History of Freedom Outreach:
Freedom Outreach was started by two missionary families in 2009, after 16 years of ministering in Northern Saskatchewan. Their passion to help those seeking freedom from their addiction grew, after years of seeing the same people going to 2 or 3 month government addiction programs, only to have dried out, and not having dealt with root issues causing their addiction. Families lost husbands, sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers...and whole communities were, and still are affected by this epidemic. In January of 2009 Freedom Outreach was opened, for men 18 years and older who are seeking a permanent life change, and freedom from the grips of addiction.
At Freedom Outreach, we believe strongly, that a God-centered, live-in program is the only solution to this endemic problem of substance abuse. Our heart is to bring healing and hope to those plagued with life controlling, and destroying habits....to bring people to a place of wholeness, and to bring sons, fathers, brothers, and even grandfathers back to their families...to restore healthy relationships, bringing healing, forgiveness, and hope for a bright future.
Freedom Outreach uses the Teen Challenge curriculum....originally created to help Teens struggling with addiction, and then expanded to help both adults and teens. There are over 1000 centers worldwide; centers for men, women, as well as teen boys and teen girls!
Freedom Outreach does not receive any government funding
Is a 10 bed facility located in the tranquil bush of Northern Saskatchewan
Has had students as young as 17 and as old as 74!
Helps men predominantly from the North, but has also had students from all across Canada
Has a work program, as this helps teach work ethic as well as different work skills that help the student to get a job once graduated
How it all Began....the history of Teen Challenge:
Early In 1958 David Wilkerson was led by God to New York City to minister to troubled youth on the streets...the first of whom were part of a gang. (You can read the story, or the watch the movie called "The Cross and the Switchblade" to see how this true story began). After reaching hundreds who wanted help, he found that many needed long term residential care... It was then that Teen Challenge was formed, to provide a Christ centered program for those with life controlling drug and alcohol problems.
Facts about Teen Challenge:
· Receives no government funding for operating costs.
· A non-profit, non-denominational registered charity.
· Based on Biblical, Christian principles.
· World’s largest and most successful drug and alcohol treatment program.
· 1161 residential centers in 90 different countries worldwide.
· Based on studies by Univ. of Tennessee, Northwest Univ. and the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Teen Challenge program has a success rate of 80% (5 years after graduating from the one year program, 80% of the students were drug and alcohol free tax paying citizens).