About New Beginnings

The New Beginnings initiative is a low-barrier bridge housing community for people in need of shelter. 

Social Change + Individual Support =

A New Beginning 

Our Mission

We operate a bridge housing community to help Northwest Arkansas end homelessness.  We welcome people who have experienced long-term homelessness or face complex barriers to regaining housing into our safe, supportive living environment. In our program we promote physical, mental, spiritual well-being and provide housing-focused support to help each person move into a place of their own. In our community, we advocate for the expansion of supportive housing options and join efforts that promote housing justice. 

Our Vision

We see a future where every person has a safe, appropriate home—including people who face complex barriers to maintaining stable housing. We connect our daily work of providing shelter and support to the deeper work for housing justice in our society. 

Board of Directors

Aaron Marshall

Aaron Marshall

Board President

Kevin Fitzpatrick, PhD

Kevin Fitzpatrick, PhD

Board Vice President

Brock Gearhart

Brock Gearhart

Board Member

Danyelle Musselman

Danyelle Musselman

Board Member

Greg Primm

Greg Primm

Board Treasurer

Ben Kirksey

Ben Kirksey

Board Secretary

Becca Jackson

Becca Jackson

Board Member

Mike Rusch

Mike Rusch

Board Member

Staff

Solomon Burchfield

Solomon Burchfield

Program Director

Egypt Tramble

Egypt Tramble

Housing Specialist

Linda Griffin

Linda Griffin

Community Engagement

Lenora Warner

Lenora Warner

Support Specialist

Misty Smith

Misty Smith

Support Specialist

Lazerick Hall

Lazerick Hall

Support Specialist

Tamikka Burks

Tamikka Burks

Support Specialist

Megan Thomas

Megan Thomas

Support Specialist

Brandon Pigeon

Brandon Pigeon

Support Specialist

Sarah Bryan

Sarah Bryan

Support Specialist

The Background on New Beginnings

New Beginnings is seeking to improve the conditions of unsheltered homeless people living in Fayetteville.  The conditions that the majority of homeless persons living outside experience are unsanitary, unsafe, unsupported, and uncontrolled – creating both public health and personal safety hazards. This working group believes we have a solution that could immediately improve their living conditions and enrich many lives in the process. 

Inspired by communities, now sprouting up across the United States like SquareOne Villages in Eugene, Oregon, have been shown to have a lasting effect on addressing the complex emergency shelter needs of the homeless population. By providing shelter to our most vulnerable neighbors, we would be able to help them enter a pathway toward receiving comprehensive case management while addressing the root causes of their homeless circumstances.

This is a “Housing First” approach to quickly and successfully connect individuals and families experiencing homelessness to permanent housing without preconditions and barriers to entry, such as sobriety, treatment or service participation requirements.  Once individuals are in safe, secure, and clean environments, we will work with community partners to provide the appropriate services to work toward permanent housing solutions. 

Our Values

Dignity: 

We recognize each person has inherent worth and is entitled to respect, equal treatment, and the freedom to make their own choices.

Empathy: 

We are open to the experiences of others and accept others without judgment.

Empowerment: 

We recognize each person has strengths and abilities and our role is to support and empower them to exercise those abilities to achieve their goals.

Accountability:

We all expect to live up to our commitments and take responsibility for our actions. We accept the natural consequences of decisions we make and grow from them.

Interdependence: 

We believe people thrive when they live in reciprocal, meaningful,
relationships. This means healthy interdependence is the ideal goal, not merely independence.

Service: 

We identify as a service institution. From the board of directors to staff to how we engage the community in our mission, we strive to demonstrate that it is a privilege to serve our fellow human beings.

Aaron’s Story

Aaron Marshall, Board of Directors

How You Can Get Involved

Volunteer

Learn more about the volunteer opportunities through our regional community initiatives, Laundry Love Fayetteville and Art in the Park.

 

Community Sponsorship

It’s not just a new beginning for the individuals, but a new beginning for the community. Please contact us for more information on what it looks like to partner with New Beginnings.

Donate

New Beginnings is a registered 501c3 nonprofit located in Northwest Arkansas (EIN:  56-2648165). All donations are 100% tax-deductible and will be used towards operational costs at New Beginnings and it's volunteer programs within the community.

Working with Northwest Arkansas to End Homelessness.

Physical Location: 251 W 19th St Fayetteville AR 72701

Program Information

About
Our Services