LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A woman stepped up to raise a baby whose mother died of a drug overdose. Later, she found herself fighting the same battle and came to Louisville for a kind of help only offered in one place in Kentucky.

Despite her infectious laugh, life has not been easy for 2-year-old Milani.

Her "Mimi," Tanith Wilson, met Milani’s mother through her job as vice president at an addiction treatment program in central Kentucky.

"She knew she was not in a place to provide for her or care for her," Wilson said.

Wilson understood that struggle herself. Twenty years earlier, she battled addiction. But she got sober and built a career helping others do the same.

As Milani’s mother struggled with addiction and homelessness, Wilson and her husband began caring for Milani.

"I just wanna give her a good life," Wilson said.

Milani’s mother died of an overdose when she was 8 months old.

"It wasn’t even a question," Wilson said.

Wilson adopted her.

But raising a toddler while helping lead addiction treatment programs for others became overwhelming.

After two decades sober and earning two degrees in the field, Wilson relapsed.

"For some reason I felt like a drink was the best way to fix all that," Wilson said.

"It’s the worst thing I’ve ever been through," she said. "I worked hard to get where I was."

That is what brought her to Volunteers of America’s Freedom House in Louisville.

Freedom House is the only residential recovery program in Kentucky where mothers can live with their children while receiving treatment for addiction.

"I needed a safe place I could go with my child where I could take a break from my life," Wilson said.

At Freedom House, mothers receive family and individual therapy, parenting classes, job training and assistance with long-term housing and education options.

"I’m grateful a place like this exists, because I was not going to be separated from Milani," Wilson said. "She’s already been through so much in her life. Treatment is hard, and having a child makes it harder, but I wouldn’t do it without her. I’m grateful we’re here together."

Kentucky reports a 50% decline in overdose deaths since 2021, many believe programs like Freedom House are part of what is working. 

"We pour so much into other people and we forget to fill our own cup, you know," she said.

Now, Wilson is focusing on recovery again — for herself and the little girl who needs her.

"She deserves all the love in the world, so I just want to make sure she has that," Wilson said.

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