A New Class of Soup of Success Graduates!

Soup of Success team 22 experienced the most unique program ever held in our history. Three weeks into programming, Elkhart County went into quarantine and we suddenly had to figure how to keep all the women connected, encouraged and empowered during this difficult time. After 13 weeks, we came back together and entered into a new hybrid version of Soup of Success. The women were troopers and went with the flow with the most positive attitudes! 

Graduation was held on the evening of October 1 for the team of women who had been with us essentially for 33 weeks!  Because of COVID-19, we struggled to figure out a way to honor these 8 incredible women while keeping everyone safe. While we usually hold graduation in a beautiful church fellowship area, this year we held graduation in a large tent! 

The afternoon of graduation was cold and rainy with even a bit of hail thrown in. The wind blew so hard that the sides of the tent billowed making a loud slapping noise and sending splatters of rain inside. Things were looking bleak!

At 5:00 pm, the rain and wind stopped, the sun peeked through the clouds and guests started to arrive. The white lights that we had hung along with the candles on the tables and festive pumpkins greeted guests. The outdoor propane heaters made it cozy. The women were able to stand up in front of the audience and give their testimonies and share how much they have grown and their lives had changed. Staff volunteers and guests shared how proud of them they were. It was an inspirational, fantastic celebration.  Thank you God for taking care of the weather and allowing us to gather!