About Us
We are a group of individuals who are dedicated to helping this underserved, marginalized, and less than popular community of women endeavoring for a better life
Our Story
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide Support services and resources to BIPOC women and girls who have been impacted by the justice system, while offering them life skills and tools to create and access better opportunities for them to become the change that they want to see.
“I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better. “
Maya Angelou
Our Vision
Our Vision is to empower BIPOC WOMEN AND GIRLS, resurrect lives, re-unite families, eliminate recidivism, and help women to become successful role models while mentoring others as a way to pay it forward.
What We Offer
It's O K 2 B U
Empowering, Motivating, Uplifting, Non-judging,
Loving, Confident,
Beautiful, Positive,
Unique
Tuesday Evenings
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Located inside of Minnehaha Recreation Center
685 Minnehaha Ave W
Echo/Dance Room
Saint Paul, MN 55104
A Program that utilizes different approaches for unique women.
We are a faith-based non-profit organization that offers a broad range of services and subject matter that require women to examine their inner most being to discover who they are, and who they would like to become while we assist them in their journey on how they choose to get there.
Tasty Meals
We serve meals at each of weekly groups.
Either home cooked or something ordered especially for our groups.
Mentoring
We offer a curriculum that once completed allow for all to become mentors or pay it forward in their communities.
Mental & Physical Wellness
Learning how to stay healthy in all areas of your life.
We offer WRAP 1, CPRS services to our groups. We learn healthy eating habits and other things that keep our minds and our bodies healthy.
Financial Refinement
Opportunities to increase knowledge of how to buy the things that you want and credit tips.
Testimonials
What People are Saying
“StartAnew! Wow, where do I begin?”
I met the founder of Start Anew, at a workshop, on a university campus. I didn’t know what to expect, due to, it being my very first time, educating myself about the prison system and the intricacies of what the “system” is all about.
After the presentation was done, it was time for the breakout sessions, where we could meet the panelists and learn from them. That’s where I met Ms. Cecelia, and our sisterhood began there. Over the next few months, I’d come to learn and know, that I didn’t know very much about the prison industry.
After coming under the “tutelage” of Ms. Cecelia, by joining her, alongside a group of women, who meet on a weekly basis, to discuss how we can better improve ourselves, our short comings, readjusting to this “new way” of existing, because now there’s a label attached to our names. Admittedly it was a transition to say the least, but with our weekly meetings and interactions with one another, it has truly made adapting a lot easier. Having a sisterhood, so to speak where you can come and let your hair down, laugh, as well as learn how to adapt to your new way of living in society.
Start Anew, has assisted us with our deposits for new housing. Assisted with providing information on housing, starting a new job, advancing on our current jobs, learning about health and nutrition, and having an overall sisterhood, has offered a fresh breath of air, where at times it felt stagnate and immovable.
I thank Almighty God, for our meeting that day on the college campus. Not there as a university student, yet not knowing that Ms. Cecelia and Start Anew would be a new start for me and my future. I am humbly grateful to Almighty God, for Ms. Cecelia and the ladies at Start Anew.
Sandra Abu-Bakr
Mon, Thurs, Fri
10:00am - 5:30pm
Tues
10:00am – 8:30pm
Wed
10:00am - 8:30pm
Saturday & Sunday
Closed
Reach Out To Us
Don't be shy. Let us know if you have any questions!