About Us
Our Mission & Our Program
Our Journey & Goals
Freedom House, Inc. (FHI) is directed by a Christ-centered approach that values relationship and freedom for all who are involved in the ministry and all to whom we minister. We will minister to anyone in need who is open to learning and open to change. The ministry team at FHI is made up of individuals from different local churches, which are unified in their belief around the basic foundational tenets of the Christian faith as set forth in our Statement of Faith. Our ability to love and walk by faith, while extending grace, manifests in our unity of vision and purpose to see individuals set free from addiction and connected in a personal relationship with Christ.
FHI is an outgrowth of the jail chaplaincy program at North Idaho’s Bonner County jail, in Sandpoint, Idaho. Over time, experience and observation have made clear the need for a local faith-based recovery program to serve the people of Bonner and Boundary Counties. Currently, inmates seeking faith-based treatment are required to apply for admission to the highly regarded Good Samaritan program in a neighboring county.
Early in 2016, a group of like-minded individuals formed a steering committee to develop a faith-based, substance abuse recovery program for Bonner and Boundary counties modeled after, and with strong support from, the aforementioned Good Samaritan Recovery program. During the summer of 2016, a Board of Directors and Executive Director were elected.
FHI’s goal is to provide “transitional housing” where clients can temporarily reside while re-establishing productive lives that include shared faith support, employment, educational activities, and reconnection with healthy family relationships.
FHI has enjoyed the start-up benefit of support and cooperation from the administrators of the very successful Good Samaritan program. While there will be some adaptation for the unique challenges of Bonner County, there is no need to “reinvent the wheel”. This ongoing support is seen as a major asset in quickly achieving a successful program and avoiding unnecessary delays.
⇒ Check out our Resource Library for printable documents from FHI.
Our Mission
Freedom House Inc. is a non-profit Christ-centered substance abuse recovery and rehabilitation program utilizing a combination of personal accountability studies and evidence-based behavior modification programs, recognized by SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) and the Idaho Department of Corrections, in the context of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in a safe, sober and welcoming environment. It is our hope that clients will leave Freedom House with lives radically changed through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, with the power to defeat the bondage of addiction, and with the potential to live the abundant life that God has intended.
Our Facility Goals
Freedom House will consider facility donations to house our ministry. Please consider supporting Freedom House through prayer and donations.
The “Program House” requirements include:
- A rural location ideally within designated fire protection districts on a 1-2 acre parcel.
- A minimum of 3 bedrooms that can accommodate dorm-style sleeping and 2 baths.
- A minimum 2,000 sq. ft. of living area, or the feasibility to expand from a smaller house accordingly.
The “Safe and Sober House” must be:
- Closer to town with ready access to public transportation.
- The house must be able to sleep a minimum of 6 occupants with no more than 2 to a room.
Any assistance in obtaining these properties would be greatly appreciated.
Our Program
Clients accepted into the Freedom House Substance Abuse Recovery and Rehabilitation Program will be typically, but not exclusively, men and women court-ordered to Freedom House as an alternative to incarceration, drug court or supervised probation. Consequently, close coordination between Freedom House leadership and local Probation and Parole officers will be maintained to ensure client accountability.
Guests will be in a residential program house, men in Bethesda and women in Sweet Magnolia, where they will begin the path to recovery through SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) and IDOC recognized, evidence-based cognitive behavior modification and personal accountability counseling programs presented from a biblical perspective. In addition, in-depth biblical teaching and training will also be provided.
The Freedom House program is modeled after the highly successful Good Samaritan Rehabilitation program in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and has been developed with support and assistance from the Good Samaritan leadership team.
Visit GoodSamaritanRehab.com
The Mentoring Program
Volunteers primarily from local area churches will receive mentorship training. The mentor-client relationship will begin during the 180-day transition period and continue as needed. Both mentor and client will be expected to initially commit to a minimum one-year relationship. Mentors will provide support, encouragement, accountability and spiritual guidance. Other participants in the mentoring program will assist the client to develop life skills including personal finance, employment application and interview skills, and GED certificate tutoring as needed.
Jesus said: “If you hold to my teachings, you really are my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
