Phase 1 Completion

 

On the 13th of July, we all joined together to celebrate Cohort 1 completing Phase 1 of our three-phase program! It was a truly joyful day full of sharing, hugging, gratitude, dancing, food, laughing and many smiles (my jaw hurt from smiling so much!).

We have also launched the first items made by Cohort 1 for sale in The Hope Shop, and they are beautiful!

We invited Cohort 0 to share their stories with Cohort 1 to encourage them in their own journeys. They did this through both drama sketches and personal testimonies. We are really enjoying seeing the relationships between C0 and C1 Artisans grow.

Artisans from Cohort 1 also shared their personal stories and the ways they have seen change in their lives after just four months in the DuHope program. They talked about feeling pride in their work and telling their neighbors that they cannot stop and drink with them as they used to do because they have to go to work. They also proudly shared with their families and children about the work they are doing at DuHope. Additionally, they mentioned feeling less dependent on substances, eating better, and appearing healthier. They shared that they are able to be more present for their children because they don’t need to work on the street like they used to. There is hope for continued growth in their relationships with their children.

Testimonies included sharing how important their time with Passy in Bible study has been in order to process their trauma and to learn that they are loved. Some shared that before joining DuHope, they were not sure if anyone loved them. We reminded them that no matter what they have done in the past, and what they may do in the future, they are worthy and loved and important.

Staff observed the evident joy and hope of Cohort 1 Artisans, and we are confident that this will continue as they progress through the program.