Congratulations Class 10 LEAP Graduates!

On Sept. 25, 2015, we celebrated LEAP’s 10th graduating class with a ceremony in the chapel of the Dade Correctional Institute.  Family members,  staff and many LEAP friends gathered to honor the hard work and accomplishments of our Class 10 LEAPers, who successfully completed challenging coursework offered  by Barry University, Miami-Dade Community College and others.

As with any graduation, there was lots cheers, tears, food and, of course, speeches.

Graduates Ondrea Moffeo, Elizabeth Erler and Heather Watkins spoke movingly of the troubled pasts and hopeful futures shared by all of the graduates.  LEAP President, Gemma Betancourt,  co-founder Pat Glover, Barry University’s Rose McClung-Professor, and Miami Dade’s Susana Vela spoke glowingly of the Ladies’ hard work and the many people who have come together to support LEAP. 

In closing, Betancourt challenged the graduates with Ghandi’s advice to “be the change you wish to see in the world,” which was followed by cheers from the happy graduates. 

A huge thank-you to those of you who support LEAP.  Because of you, the women of Class 10 have been empowered to successfully transition from prison to society. 

LEAP — Helping Women Leap Successfully from Prison to Community