New Life House is accepting donations and making plans for their biggest fundraiser of the year – their annual Yard Sale.
New Life House offers a “new life” for women coming out of jail or prison. A quick trip to their website and you will quickly understand their mission. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Mathew 25: 35-36 (NIV) is the scripture prominently displayed on their homepage.
“New Life House is a 501 (c)(3) not for profit Christian transitional home for women. Our mission is to help these women have a relationship with Christ, to become self-sufficient, to remain in recovery and work and learn life skills so they can get a start in their new life,” said Brenda Nutter, board member of New Life House. “We want the women to become productive members of the community, who can care for themselves and their children. We wish them to gain self-worth, because they are important and loved and they need to know that,” she said.
According to Nutter, the group has been active in Lebanon for about 18 years. The number of women they serve varies from year to year but Nutter reported they have served 12 people so far this year. Their home can house up to 6 people at one time. “The number of residents can change tomorrow if we get a call from Probation and Parole or a Prison for someone needing a transitional home for their plan to get released,” she explained.
The group is preparing for their annual Yard Sale. “This is huge. It is our largest single fundraiser normally. We fill the gym of the Methodist Church with a lot of items. There will be furniture, books, glassware, pictures, probably some small appliances, a BBQ grill, a bedroom set and the list goes on and on,” Nutter shared.
Nutter went on to explained that the group is not eligible for any Federal or State grants due to their faith-based status so their funding comes from fundraisers like the Yard Sale, a Trivia Night, their Fall Banquet, bake sales, private donations and a few local grants.
“Lebanon is a very generous community and we are very thankful and gracious. Prayer has been a key for us, we’ve been down and out and God provides thru the generosity of someone He’s blessed,” she said.
In addition to herself, Nutter listed 2 “amazing” supervisors who are the only paid positions. She also mentioned board members Angela Hough, Lucy Ersery, Jane Anderson, Anna Wolfe, Georgia Swangin as key people to the organization as well as a number of special volunteers.
“We are called to serve one another, she said. These women we serve have generally never had a chance. They are just doing what they have been raised to do. We want to stop that cycle. So many of our women are in their 40’s-50’s, if we can help them in their 20’s maybe, just maybe by the Grace of God we can keep them from repeating the past,” Nutter added.
If you would like to donate merchandise to the annual Yard sale, you can deliver the items to the United Methodist Church, 300 North Madison Avenue, Lebanon from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 6th. For additional information, contact Angela Hough at 417-533-4827 or email her at angelahough1@gmail.com.
