submitted by New Beginnings of Central Florida
New Beginnings of Central Florida just celebrated a milestone graduation ceremony to help a family start fresh to rebuild their lives here in Clermont. New Beginnings remains dedicated to help the homeless and less fortunate in South Lake County, to revitalize their lives through counseling services, work and affordable housing.
The Lorraine and Isaiah Jackson family were recently honored with a graduation certificate, gifts, cards, flowers, a big thrift store voucher and a special celebration event. Lorraine Jackson shares, “We unexpectantly came to Clermont from Jacksonville to start a new life. After suffering from a deliberately started house fire and being threatened for our lives, we had to pick up everything we could to immediately escape with no real plans to ensure our safety. We moved to Orlando, even though we were homeless without any planned housing and child care. We were in a terrible financial bind. We did not know where to turn. After finding New Beginnings, they graciously shared acceptance, guidance, counseling, work and mentorship to lead us out of our nightmare. They helped us find housing. With their connections and complete support, I was able to find good paying work with my career experiences, while I have started to go back to school to pursue a college degree from Lake Sumter State College. New Beginnings took us from a dark scary place to be able to take care of ourselves, to go to church and to receive the guidance we needed. I am really very pleased, proud and honored to graduate from the New Beginnings rehabilitation program where I will now become a volunteer and mentor to help others in need. I now have very powerful plans and bright hope for our future.”
New Beginnings Co-Founder Steve Smith notes, “We are truly honored and blessed to honor Lorraine and Isaiah Jackson and their family as our first graduates of 2023. We are grateful to be able to share our lives with the Jackson Family while helping them rebuild their lives. They are a very good family. At New Beginnings, we believe that those who want to transform their life can do so, with the many resources we provide. We provide free counseling, life skills, financial literacy, access to a computer and job preparedness training, all of which lead to a path of stable employment and affordable housing.” New Beginnings Co-Founder Linda Smith added, “We are proud to have the Jacksons as part of our growing family. We will continue to help support them with more education, counseling and positive opportunities. We are happy to have helped with a hand up.”
New Beginnings mentor and counselor Jeremy Elliott shared, “The first time I met with Lorraine and Isaiah, we were instantly connected. Our first visit lasted four hours sharing our stories, needs and potential solutions to their family challenges. Our New Beginnings team opens the door for people like the Jacksons who need help and hope. We met every week to help them through their roller coaster of problems and challenges to safely and successfully start a new life. Lorraine was tenacious, worked hard and she remained open to give her family a safe new environment with a new life. Lorraine and Isaiah; your story will help impact others. You and your family are beautiful people. I am very proud to walk this New Beginnings journey with you.”
New Beginnings of Central Florida is a 501-C3 non-profit faith-based ministry. They are in need of volunteers, donations and community support. They serve to empower people to live a responsible life in a home and to be self-sufficient.
For more information, call 352-404-6946 or visit their Thrift Store at 415 Citrus Tower Boulevard in Clermont, FL 34711. Visit www.nbcfl.org. and follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/NewBeginningsofCentralFlorida/.
