By Michelle Ruschman
Stephanie Fitzgerald, Founder of Freedom Life Compass, is on a mission to provide safe supportive housing for the residents who stay at the Freedom Houses located in Niceville, Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, and soon, Laurel Hill. “I want people to know change is possible. A community doesn’t always see what brings someone to homelessness. But, for moms who are living in a car with their children, a woman who is escaping domestic abuse, or any other countless circumstances women can find themselves in, we want our program to be a place of hope.”
By the age of 23, Stephanie had plenty of reasons to be hopeless. She grew up in a house with drugs, where teaching life skills to be a successful adult was not part of her training. Addiction was the norm in her home, and eventually, she became homeless. At 23, though, someone spoke words that would begin the journey toward her calling, “You’re better than the life you’re living.”
“Not everybody ends up in homelessness, domestic violence, or addiction because of their own choices. Often, it is, but it can also be a generational issue. It’s the lifestyle we grew up in, and we don’t know any other way to live. Sometimes we end up in relationships that help our ruin. The Freedom Houses are about giving people who are ready to change the opportunity to do so. Other people believed in me and encouraged me, and that is how we were able to open Freedom Houses, so that other women and, hopefully, one day men, will have that community around them to help them find and take their next right step.”
Each of the three homes has a different mission. Freedom House One is a transitional home for women only. It can house up to six women in a communal living space, and they are able to stay there for a six to eighteen- month program. While there, in addition to housing, the women get training in life skills and help with clothing, food, medical needs, employment, and counseling. In turn, they are asked to adhere to the following guidelines:
WORK SCHEDULE/RULES
- Must be turned in at the weekly case plan or on the day received
- Changes communicated to the program manager
- No working at restaurants that serve alcohol, convenience stores, clubs, or bars. No pet sitting or babysitting outside of regular working hours.
Daily Routines
- 7 a.m. Wake up, make your bed, get dressed, and have breakfast
- 8 a.m. Ready for Devotions
- Work – (If you do not have employment, start submitting at least 6-8 applications in a regular workday time frame, showing that you are actively seeking employment.)
- 2 hours a day on education/career goals
- Curfew 9 p.m. unless you’re working or at other approved activity
- 10 p.m. Lights Out
HOUSE RULES
- Always speak from a place of love and encouragement. Let’s lift one another up without judgment. We are all perfectly flawed!
- When taking phone calls, be mindful of others and continue your call outside of the house.
- Bring your belongings with you when taking showers, and take everything back to your room, including shampoos, conditioners, clothing, trash, etc.
- We are all grown adults, so please pick up after yourselves. This includes washing any dishes you use and putting them away.
- There will be no overnight stays unless we have the address and phone number and speak with the individual two weeks in advance. If we do not feel it’s a safe place for you to take a home pass, we will deny it. This is for your safety and well-being.
Freedom House Two is a short-term shelter for women until they can find a more permanent place to live. Freedom House Three houses women and children. Finally, Freedom House Four will be opening later this year in Laurel Hill for mothers and children. Plans are being made for animal therapy and fostering dogs to use for rehabilitation. Those who would like to see if they qualify for housing can fill out an application at www.freedomlifecompas.org.
It takes $40 a day per person, per night to house up to the 30 women and children the house can accommodate. This provides safe shelter, food, clothing, medications, and other daily needs. If you would like to be a sponsor or participate in helping any of the Freedom Houses in Niceville, Crestview, or Fort Walton Beach by mentoring, teaching a class, leading a devotion, offering transportation support, or by donation, go to www.freedomlifecompass.org/get-involved.
You can also attend one of the following events:
Spring Soiree, April 25, 5:30-7:30, Crosspoint Fellowship Hall in Niceville
Blessing of the Emerald Coast, May 16, 11-3 Niceville Mullet Festival Grounds
Niceville Bazaar, October 17, 10-4pm, Niceville Mullet Festival Grounds
For more details, go to freedomlifecompass.org/events.
Michelle Ruschman is a local artist, speaker, and writer. She can be reached at michelleruschman@gmail.com or michelleruschman.com
