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  • Home
  • Our Services
    • Do You Need a New Beginning?
    • Baby Boutique Programs
    • Community Resources >
      • Medical
      • Education
      • Parenting
      • Financial
      • Housing
      • Legal & Mental Health
      • Food Pantry
    • Testimonials
  • Donate Now
    • One-Time Donation
    • Recurring Donation
    • Gift Catalog
    • Material Donations >
      • Target Registry
      • Amazon Wish List
      • Wish List
    • Merch
  • Getting Involved
    • Career Opportunities
    • Volunteer >
      • Volunteer Time Log
    • Internships >
      • Resident Supervisor
      • Media Design Internship
      • Film Production Internship
      • Resident Support Internship
      • Marketing Internship
      • Social Media Internship
      • Customized Internship
    • Events >
      • Ministry Presentations
    • Change for Life Program
  • About Us
    • Virtual Tour
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • History
    • Newsletter >
      • Archive
      • Subscribe
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  • Heart Campaign

The Power of One

5/19/2017

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​​“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do.” These words, spoken by Helen Keller, remind us just how much of an impact one person can make. 

​Take, for example, Varian Fry. Fry, born in 1907, wasn’t a particularly fascinating man. However, he was smart, and when he decided to do something, it got done. However, Varian’s greatest accomplishment wasn’t a professional or personal one; it was life-saving godsend for a number of Europe’s greatest minds, including Max Ernst, Franz Werfel, and Heinrich Mann. An American journalist with no espionage experience, he went to France in 1940, where he and his associates helped save over two thousand Jews from the Nazis by furnishing them with false passports and other documents to allow them to escape.[1]
[1] https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005740
​If one person can make such a huge impact, imagine how much better the world could be if each person maximized his or her potential to make a positive difference in someone else’s life, whether friend or stranger. In the song “Change”, Carrie Underwood explores this concept, imagining what would happen if someone made an effort to give some loose change to a homeless woman and learn her story, or sponsor an impoverished child in a third world country after seeing an infomercial. While not all of us are called to or even able to give in the ways discussed above, the love of Christ is one thing that we will always be able to give to one another, no matter what the circumstance. Even more importantly, by allowing God to give us strength by filling us with the Holy Spirit, we are able become the healers of a broken world far beyond our wildest dreams. 
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You are only one person, but when it comes to making a difference, you have the strength of a crowd. Try it.
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Elizabeth Scheibl is a former intern and current Resident Supervisor at New Beginnings. She is still an English major and History minor at Wisconsin Lutheran College. In her spare time, she likes reading, writing, and standing on chairs and singing.

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Bible Study with Pastor Shevey: Baptism

5/18/2017

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​We were once again able to meet with Pastor Shevey, this time to discuss the necessity of baptism in general, and infant baptism in particular. Pastor Shevey guided us through a definition of what baptism is, how it helps us, and why God commands it. 
The Bible Tells Us That Baptism is Good
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According to Matthew 28:18-19, we are to “go and make disciples of all nations.” Since we are commanded to teach the Word of God to everyone, we do not make distinctions based on age, race, gender, or any other factor. Baptism is a gift that should be given even to the youngest child. 
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Our Sinful Nature
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Just as Christ’s forgiveness extends to all people, all people have sinful natures because of original sin. Every single human that has ever existed needs forgiveness through a Savior. If infant baptism is rejected, then the idea that all people inherit sin as part of their human nature must be rejected as well. If there is no sin, there is nothing to forgive, and thus no need for a Savior. Disregarding the need for infant baptism isn’t just disagreeing on when a person should be dedicated to Christ; it challenges the very core of our faith.
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How Baptism Works

In baptism, the Holy Spirit works to create a saving faith. We know that only faith in Jesus saves, so if the Spirit provides that saving faith, then it is imperative that we give it to even the youngest child. Think of sin as a barrier that keeps us away from God. Once you are baptized, that barrier is removed, and the Holy Spirit will give birth to faith in Christ. In other words, baptism is a sort of exchange: Jesus takes our sins away, and gives us holiness in return. What better gift could we ask for? 
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Group Night is held at New Beginnings.  Every Thursday, we meet as a group to discuss important life skills and educational topics.  Discussions are led by community volunteers and can cover a broad range of topics.

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Resume Help and Interview Prep with LeKecia Lovett

5/18/2017

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Last Thursday we had the chance to sit down with LeKecia Lovett of Encompass Solutions to learn about how to increase our chances of getting a job by creating resumes that will catch an employer’s eye, along with how to interview like a professional. The following tips apply to any job in any field, and cover a variety of fields, so there is something for everyone to learn. 
​ 
Writing a Resume
  • Remember that resumes are only meant to get you an interview, not the job.
  • Don’t talk about your hobbies, however interesting, if they’re not relevant to the position to which you are applying.
  • A resume should include the following sections: Heading, Summary of Qualifications, Work Experience, Education, Skills & Abilities, and References.
  • Including a cover letter to explain why you are a good fit for the positon you are applying for is also a good idea.
  • There are three types of cover letters:
  • Letter of Application-Used to apply for a specific positon within the desired company
  • Letter of Inquiry-Used to show interest in eventual openings within a company
  • T-Zone Cover Letter-Used when you have met most of the requirements included in the job description. 
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Interviewing Like a Pro
There are seven steps to planning an interview. They are:
  1. Researching the organization to show your interest and stand out from other candidates.
  2. Compare your skills and qualifications to the job requirements.
  3. Prepare responses to standard interview questions.
  4. Wear neutrally-colored, formal, and neat clothes that are professional.
  5. Bring your resume, a notepad, list of references, and any information needed to complete an application.
  6. Pay attention to non-verbal communication.
  7. Follow up with questions for the interviewer about the company, and a thank-you. 
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Group Night is held at New Beginnings.  Every Thursday, we meet as a group to discuss important life skills and educational topics.  Discussions are led by community volunteers and can cover a broad range of topics.

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What's In it for Me?

5/10/2017

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Why does my partnership matter?

You're reducing money spent on welfare
The figures are grim. In 2011, welfare was the number one spending item in the federal budget.[1] Between 2009 and 2012, fifty percent of households headed by single mothers received some form of government assistance.[2]

Our program is meant to keep mothers out of poverty by working with them to create long-term career goals, and supporting them as they pursue higher education. Your donation helps us start a trend of financial self-sufficiency.

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“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do.” –Helen Keller
You become part of a community
​New Beginnings is a small program that focuses on intensively helping a few moms at a time, so even a small donation has a large impact. Plus, our donors and volunteers are considered part of the New Beginnings family. We love hosting fun events for our donors, such as our annual Walk/Run and Ice Cream Social. We also offer a variety of volunteer opportunities if you are looking for something exciting to do!
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You are helping create responsible, involved citizens. 
​New Beginnings operates under the premise that career advancement and education are key to escaping poverty. Studies show that higher levels of education correlates with increased civic involvement.[1] Investing in New Beginnings is investing in your community: When residents leave New Beginnings, they are ready to be active citizens because of the high level of participation that is required from them in our program. In addition, residents use their education to obtain careers that contribute to the community.
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How can I partner with New beginnings?

Monthly Giving
Change for Life Program
We provide a pre-packaged, pre-planned donation opportunity for church congregations, or for individuals, through our Change for Life baby bottle fundraising program. 
One-Time Donation

    Have Questions or want to partner in other ways?

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A Baby's Cry

5/10/2017

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​There is so much to be said about a baby’s cry.  It can mean so much!  To one person it is joy and to another person it could be like nails on a chalkboard.  Different cries mean different things too, depending on what the baby needs and how old the baby is.  A newborn cry is much sweeter than an 11 month old who still refuses to sleep through the night.
​To a couple who have been married and trying for years,  a baby’s cry is an answer to their prayers.  God waited until the perfect time to bless them and they had the opportunity to plan for the baby, decorate the nursery, and buy diapers, wipes, clothes, blankets, bottles, and everything else they could need.  We all know that one couple.  You prayed for them and when that moment finally happened, it was time to celebrate.  God has answered their prayers and has blessed them richly.
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​Now, to a single mother who has been living on the streets or has come through a troubled past, a baby’s cry might mean something completely different.  That cry might mean stress, trouble, worry, and doubt.  That mother struggles every day just to survive with next to nothing and now she not only has to provide for herself but also for a hungry baby who requires extra care and items that she can’t afford to buy.  Same blessing; different perspective.
​Where does New Beginnings fit in to this?  Well, take that single, struggling mother and give her a safe place where she can lay down at night with her baby and know that those few possessions she has, won’t get robbed from her.  Give her love and support.  Guide her toward resources for food and education.  Give her diapers, wipes, towels and blankets for her baby.  Teach her about God’s love for her and her child.  All of a sudden that cry doesn’t mean the same thing.  It might mean hope and a future now.  It might mean that they can now pass that love onto their child.  With a warm place to live and baby’s needs taken care of, the focus of the mother goes from Survive to Thrive.
​What does a Baby’s Cry mean to you?  Leave a comment below and tell us about a baby’s cry and how you can help the mothers here at New Beginnings see the miracle in a baby’s cry.
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Christina Pritzlaff is married with two children. She has completed Early Childhood 1 & 2 classes, Infant Toddler classes, and completed the coursework for her Associates degree in Child Development. Christina splits her time between spending time with her family and working at New Beginnings. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children, camping, fishing, reading, and doing counted cross-stitch.

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A Surprising Story

5/1/2017

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​God works in mysterious ways. Actually, He doesn’t just work in mysterious ways; He moves in mysterious ways as well. Let me tell you a story about how God’s mysterious workings saved the life of one of my relatives. 
​The story is called “How My Dad Saved My Great-Uncle’s Life by Dropping a Fridge on Him”.

Yes, you read that correctly. Before you ask, it’s completely true. I saw it. What better verification could you ask for?
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​To be fair, expecting an older gentleman, a fourteen-year-old girl, and one middle-aged man to effectively and safely move a full-sized fridge up a set of narrow basement stairs is asking a lot. True, my dad is an army veteran, but even he can’t fight my great-uncle’s enduring stubbornness. As a result, my dad and I were helping my great-uncle move the fridge instead of waiting for a more appropriate workforce, lest my great-uncle try to move the thing himself. 
​At first, things went pretty well. It was only when my Dad had reached the top of the steps and paused to adjust his grip on the dolly that the great fridge-moving endeavor got out of hand-quite literally. His hand slipped, the dolly lurched forward, and suddenly my great-uncle, who had been standing at the bottom of the stairs, was lying on the floor with his leg pinned under the fridge. Things moved pretty quickly after that: My dad moved the fridge off my great-uncle, my great-aunt called 911, and I got an ice pack to put on the nasty bruise that was forming on the back of his head. Oh, and did I mention the blood? In addition to the bruise on his head, my great-uncle had pretty big cut on his leg. 
​This is the part of the story where God comes in. A few days after my great-uncle’s exciting afternoon and resultant ambulance trip, my family found out that multiple blood clots had been discovered in my uncle’s leg when his cut was getting patched up. Even though he was already on a blood thinner, the clots had formed anyways. If his leg wouldn’t have been injured by the falling fridge, the blood clots likely wouldn’t have been discovered in time to prevent him from having a heart attack. In other words, God took an adverse situation and used it for good. Though I have seen plenty of other instances where God intervened in mind-boggling manner, none of them were ever as dramatic as the situation I described above. 
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In short, if you ever find yourself wondering why God has placed you in a sticky situation, remember this:  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NIV) No matter what God sends your way, 
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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.

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