For Shawn Gomes, being a house parent is deeply personal because he often sees parts of his own story in the children he serves. For this reason and more, he is the inaugural winner of the Masonic Children's Home Impact Award, which recognizes staff members who take the time to uplift others, share their knowledge, offer encouragement and feedback and simply listen when it matters most.

As they prepare for college, graduating seniors Jebbeh, Shedrack and Eriyah look back at the journey that got them to where they are now and look forward to a bright future ahead.

The newly formed planning committee, comprised of three boys and three girls from different cottages, has already planned a campus-wide Halloween party, a holiday movie night, a mid-summer bash and a “Friendsgiving” event.

The Masonic Homes Patton School Alumni Association awards money to deserving youth through its scholarship program. The program is not just for current children’s home graduates – alumni and their direct descendants can also apply.

Bridget and Calvin, both graduating seniors, have had wonderful experiences at the Masonic Children’s Home. As they prepare for college, they look back at the journey that got them here and look forward to a bright future.

Some facilities don’t have the capability to keep siblings together or only accept girls or boys, or siblings might get split up in foster care. Nine pairs of siblings currently live at the Masonic Children's Home.

Thanks to the support of house parents, tutors, teachers, coaches, donors and other role models, four seniors at the Masonic Children’s Home are ready to spread their wings, leave the nest and explore new opportunities.

The Masonic Children’s Home gave Ken Henry a sense of normalcy, family and belonging. He took advantage of everything they gave him, from tutoring to sports. "I would not be where I am today without the children’s home," he said.

Alex Diahn, a Masonic Children’s Home alumnus, recently celebrated his college graduation, but that’s just the start for him. His time at the children's home has well-prepared him for a future career in data analytics or information technology and whatever else life holds for him.