Graduates Find Support and Employment

Thanks to the generosity of our donors and skyrocketing demand for Soup of Success soups, we have been able to continue, and even expand, employment of Soup of Success graduates. Rachel, Ebony, and Belinda are three of the graduates we currently employ as production assistants.

Rachel, a single mother of three, graduated in 2017 and focuses most of her time on soup production. After graduation, she continued to stay connected with staff and classmates who provide her with support as she navigates through the challenges life throws her way. She found employment and was working a night job cleaning offices, but was looking for more work. Rachel said, “When I heard that Soup of Success was hiring, I was ready! I love being here; it’s uplifting! I really enjoy working with the class during production and watching them grow.”

Belinda graduated in 2019 and began as a production assistant soon after, producing our shower melts, mittens, and candles. Belinda had previously worked as a fiber cutter for 18 years, but the industrial work took a toll on her body, and that, coupled with depression, made it hard to find work to make ends meet. Belinda says, “Being here makes me feel better about myself.” Before Soup of Success Belinda would avoid going out as much as possible, and if she needed to get groceries she would pull her hoodie up over her head and grab what she needed, hardly looking so she could get out as fast as possible. These days she feels more confident. She enjoys going out with friends, talking with others, and her grown children see her smile and hear her laugh more than ever before.

Ebony, a single mother of two, graduated in 2020. Since graduation, she has been working through some legal issues with an abusive former partner. She has been coming in a couple of days a week to help with soup production and has found that work has been a bright spot for her while she works through some issues with anxiety and depression. Ebony says, “It’s been great to work with participants in the program. I see myself in them. I tell them it’s hard but they can get through it. I can encourage them to do the work they need to do to heal and grow.”

The women’s direct supervisor is Soup of Success Production Manager, Cheryl Ross. Cheryl says, “I’m very proud of all of our Production Assistants. They interact with class participants and offer inspiration because they have gone through the same process of healing and growth and have come out on the other side. They step up to the plate and are willing to pay it forward by supporting current participants. I am hopeful that we can offer more graduates this employment opportunity in the future.”