Board members not pictured: Karen Boyd, Julia Herwig, Trish Short, and Tina Wilson // Photo by Tina Wilson
We would like to take the time to shine a spotlight on our Board of Directors. We are so thankful for their hard work and guidance – not just on Thanksgiving day but every day.
Alongside our staff, our Board of Directors use their knowledge and special talents to make Families Free a stronger force for love and hope. As active members of our community, their time is certainly precious. This is why we feel truly blessed that each and every one of them chooses to be a part of our story and the success of our clients. #LoveRestores
From the Families Free staff and board, we wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!
On August 31st, Families Free collaborated with some of the area’s best businesses and organizations to host an evening filled with dinner, live music, and inspiring stories. Set against the beautiful backdrop of mountain haze and the gorgeous interiors and exteriors of Chateau Selah, our honored friends and guests first enjoyed conversation and a delicious meal provided by Mountain States Health Alliance.
After dinner, our Executive Director Lisa Tipton spoke about our mission, shared inspiring stories and the strength displayed by the women we work with, the goals we’ve accomplished along the way, and our hopes for the future. Shortly after, Grammy Award Winning Christian Artist Mac Powell and his talented backing musicians provided an extra dose of fun and exceptional entertainment. So naturally, when Mac asked the crowd to join together for a dance, many of them obliged!
We concluded the night with Speaker, Author and Founder of Thistle Farms – Becca Stevens. Becca, along with members of the Thistle Farms team, were available earlier in the evening to answer questions about their work and how the handmade products they produce benefit and empower the women in their program. However, it was at the end of our event that Becca took the stage to tell her story, discuss the beginning of Thistle Farms, and shared examples of how the support of her organization has helped countless women and their families.
If you are interested in learning more about Thistle Farms, you can do so here.
The evening was more than we could have imagined, and we thank everyone who donated their time and services to make this event possible. We must also extend a thank you to all the attendees and those who look to make our community a better place.
Lisa Tipton has served as the Executive Director of Families Free since 2008. She is a strong advocate for women’s ministries, drug and alcohol treatment, and the restoration of her community. Lisa is also a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor and currently serves as the clinical supervisor of the drug and alcohol clinical component at Families Free.
As a result of her continuous efforts to build a successful nonprofit organization, Families Free holds the Regional Therapy Family Preservation Contract for the Northeast Region of Tennessee – this is in addition to being a credential service provider for drug and alcohol assessments, clinical parenting assessments, drug and alcohol treatment, parenting education, and homemaker services. Families Free also holds the contract for the First Judicial District Felony Drug Court in Elizabethton, TN where services began in early 2017.
Families Free is a licensed co-occurring drug and alcohol treatment facility and is responsible for creating the model for the Woven Program – serving mothers of NAS infants funded through the Department of Health. Families Free consists of 14 employees whose passion, skills, and desire to serve have the ability to reach more than 155 families a month through outreach programs, various community agencies, and the services provided for female inmates. Lisa’s mission is to strengthen our community by building the capacity of vulnerable families through education, intervention, and restoring relationships – a mindset she has infused within the work of Families Free.
Lisa’s knowledge and passion mirrors our organization’s dedication to making positive impacts on at-risk and often overlooked populations, by providing quality, evidence-based services that are combined with the faith-based principles of compassion, healing, and restoration to promote positive lifestyle changes.
When not working within her various roles, Lisa enjoys serving at Calvary Church in Johnson City, TN and she was also recently honored as an ETSU College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences Distinguished Alumni and Hall of Fame Recipient, in addition to being named one of the Leaders in Christian Service by Milligan College in 2017.
We are planning for our upcoming Families Free fundraiser at the Chateau Selah! We are so excited and thankful for this opportunity! Make sure to save the date for an amazing event at a breathtaking venue! August 31, 2017🗓✔️ #LoveRestores
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Congratulations to these three ladies! We are very proud of you! Families Free would like to thank the First Christian Church in Johnson City and Chick-fil-a at Johnson City Crossings for all your time and donations! We want to thank you for supporting the change in the lives of these women and their families!
Please give our coffee a try! All proceeds benefit vulnerable women & children in Northeast, TN. It’s available for purchase at Reclaimed Inspired Goods in Johnson City, River Mountain Antiques & Bellafina Chocolates in Kingsport, and it is also being served at Stir Fry and Southern Craft BBQ in Johnson City. Our small bags of WOVEN blend coffee make great gifts for any coffee lover. If your business or restaurant is interested in buying our coffee, please contact us and we will be happy to arrange an order for you!
Our Director, Lisa Tipton, was recognized as a “Leader in Christian Service” by Milligan College today!! If you see Lisa, please congratulate her on this wonderful achievement!
Thank you to the First Christian Church in Johnson City for hosting a special baby shower for some of our new moms at Families Free. We are very proud of these new moms and all they have accomplished! We would also like to thank our board members for their generosity in helping us make this baby shower a success!
