Ripton is a blessing. He is a miracle, to us. Starting with the very way he came into our lives, the joy at the end of one sadness, and it continued with the way he saw the world. He has taught us a great deal. He sees people, sees into us all without convention. With a truthfulness born of blunt compassion. He is the one who brought us onto a baseball field, and touched so many lives.

Ripton graduated high school from Brooklyn Friends tonight. We could not be prouder.

He brought us to parenting. That love. And he led us to mentoring.

Mentoring is good. Mentoring is crucial - if poverty is going to be put to an end. Mentoring works best when it's forever. Unconditional. Always.