth.
The graduation drew emotional reactions from students and families. Thrive staff said some parents had not seen their children in months but attended the ceremony.
Program sees five students drop off before completion
The cohort began with 16 students. Audrey Amistad, chief intake officer for the juvenile court and program director for Thrive, said five did not complete the program.
“Started out with 16, we ended up with 11. Five dropped off. We hope that at some point, those five will realize the necessity to come back and work the program and be a part of the program,” Amistad said…