Programs

PORT

Provides community-based Substance Use interventions for Justice Involved Youth.

Common Sense Parenting

Partners with parents to teach parenting skills/techniques in a nonjudgemental environment.

Stacked Deck

An effective program to prevent and reduce the risk of problem gambling among teens.

HandUp Solutions

Provides an integrated mix of services to build the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to be a productive workforce member.

Freedom House of Mecklenburg, Inc. was founded in 1997 by Michael L. Bridges to equip disenfranchised men with spiritual principles and essential life skills in a therapeutic transitional living environment. From 1997 to 2010, we provided individual therapy, group therapy, Narcotics Anonymous meetings, and supportive housing in Charlotte, NC.

In 2004, our mission expanded to include youth involved with substance use and the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Today, Freedom House offers substance use prevention and intervention services, workforce preparedness, parent and family skill building, and problem gambling/gaming prevention for youth across Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, and Mecklenburg Counties.

In 2024, our name was changed to Freedom House For The Carolinas, Inc. to better reflect our broader community presence and regional impact.

Programs

PORT

Common Sense Parenting

Stacked Deck

HandUp Solutions

Board of directors

Marcus McKinney, Chairman

Valaree Grier, Treasurer

Dr. Staisha Hamilton, Secretary

Michael L. Bridges, Historian

Larry Eastrich

John Parham, MD

Donielle Smith, LCSW

Tarik Cranke

Professional staff

Jonathan Black, CADC

Angela Morrison, LCAS, CCS

Jeff Wilson, MA

C. Derrick Harris, CPS, CADC

Carol McManus, MHRM

Lucretia Rice, M.Ed.

Miles Onafowora, CPA