INDIANAPOLIS
Recent reports released by the CDC show overdose and opioid-related deaths climbed 30% nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Evansville Fresh Start Recovery Center staff continued to make a positive impact providing addiction treatment support and services in Vanderburgh County. The team at The Evansville House, on West Buena Vista Road, has served nearly 200 women during the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 combined.
Volunteers of America (VOA) Ohio & Indiana opened the Fresh State Recovery Center in Winchester in June 2018 with 23 beds. The Center serves pregnant women and mothers with substance abuse disorder. The residential facility is unique because it keeps mothers with their children under the age of five during treatment and recovery. Over the past two years, the center had to reduce the number of women staff could serve due to social distancing, quarantine and other COVID-related pandemic guidelines.
“Fresh Start is one of only a few programs in the country that combines intensive additions treatment services and comprehensive 24/7 parenting. During a critical time when concerns about mental health and substance use increased nationwide and pregnant women were at increased risk for health complications, our team remained committed to supporting women and children in the community and made a positive impact.” says John R. von Arx III, president and CEO of Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana.
Fresh Start Recovery Center serves pregnant women and mothers with substance use disorder in a residential environment. The program uniquely allows mothers and their children under the age of five to remain together during treatment and recovery from opioid and other drug addictions with a goal to keep families together and promote healthy birth and infant outcomes.
There are currently four Fresh Start Recovery centers in Indiana located in Columbus, Evansville, Indianapolis and Winchester. All totaled the Centers have served 1,115 women over the last two years.
About Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana
Volunteers of America is one of the nation’s largest, established comprehensive human services organizations with 16,000 mission-driven professionals, dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Founded in 1896, the faith-based nonprofit has programs in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, and serves more than 1.5 million people a year.
At Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana, we are dedicated to helping people achieve well-being by offering hope, restoring dignity, and transforming lives, to ensure communities thrive. For over 125 years, we have been uplifting individuals, families, and communities including veterans, homeless individuals and families, men and women returning home after incarceration, and those recovering and healing from addiction. Our work touches the mind, body, heart – and ultimately the spirit – of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services. To learn more about our work, visit www.voaohin.org.