By Jim Wogan Four bedrooms and a lot of love. That might be the best way to describe the newest ministry of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee. The Columbus Home Safe Place for Kids is a recently opened haven for children who have come into custody of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, giving the youngsters temporary shelter while the state navigates the legal process to place them in foster care or with other family members. “It’s just a safe, warm place for these kids to be under the care of DCS while they’re getting placed,” said Lisa Healy, executive director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, moments after the official ribbon-cutting on May 13. The idea for Columbus Home Safe Place for Kids arose out of conversations initiated by Knox County Juvenile Court Judge Tim Irwin, state DCS officials, and Catholic Charities. The need for a comfortable, home-like environment,... Read more →