The Freedom Center is a new program in Pike and Letcher Counties, operated by FaithLife Ministries, Inc. and funded by a grant from the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission. It was created to help individuals affected by the opioid epidemic to live out their Christian faith and God-given creativity, to create and provide resources and connections to programming, and to transition those affected by opioid use disorder (OUD) or any co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD) or mental health issues from jail or residential treatment into society. By connecting individuals in recovery with a Freedom Coach, we plan to provide life coaching and spiritual guidance, as well as resource navigation (i.e.- housing, education, return to workforce, clothing, food security, legal help, counseling, healthcare) to help meet the emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of each individual enrolled in our program. Using the principle that each individual has the God-given freedom to dream, we will assist each participant in developing a Life Plan tailored to their individual goals and needs, with the intended outcome of maintaining long-term sobriety/recovery and transitioning into a purpose-filled life. 

Freedom Coaches will hold in-person meetings with participants, as well as maintain contact with them via a program-provided mobile app, to help them find and receive available treatment or recovery services in the community and connect to faith-based recovery support communities. They will also help participants to identify prevention, treatment, and recovery service gaps and potential relapse triggers, and will assist in overcoming logistical, resource, and service challenges to support participants in the achievement of individualized goals outlined in their Life Plan. 

The Freedom Center will also develop an OUD High-Risk Team of recovery partners in Pike and Letcher Counties that will meet regularly to identify treatment and recovery service availability and access barriers. They will develop collaborative solutions to assist more individuals in attaining long term recovery, to reduce reincarceration among participants, and to reduce the number of overdose deaths among participants affected by OUD and any co-occurring SUD and mental health issues.  

We are both excited for, and humbled by, this opportunity to help make a positive impact in the lives of those affected by opioid addiction, their families, and their communities.

“So Christ has truly set us free.” -Galatians 5:1