Birthmother Hotline (800) 264-2229
About Us
Mission Statement
Promoting ‘life’ and ‘new beginnings’ for birthmothers, babies and older children, and families through the option of adoption.
History
New Beginnings International Children’s & Family Services, Inc. (New Beginnings) had its beginning in 1988 in Tupelo, Mississippi when two individuals, Rev. and Mrs. Stephen Drury, discovered a need in Tupelo and in the State of Mississippi for an organization with a facility to assist soon-to-be birthmothers. These birthmothers were and are still faced with many choices and often have no help or guidance. The founding couple saw a need to serve these birthmothers who desired to place their children for adoption. There followed a further need to help couples who desired to grow their families through adoption and to help older special needs children who have been abused and/or neglected find a family and home.
New Beginnings is a 501(c)3 non profit agency. The primary facility that houses the birthmothers, and where most of the services are provided, is a home located just east of Tupelo on Hwy 178 in Dorsey, Mississippi. This center, the only licensed maternity care center in the state of Mississippi, is licensed to care for as many as seven birthmothers at a time. In most cases, the birthmothers are considering an adoption plan. However, we also serve birthmothers who are in the custody of the MS Department of Human Services and who may or may not place their child for adoption
In 1988 New Beginnings began by serving three clients. In the first few years, we served three to four clients per year, then gradually grew and now actively serves an average of 40 birthmothers, and 75 adoptive couples per year. Since 1988 we have placed more than 450 children and expects to continue growing to serve more children, birthmothers, childless couples or other families wishing to adopt children. New Beginnings is licensed to provide adoption and foster home services by the Mississippi Department of Human Services, and is a proud member of the National Council for Adoption and the National Christian Adoption Fellowship.
New Beginnings has an Executive Director who is well qualified for such a position. He holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern Mississippi. He also serves as Adjunct Professor for the University of Mississippi. We are governed by a Board of Directors that is composed of child welfare professionals, ministers, business persons, adoptive parents and other interested individuals who reside in the areas served by the Agency.
Board of Directors
Stephen M. Drury, Chairman
Ronald L. Brown, Vice Chairman
Larry Hill II, Secretary-Treasurer
Andrea Blaylock
Jay Carney
B.S. Cole
Evelyn Drury
Steve Harris
Albert Skaggs
Matthew Pope
Lori Smith
Joyce Vittitow
Jack Yonts II