New Beginnings: The Betty Jane Morrison Foundation For Homeless Children

Preventing homelessness by providing, homes, rent, utility assistance, love, and care for homeless families and children (birth-age 8).

Services Provided

Homes for Homeless Families and Children
In collaboration with Denton Affordable Housing, New Beginnings pays the rent and utilities to enable homeless families to live independently in their own homes. All families are case managed in collaboration with Arms of Hope, a faith based 501 (c) (3), social service agency.

Emergency Rent and Utility Assistance
New Beginnings collaborates with the Social Work Department of the Denton Independent School District to keep families “off the street” and stay in their own homes. New Beginnings provides families who are at risk of becoming homeless with short-term rent and utility assistance while social workers  help stabilize their living circumstances.

Household Furnishings
Many of the families New Beginnings supports come with nothing but the clothes on their backs. New Beginnings provides beds, sofas, tables, chairs, dressers, and kitchenware.

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Our Team

George S. Morrison

George S. Morrison

President and CEO

“I believe a safe and comfortable home enables children to live out their right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Melody Kohout

Melody Kohout

Vice President

“Giving a child shelter, security, and stability in time of need is the greatest gift one generation can give to the next.”

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Betty Jane Morrison

Betty Jane Morrison

Secretary/Treasurer

Homeless children prey heavily on my mind—therefore, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Our Story

Wherever they have lived, George and Betty Jane Morrison have been active members of the faith based community and programs that help children and families in need.

New Beginnings had its beginning at the breakfast table one morning in November 2014. Following morning devotions, Betty Jane announced, “I want to do something for homeless children. I want to get children out of cars, out of tents, out of unhealthy living conditions. Homeless children, through no fault of their own, are the real victims; and I want to do something to help them!”

Helping homeless children appealed to George too. Together they pledged financial support to get Betty Jane’s homeless children project started. Melody Kohout, a church friend, knows a lot about how to start a non-profit agency. We asked Melody to help us. Melody is now the Vice President of New Beginnings. We also received assistance and encouragement from Judge Don Windle and Attorney Bob Widmer.

Early on, we realized we had to narrow our focus.  Since our plan was to help children in the Denton Independent School District, we talked with Barb Haflich, Coordinator of Social Services and Homeless/Foster Care Liaison, and Jacqueline Jackson, Executive Director of the Denton Public School Foundation, who agreed to help us.  These two women are true servant leaders and they make it possible for New Beginnings to be of service to homeless children and families in need.

In addition, we partner with Denton County Affordable Housing who provides houses for our homeless families and Arms of Hope, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit agency who provides casework management for the families we house.

New Beginning’s goal is to keep children ages 0-8 years and their families intact and provide them with safe and adequate shelter. We know we cannot save the world, but if we can help a few families and provide a better environment for them and their children, we can be a blessing.  In turn, we are blessed.

New Beginnings is a 501(c) (3) Non-profit Organization

(940) 898-8964  (940) 367-1555