Over the last five years, an Adult Friends for Youth program has enabled 90 youths, whom others had given up on, to earn high school diplomas.

Some of these former dropouts have gone on to college and apprenticeship programs. All learned that they could succeed and make a difference.

That's a very powerful message, and it has been made possible through the generosity of Island charitable organizations, including the McInerny Foundation, Frear Eleemosynary Trust and G.N. Wilcox Trust.

That kind of funding is a true leap of faith because no one denies that these are high-risk kids. Their struggles include drugs, teen pregnancy and abandonment by their families.

This Adult Friends for Youth program incorporates therapy into the academic program and instills positive values in kids, many of whom have been told most of their lives they are of no worth.

The most recent class of 21 graduated last month from the AFY Clinical/Competency-Based Alternative Education Program. All of these students worked hard for this precious academic rite of passage, applying themselves in the classroom and striving to overcome their hurdles. It surely takes a motivation that many of us cannot begin to fathom.

Along with their diplomas, these freshly minted graduates now can view life through a different prism and can learn what it means to be a productive member of society.

Unfortunately, they still face obstacles.

Many find it difficult to juggle college with work, and some find it difficult to get accepted into college programs because they do not have the well-rounded resumes as do students who attend traditional schools.

These kids have shown they have the will to succeed. Financial assistance for additional schooling and an additional leap of faith by college programs is the extra boost many still need.

Adult Friends for Youth, the McInerny Foundation, Frear Eleemosynary Trust and G.N. Wilcox Trust deserve a huge pat on the back for taking a chance on these kids.

Surely, there are others who could step up to help propel these motivated young adults into the working world. The reward will be a productive member of society, who hopefully later in life will give a hand to others, too.