The statsDid you know that according to recent research in metro-Milwaukee, about 72% of families in poverty were headed by single mothers in 2009? Research also shows that generationally-poor children are more likely to continue in a cycle of poverty, which results in an increased likelihood of dropping out of school and an inability to obtain employment with self-sustaining wages. These numbers are scary. In addition, a recent article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel highlighted the fact that babies born to African-Americans in Milwaukee are dying at a rate that exceeds three times that of babies born to Caucasians. The reason for the disparity is unknown, however the article indicates that premature birth is the cause of about 60% of infant deaths and that chronic stress has been shown to be a key cause of premature births. Chronic stress in the lives of Milwaukee African Americans comes from such sources as poverty, uncertain supplies of food and housing, unemployment and violence. how new beginnings helpsThe model of New Beginnings was created to combat these scary statistics! New Beginnings actively works to reduce the stress in the lives of its mothers by providing them with secure housing while they take advantage of the provided opportunities to increase their education and vocational skills. By focusing on educational tracks that lead to a professional career with a median salary of around $50,000, New Beginnings prepares mothers for a self-sufficient life. Additionally, once mothers are equipped with a self-sustaining career, the stressors of affording secure housing, purchasing food and supplies, and unemployment are substantially alleviated. By coupling faith-based programming with educational advancement and preparation, New Beginnings prepares mothers for a self-sufficient life rooted in Christ. What You Can DoBy supporting the ministry of New Beginnings, you put a dent in the statistics. Every mother that succeeds at New Beginnings breaks the cycle of poverty for herself, her child, and future generations. There is power in ONE person. Together we provide strength in numbers. The statistics are scary, but together we can work to break the cycle! To donate or get involved, please visit www.homeformothers.com. The difference is YOU!
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For example, I remember the day a few months ago when I read the email that said I had received the Promotional Writing and Editing internship position I’d interviewed for at New Beginnings. Coincidentally, the entry for that day in the student devotional I used daily was entitled “New Beginnings”. While I did know that I would have a great time being the intern at New Beginnings, at the time I didn’t know just how great my experience would be, and how it would be a “new beginning” for me as far as my career ambitions and personal relationships were concerned. While I have learned what I expected to-more about professional writing and communication, as well as how a fundraiser is organized-I’ve also learned some other great things. In the past three weeks alone, I’ve observed and participated in group activities so I could write about them later. Doing so has allowed me to spend time getting to know the residents and their adorable babies, in addition to spending time in God’s Word. As a result, my idea of what a work environment should look like has been transformed in a positive way, and I often find myself paying closer attention to my personal relationships to make sure they grow and flourish. Even though I don’t know what God has in store for me throughout the rest of my internship, I do know that it will be beyond amazing. I can’t wait to see what my future looks like with God in it! Can you? ![]() Elizabeth Scheibl is the Promotional Writing and Editing Intern at New Beginnings. A student at Wisconsin Lutheran College, she is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in History. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, and practicing martial arts. It can be very easy to get caught up in the commotion of life. There are a million different things going on around us and through our minds each and every day. So where does this leave us? For many, it can be easy to get distracted and pulled away from the true reason we are all here. God has always been apart of my life. My parents baptized me and brought me up in the Word from birth. As I have grown up, I have learned that this is not the case for most. In fact, as Lutherans, we are the minority in many cases. I have always wanted to live in such a way that my faith shows through. I love that New Beginnings has given me this opportunity. I have never really had the privilege of working with mothers in this capacity. Learning their stories and hearing about their hopes and dreams has been an amazing experience. I have been able to not only share my own faith but also see them grow in their own.
I will be graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran College in 2018 with a degree in both Human Social Services and Psychology. I will then be going on to graduate school to get my masters in social work. The opportunity that New Beginnings has given me not only has prepared me for that line of work, but also has solidified for me the fact that I want to work with children. I am very thankful for my position here and know that I will leave here with so much more than I ever could have thought. ![]() Eden Ehlers I am from Peoria, AZ. I'm a currently a Junior at WLC, double majoring in Psychology & Human Social Services. I aspire to become a social worker in a medical setting. I am thankful for New Beginnings & the experience it is giving me. It has been a great blessing. Sometimes I wonder how I came this far and how I manage with both my kids. To tell you the truth, sometimes it gets hard but I’ve learned that nothing is impossible, especially when it comes from God. With Him, everything is possible! When I had my second baby, I didn’t know how I was going to do this but honestly it just came naturally for me to manage both of my kids. Coming to New Beginnings really changed everything and made me look at my situation so differently. Truthfully, it helped my faith grow more and more. It is just amazing how God did all this. Wow, God is really good! I thank Him for bringing me here. I have learned and I am still learning more and more day by day. I am not going to give up because New Beginnings hasn’t given up on me even when they should have. I really do love the women at New Beginnings. They truly show what love and family are all about. They care, they’re very supportive, and they teach you more about God so your faith can grow more with Christ. When you need a shoulder or someone to talk to, they are here and they will cry with you. Amazing! These women care and the love and compassion they have shows that they definitely love their jobs, our kids, and us. God bless these women now and forever! ![]() Jasmira has been a resident at New Beginnings since May of 2016. She is working towards pursuing a career as a beautician. She is excited that New Beginnings can help her fulfill her dream. She enjoys spending time with her beautiful baby Caleb and going to visit her older son often.
![]() DeShanna Turner- Smith Is the intern here at New Beginnings. She is pursuing her associates degree at Milwaukee Area Technical College in human services and will be graduating in December. While juggling school and work she enjoys spending time with her daughter. She's so excited and thankful to be a part of the New Beginnings team! As a part of the New Beginnings' program, we participate in family traditions including having a group meal over the holidays. Everyone brings a homemade dish to pass for the entire group - as we all know, WELS people love their potlucks! This provides an excellent opportunity for the mothers at New Beginnings to learn new cooking skills, as well as try new dishes. We were so excited about the dishes made this year, that we would like to share them with you. The main event - WHat's Thanksgiving without turkey?![]() Our Executive Director, Brianne Hansen, has made the turkey for our Thanksgiving Dinner for 2 years. I suppose it is tradition now. We usually have about 15 people at our Thanksgiving Dinner, and a 15 pound turkey is just about perfect! INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add the zest and juice of the lemon and 1 teaspoon of thyme leaves to the butter mixture. Set aside. Take the giblets out of the turkey and wash the turkey inside and out. Pat dry. Place the turkey in a large roasting pan. Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the turkey cavity. Stuff the cavity with the bunch of thyme, halved lemon, shallots, and the garlic. Brush the outside of the turkey with the butter mixture and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place pieces of butter in the turkey cavity. Roast the turkey about 2 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between the leg and the thigh. Take the turkey out of the oven and let rest for 20 minutes. Slice the turkey and serve. the necessary (and delicious) sidesOkay, so let's be honest. Thanksgiving isn't all about the turkey - it's about the bird's friends! Here are some outstanding recipes made by our staff and residents that will leave your guests wanting more. The terrific part about these recipes is that not only are they the traditional, and completely necessary sides for any Thanksgiving celebration, they are also HOMEMADE completely from scratch! Even the cream of mushroom soup in the green bean casserole was created - no need for canned soup here, people. Are you dying for the recipes? After tasting these dishes, I know I was! For your tasting pleasure, I have included them below: green bean casseroleOur Resident Supervisor, Eden Ehlers, created this green bean casserole recipe from scratch. Boy, was it worth it! INGREDIENTS Baked "Fried" Onions
Green Bean Casserole
INSTRUCTIONS
cranberry sauceOur Program Manager, Karen O'Leary, made cranberry sauce this year. As we know, cranberry sauce is a hallmark Thanksgiving day side, and ....it is one of my favorites! INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS In a medium sized saucepan over medium heat, dissolve the sugar in the orange juice. Stir in the cranberries and cook until the cranberries start to pop (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat and place sauce in a bowl. Cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools THE BEST DRESSING...EVERWhen I say the best...ever, I mean it. This dressing is the best...EVER! Our Outreach Manager, Christina Pritzlaff, made a recipe for dressing that was passed down by her mother. Hopefully it was not meant to be a family secret because we have to spread this love around! INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS Follow the directions on the bag for preparing the stuffing. Add the chicken broth to the bacon and sausage grease to make the full amount required for the stuffing mix. We are just substituting some of the broth with the grease. Cook the fresh veggies in a pan with the butter and add it to the stuffing mixture. More tasty sides!CREAMY MAC & CHEESEOne of our mothers, Shaneka, made a classic Southern macaroni and cheese dish! It was one of our favorites. Shaneka always does an outstanding job making dishes for group dinners! INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9"x13" dish. Boil macaroni until tender (about 12 minutes) and drain. In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, cheese, milk, and eggs. Add salt and pepper. Transfer to prepared dish. Bake until golden and bubbly, abut 30 minutes. Savory garlic mashOne of our mothers, Kim, made crockpot garlic mashed potatoes! Who knew that you could make mashed potatoes in the crockpot? They tasted great! INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS Spray inside of slow cooker with cooking spray. Add potatoes, thyme, garlic, butter, and chicken broth. Cover and cook for 5 hours on high. Add heavy cream and use a hand mixer to blend the potatoes. Season with salt and pepper. What we have all been waiting for...dessert! |
Thanksgiving is simply not the same without a stunning dessert! Peach cobbler is not only beautiful, but delicious too. INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS Melt butter in 9"x13" pan. Mix together flour, sugar, and milk. Pour mixture into plan. Spread peaches (including syrup) around the pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-40 minutes, until crust turns golden brown. |
See below our chefs!
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“But in your heats revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” - 1 Peter 3:15
So, what is hope? According to dictionary.com it is: the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best This means that we trust God will take care of us and that everything (whether good or bad) will work out for what is best for us. Note that it will work out for what is best for us, not necessarily how we want it to work out. Once again, why do we have this hope in God? |
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:31
The Lord will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore. – Psalm 121:7-8
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. –Matthew 11:28
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. - Romans 8:25
I could go on and on about what the Lord promises to us. There are definitely more in the Holy Scriptures that I could share with you. As you can see, we are promised that He will take care of us.
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“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galations 6:10).
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