“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
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.
Graduates Danny Hawks, Nena Thrift, and Torry “TK” KellyTK with familyNena with two of her daughtersDanny with his sister and fatherJudge Stacy StreetJudge Lisa Rice and Danny HawksKeynote Speaker Tim Hicks
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.
Family is where love and strength reside, and fostering those tenets is a large part of our work here at Families Free. That’s why we are excited to integrate the Celebrating Families! program into our services.
On January 30th, we held our first Celebrating Families! meeting where participants embarked on a 16-week education program designed to work with every member of the family to strengthen recovery from alcohol and drugs, break the cycle of addiction, and increase successful family reunification.
“It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness …”
On Tuesday, November 26th, Chris and Kristin were honored by members of the Families Free and First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court teams during our second annual Recovery Court Graduation. Along with current program participants, family, and friends, we all gathered together to celebrate their hard work and success.
The First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court provides alternatives to jail time, such as counseling, curriculum, and access to several opportunities that are designed to support their sobriety. It’s an important tool for those who need help staying out of the cycle of jail time, being released, and then returning.
Through this opportunity, both Kristin and Chris completed the five phases of the program and met personal goals along the way. Kristin maintained two jobs during her time in our program, bought a vehicle, has been sober since July of 2018, and she’s investing in her future by attending classes at Northeast State.
Chris has been sober since October of 2017, completed the Morgan County Residential Recovery Court, had his license reinstated, and he continues to support his success through our program by securing safe and sober housing. Both graduates have displayed perseverance in achieving goal after goal, and in combination with their hard work, the accomplishment of completing the Recovery Court program serves as an inspiration to not only their fellow participants but also every person they meet.
Judge Lisa RiceGraduates Kristin Nelms and Chris HagyJoshua Rice shares a poem he had written honoring a friend he had lost due to a substance abuse disorderRachel Roden – Felony Recovery Court CoordinatorGraduate Chris Hagy with Judge Stacy StreetGraduate Kristin Nelms and Judge Lisa RiceJason Abernathy and Brian Bowman (who performed at the graduation), Judge Lisa Rice, Families Free Executive Director Lisa Tipton, and Clinical Director Robin Ledford
The FJDFRC team and participants invited community members to join us in lighting a candle to join in the work we are doing in the area.
We want to once again congratulate our 2019 graduates, and our team looks forward to seeing how Chris and Kristin continue to bring about positive change not only for themselves but for our community as well. #LoveRestores
We want to extend a special thank you to Judge Stacy Street, Judge Lisa Rice, Joshua Rice, Jason Abernathy, and Brian Bowman for speaking and performing 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.
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.
What a difference a year makes …as we gathered together once more for our annual fundraiser at Chateau Selah, the beautiful rolling hills that serve as the venue’s backdrop mirrored the awe-inspiring changes we’ve seen take place in 2019.
Families Free feels so blessed to see the difference this year has made in the lives of those we serve. We have walked alongside so many women, children, and families through our programs, and we were excited to share the impact each program has made with our honored guests.
Fundraiser attendees had the opportunity to engage in three different program experiences, where they could learn more from our respective directors how Families Free programs offer services that not only impact the lives of clients but also our community as a whole. Because our programs are interconnected, vulnerable populations in our area have access to care that supports healing and transformation throughout every aspect of their lives.
These program stations were nestled among a carefully curated event designed by sponsor Reclaimed Inspired Goods. Our emcee for the night, Kevin Wilson, helped kick off the festivities by introducing our Executive Director Lisa Tipton. Lisa shared with our guests an additional overview of our services and the details of the latest addition to our programs: The Storie House.
Our guests then enjoyed a delicious meal provided by Divine Catering Company and desserts from Bellafina Chocolates and New Maven Macs. Next, we all had the pleasure of hearing the musical talents of Barry Bales and Ronnie & Garnett Bowman before hearing stories of hope from three of our clients: Amanda, Layla, and Tiffany. With courage and vulnerability, they shared their individual experiences and detailed working with Families Free helped them change their lives.
Tabitha Sells then shared the story of her community-focused social enterprise: New Maven Macs. New Maven Macs was established for the sole purpose of being a network of healing, hope, and opportunity. Alongside Bellafina Chocolates and our team at Families Free, women in recovery have a trusting and supportive point of re-entry into the workforce.
Because of the aid and encouragement of our community, we continue to expand our outreach and in turn, impact the lives of those in need of hope, love, and restoration. With donations and pledges from our fundraiser, we have reached almost $85K and plan to open our next private residence this fall. Through faith and hard work, we look forward to so much more to come … #LoveRestores
Thank you to our business sponsors BBT, BBT Wealth, and McGriff Insurance Services, Chateau Selah, Bales Farms, Reclaimed Inspired Goods, and Universal Wines & Spirits for supporting this event.
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.
Mother’s Day is a beautiful time for many of us, and spending the day with family allows us to create memories we will cherish. However, Mother’s Day can also be a difficult time for those who are dealing with loss – which can come in many forms.
The seed, which contains the fullest potential of life, ceases to be a seed so that the plant inside may live. Essentially, its original form has died, and the seed becomes something new. A similar question can be asked – like the seed, how can you die unto yourself and live anew?
