Fresh Start Honors The Women Who Started It All

Fresh Start (freshstarthome.org) would not exist without women.

From the residents they empower to the dedicated team members and volunteers, women have been continuing Fresh Start’s mission to eradicate homelessness for over 30 years.

In 1991, a group of concerned Lincolnites formed a board of directors and began Fresh Start. This group included women such as Eleanor Enersen, Virginia Hall, Joyce Burgess, and Sister Barbara Ann Braun. This group of women, along with John Baylor Sr., Ross Greathouse, Rev. Andy Hird, and Rev. Charles Stephen, helped open the doors of their first shelter location at Burgess’ property at 1809 Ryons Street.

Mala DeBerg was named the executive director of the shelter, which began operations in 1992. Women, led by Cindy Piester and Karen Lenzen, also helped open The Daisy thrift store in 2007, which is located at their current shelter site in the Havelock neighborhood. All net proceeds from the store support Fresh Start services.

For more information on Fresh Start, please visit freshstarthome.org.