Roosevelt Warm Springs and Cave Spring Center Celebrate Record Number of 2024 Fall Graduates

Students earn a combined 311 industry-recognized certifications

The atmosphere was filled with excitement as 88 graduates proudly crossed the stage on December 12 to receive their certificates at the Roosevelt Warm Springs Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center. This exceptional graduating class from the Roosevelt Warm Springs Center and Cave Spring Center earned a total of 311 credentials and industry-recognized certifications across seven pathways currently available to students. As the largest graduating class in the history of Roosevelt Warm Springs, each graduate — who all live with disabilities — demonstrated incredible determination and perseverance, setting a new standard for success and achievement.

The graduates represented 48 different counties from across Georgia, with students traveling from counties as distant as Brantley, Chatham, and Glynn, while others come from nearby Harris, Troup, and Upson counties. 

John Lewis, a 2018 graduate of Roosevelt Warm Springs, delivered an inspiring charge to the students, reflecting on cherished memories of his time on campus. He shared how the support from the Roosevelt Warm Springs staff played a crucial role in helping him secure a job at Home Depot. “I remember creating my first work resume that highlighted my skills and experience,” he recalled. 

Of the graduates, several have already secured employment opportunities, with jobs set to begin in January 2025.  Additionally, GVRA providers are actively working to identify job openings and arrange interviews for other graduates upon their return home. A new initiative introduced this semester has enhanced this process by having providers work closely with students throughout the term, gaining valuable insights into their interests, skills, and career aspirations.

In recognizing the achievements of the graduates, Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency Executive Director Chris Wells emphasized the importance of perseverance and unwavering support from both family and dedicated staff. "I am incredibly proud of our graduates," he said. "Today's ceremony is more than just a celebration; it is a testament to the hard work, resilience, and determination of these students and their entire support network—teachers, counselors, staff, family members, and loved ones. At Roosevelt Warm Springs and the Cave Spring Center, we are committed to providing every student with the resources and guidance they need to thrive and reach their full potential."

Dennis “Chip” Medders, Residential Director of the Warm Springs Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center and Cave Spring Center, also addressed the graduates.  “To the class of 2024, let me be the first to say congratulations, and what you have accomplished is truly amazing,” he said."

The Roosevelt Warm Springs Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center was founded in 1927 by U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to treat polio patients.  The Center continues to embrace the tenets of public service, providing continuing education and other services for Georgians with disabilities. It is managed by the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency.