New Life Mission: 15 Years of Breaking the Binds of Homelessness
For 15 years, New Life Mission (formerly Brevard Rescue Mission) has been breaking generational cycles of homelessness by providing long-term housing combined with programs to help women develop personally and professionally. Some 90% of its graduates go on to live self-sufficient and independent lives.
One of those graduates is event photographer Jen Pritchett. Pritchett graduated in May 2023 and lives in a New Life Mission rent-controlled home with her two sons, ages 12 and 16. She had moved in with her mother to escape domestic violence, but her mother died unexpectedly, leaving them “instantly homeless,” she said.
211 directed her to New Life Mission.
A January 2023 count by Brevard Homeless Coalition found that 1,052 people in Brevard County experienced homelessness, an uptick of 15% from the year before and the highest count since 2015. New Life Mission has doubled its capacity since its inception, now serving 39 families at a time, and CEO Amy Lyon said they receive over 200 calls and referrals each month.
New Life Mission begins by placing families in group living homes. Then they help families with the basics, from medical care to recovering important documents. Then, they help families to achieve true financial and emotional independence through counseling, budgeting, and career help that includes higher education or training. As families progress, they can move from group homes to independent apartments at one of New Life Mission’s other campuses.
“You’ve got to be ready for a hard reboot on your life. It’s not a shelter. It’s a program,” Pritchett said.
As a Christian-based program, New Life Mission also offers Bible study and spiritual encouragement.
“One benefit I didn’t expect was that I developed a relationship with God that I’d never had before,” Pritchett said.
The program also is for the children. New Life Mission has a preschool and daycare so parents can concentrate on getting back on their feet. They also help kids with counseling and education. Lyon said one of the goals is to prevent homelessness in future generations.
Pritchett said her eldest was able to enroll at West Shore Junior/Senior High School in Melbourne. Pritchett herself is graduating from Eastern Florida State College with a degree in graphic arts.
The program generally runs two years.
“It depends on the family. Some women just need time. They already have a car and a job. They need to breathe, save money, and learn how to manage their finances,” said Staci Donovan, director of development. “Many come to us with a lot more challenges. These families need more time to work through the program, find healing from their past and hope for tomorrow.”
New Life Mission does not accept government funding and relies on donations. It recently hosting its annual fundraising — Community Share and Care luncheons, which had 800 guests across two days, which typically earn a third of the operating budget. If you’d like to donate, visit newlife-mission.org.
New Life Mission also is hosting an open house on May 16 where guests can tour the property. New Life Mission hopes to grow its services as it continues to make an indelible contribution to solving homelessness in Brevard.
Learn More
Open House: May 16, 4-6 p.m.
New Life Village, 326 Croton Road, Melbourne, 32935
Website: newlife-mission.org/
Facebook: /NewLifeMissionBrevard
Instagram @newlife_mission
X: @New_LifeMission
YouTube: /channel/UCbrQqSkqYelHwjg5u4_svvA
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