OUR MISSION:
Empowering individuals to overcome the obstacles caused by poverty by providing education, mentoring, and resources.
The “Heart of Begin Anew”
Greg and Pam Nelson have been avid supporters of Begin Anew for the past several years! Greg made a post on Facebook recently sharing the "Heart of Begin Anew" and our ministry. Here is what he shared:
"Begin Anew is more than an institution; it is a conviction. It stands in Middle Tennessee as a testament that no past is too heavy, no failure too final, no dream too distant. Since 1997, it has opened its doors to those who seek more—not merely in knowledge, but in selfhood. It does not give charity but instead offers something greater: the means to build, to stand, to walk forward unshackled.
There is dignity in the act of learning, in the refusal to remain as one is. The students who come here—young and old, from distant lands and familiar streets—come not to be given, but to claim. They take their place in classrooms, their hands steady on pencils, their minds reaching toward what once seemed impossible. The high school diploma long left unfinished, the language barrier that silenced a voice, the skills that unlock doors to work and purpose—each challenge met is another thread woven into a new life.
And yet, no man walks this path alone. The work of Begin Anew is held aloft by those who give themselves to its cause. The teachers, who offer not just knowledge but patience. The mentors, who do not direct but illuminate. The hands that greet at the door, that care for the children, that order the space and make it welcoming—all are bound to this mission. Not in obligation, but in understanding: that to lift another is to lift oneself.
Here, in these rooms where wisdom is passed from hand to hand, a truth emerges. It is not only the students who change, but generations. A mother learns, and her child watches. She works all day and then attends her classes at night. A grandfather takes up his studies, and his grandson sees what is possible. A father stands at his graduation, and in that moment, the course of an entire family shifts.
This is the quiet revolution of renewal. It does not seek spectacle. It does not call attention to itself. It simply moves forward, steady as the tide, certain as the sunrise.
There is no force greater than a mind awakened. No freedom greater than the choice to begin anew.”
We are so grateful for supporters like Greg and Pam that see the work Begin Anew is doing and come alongside. It's because of you that we are able to empower the students we serve!
Our mission supports Begin Anew’s vision for the future by teaching one generation to change the next.
This volunteer-intensive ministry serves the Middle Tennessee area through five campuses – three in Davidson County (Nashville, Madison, and Woodbine), one in Williamson County (Franklin) and one Online Campus.
Poverty is a multifaceted condition, and each person’s situation is unique. Our holistic approach is designed to provide adult students and their families the best possible opportunities for improving their current circumstances, laying the groundwork for brighter days ahead.
This video is part of Stories of Hope from Begin Anew, a series of interviews with students, volunteers and leaders where they each share the ways Begin Anew has impacted their lives and the lives of others.
Heather’s Story of Hope
Heather Norvell summarizes how Begin Anew’s programs transform the lives of the adult students we serve, their families, and our community. And how as a community, we come together to Teach One Generation To Change The Next!
Friendly faces, welcoming hearts.
High levels of personal attention and encouragement can make all the difference to someone taking on new life challenges. So we keep class sizes small, matching each student with a volunteer encourager who’s available to serve as a sounding board, provide support and foster accountability. Begin Anew students also gain access to a range of helpful community resources.
To help our students address childcare needs, we also offer a no-cost Children’s Program during the time a parent is attending class. Children all the way from infant through 5th grade can learn, play, and grow in a safe, supportive environment.
Begin Anew is nationally affiliated and certified by Christian Women’s Job Corps (CWJC®) and Christian Men’s Job Corps (CMJC®) ministries. These faith-based organizations serve many thousands of individuals in need via 200+ registered sites covering 45 states and in five countries.
Begin Anew Core Values
We believe everyone deserves a chance to begin anew and walk a journey to a brighter future. 2 Corinthians 5:17 proclaims, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (ESV).
We seek to minister holistically to every individual by addressing economic, social, and spiritual poverty.
We address economic poverty through education opportunities, social poverty through mentoring and building community, and spiritual poverty by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.