published: Friday, July 31, 2009

Homeless man finds his own New Beginnings

ROXANNE BROWN

Staff Writer

CLERMONT -- Nine months ago, Bill Pope was living on the streets of Orlando, homeless, jobless and as an alcoholic.

Wanting to change, Pope found his way into a church and was referred to the New Beginnings organization. Representatives from the group came to pick him up.

Today, Pope is a changed man and ready to help others travel his own path to recovery. He credits the New Beginnings program not only with bringing him closer to God, but with changing his outlook on life and himself.

The photo of Pope on his driver's license -- hairy, ragged and red-eyed -- leaves you wondering if the man standing in front of you can possibly be the same man in that picture.

"You have to not only change your life, but change the way you think, which is not easy for any of us," said New Beginnings training director, Robert Singletary. "Bill has done an extraordinary job, though, and it's excellent to see that our program works."

For approximately two years since it opened its doors, New Beginnings has provided shelter for homeless men, helping them recover from their situations and to transition back into the workforce by way of a nine-month, faith-based program.

After completing the program, graduates accept placement.

In Pope's case, and with his graduation looming, placement still had not been decided. But then fate intervened. Orlando businessman Arthur Knapp stumbled upon New Beginnings' Executive Director Steve Smith at a local church function where Smith was selling raffle tickets.

In conversation, Smith spoke of his ministry, sparking much interest since Knapp had been looking to start a similar ministry for the homeless in Mississippi. Knapp called his project Heaven Cent.

The Heaven Cent program will mimic New Beginnings, but also will serve as the second transition for homeless people who have completed an initial training program. The Heaven Cent program then sets them up with affordable housing and assists them to become reacquainted with a daily routine -- complete with job, rent, bills to pay, and the like.

Smith advised Knapp on the importance of finding and hiring a qualified manager to lead the program, and when Knapp asked for a referral, Pope's name popped up.

"He (Knapp) didn't have anyone in mind and asked for our help. We referred him to Bill, who has been with New Beginnings about nine months," Smith said. "Bill has consistently been a leader at the men's home, successfully completed all of his studies and works daily with the Weeds to Go team."

"On many Sunday afternoons, he takes a group of men, provides food to the homeless in downtown Orlando and offers words of encouragement."

Smith called Bill's new calling "a tremendous opportunity" to help others who have become homeless.

Smith said he feels blessed to have seen such a great success story for the New Beginnings organization in Pope, adding that his story will serve as a basis for hope and anticipation for other homeless men in the program as they strive toward graduation.

"I believe it's God will because it came at a time when I was needing to graduate," Pope said. "I know that I proved myself faithful in small things, and now God has charged me with bigger and better things. Now my main goal will be leading souls to Christ and helping those in need.

"I figure if I keep that goal in mind, then the rest will be provided by the Lord."