When asked, “How do you grow up to have that type of career?” Professional Football Player Jason Witten’s answer is always the same: “The secret is in the dirt. I was never the most talented, never the flashiest, I relied on grit.”
Witten’s speech was referenced during our latest Recovery Court graduation for honoree Kevin Woodby. The theme of the ceremony, “Grace and Grit,” is one that resonates with both our recovery court team and past and present program participants that were in attendance. It takes grace and grit to engage with the program and to take the necessary steps toward recovery and restoration.
Our team congratulates Kevin Woodby on his hard work in the Recovery Court program, and we all look forward to seeing how he grows and impacts our community. We also want to thank speakers Judge Lisa Rice, Judge Stacy Street, Rep. Tim Hicks, Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby, and Kevin’s brother Lee Woodby for their support. #LoveRestores
*Programs partially funded by the TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TNDMHSAS)
Families Free is honored to co-host the combined graduation of two individuals from the First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court and six individuals from the Washington County Misdemeanor Court.
It was also our pleasure to take part in the retirement celebration of Judge Don Arnold and to honor the positive impact he’s had on our region. Judge Arnold started the first recovery court in Washington County, and he leaves behind an indelible legacy.
Congratulations Matt, Kate, Tony, Rich, Morgan, and Stephen! We look forward to your bright futures. #LoveRestores
We want to congratulate the six graduates from the combined First and Second Judicial District Felony Recovery Courts and Washington County Misdemeanor Recovery Court graduation! We enjoyed celebrating their hard work, and Families Free wants to extend a sincere thanks to all the community partners for showing their support. #LoveRestores
This past Tuesday, November 30th, we had the great privilege of honoring our First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court graduates Kelsey, Savannah, Ira, and Matthew. Rep. Tim Hicks was our keynote speaker for the ceremony, and we enjoyed music by Matthew Owen. It’s always a joyful time when we get to celebrate this important milestone for our graduates. We know their futures are full of hope and look forward to seeing them flourish. #LoveRestores
Families Free is a licensed outpatient/co-occurring treatment center through the TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TNDMHSAS).
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.
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.
“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.
“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.
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.
Gov. Bill Haslam has issued a proclamation stating that May 2018 is Drug and Recovery Court Month in Tennessee! The proclamation recognizes: “ … that when just one person can break the cycle of substance use and crime, the individual, community, and state are better off.”
There are currently 77 recovery courts across Tennessee, and Families Free is proud to hold the contract for the First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court. This recovery court serves Carter, Johnson, Washington and Unicoi County, and we offer evidenced-based and holistic treatment, education, and intervention that addresses each individual’s unique needs.
As of May 23rd, we have 15 clients that are actively taking part in our First Judicial Felony Recovery Court, four referrals to be assessed, and we’re also addressing the needs of two clients in the Morgan County Residential Recovery Court. – Rachel Roden, Families Free’s First Judicial Recovery Court Coordinator
Through our work with the First Judicial Felony Recovery Court, we see firsthand the powerful impact on our clients, their families, and the entire region as a whole. When our clients realize their full potential – it is truly powerful. Their progress is a testament to how hard work and love can transform a life. #LoveRestores
