Brandon Rapp has a lot going for him these days. He seems like any young man about to embark on the next chapter of his life. A recent graduate of Maya Angelou Public Charter School with a full scholarship to study Cyber Security and Defense at Barry University in Miami. But Brandon has worked harder than most to get to this moment, and no one knows that more than Ms. Francine Stellmacher, his foster mother turned permanent guardian, and she couldn’t be any more more proud of her son. Brandon’s biological mother is homeless, and Ms. Stellmacher an NCCF Cares Foster Parent took him in and kept him focused and on track, along with a”village” of friends and neighbors who took an interest in this bright and conscientious young man.

Just a few weeks ago Brandon reaped some of the benefits of that hard work as he headed out to prom in style escorted by his friends at the DC Police Department and driven in a Porche by one of his mentors, Officer Rhonda Hamilton. Brandon’s story was recently featured for a report on WUSA9. Before departing he expressed his gratitude for the love and care he has received from this “village” gathered to wish him well, “I didn’t expect all this to happen and I’m truly grateful . . . I love y’all with all my heart and I look forward to making sure everybody see me succeed and achieve my goals.”