I was working but I couldn't make ends meet.

Like many of our mothers, Kim had been struggling to provide for herself and her son.  Coming to New Beginnings meant Kim could focus on her education with Christian love and support.  Upon moving in, Kim began exploring a career in medical billing and coding.  "New Beginnings is a chance to continue my education.  I will be able to have a career and a family.  It's a new outlook on life.  It's a new beginning."

Many of our mothers, prior to coming to New Beginnings, did not have the opportunity, Christian encouragement, or resources to continue their education.  One of the best books I have read is called A Framework for Understanding Poverty written by Ruby Payne.  The author illustrates that poverty is often a result of a lack of resources, and that education can change the current prevalence of poverty.  In fact, she goes on to say, "An education is key to getting out of, and staying out of, poverty."  Education has the potential to break the cycle of poverty.

However, there is a caveat.  More than 20 years of experience has shown us that mothers will often doubt their ability to continue their education because life events have eroded their self-confidence.  As we know, self-doubt is a tough feeling to overcome, but by centering the focus on God's love for us, mothers learn that with Christ anything is possible.

We know that the educational attainment of a mother predicts the educational attainment of her child.  For this reason, New Beginnings maintains an education fund in which we help mothers pay for the cost of tuition, school supplies, laptops, and transportation to school.  Your gifts are life-changing for the mothers – they are finally given an opportunity to succeed with God by their side.  To help your gift go further, the Siebert Foundation will match gifts given to education dollar for dollar.

​Because of your gifts, Meosha walked across the graduation stage and received her high school diploma.  She was so happy to receive her diploma and move onto higher education.  Afterwards, she made a promise to herself that she would give her daughter the opportunity for a good education just like she had while at New Beginnings.

​​Letisha recognizes the importance of education and is thankful for the opportunity that your gift provides to her and many others.  She says, "Education is very important and since coming to New Beginnings it has given me the platform, motivation, and structure to go back to school."

​Sharing the gift of education and Christ's love is key to breaking the cycle of poverty for mothers just like Kim, Meosha, and Letisha – even more than that, your gift breaks the cycle of poverty for generations to come.  Will you prayerfully consider a gift today?

Give Education Gift Here

Thank you for supporting life-changing work.  The mothers' accomplishments are a result of your gifts, and each mother is grateful for the opportunity to break their cycle of poverty.

Brianne Hansen is the Executive Director at New Beginnings. She grew up in Marshall, WI and graduated from Lakeside Lutheran High School. Brianne has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from UW-Milwaukee and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys singing, camping, spending time with her dog (Bella) and cats (Mufasa & Jasmine), and going on adventures with her husband, Daniel.  ​

---