Reconcile Celebrates First Graduation of New Decade!

On the evening of January 5th in front of a large crowd Reconcile New Orleans graduated 11 more students from its culinary, hospitality, and life skills program.  The evening began with Brother Joseph Fragala, CFC reciting the “Prayer of Saint Francis.”  The prayer starts with the phrase “Lord make me an instrument of your peace,” and expresses how one can be an instrument of the Lord’s peace to others.  Brother Joe used this prayer to tell the students that they can be instruments of peace and agents of change in their communities. 

Life Skills Instructor Fenwick Broyard followed Brother Joe with a spoken word piece he wrote about the struggles the youth in New Orleans face.  Dramatically recited, the poem spoke about the structural problems of society and what needs to be done to fix them.  It ended in optimism about what our society can become if we build it together.

The keynote speaker was Criminal Court Judge Ben Willard, who spoke to the students about the different ways to prepare oneself for success.  Judge Willard made it easy for the students to remember this lesson by repeating the “5 P’s” also known as “Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.”  Judge Willard congratulated our graduates for a job well done and wished them luck as they continue working to build bright futures.

The graduates received certificates of completion from Donna Bowie, David Giardina, and Sister Mary Lou Specha.  Students took an opportunity to speak about their experience, and graduate Nathaniel Witherspoon talked about how the program not only gave him skills but boosted his personal confidence.  Sister Mary Lou ended the evening telling the students to persevere, because once they get through a difficult time they will have learned more about themselves and be stronger for the experience.     

Congratulations to our graduates Roshawn, Derrick, Angel, Ryan, Rochelle, Tyree, Nathaniel, George, Ronald, Cory, and Javonda!