Last week we were able to gather our clients and their families to celebrate the Christmas season at Calvary Church in Johnson City! This was a time to cherish the joy and wonder of Christmas with family through a shared meal, and Christmas stocking fun!
We also want to send a heartfelt thank you to Calvary Church for hosting this wonderful event. Their generosity made this night possible.
We were thrilled to have Gov. Bill Lee join our team and dozens of local leaders to take part in the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Northeast Tennessee Regional Recovery Center. For many months, we have worked with Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby, Rep. Tim Hicks, Judge Stacy Street, Judge Lisa Rice, and Judge Jim Goodwin (alongside many others) to bring this project to fruition.
The collective efforts of nine counties across the region will provide life-changing opportunities, and we are excited to see the facility open its doors to our community and offer safety, individualized treatment, and hope.
“Everything that happens up here on this mountain is going to be built around that we heal in community.” – Lisa Tipton, Families Free Executive Director #LoveRestores
On Monday, we held our Spring 2023 Pop-Up Clothing Event! It was great to switch gears for a day and focus on fun, fashion, and self-care. Our clients shopped boutique clothing free of charge, learned beauty tips and tricks, and gained knowledge on how to integrate spiritual practices and relaxation into their routines.
We also enjoyed a meal together and had a wonderful time connecting our women’s groups from Johnson City, Carter County, and Kingsport. #LoveRestores
This day would not have been possible without our sponsors and local businesses who helped make this event a success. Thanks to First Christian Church, Johnson City for hosting our event, Barberitos Peoples Street for catering and Petite Sweets for delicious treats, CK RAGGS Boutique and Everlee Addison Boutique for their beautiful clothing donations, and Breezy Balloon Co. for helping our event pop.
*Programs partially funded by the TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TNDMHSAS)
It’s been two days, but we are still in awe of the remarkable group of people who supported our clients by hosting and organizing such a fantastic Christmas Party.
We want to thank Rebecca Davis of Calvary Church and their volunteers for hosting this event, Families Free Board Member Aliceson Bales and her team of stocking elves, Board Member Stacie Torbett, and Families Free’s Stephanie & Brooke for their incredible organization and guidance throughout the planning process. The support of these individuals and the hard work of our team ensured that the party was a success.
The evening included photos with Santa and dinner with family and friends. Then our clients had the opportunity to select items for their children’s stockings and receive additional gifts, pajamas, books, and a gingerbread house as the kids enjoyed making a craft with Calvary Church volunteers!
Families Free feels grateful to our community for helping us serve our clients this holiday season and for the chance to help everyone make great Christmas memories. #LoveRestores
*Additional thanks to our Santa and Kris Marie Photography for their gift of ensuring our families had Christmas photos with Santa.
**Featured photos courtesy of Kris Marie and Families Free staff.
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 our Executive Director Lisa Tipton for being honored as an ETSU- College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences Distinguished Alumni and Hall of Fame Recipient! Lisa leads our team in lifting up vulnerable families in our community through education, intervention, and relationship restoration. #LoveRestores
“Love and justice go together. Justice without love can be brutal, and love without justice can be banal. Love is the heart of justice, and justice is the social form of love.” – Richard Rohr.
We shared with you earlier this month that the First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court was named one of 10 national mentor treatment courts by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. We are still very grateful for this honor! #LoveRestores
Thank you to WJHL for featuring this recognition and our hopes to expand FJDFRC’s treatment program. Click here to view their coverage of our honor.
*Families Free is a licensed outpatient/co-occurring treatment center through the TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TNDMHSAS).
The First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court was named a national adult drug court mentor court by the NADCP National Association of Drug Court Professionals! The FJDFRC provides evidence-based holistic treatment for individuals involved with the criminal justice system rooted in substance use. This treatment includes intensive outpatient services, gender-specific trauma groups for males/females, outpatient groups/individuals, parenting education, and family therapy. The NADCP mentor courts host teams from other jurisdictions for observation and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. We are honored to be one of ten adult drug courts chosen to advance the valuable work of recovery courts. #LoveRestores
We wanted to extend a sincere thank you to everyone that made our annual fundraiser at Chateau Selah possible through their time, gifts, and donations. Because of the generous support and outpouring of love from the community, we reached our fundraising goal of $100,000! Families Free will be able to impact so many lives because of your giving. #LoveRestores
If you would like to help further Families Free’s outreach throughout the region, please follow our PayPal link to support our restorative programs.
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
