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Officer Colon, a 16-year veteran of the Clermont Police Department, has dedicated over 13 years to Community Policing and Crime Prevention. His initiatives, such as the award-winning“Build Trust” project, have strengthened community relationships and reduced crime. His passion for collaboration and safety makes him an invaluable asset to New Beginnings.

Attorney John Kilpatrick III, owner of John Kilpatrick Law PLLC, grew up in Clermont and understands the challenges residents face. He strongly supports New Beginnings’ focus on self-sufficiency and empowerment, believing in practical solutions to break the cycle of homelessness. We are honored to welcome Officer Colon and Attorney Kilpatrick to our Board.

Their dedication and expertise will enhance our efforts to create lasting change in our community. For more information, visit www.nbcfl.org.  

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Love is also evident in our thrift store ministry, where donations and purchases directly support our mission, allowing us to assist more families. It’s seen in our prayer ministry, where we lift up those we serve, ensuring no one feels forgotten. It’s in the mentoring and financial literacy classes that equip individuals to build a stable future. New Beginnings embodies love by meeting people where they are, reminding them that they are valued, and empowering them to move forward. Through kindness, support, and faith, we turn love into action every day, helping our neighbors find hope and fresh start.

– Steve and Linda Smith and the New Beginnings Family

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Lindy notes, “Carol Elaine Anderson was a very accomplished woman. We were both competitive athletic and sports enthusiasts growing up, often swimming at a lake, pool, or the beach. Carol loved diverse activities like photography, ballet, fencing, acrobatics, animals, reading, writing, riding horses, chemistry, science, bike riding, and law. She always wanted to be a physical education teacher. Carol’s many talents enabled her to graduate third in high school. Due to many challenges in her life, she professionally switched her dreams and career directions.”

As a respected graduate lawyer who studied at Wellesley College and the University of Florida, she proudly became selected and honored as one of the first two female public defenders in Florida working for Heiman, Crary Law Firm in Miami and Stuart, Florida. After a successful stint specializing in Real Estate Property matters and Condominium law, she eventually opened her law firm in Stuart, while marrying a retired man who shared her love of sports, going fishing, and enjoying the outdoors. They got married on a boat.

Years later after some unforeseen career challenges, her husband passed, and she moved to Miami Beach. Everything in her life started to go downhill. She unfortunately lost her hearing, became legally blind, diabetic, an alcoholic, and homeless. She started to live as best she could in a special homeless hotel property where they only spoke Spanish while she sadly had to live with no phone, no refrigerator, and no car. After getting stuck with deadly addictions, debilitating herself by falling, and catching various diseases and illnesses; she passed away in October 1990 at the young age of 44.

Lindy Anderson shares, “Her medical, physical, and mental conditions deteriorated. Even though the last time I saw my sister was 7 years before her death, I remember my sister as a successful, perky, young, smart, and talented woman. With alcoholism, she became an outcast to her family and parents. I continue to wish always for my sister’s death to not be in vain. If you know of someone who may be destroying their lives by alcoholism, addiction, or an unhealthy lifestyle, do not judge them. Rather, stand by them, urge them to get help, and then most importantly stay with them while they are getting help. With love and faith, all things can change for the better. People with problems, be it alcohol or other, need to know there is always somebody there for them to lean on. Change cannot be done alone. As it says in my favorite Galatians, Chapter 6:2 bible verse, “Bare one another’s burden to fulfill the law of Christ”.

Lindy Anderson continues, “I dedicated a beautiful big Jonah’s Fish slide at Paradise Park, in a Clermont playground behind my home in memory of my sister Carol. I dedicated this at a special living legacy ceremony with my new sisters from our church bible study group, the Glow Girls. Carol loved sports, fishing, and the outdoors. The love my sister had for teaching swimming, fishing, and tennis, she shared with younger at Camp Illahee, in Brevard, NC. I know she would smile from above knowing a playground would be where she was memorialized and remembered. The sound of children’s laughter is the sweetest in the world. I smile for my sister every time I hear laughter from my backyard.”

Lindy adds, “My sister was a very vital and spirited woman. I understand some of life’s unfortunate challenges. I want everyone to know that it’s not the end when you are down and out. Bad things can happen to good people, yet there are organizations like New Beginnings that will offer you a valuable and positive hand-up. I am proud to help New Beginnings establish this new Carol Anderson Furniture Grant Program as a living legacy to help others for many years to come.”

For more information about these furniture grants, fill out an application at www.NBCFL.org or contact 352-404-6946. Visit their Thrift Store at 415 Citrus Tower Boulevard in Clermont, FL 34711. Follow New Beginnings on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NewBeginningsofCentralFlorida/

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Pause for a moment and ponder: What does volunteerism mean to you? Is it giving back, lending a hand, or simply being there for others in
need? Donating your time and talents? At New Beginnings, volunteerism embodies all these ideals and more.

For over 17 years, our unsung heroes have been the constant heartbeat of our mission. They are selfless service angels with hearts of compassion and community. These individuals, from all walks of life, dedicate their time, energy, and talents to uplift those around them. One of our first volunteers, Sharon Sutton, was from a ladies* bible study group: The CARE CHAIR MINISTRY.  They called themselves this because they were in wheelchairs, and felt a calling to serve. They were New Beginnings, the first marketing team. They designed flyers, and monthly newsletters and called churches and businesses introducing New Beginnings to the community and asking for their support.

Since we launched in 2007, we have expanded our volunteer needs to include assisting at our thrift store, mentoring someone going through difficult times, teaching a job readiness class, and serving on the event committees including Golf and Dancing Under the Stars.

To us, volunteerism means building bridges of connection, fostering empathy, and creating a ripple effect of positivity throughout our community. It’s about standing together, hand in hand, to support and uplift one another on the journey toward responsible living. As it says in Galatians 5:13, “Serve one another humbly in love.”

Let us heed these words and embrace the call to service with open hearts and willing hands. We are very grateful for the hundreds of volunteers who
have served with this spirit of love and generosity.

Thank You, 

Steve and Linda Smith and the New Beginnings Family

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Women in Mission of the Clermont Living Hope Church has created a proactive community of active women who work to develop a creative, supportive fellowship while expanding concepts of their mission through participation in the ministries of their church. 

New Beginnings Community Outreach Director Jeremy Elliott and Program Coordinator Jenny Hightower recently made a special presentation at a recent Women in Mission breakfast meeting. They presented the heartwarming story and video about how Steve and Linda Smith first started this ministry here in South Lake. Eliott noted, “For the past 17 years, New Beginnings has had a mission to provide a haven where the homeless and needy can begin the healing process while starting to rebuilding their lives. This new collaboration with WIM is an amazing beginning for our new community outreach program with Living Hope Church. Their name says it all. These wonderful women have joined hands to serve the Lord.”

The New Beginnings team shared how to get involved with the newly relaunched Food Pantry Program, so every family has food to eat, especially the children. They shared how their Thrift Store provides 85% of the funding for their programs, staff, and projects. They noted New Beginnings offers volunteer opportunities for individuals and teams in their Thrift Stores. They invited everyone to attend and participate in their numerous fun special events like the annual fall Golf Tournament and the November 15, 2024 Gala Event fundraiser. The groundbreaking for the new Groveland affordable housing project, the Woodwind’s apartments and other transitional housing opportunities were discussed. The progress on rebuilding the New Beginnings Village with a Furniture Barn and more housing was announced.

Jenny Hightower added, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service to help others. The WIM group at the Living Hope Church is the embodiment of that principle.” Elliott added, “I have a biblical view. We can all be enlightened by reading the scriptures together. Most importantly, we are all ambassadors here to help each other.”

Both Elliott and Hightower shared the stories of how they were once homeless, broken, and desperate before New Beginnings took them in, shared counseling, education, jobs, transitional safe affordable housing, and the promise of a new future.

Women in Mission Co-Chairs Marguerite Overs and Betty Johnson organized this event to host the New Beginnings fellowship. Johnson noted, “We are very happy with our new relationship and partnership for Women in Mission with New Beginnings.” Owens noted, “We are extremely excited to learn from them, as we expand our community services. We strive to make our community better aware of how to best help the needy. We feel it is our responsibility to reach out to support these people, find a safe place to live.” Johnson adds, “Our WIM purpose remains to help each other with programs, education, communications, and events.” The Women in Mission made a generous donation to New Beginnings before this first joint event finished.

Churches, organizations, and businesses are invited to participate in the New Beginnings Community Outreach Programs. New Beginnings of Central Florida, a 501-C3 non-profit organization, invites donors, sponsors, and volunteers to join their mission of empowering individuals toward self-sufficiency. For more information, please contact 352-404-6946 or visit their Thrift Store at 415 Citrus Tower Boulevard in Clermont, FL 34711. Visit their website at www.nbcfl.org and follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NewBeginningsofCentralFlorida/

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New Beginnings Of Central Florida has partnered with the City of Groveland to create Groveland’s first affordable housing project through funds available through the Community Land Trust (CLT), a private, nonprofit organization promoting housing affordability, sustainable development and a response to the increasing lack of affordable housing.  

 

The three affordable homes will be located at 347 N. Main Avenue, Groveland.  The project is income-based and applicants must already live and work in Groveland. 

 

It was more than 16 years ago, on a cold Sunday morning in January 2007, when Steve Smith and his wife Linda met a homeless man named Randy who would transform their lives forever.  Randy was new to Clermont, homeless and seeking a new beginning. Steve found him a safe place to stay, helped him find work, and shortly thereafter, New Beginnings was formed. The newly formed organization hired a live-in house manager and housed Randy and other men who struggled to find stable employment and housing.

 

Randy’s journey became a beacon of hope, inspiring others to believe in the transformative power of support and opportunity. As New Beginnings flourished, they expanded their services, offering transitional housing, affordable rentals, and even pathways to homeownership.

Today, over 16 years later, New Beginnings stands as a testament to the belief that anyone can overcome homelessness and build a brighter future with the right resources and support. And it all began with a chance encounter on a Sunday morning—a moment that changed not just Randy’s life, but the lives of countless others in Clermont and beyond.

 

Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.  The successful journey out of Homelessness:

• Transitional Housing –  offering free housing at New Beginnings Village with free counseling, life skills, and job preparedness training coupled with financial literacy. This first step takes 3-6 months to complete.

• Affordable Rentals – offering permanent affordable rental housing at Woodwinds coupled with free support services and additional computer, financial literacy training, and free after-school programs for students.

And Now In Groveland! 

• Ownership – offering Affordable home ownership for those who want to own their own home rather than rent.

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After being completely inspired by finding a homeless man after a church service in 2007, New Beginnings was first launched by Steve & Linda Smith with 12 volunteers in South Lake County. In 2008, they opened a home with training classes for 6 homeless men. In 2009, they changed their primary focus to moms and children to help face the expanding needs of the area homeless. That same year they acquired the 26-bed Mulberry Inn for single mothers and children, while opening their first New Beginnings Thrift Store in Minneola. In 2010, New Beginnings started a formal Mentoring Training Program for all residents. They then launched Helping Hands Outreach Program with various churches. This was the first year they proudly received their first Golden Mickey Award, with honors for their outstanding community service.

In 2011, New Beginnings created 6 new community outreach events to increase awareness of the need to help our homeless. In 2012, they opened their second Thrift Store in the Four Corners area with a counseling office and a food pantry. That year, they dramatically expanded their Helping Hands Outreach Program with numerous churches. In 2013, New Beginnings opened its first Learning & Development Center in Lake County while also acquiring the 12-bed Bicycle Inn for homeless men. In 2014, they opened a third Thrift Store and Outreach Center in Winter Garden. They then acquired 4-plex apartments for formerly homeless families. They also acquired 10 acres to build 96 affordable housing apartments in Clermont that year.

In 2015, New Beginnings acquired a 2.5-acre land parcel for a larger Thrift Store with corporate offices and rental office space for like-minded non-profit organizations in South Lake County. In 2016, they acquired a 7-bed duplex for working graduates of the New Beginnings program. Plus, the Florida Housing Commission awarded New Beginnings and their partners $19 million for the much-needed expansion of affordable housing. In 2017, New Beginnings was again given another Golden Mickey Award for the 8^th consecutive year, even though Disney retired giving out this award after that year. They also celebrated their 10^th Anniversary at the Mulberry Inn.

From 2018 to 2022, New Beginnings opened the Woodwinds as an award-winning luxury-style 96-unit apartment community for low-income and homeless families. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they continued with their best efforts to serve the homeless and needy with a limited staff, following nationally imposed safety and health guidelines. In 2021, the founders returned to rebuild and reorganize New Beginnings after Covid. They immediately moved 2 homeless mothers with 7 children into our duplex.

In 2023, New Beginnings designed a comprehensive plan to build New Beginnings Village, add more transitional housing, and to again re-launch their Hands Up Program with new staff and services. They were awarded numerous grants and funding to build the New Beginnings Village, while they secured final approval from the city to build it all. They were greatly honored and awarded with GuideStar’s Highest Platinum Seal of Transparency. New Beginnings was then awarded an important Empowerment Grant from the Live Well Foundation. They held a successful record-breaking 13th Annual Golf Tournament & 13^th Annual Dancing Under the Stars events. New Beginnings Village construction started.

Now in 2024, New Beginnings of Central Florida remains dedicated to helping the homeless and less fortunate in Central Florida while transforming their lives through counseling, life, and computer skills with job training that will lead to a sustainable wage job and an affordable home for every person they can reach with their Hands Up Program.

New Beginnings will be happy to share their mission with you. They still need people to donate food, your time, and talent as volunteers, as well as to donate treasures for their Thrift Store. Steve Smith notes, “We invite you to volunteer your time to help us transform lives. We need your talents to expand our ministry work. Your donated financial treasures will become an important investment in helping someone’s life. One of the many areas of need is food. During the holidays and school breaks our families struggle to provide the extra food for the children who would usually get their extra meals while at school. With your help, our Case Managers will continue to provide food bags for our community in need.”

New Beginnings of Central Florida, is a 501-C3 non-profit faith-based ministry. They seek volunteers, donations, and community support.to empower people to live responsible life being 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/.

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