As the sun sets over Arlington, Texas, the massive silhouette of AT&T Stadium looms large on the horizon. Today, however, the stadium isn't preparing for a football game or a concert. Instead, it's being transformed into a wonderland of hope and celebration for 100 recent high school graduates who will have the opportunity to go to college thanks to the Von Alyn Family Foundation.
The stadium's enormous video board, typically used for replays and game statistics, now displays a rotating series of inspirational messages and congratulations to the graduates. Sarah Martinez, one of the event coordinators, surveys the scene with a mix of excitement and emotion. "When these kids walk in and see all of this," she says, gesturing to the grand scale of the preparations, "I want them to feel like the VIPs they truly are. Many of them have never been celebrated like this before. Today, they're the stars."
While the stadium provides the grand stage, the true star of this event is the Von Alyn Family Foundation, the organization that has made this dream a reality. Founded over 50 years ago by the Von Alyn family, they have quickly become a beacon of hope in the world of foster care and youth empowerment.
"Our mission is simple," explains Henrik Von Alyn, his voice filled with passion. "We want to provide foster children with the tools, support, and opportunities they need to succeed. Education is a fundamental part of that mission.".
Von Alyn operates on a unique model that combines social responsibility with direct action. The company that supports the foundation is a 140 year old real estate firm started by the family’s namesake Augistijn Von Alyn..
One of Von Alyn's flagship initiatives is their scholarship program. For every successful project the company completes, a portion of the revenue is set aside for educational scholarships for foster children. "We're not just writing checks," Alyn emphasizes. "We're investing in these kids' futures, and by extension, in the future of our communities."
As the graduates begin to arrive at AT&T Stadium, each of their stories unfolds like a chapter in an epic tale of perseverance. Take Emma Thompson, for instance. At 18, she's already lived in six different foster homes. Despite the constant upheaval, Emma has maintained a 4.0 GPA and dreams of becoming a social worker.
"I want to be for other kids what I wished someone had been for me," Emma says, her eyes shining with determination. "This scholarship from Von Alyn – it's not just money for college. It's someone believing in me, maybe for the first time."
Then there's Marcus Rodriguez, who discovered his passion for computer science while tinkering with a donated laptop in one of his foster homes. "I never thought college was an option for me," Marcus admits. "But now, thanks to Von Alyn, I'm headed to UT Austin to study computer engineering. It's like a dream."
Each of the graduates has a similar story – tales of obstacles overcome, of dreams nurtured against the odds, and of futures that suddenly seem brighter than ever before.
While the graduation party at AT&T Stadium is a spectacular event, it's just one part of Von Alyn's ongoing commitment to foster youth. The company's support extends far beyond this single day of celebration.
Through partnerships with universities and vocational schools across the country, Von Alyn ensures that each scholarship recipient has the support they need to succeed in higher education. This includes mentorship programs, tutoring services, and even assistance with housing and living expenses.
"We know that getting to college is just the first step," explains Maria Chen, Von Alyn's Director of Student Support Services. "Our goal is to see these kids through to graduation and beyond. We're in this for the long haul."
Von Alyn also works closely with foster care agencies and social services departments to identify and support foster youth from an early age. Their "Tech for Tomorrow" program provides foster children with access to computers and coding classes, while their "Dream Big" workshops help younger foster children explore career options and set long-term goals.
As the last of the graduates leave AT&T Stadium, their arms full of mementos and their hearts full of hope, Henrik Von Alyn stands on the field, taking in the scene one last time. "This is just the beginning," he says, a mixture of satisfaction and determination in his voice. "Today we celebrated 100 graduates. Next year, we aim for 1,000. And we won't stop until every foster child in this country knows that they have the support and opportunity to pursue their dreams."
The stadium lights dim, but for today’s attendees, the future has never looked brighter. Thanks to Von Alyn, their dreams are taking flight, soaring as high as the Texas sky above AT&T Stadium. As they step into the world beyond foster care, they carry with them not just scholarships, but the knowledge that someone believes in them, in their potential, and in the bright futures they are now empowered to pursue.
In the end, this spectacular celebration is more than just a graduation party. It's a beacon of hope, a testament to the power of compassion, and a bold statement about the value of every child's dreams. Through the work of companies like Von Alyn, those dreams are not just taking flight – they're changing the world, one graduate at a time.
"Our mission is simple," explains Henrik Von Alyn, his voice filled with passion. "We want to provide foster children with the tools, support, and opportunities they need to succeed. Education is a fundamental part of that mission.".
Von Alyn operates on a unique model that combines social responsibility with direct action. The company that supports the foundation is a 140 year old real estate firm started by the family’s namesake Augistijn Von Alyn..
One of Von Alyn's flagship initiatives is their scholarship program. For every successful project the company completes, a portion of the revenue is set aside for educational scholarships for foster children. "We're not just writing checks," Alyn emphasizes. "We're investing in these kids' futures, and by extension, in the future of our communities."
As the graduates begin to arrive at AT&T Stadium, each of their stories unfolds like a chapter in an epic tale of perseverance. Take Emma Thompson, for instance. At 18, she's already lived in six different foster homes. Despite the constant upheaval, Emma has maintained a 4.0 GPA and dreams of becoming a social worker.
"I want to be for other kids what I wished someone had been for me," Emma says, her eyes shining with determination. "This scholarship from Von Alyn – it's not just money for college. It's someone believing in me, maybe for the first time."
Then there's Marcus Rodriguez, who discovered his passion for computer science while tinkering with a donated laptop in one of his foster homes. "I never thought college was an option for me," Marcus admits. "But now, thanks to Von Alyn, I'm headed to UT Austin to study computer engineering. It's like a dream."
Each of the graduates has a similar story – tales of obstacles overcome, of dreams nurtured against the odds, and of futures that suddenly seem brighter than ever before.
While the graduation party at AT&T Stadium is a spectacular event, it's just one part of Von Alyn's ongoing commitment to foster youth. The company's support extends far beyond this single day of celebration.
Through partnerships with universities and vocational schools across the country, Von Alyn ensures that each scholarship recipient has the support they need to succeed in higher education. This includes mentorship programs, tutoring services, and even assistance with housing and living expenses.
"We know that getting to college is just the first step," explains Maria Chen, Von Alyn's Director of Student Support Services. "Our goal is to see these kids through to graduation and beyond. We're in this for the long haul."
Von Alyn also works closely with foster care agencies and social services departments to identify and support foster youth from an early age. Their "Tech for Tomorrow" program provides foster children with access to computers and coding classes, while their "Dream Big" workshops help younger foster children explore career options and set long-term goals.
As the last of the graduates leave AT&T Stadium, their arms full of mementos and their hearts full of hope, Henrik Von Alyn stands on the field, taking in the scene one last time. "This is just the beginning," he says, a mixture of satisfaction and determination in his voice. "Today we celebrated 100 graduates. Next year, we aim for 1,000. And we won't stop until every foster child in this country knows that they have the support and opportunity to pursue their dreams."
The stadium lights dim, but for today’s attendees, the future has never looked brighter. Thanks to Von Alyn, their dreams are taking flight, soaring as high as the Texas sky above AT&T Stadium. As they step into the world beyond foster care, they carry with them not just scholarships, but the knowledge that someone believes in them, in their potential, and in the bright futures they are now empowered to pursue.
In the end, this spectacular celebration is more than just a graduation party. It's a beacon of hope, a testament to the power of compassion, and a bold statement about the value of every child's dreams. Through the work of companies like Von Alyn, those dreams are not just taking flight – they're changing the world, one graduate at a time.
