All posts tagged: community

Learning About Boundless Compassion …

“Redemption is possible, and it is the measure of a civilized society.”

– Father Greg Boyle

Earlier this week, members of our staff and several clients attended the King Institute for Faith and Culture’s event featuring Father Greg Boyle. He is the founder of Homeboy Industries, author of the 2010 New York Times bestseller “Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion,” and in 2014 the White House named Father Boyle a Champion of Change.

Father Greg Boyle with Families Free Senior Staff
Tabitha Sells, Lisa Tipton, Father Boyle, Rachel Adams and Robin Ledford

Father Boyle shared his experiences with Homeboy Industries, the largest gang intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program in the world. In 1988, his parish began employing and training former gang members in a range of social enterprises, and they provide critical services to thousands of others in need.

We also had the immense pleasure of meeting Father Boyle, and our team left feeling inspired by his endless dedication and compassion to serve his community. #LoveRestores

MeredithLearning About Boundless Compassion …
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2019 At A Glance …

One year can make such a difference, and 2019 has been no exception. We feel so blessed to see the difference and impact this year has made in the lives of those we serve, as we have walked alongside so many women, children, and families throughout the different programs offered by Families Free. 

Meredith2019 At A Glance …
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Gov. Lee Signs Executive Order to Increase Access To Recovery Courts

“Public safety extends beyond party lines and has the best interest of every Tennessean in mind,” said Gov. Bill Lee.

According to The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), Governor Bill Lee’s FY20 budget proposal includes $4.7 million to increase access to recovery courts, supplement recovery court programming with Medication Assisted Treatment, and create a new residential recovery court for women. With $1.7 million in additional funding, recovery courts will expand capacity by 20 percent and serve an additional 500 Tennesseans each year.

MeredithGov. Lee Signs Executive Order to Increase Access To Recovery Courts
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A Visit To The Johnson City Detention Center

On December 20, 2018, Families Free Executive Director Lisa Tipton, Clinical Director Robin Ledford, and our Director of Women’s Services Judy Clark visited with the inmates at the Johnson City Detention Center to hand-deliver Christmas care packages. With the help of Jail Administrator Amy Clark and correctional officers, we were able to provide a bag filled with toiletries, a snack cake, and a devotional for each inmate.

MeredithA Visit To The Johnson City Detention Center
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Let There Be Joy – Families Free Client Christmas Party

Tradition: a noun meaning to “hand down statements, beliefs, information, etc. from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice.”

Traditions are so important to not only families but individuals as well, especially during the holiday season. For some of our clients, establishing new Christmas traditions that support their recovery feels like starting from scratch. However, just like our Executive Director Lisa Tipton said – “It just takes one person to start a tradition …”

MeredithLet There Be Joy – Families Free Client Christmas Party
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TCCY Legislative Brunch

We were honored to co-sponsor Northeast Tennessee Council On Children and Youth’s Legislative Brunch this past Friday, November 30th. State agencies, local non-profits, legislators, and many more gathered to discuss how we can continue to work together to ensure children in East Tennessee are safe, healthy, educated, nurtured and provided with opportunities that help them achieve their full potential.
MeredithTCCY Legislative Brunch
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Open House Event For Our New JC Office

We were excited to officially share our new office space in Johnson City this past Thursday, November 29th. Our Open House Event was the culmination of a lot of hard work from the Families Free team and also many members of our community. To those who assisted in the search for our office, helped us move, put furniture together, and decorated our space so that it feels warm and inviting to everyone that steps foot in our door – we thank you. Our success is in large part due to your kindness, and we feel so blessed to receive the support.

MeredithOpen House Event For Our New JC Office
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Join Us In Bringing Light Through Family Traditions

If your family, church, or business is looking to give back this holiday season, we have two different ways for you to connect with families in need. Our Target registry is comprised of items that will help make this holiday season special for the families we serve. Your kindness will ensure that local children receive gifts and necessities wrapped with care by their parents, who have done the hard work of transforming themselves and their families, during our annual Client Christmas Party.

MeredithJoin Us In Bringing Light Through Family Traditions
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First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court Graduation

Successful individuals build successful communities …

On Thursday, October 11th members of the Families Free and First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court teams, current participants in the program, family, and friends gathered to celebrate the success of Brooke and Kaice. Both women joined the First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court program looking for a second chance.

MeredithFirst Judicial District Felony Recovery Court Graduation
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Building Strong Brains: Tennessee Event

“The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie – deliberate, contrived, and dishonest – but the myth – persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.” JFK

Families Free was invited to take part in the event for Building Strong Brains: Tennessee in Nashville today. This ACEs Initiative is a major statewide effort to establish Tennessee as a national model for how a state can promote culture change in early childhood based on a philosophy that preventing and mitigating adverse childhood experiences, and their impact, is the most promising approach to helping Tennessee children lead productive, healthy lives.

Dr. Karen Schetzina and Executive Director Lisa Tipton next to the informational poster for their Baby Steps to Success ACEs project.

Families Free’s work in the community mirrors these very same goals, and we address the hard issues facing our region: addiction, child welfare, and poverty. Our programs help build the capacity of vulnerable families through education, intervention, and restoration of relationships – all of which strengthens families and our community as a whole. We love Tennessee’s commitment to children and families, and we are so grateful for their state funding and support in our efforts to build and foster resiliency. #LoveRestores

MeredithBuilding Strong Brains: Tennessee Event
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