The dinner begins at 6:30 pm and the community is invited to come and celebrate with these men and women and support the future of the ministry, which helps people overcome life-controlling issues.

Approximately 50 graduates from the last four programs at Lifeline and Ladies Living Free will celebrate Monday evening. New programs are started every 3 months, and usually have 10 women and 15 men, based on availability at their facilities at the time.

Executive Director Terry Peeler says the testimonies that graduates give are always dramatic and inspiring, and remind her why she got involved with the ministry.

"It's a six-month program, and when people first get there, they're like 'Oh my gosh, what have I done?', but then people just change right before your eyes! A lot of them, they're changed forever, and so that's what your hope is."

That hope will be evident Monday night, when an opportunity is presented to support the ministry's future with donations of time or money. They are a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.

Peeler says a man and woman who are graduates will tell their stories, along with a board member of the organization. Another couple will also present their testimony, telling how they volunteer with the ministry after graduating from the program.

Peeler says the wife, Carol Lipp, is an amazing woman of faith who teaches classes to women currently in the program.

"This woman, when she first got there, she never even knew who Jesus was. Now she just preaches it, and it's just amazing. I mean, I just sit in awe of her, you know, I'm just so blessed by what she does, what she says, and she's helping a lot of other people turn and go in a different direction."

Peeler says most graduates are successful if they participate in their after-care program, stay in touch with the ministry, get involved with their church, or a 'Celebrate Recovery' group. Graduation is also a way to keep in touch, as alumni visit with each other and offer their support to the current graduating class.

Paducah Lifeline's men's program operates on R.J. Morgan Lane just west of Paducah, and Ladies Living Free has a home on Bloom Avenue.