A Heart for Mothers...
...A Home for Mothers 1
Broken Lives are broken because of bad decisions or bad circumstances – or both. Regardless, a broken life needs a “new beginning.” New Beginnings - A Home for Mothers has served generationally poor single mothers since 1993. We have helped hundreds of mothers and babies quietly, calmly, and deliberately improve their lives.
“
I have struggled with drugs and alcohol for the past 8 years. I went through a constant battle with inferiority, depression and self-hatred... I came to New Beginnings in desperate need of, well, a new beginning. This home has made us whole and made us feel at home. (2013)
From a past resident 2
Personal Change starts internally. New Beginnings uses professional counselors, mentors, and peers to help each mother understand herself and the challenges and opportunities she faces, learning important skills on how to meet them head on.
3
Parental New Beginnings helps mothers learn parenting skills to provide the best care for a newborn child. This training includes an emphasis on modeling – understanding that a child learns quickly from examples. The goal is to guide mothers as they train their children to rise above the challenges of generational poverty and the negative influences that often accompany those challenges.
4
Mother Interview
Social Every mother at New Beginnings is part of a community that includes other mothers, staff, teachers, and mentors. Valuable social skills such as respect, cooperation, honesty, integrity, and living selflessly are venerated and encouraged.
“
Since I've been at New Beginnings I've been the happiest that I've ever been…For the first time in a very long time I feel like I'm a part of a family. (2009)
From a past resident 5
Educational At New Beginnings mothers can complete and build on their educational background. Through classroom instruction, tutors, mentors, and specialized programming, all mothers are given the opportunity and assistance to improve their educational skill set.
“
I come from a troubled family and my past has reflected that. I did not finish high school; in fact I completed only the 9th grade. A few years ago I obtained my GED, but continued to languish. I wasn’t sure what to do or where I would be going in life… Since living at New Beginnings I have been in school doing my prerequisites for the nursing program… I no longer feel like a failure. I have gained a sense of satisfaction with my accomplishments and feelings of self-worth that are absolutely priceless. (2010)
6
From a past resident
Vocational New Beginnings helps mothers focus on sustainable career goals, enabling them to earn what they need to be responsible and self-sufficient members of society. This focus includes working with schools and employers to learn the skills necessary to escape dependence on social programs and charity.
7
Reconstructed Mothers come to New Beginnings for reconstruction – reassembling the broken pieces of their challenged lives. New Beginnings provides the opportunity to learn from the past and gain the skills to move forward.
8
Why Residential? One mother told us, “Here is my family. Here are my friends. Here are my best influences. Out there I return to old acquaintances and old habits.” A mother’s best chance to break cycles of dangers, bad habits, and few opportunities, is to give her a chance at a new beginning in a safe, loving, and supportive environment.
“
Before I came here I was just kind of trudging through life, trying to hold onto anything. Now I am finding a way to live. (2008)
Mother Interview
From a past resident 9
What We Have Presently, New Beginnings leases a small apartment building that can house four mothers and their babies. We are always full, and we frequently must tell an applicant, “We have no room.”
“
Before we came to New Beginnings we were struggling a lot with income, and family. I was very lost and lonely… We are grateful to be surrounded by individuals who care for us so much. (2009)
Mother Interview 10
From a past resident
Our Plans New Beginnings plans to build a 24,222 square-foot apartment building, designed to serve up to 12 mothers and their children. It will include offices, program, and activity space to serve New Beginnings for years to come, with provisions for future expansion.
11
Cost? This is a $5 million project for the land, building, parking lot, and garages.
12
What Can You Do? We appeal to your heart for mothers and their babies to help us build this home for mothers. Help us make this place a reality and a model to be emulated.
“
I cannot begin to express the gratitude within my heart for the blessing you have given my daughter and me. The New Beginnings program is a great learning tool for my life and a gift within itself. (2012)
From a past resident 13
Why? As a nation we have spent centuries and billions of dollars to address the challenges of single parenting and generational poverty. Nevertheless, the numbers continue to grow. New Beginnings approaches these challenges on a smaller and more intimate level. This novel approach treats every mother and child on an individual basis.
“
We have said “no” to so many mothers. This is your opportunity to say, “Yes.”
I enjoyed my time here and I will miss you and I hope that you continue to have success with this program! (2014)
14
From a past resident
Operations We are looking for funds to build the building. Since 1993 we have developed an ongoing base of dedicated donors who meet the operational costs. When we expand the number of mothers and babies we can serve, the operational costs will grow. We will ask our current donors to do all they can to meet the new challenge, and we are confident they can do so. This effort, however, is for the capital campaign. If anyone contributing to the capital campaign wants to also help with operational costs, great! We would welcome the help. Our focus, however, is making the building a reality.
15
How? There are two ways you can make this a reality: 1. YOUR GIFT. It can be a single gift, or a gift spread out over 2-5 years (see the enclosed Gift Acceptance Policy). Your gift can honor the name or memory of a loved one (see the enclosed Sponsorship Opportunities). 2. YOUR NETWORK. Your circles of family, friends, and acquaintances may also have a heart for mothers and what we do at New Beginnings. Consider hosting and informational event. We will come to you and share the story of New Beginnings, answer questions, and provide others the opportunity to make this a reality.
16
A Heart for Mothers...
...A Home for Mothers
17
A Closing Thought New Beginnings is a “hand up” and not a “handout.” The generationally poor single mothers need to break a cycle that has endured for generations. This is not easy to do, especially as a single mother. We will not, however, give up on them. In this way you can make a difference. Your gift will launch mothers and babies on a new trajectory –a course correction – to self-sufficiency and responsibility. Please help us say “yes” so that more mothers and babies are given this opportunity for a “new beginning.”
“
My life at New Beginnings has truly been a blessing! I have grown more confident in my ability to raise my son and budget my finances. (2007)
From a past resident 18
First Floor
19
20
Second Floor
Third Floor
21
A Heart for Mothers...
22
...A Home for Mothers
23
For more information contact us at: New Beginnings - A Home for Mothers 9215 W. Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53226 Phone: 414-376-0595 Email: info@homeformothers.com Website: www.HomeforMothers.com 24
History