By Joe Lee
MADISON – Born Free-New Beginnings, a Catholic Charities of Jackson program and one of only two facilities in the state of Mississippi that treat pregnant females suffering from addiction, as well as their children born with addiction, has gotten a crucial makeover from the Knights of Columbus at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Madison.
A freshening up that took almost eight months to complete after a walk-through of the grounds last October.
“Some women are pregnant and overcoming addiction to alcohol and drugs so that their child may be ‘Born Free’ of addictions,” said Msgr. Elvin Sunds, who discussed needed repairs and upgrades with KC 9543. “Others are overcoming addiction while also caring for young children there. They’re creating a ‘New Beginning’ as loving, addiction-free mothers and families.”

Slowed by winter weather delays and a busy spring calendar for KC 9543, Grand Knight Lance Lee and a team of volunteers squeezed in trips in March and May to pressure wash the exterior surfaces of the two-story structure (which was built years ago into the side of a steep, craggy hill), clear away dead tree limbs and overgrown shrubs, and replace torn screen material in an enclosed toddler play area.
The second visit was to rebuild a wooden fence around the outdoor play area for toddlers, an expanse bordered by dense woods on one side and a treacherous hill on the other.
“It’s important for the residents who stay 28 days or longer to feel a sense of comfort as they see the facility for the first time, and as they spend time here,” Sunds added. “I am very grateful to the Knights of Columbus at St. Francis for seeing the project through.”
“It’s a very worthy pro-life project,” Lee said. “We had great volunteer help, including wonderful assistance from Born Free Facilities Manager Jimmie Roush, and did a good job for them. I was proud to be part of it. The new fence looks great and will go a long way toward keeping the little ones safe who are out there.”
To learn more about how you or your organization can support Born Free-New Beginnings, visit catholiccharitiesjackson.org.