Gov. Bill Lee has proclaimed May Recovery Court Month in Tennessee.
Families Free is honored to be part of the process of restoration for individuals, families, and communities in our region through the recovery court judges & teams spanning five counties in our Northeast region. It is a dynamic process with the spirit of collaboration to help change the cycles of trauma, oppression, and other maladaptive patterns driving substance abuse.
#LoveRestores
We have wonderful news – Families Free has been selected 100+ Tri-Cities Women Who Care‘s giving circle recipient! Their mission is to empower women and nonprofits in our region by facilitating a significant impact through their Big Give event. Tri-Cities Women Who Care’s collective desire to give back to our community ensures that their member donations go to work immediately through our restorative programs and services. The Families Free team is so grateful to Tri-Cities Women Who Care’s support in helping us provide for those in need.
Watch our Executive Director Lisa Tipton chat with Adrienne Osborne, Non-Profit coordinator for 100 Tri-Cities Women Who Care and Host Lynda Fontaine on “A Closer Look.”
We were so thrilled to be featured on The Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiative’s TN Hero Podcast! Listen to their latest episode to hear more about our restorative work in East Tennessee.
Follow this link or listen through Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
#LoveRestores
Before and after the pandemic, many of us have experienced life-altering devastation. We wondered: how does life go on? How can there possibly be life after hurt and hard times?Even when winter seems to never end, spring will arrive. With Christ joy can be restored and a new season begins – if we let go of what’s not working and the parts of our life that we cannot repair on our own. God never feels burdened by our need for him. His love never runs out.“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10, NLT#LoveRestores
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16We were so happy to treat our staff and clients alike during this season of love with individualized gifts which included both hand-made goods from local retailers and gift cards. And while these gifts were given with love and gratitude, we wanted to also take the time to sit with different types of love and how it is the strongest force for restoration. Read more about how love plays a role in the life of some of our leadership team. #LoveRestores
*special thanks to Christy Torbett at Robin’s on Roan for the hot chocolate bombs!
Have you been wondering what day-to-day life is like at Families Free? We invite you to visit any one of our three offices around the region to learn more about our programs, individualized treatments, and the empowerment that takes place every day.
We have more in store for you in the coming week! Stay up to date on all the latest news by following us on Facebook and Instagram. #LoveRestores
We believe that the clients we encounter and the people we serve matter, their children matter, their stories matter, and this is how you restore lives and families and communities.
Families Free is honored to be featured on Policy Research Associates, Inc.‘s website. You can learn more about the inspiration behind Families Free, and hear from our Executive Director Lisa Tipton and Clinical Director Robin Ledford by reading the full article here. #LoveRestores
This past weekend, Families Free clients and their children enjoyed a day of fun at Doe River Gorge. Residents from the Storie House, Family Service Grant participants, and their children represented eighteen families that had the opportunity to join members of our staff in experiencing the camp’s Day Quest activities.
Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Cherokee National Forest, the day was filled with swimming, taking turns on the zipline, and additional water activities in the Recreation Lake, as well as treats from the Sidetrack Café and train rides across the grounds. As a group, we then joined together for a shared meal at The Depot.
“The wind through our hair as we rode past the trees.”
“Our first time in the water all summer.”
“Laughing around the table during our meal.”
These are the lasting memories made that day at Doe River Gorge.
Now more than ever, events like this not only foster healthy family living skills, they also provide a cherished opportunity for clients and their loved ones to relax and enjoy time spent together. #LoveRestores
Often it’s the deepest pain which empowers you to grow into your highest self. – Karen Salmansohn
There are a great many things that seem uncertain. That’s why Families Free believes that now more than ever we need to highlight the good and champion positive outcomes. We want to celebrate the graduation of Danny, TK, and Nena from the First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court program.
On Wednesday, March 4th, our graduates were honored by members of the Families Free and First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court teams, as family, friends, and current program participants gathered together to congratulate them on their hard work and achievements.
We want to thank Keynote Speaker Tim Hicks, Judge Lisa Rice, and Judge Stacy Street for speaking during the graduation ceremony. We also want to thank the other members of the FJDFRC team, which include additional recovery agencies, judges, law enforcement members, district attorneys, and public defenders who work to ensure the success of the participants. We are excited to see how Danny, TK, and Nena continue to make strides in their recovery and bring about positive change within their own families and our community as a whole. #LoveRestores
The First Judicial Recovery Court program is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
While the Coronavirus is changing many aspects of our daily lives, it can’t impact the principles we deeply value at Families Free – our sincere desire for restoration, justice, and love.
We are taking the CDC and Tennessee State Department’s recommendations to heart because protecting our community means protecting our clients, our Families Free staff, and our community.
We are very mindful of our population of clients who are largely employed in service industry sector who will be most profoundly impacted by the current state of emergency.
We are seeking charitable donations to begin a benevolence fund. Families Free is positioned to respond expeditiously to provide food, shelter, and basic needs through our current processes.
We are reaching out to our valued partners to ask for help through a one-time donation to Families Free that we will specifically earmark toward community benevolence for those affected. Families Free is grateful for each of you, your support, and your heart to help those actively involved in the restoration of their families. #LoveRestores
In loving service,
The Families Free Community
If you are able to donate to our benevolence fund, please visit our homepage and click on the “donate” button at the top.