Joining the Family
New Beginnings’ new Women and Children’s Home gives Women and Children a Feeling of “Home”
Written by Blair Townley; Photos by Anthony Rao
Family can be bound by blood, marriage or adoption, but those residing at New Beginnings’ Women and Children’s Home are “family” because of similar situations.
The newest program introduced from the Clermont-based nonprofit organization provides homeless women and their children with housing, childcare and job placement services, all enclosed in a Christian setting.
“What we are trying to do is restore dignity to their lives and the best way we can do that is to help get them back on their feet to be able to make those steps to being independent and able to care for their children,” says Linda Smith, co-founder and advisory board member for New Beginnings.
Located in the historic Mulberry Inn, residents become a “family” as they help out with chores and come together for classes and bible studies that bring balance and stability to their lives again.
The Journey to Normalcy
Home residents rise each morning at 6 a.m., starting their day sharing devotionals and prayer with each other and Jamie Withers, the Home’s house manager.
Some women will then head off to their day jobs while newer residents will meet with Jamie to get paperwork prepared in order to set up childcare. They will also look for jobs themselves, with the help of New Beginnings and the community.
“We want our children to know when they get off the bus that this is their home and they’re not going to a shelter,” she adds, recalling one child telling others he lived in a “mansion” at Mulberry Inn.
The “mansion” includes the inn’s main building with three bedrooms and bathrooms, along with additional units such as a two-story “carriage house” for two families.
The women are encouraged to help with cooking and cleaning their living quarters as well as the main building of the inn so as to recognize that the Home is their “new” home.
“One of the things here is to create family as many don’t have close family. The idea is to create that feeling of a close, Christian family here so on their first chance to go out somewhere they don’t run and take it. It’s okay to be here,” Jamie says.
Respect for Others
A way the Home has tried to create that family bond is through classes held at night in the main house. The meetings, ranging in topics from parenting to financial help to bible study, allow the women to share ideas and concerns while learning how to improve their and their children’s lives.
Feeling they are part of a healthy, cohesive group, Linda and Jamie both found, leads the women to grow and guide one another to a stronger self.
“I can see changes in some of them, just little things. They are opening up more, are more assertive in getting on their own feet, not as intimidated and feel a little more liberated that they can do it so they are making little steps,” says Jamie of the residents.
“It’s going to be a challenge for them as they have been beaten down, so building them up is the most important thing. They need to know they are loved by God, by all of us here, by Linda and [New Beginnings co-founder] Steve Smith, and we wouldn’t have all helped if we didn’t care about what was going to happen to them,” Jamie concludes.
The residents have also found a “family” within the community of Clermont providing support in the form of donations, fundraisers and encouragement.
From the donated security systems to donated plants from the Clermont Garden Club to money raised by local businesses for the children’s play set, the community has given their newest residents a sense of belonging in the area.
“People ask how we were able to do all this and we say, ‘It was a God thing,’” says Linda with a smile.
Since its September 2009 opening, the lives of 22 women and children have been changed for the better after being a part of New Beginnings.
They may not be related by blood, but the women and children at New Beginnings’ Women and Children’s Home are still a “family” connected by humble beginnings, shared experiences and a renewed sense of self-worth.
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