Cafe Reconcile Celebrates 2nd Graduation of the Year!
On the evening of March 9, Reconcile New Orleans celebrated its second graduation of 2010 as eleven more students completed the Café Reconcile Program. The café was packed as the ceremony started with a welcome from one of the night’s graduates, Geneka Jackson.
Geneka was followed by Café Reconcile Business Manager and the night’s emcee, Judy Lewis –Wallace, who offered a prayer for our graduates and their continued success. Craig Cuccia, founder of Reconcile New Orleans, followed with a history of the organization. He ended his remarks by telling the students to have confidence and take the time to build up others as they continue to improve themselves. Cynthia Liggins-Thomas, a volunteer at the Café, sang “God Loves You.” The lyrics of the song remind us that there will be tough times ahead but with faith and belief we can get through the adversity.
Derricka Sanchez, another of the night’s graduates introduced the night’s keynote speaker, Jerome Jupiter. Mr. Jupiter is Director of Educational Services at the NOPLAY GED and Literacy Program. NOPLAY is where Reconcile New Orleans students go to work towards their GED. Mr. Jupiter explained his three ingredients of success: support, opportunity, and reinforcement. Mr. Jupiter’s speech explained how with the support of family and friends and opportunity from the larger society everyone has an opportunity to be successful. Once you are successful it is your own responsibility to sustain your success because you now possess the necessary tools.
The Certificates of Achievement were given out by Programs Director Donna Bowie and General Manager of Café Reconcile, David Giardina. After the students received their certificates, Wilbert Gerard reflected on his experiences in the program. He spoke about what the program meant to him, what he learned, and how his life and prospects for the future changed for the better. Wilbert is now the Lead Sauté Chef at the Rib Room, the restaurant of the Omni Royal Hotel. The evening ended with Donna Bowie wishing the graduates the best for their bright futures.
Congratulations to our eleven graduates: Passion, Joshua, Ronnisha, Wilbert, Geneka, Chris, Nyeshia, Taiwan, Derricka, Shawn, and Edwin!
