A Singular Loss
Nancy Ferguson, Founder of Fresh Start Ministries
It is often a cliche to say that someone is the "heart and soul" of something, but in the case of Fresh Start Ministries this is no exaggeration. Nancy Ferguson founded Fresh Start, managed Fresh Start, and provided the Fresh Start spirit that changed thousands of lives. Fresh Start and Nancy Ferguson were one and the same; so it is with great sadness that we must share the news of Nancy's passing into the arms of her Creator.
Nancy was a breast cancer survivor but the cancer eventually recurred and took Nancy's life last week. This has been a devastating blow to her family, friends, and her extended Fresh Start family. As word has spread, the grief has been terrible but the outpouring of love has been tremendous. Reading the posts on her Facebook page from people whose lives she had literally saved from addiction, criminal behavior, and hopelessness made one want to cry with both sadness and joy. Rarely does a person come along who so selflessly embodies the spirit of Jesus and his ministry.
Nancy believed in fresh starts and she believed in Fresh Start - her dream was to see this ministry grow in abundance and increase its ability to help people become new creations. She saw the potential for goodness and greatness in all men and women...many of whom couldn't see a glimmer of that in themselves. As representatives of Nancy's vision, we (the Board of Directors for Fresh Start) want you to know that we intend to pursue and grow this ministry...to continue the work that Nancy couldn't, but following the principles and direction she gave us. The lives that were touched by Nancy will create a legacy of caring and love and spirit that will flow through generations The former convict that reconnects with his children and provides a stable home for his family...the drug-addict mother that no longer needs to steal and prostitute herself to feed her cravings...the man sitting in a jail cell without hope, until someone comes along and gives him that hope.
These are the kind of people that Fresh Start and Nancy Ferguson helped to change into stable, productive, and caring people. People who give back to their families and community. The kind of person you want as a neighbor or co-worker. Please join with us to continue the work of Nancy Ferguson...for there is much work still to be done. Nancy's spirit will be watching over us as we endeavor to keep it alive here on Earth.
"Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5
It is often a cliche to say that someone is the "heart and soul" of something, but in the case of Fresh Start Ministries this is no exaggeration. Nancy Ferguson founded Fresh Start, managed Fresh Start, and provided the Fresh Start spirit that changed thousands of lives. Fresh Start and Nancy Ferguson were one and the same; so it is with great sadness that we must share the news of Nancy's passing into the arms of her Creator.
Nancy was a breast cancer survivor but the cancer eventually recurred and took Nancy's life last week. This has been a devastating blow to her family, friends, and her extended Fresh Start family. As word has spread, the grief has been terrible but the outpouring of love has been tremendous. Reading the posts on her Facebook page from people whose lives she had literally saved from addiction, criminal behavior, and hopelessness made one want to cry with both sadness and joy. Rarely does a person come along who so selflessly embodies the spirit of Jesus and his ministry.
Nancy believed in fresh starts and she believed in Fresh Start - her dream was to see this ministry grow in abundance and increase its ability to help people become new creations. She saw the potential for goodness and greatness in all men and women...many of whom couldn't see a glimmer of that in themselves. As representatives of Nancy's vision, we (the Board of Directors for Fresh Start) want you to know that we intend to pursue and grow this ministry...to continue the work that Nancy couldn't, but following the principles and direction she gave us. The lives that were touched by Nancy will create a legacy of caring and love and spirit that will flow through generations The former convict that reconnects with his children and provides a stable home for his family...the drug-addict mother that no longer needs to steal and prostitute herself to feed her cravings...the man sitting in a jail cell without hope, until someone comes along and gives him that hope.
These are the kind of people that Fresh Start and Nancy Ferguson helped to change into stable, productive, and caring people. People who give back to their families and community. The kind of person you want as a neighbor or co-worker. Please join with us to continue the work of Nancy Ferguson...for there is much work still to be done. Nancy's spirit will be watching over us as we endeavor to keep it alive here on Earth.
"Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5
A memorial for Nancy will be held at Sonrise Christian Center, in Everett, on Tuesday, March 27th at 6p.m.
For the address or directions, click here.
Those wishing to make a contribution to Fresh Start Ministries in Nancy's honor, may do so by visiting our Support Center here.
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Welcome to Fresh Start
Fresh Start Ministries is committed to reaching out to those whose lives that have been shattered by chemical dependency, crime, and past abuse.
We are dedicated to drawing out the best in people, helping them become all they were created to be. Doing this will create a safer, healthier, community along with building better parents, employees, and citizens.
Fresh Start has remarkable success in changing lives and breaking the cycle where people continue to return to jail, abuse drugs, and don't contribute to society. We turn lives around and our people open up new horizons for their lives...making them employable, good parents, and most importantly, good citizens no longer involved with the criminal justice system.How does Fresh Start achieve this?
Our success can be measured by some simple numbers:
- 73% of inmates at the Snohomish County Jail will return in a year.
- Only 28% of participants in a Fresh Start program return to jail in a year.
- In 2009, 350 people took part in one our Snohomish County Jail programs, of these, only 98 came back to jail in a year...that's 252 people kept out of jail and using costly resources.
Learn more about us by clicking on our programs page and support our life-changing mission by donating here.
You will know that your support is having a direct impact in changing lives. 100% of your support goes to funding our programs!
Fresh Start is a 501(c)(3) organization and your donations are tax-deductible.
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