Getting a Fresh Start

On our recent trip to Louisiana, we had the privilege to sit down and speak with a group of men who are providing a new life to dozens of men everyday through a Ministry called Fresh Start.

Fresh Start Outreach Ministries, Inc. was founded in 2001 with a vision to reach those people hurting from drug and alcohol addiction and give them a “Fresh Start” on a new life. We are called to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them which are bound.

Fresh Start's Mission is to not only treat the addict for his addiction, but to radically change each individual from within. Fresh Start believes the only true way to see change in someone's life is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

"If you wanna get free you need to have discipleship" Clay Russel, Director.

We had a chance to sit down with Clay Russell, Director of Fresh Start, and he told us
that on average about 70-75 students are being helped at any given time. Fresh Start operates in a 48 bed, multi-wing facility in Winnsboro, LA. They are licensed to host over 90 students at once and are staffed to do so. This facility was donated to Fresh Start at the end 2005, and in December of 2006, they opened their doors to 15 men waiting for their own Fresh Start
The 7 month program begins with all students completing a rigorous 30 days of in house training and counseling. Here they will establish and fortify their relationship with God through private and public reflection, prayer, chapel services, daily devotions and lessons, and several other social activities. Phase 1 is complete once the student has passed each of their weekly tests, and a final exam as their 30 days comes to an end.

Phase 2 encompasses months 2, 3 and 4. In this phase students go through a period of work therapy. Fresh Start owns and operates several businesses which serve the community of Winnsboro and the surrounding areas. Each student is employed at one of these businesses for a term of 90 days all while continuing their spiritual counseling and rehabilitation through chapel services, and classes like Overcomers- A Daily Choice.

During the third and final Phase (months 5, 6 & 7) Fresh Start helps each student find a job with a local outside employer. Students are able to deposit money into an individual account set up and monitored by Fresh Start. In this phase, GED classes are offered as well as vocational training to those students who did not graduate high-school. All students are also expected to now pay program fees of up to a third or their income not to exceed $500.

Upon completion of the 7-month program, students will receive a Fresh Start Certificate and the money saved will be released to the student to assist with such things as rent, deposits, and utilities.

Almost 90 percent of the residents come voluntarily and upwards of 70 percent of the students get clean and stay clean. Whats more is that a majority of the graduates who have stayed clear of addiction still have close relationships with the staff of Fresh Start. Some even apply for and begin work within Fresh Start's Intern program in order to give back to the program that gave them back their life!

During the entire 7 month program students are encouraged to start down the long road towards earning back the trust from their friends and family. Most of the men of Fresh Start come to the program with nothing and no one to help them through the pain and control of addiction. Through classes and group counseling each student is provided with several sanctioned opportuities to reach out and begin to regain the relationships lost to their addictions.

"Family Reconciliation is a big deal" -Clay Russell.

Many of the families are also contacted and served through the outreach of River of Life Church, in Winnsboro. Several of the students attend River of Life on a regular basis.

If you would like more info on how you can get involved in this ministry, or if you or someone you know are in need of their services, Please Click Here

Additionally you can email our offices(info@wviw.com) for more info on Fresh Start, Overcomers, and WVIW.