Volunteers of America opens family-focused addiction treatment center for pregnant women and mothers in Columbus, IN

A special announcement from VOA and our community partners.


COLUMBUS, IN (October 21, 2020)
Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana announces the opening of its newest Fresh Start Recovery Center in Columbus, IN.

The 25-bed family-focused residential facility provides addiction treatment for pregnant women and mothers with up to two children under the age of five. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the current capacity is 15 beds. The center opened its doors to mothers during the first week of October. 

We believe it’s incredibly important to keep mothers with their children during recovery to strengthen the bond between them.

John R. von Arx III
President & CEO
Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana


“By offering a home-like environment, Fresh Start Recovery Center provides a stable foundation for women to successfully address their addiction-related disorders while also caring for their children and connecting with other mothers,” said John R. von Arx III, President and CEO of Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana.

The Columbus-based facility expands the Fresh Start program that Volunteers of America began in Indianapolis in 2015, followed by locations in Winchester, then Evansville. Fresh Start Recovery Center at Columbus House marks the fourth addiction treatment center for women in the state of Indiana operated by Volunteers of America.

“The scourge of substance abuse disorder is all too real. Columbus House offers treatment for young mothers with substance abuse disorder, but just as importantly, it provides hope for those mothers’ children,” said Mayor of Columbus, James Lienhoop.

Fresh Start Recovery Center at Columbus House, located at 703 Washington Street, was purchased by Volunteers of America in late 2018 with financing support from Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority.

“We use the development fund at IHCDA exclusively to support special initiatives like this one. We appreciate the hard work and dedication for creating safe and secure locations throughout Indiana for women and mothers to recover and heal from substance abuse disorder,” said Jacob Sipe, Executive Director at Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority.

Take a virtual tour of our new
Fresh Start Recovery Center at Columbus House.

Learn more about our Fresh Start Recovery Center services.



About Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana
Volunteers of America is a national, faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping those in need live healthy, safe, and productive lives. Through thousands of human services programs, including housing and healthcare services, Volunteers of America helps nearly 1.5 million people across the country and more than 17,000 in Ohio and Indiana.

Since 1896, our ministry of service has supported and empowered America’s most vulnerable groups including low-income seniors, veterans, homeless individuals and families, men and women returning home after incarceration, homeless individuals and families, and those recovering from addictions. Visit www.voaohin.org for more information.