The Bridge • Connecting You to What God Is Doing at Fresh Start

August 2026 Newsletter

As summer begins to wind down, I'm grateful for the many ways God continues to work through the ministry of Fresh Start. While August may not have been filled with major events, it has been a month marked by faithful service, daily victories, and meaningful moments of connection.

One highlight was our recent "Game Night" VIP Dinner for the men in our program. It was a special evening where our staff had the opportunity to step away from their usual responsibilities and simply serve. Sharing a meal, offering encouragement, and spending intentional time with the men reminded us that ministry often happens in the simplest acts of love. It was a beautiful picture of what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

We're also excited to announce a new chapter for our podcast, Addiction Kitchen, which premieres September 4th and will stream every Friday moving forward. Just as a kitchen is where ingredients come together to create something meaningful, Addiction Kitchen will bring real-life stories, challenges, and victories from our day-to-day work at Fresh Start to the table. Together, we'll explore the realities of recovery, share practical insights, and, as we like to say, cook up solutions to life's toughest struggles. We hope you'll pull up a chair and join the conversation.

Behind the scenes, we've also been focused on caring for the facilities that make this life-changing work possible. As any ministry campus can attest, maintaining a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment requires ongoing attention. Over the past several weeks, we've addressed important needs ranging from air conditioning systems to commercial kitchen equipment and other essential infrastructure improvements.

While these projects may not always be visible, they play a vital role in supporting the recovery journey of every man who walks through our doors. A well-maintained facility allows us to focus on what matters most—helping men find hope, healing, and lasting transformation through Christ.

As we look ahead, we're thankful for faithful partners like you who make this ministry possible. If you would like to help us meet these ongoing facility needs and continue providing a place of restoration, we invite you to make a gift today. Every donation, no matter the size, has a direct impact on the lives being changed at Fresh Start.

Help Meet Critical Facility Needs

Thank you for standing with us and helping create a place where hope is restored and lives are transformed.

With gratitude,

Scott Harrell

Executive Director, Fresh Start Ministries of Central Florida, Inc.

August Graduates

“I have fought the good fight,

I have finished the race,

I have kept the faith.”

2 Timothy 4:7 (ESV)

Andrew C.

I was completely lost for most of my adult life & much of my childhood. I never knew peace or happiness and had no idea how to find it. I gave up trying to find these things early in life. I became a severe alcoholic/addict from trying to medicate the life away. I had a pattern of resentment towards me and it was cyclical and everyone important to me removed themselves from my life. My innocent kids had no say-so and were inadvertently damaged from our separation. I allowed self-pity & self-loathing to consume me to the point of a couple of suicide attempts. God had other plans.

While in jail in August of 2024, God seemed to turn His face upon me. I instinctually knew right away that all I really had to do is seek His love & later learned that I wanted to love Him back. By studying the Word I learned that I could do that by trying to follow His ways. Fresh Start has been priceless and instrumental in helping me achieve this. God’s had His hand on my life ever since. I’m blessed and I finally know peace and happiness.