The Basics
Founded in 1998 by Sharon Thompson, New Beginnings Ministry is a long-term faith based transitional living facility for women about two hours northeast of Atlanta in Martin, Georgia. Self-referred women are welcomed, as well as criminal justice clients in early recovery from chemical dependency and co-occurring disorders. Their mission is for women to enter into lifelong relationships with Jesus Christ. Thompson, who is in long-term recovery, started helping women in detention centers, and realized they needed safe and structured housing after they left prison. After she allowed a criminal justice client to stay at her home, she realized that there were more who needed help. Soon after that, began her mission in helping women in early recovery.
Accommodations and Amenities
New Beginnings accommodates up to 85 women. The campus includes a chapel, cafeteria and dorm-style buildings. One special building accommodates a limited amount of women with their children. Between three and four clients are housed in dorm-style rooms, which include one or two bunk beds or twin beds, nightstands, a lamp and dressers. Living spaces include spacious family rooms furnished with couches, lamps, houseplants and large televisions.
The women and children are served three meals a day, cafeteria-style. Clients rotate, assisting kitchen staff with meal preparation. Cooking and kitchen clean up is part of the facility’s life skills training. As a smoke free campus, smoking is not allowed. Staff lives on the premises, and oversees operations.
Rules and Regulations
Prior to admittance, the women must fill out a comprehensive application, which asks specific questions about co-occurring disorders, criminal background, medical health and legal issues. Potential applicants are also asked about their relationship with Christ. Also enclosed, is a questionnaire exploring an applicant’s relationship with the occult, if any. The application fee is a nonrefundable $25. Upon approval, clients must pass a drug and alcohol screening and commit to a 12-month length of stay.
At New Beginnings Ministry, the women partake in a highly structured curriculum, which includes daily classes from Mondays to Fridays, starting at 7 am, and scheduled intermittently during the day, which allows for breaks, daily chores and meals. Class topics include Bible study, inner healing, anger management, relapse prevention, parenting and making peace with the past. A class entitled, One Step with Jesus focuses on helping women understand inner turmoil and spiritual battles, as described in the Bible. During Bible Study, clients watch DVDs and discuss how Bible lessons parallel their own lives, and the challenges that they themselves face in recovery.
Requirements include performing daily household chores, as well as bi-weekly house maintenance tasks, attending on-site Celebrate Recovery meetings and daily church services at the chapel. Women who miss church are not allowed to participate in the weekly Walmart outing, which is usually on the weekends, and allows women a chance to purchase personal items.
Appearance is important at New Beginnings Ministry. Women are asked to dress moderately, and not wear heels with shorts, or skirts, which have to be no more than two inches above the knee. Piercings are limited to ears, and only two earrings are allowed. Forbidden items include Goth-type looks, including dyed black hair, dark nail polish and dark lipstick. Prohibited dark colors include maroon, brown and black.
Random drug and alcohol screenings are conducted. Residents who relapse must leave the premises. Besides director Thompson, who is also a pastor, case manager and certified addiction counselor, New Beginnings Ministry includes CADCs, an RN a volunteer Celebrate Recovery facilitator, caseworkers, dorm managers and drivers.
Extras
As a non-profit organization, New Beginnings Ministry relies on community donations, and volunteers. Other services besides housing include case management, life skills training, money management, fitness education and bi-weekly visitation privileges on the premises (for clients who have been there for 30 days). After certain requirements are met, which are determined on a case-by-case basis, the women must find employment. Vocational support is provided.
The 30-day cost is based on a sliding scale fee, and ranges between $500 and $1,500. Transportation is provided, at additional cost, which ranges between $10 and $25 a drive. Transportation to the Department of Children Family Service, probation or public defender appointments is free. Additionally, the first month includes a $200 fee for drug and alcohol screenings, and other lab work. Also, spending money is no more than $60 per client, and charged on a monthly basis.
In Summary
New Beginnings Ministry offers comprehensive services for female clients seeking to build a strong relationship with Christ. For others, who are leaning towards a more clinical or 12-step based approach, this facility probably won’t fit their needs. However, for women who want to keep their children with them during treatment and are not opposed to actively utilizing Christ as their Higher Power, this might be the perfect match.
New Beginnings Ministry
1258 Greater Hope Rd
Martin, GA 30557
New Beginnings Ministry Cost: $500-$1,500 (30 days). Reach New Beginnings Ministry by phone at (706) 356-2113 or by email at sharon@newbeginningslife.net. Find New Beginnings Ministry at Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn
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