Dear Editor,
On behalf of Volunteers of America Mid-States, my colleagues and I are deeply honored to receive the 2025 Appalachian Recovery Award at the SOAR Summit. This recognition belongs not just to our organization, but to the entire Clay County community that has embraced and supported Freedom House from day one.
Since opening our doors in March 2020, Freedom House Manchester has served 689 women, 382 children, and welcomed 25 healthy babies into the world — providing a safe place for mothers to heal from substance use disorder, rebuild their lives, and strengthen their families. These numbers reflect far more than statistics; they represent transformed lives and generational change.
Freedom House and our five other programs have created 90 new jobs in Clay County and the region. Many of these new jobs at Freedom House are uniquely filled by graduates of Freedom House. This “full-circle” employment model not only strengthens our workforce but also provides powerful role models for the women currently in treatment — proof that recovery is real and sustainable.
“I’m extremely grateful for the Freedom House program, and I highly recommend going there,” said Nakota, a recent graduate. “It really helped me and my daughter to stay together, and it saved us from being torn apart. I will forever be grateful.”
Vanessa, another recent graduate who has two children, said, “Come in, put in the work, and it will pay off.”
The need for Freedom House continues to grow. Each week, we hear from women who are ready to change their lives but because of our space limitations can’t be part of our life-changing program. Expansion is not just an opportunity; it is a moral imperative. By increasing our capacity, we can serve more mothers, save more babies from being born into life-altering circumstances, and continue to build a stronger, healthier community for everyone. To answer this need, our program expansion is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2026.
To our partners, donors, neighbors, and local leaders — thank you for believing in Freedom House and in the women we serve. Your support fuels hope and makes recovery possible. Together, we are proving that when a community invests in second chances, the return is measured in healthy families, thriving children, and a healthy Clay County/Manchester for all.
With gratitude,
Jennifer Hancock
President & CEO
Volunteers of America Mid-States
The Manchester Enterprise, August 27, 2025
