At just 19 years old, Soumare faced an impossible choice in Mali: enter a forced marriage, or leave everything she knew for the unknown. She fled to New York City in 2023. Alone in a new country, with little English and no family, she struggled – moving from shelter to shelter and often going hungry.
When Soumare found Hot Bread Kitchen in 2025, she finally discovered the ingredients for change that would transform her life: job skills training, financial empowerment, and a supportive community.
During our Culinary Fundamentals program, Soumare formalized her passion for cooking. While the professional training gave her skills and confidence to thrive in a team, the weekly stipends meant she could eat regular meals for the first time since arriving in New York.
Just weeks after graduation, she was hired at She Wolf Bakery. Soon after, Soumare moved into her own apartment in Brooklyn, and on her 21st birthday, she was able to buy her first phone.
Soumare is just one of 660 Breadwinners Hot Bread Kitchen was able to support this year – and only one of the nearly 6,000 people who applied. For every Soumare we serve, many more are still waiting for their chance.
Together, we can ensure more people like Soumare have the chance to thrive – and to create their own ingredients for change.
