A community with many, different members.
A Gathering Place
In addition to providing shelter, food, and clothing, the Freedom House offers the basic emotional and spiritual tools needed to stay sober. Four Alcoholics Anonymous and two Cocaine Anonymous meetings take place at the Main House each week, ranging in size from 10 to 70 men and women.
This gives residents the opportunity to meet others – like them – who wish to live a sober life. It demonstrate toresidents that they no longer need to be alone with their problems. Rather they can unite with others in a common solution. This offers ongoing support to residents as they learn a new way of life.
“Walked into Freedom House for the Just Stay group meeting at 10:00am on Saturday morning, was fried like a fritter, couldn’t explain how I felt, I was numb and hopeless! What I did feel was hugs and laughter; they made me feel a part of something and wanted. That’s my home group. I have been coming back since that day in May of 2007. It's as powerful today as the first time. Very grateful for Freedom House.”
Kevin D., sober since 2007
Volunteer Staff
Since opening in 1987, Freedom House staff members have volunteered their time to help residents learn to live a sober life. All men in recovery, these volunteers have a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities residents face. Many of them once were residents at Freedom House. They now help others just as they once were helped.
“They gave a hard-headed guy like me a chance. I bumped heads with people because at first I was a selfish, ungrateful man. I learned a lot of things from Denny L., who would intervene in my disputes. I learned to be unselfish and grateful for everything in life. But the best thing of all was learning how to live clean and sober, and without Freedom House and all the old timers that came around I don’t think that would have been possible. With all that said I thank God each day for another day clean and sober.”
Jeffrey C., sober since 1997