Harley's Story

My name is Harley. My mom and dad were never married and my mom had me when she was 18 years old. I was brought up by my grandma without a male role model and a lack of discipline. I started looking up to the "older" crowd and by the time I was twelve, I was drinking and smoking. By the time I was in high school I was doing drugs. l didn't care about my future. I was a really self-centered person. I thought that if I didn't look out for myself, no one was going to. I got to a point in my life when a day didn't go by without me feeling depressed and thinking my life was pointless. I was so hopeless that I realized I needed help and ended up going to Freedom Village USA. This helped me separate myself from the lifestyle I was living and I found the answer that helped me change my altitude that was taking me to ultimate destruction. I isolated myself from bad influences and surrounded myself with people that would influence me for good. I realized that a long as I was still living, I had a chance to turn my life around. I'm still not perfect. but I have found the hope to follow after my desire to be a better person, and pass on the hope that I found.

"Transforming Troubled Youth Through Christ" - Freedom Village USA

Violence, sexual abuse, psychotropic drugs, hopelessness and suicide are destroying millions of our precious children in North America

1. 67% of teenagers said "I feel like my life is hopeless. I have nothing to live for."
2. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teens 15 to  19 years old
3. Every seventy-eight seconds a teenager attempts suicide
4. 7 million teenagers admit to using marijuana, cocaine or alcohol regularly
5. Approximately 70% of young people today come from a single parent or broken home
6. In the United States 1 in 5 people over 12 years of age are Herpes Type 2 positive
7. The average young person involved in drugs begins at 11.6 years of age
8. Children today begin sexual experimentation at the average age of 11.9 years
9. 1 million pregnancies that occur each year are among females 15-19 years of age

"Transforming Troubled Youth Through Christ" - Freedom Village USA

Andrew's Freedom Village Story

I could start my story by saying that my life began in April of 1977, but that wouldn't be entirely accurate.

I was born for the first time in 1977, but my life didn't truly begin until 30 years later when I accepted Jesus and was "born again". At a young age I experienced sexual abuse from a family member who was babysitting us. As an adolescent I began to blame my father for this because even though he wasn't the one who abused me, I felt as though he hadn't done his job as a gather to protect me. When I entered my teenage years I began drinking to numb myself. The only time I ever felt normal and safe was when I was drinking. When I was sober I felt dirty, ashamed, and scared. In my twenties aI was diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorder and was put on medication. Of course I was still drinking heavily. I ended up twice in a mental hospital and a few detox centers.

I couldn't stop myself. I wanted to die. My family relationships were strained, especially the fragile relationship with my dad. We barely spoke and I couldn't be trusted due to my addiction. When I lost my job and my home my dad refused to take me in. At the age of 30, I hit my rock bottom. My body was about to give out due to excessive alcohol abuse and lack of any actual food.

I had neglected myself completely. I passed out one day and stopped breathing. God had his hand on me, and miraculously three hours later I was sitting up talking. My dad agreed to help me if I would agree to seek treatment. My aunt had heard of Freedom Village USA at her church and one week later I was here on campus. Just one day after coming to Freedom Village USA, I was kneeling at the alter accepting Christ. I had felt Him calling me so many times before, but had always rejected the truth. Thankfully He called me again that night and I surrendered. I was made completely new!!! Gone were the feelings of guilt, shame, and fear. Jesus gave me a new heart and a new purpose. After graduating the program, I was hired as staff.

I now work in the boys learning center teaching our high school age boys, and I also work in the boys dorm. I am the director of the Victory Singers and get to travel and share what God has done in my life.

I met and married my best friend here in October of 2010. My once estranged father was my best man! God has been so good to us and we can't praise Him enough! There is nothing that He can't forgive, cleanse, heal, and change if we only allow Him to.

"Transforming Troubled Youth Through Christ" - Freedom Village USA

Freedom Village USA

Making a Difference

Since 1981, Freedom Village USA has been a "place of second chances" to young people who were once labeled "'hopeless". Many had been in secular programs: their parents were at their wits end, heartbroken and praying for some kind of miracle to save the very lives of their children. Because people just like you cared enough to support this Christ-centered, faith ministry, over six million young people have trusted Jesus Christ a their personal Savior through the combined outreaches of Freedom Village USA. Their lives have been revolutionized , and they have discovered that we truly serve the God of miracles.

Faith Ministry

It is the power of God through faith in Christ that miraculously transforms lives, but He uses His people to provide the means to make it all possible. The cost of housing, feeding and educating hundreds of young people would be impossible without your faithful, ongoing support.

How You Can Help

Founder: For a gift of $1,000 you can become a Freedom Village Founder. You will receive a special Founder's Update, a commemorative wall plaque here at the Village, and a form to order your Founder's Ring.

Sponsor/Intake: Give a gift of $500 U.S. for the intake of one hurting teenager. This one-time sponsorship gift pays for entrance medical, dental, and eye examinations, scholastic testing materials, book and school supplies.

Adopt-A-Teen: For only $25 a month ($30 CDN) you can be one of over 100 people needed each month to support a teenager at Freedom Village USA.

http://freedomvillageusa.com

Reviews & Testimonials from Grateful Parents

"I know my son would not be alive today, and would not be following God's path if it were not for [Freedom Village USA]. To see him involved in ministry, singing with the Victory Singers, or hearing him share his testimony still makes me cry. God has blessed me with tears of joy and thankfulness. I wish more parents and teenagers knew about Freedom Village USA and that Jesus is the answer." - Grateful Parent

"Three Years ago we spent Christmas Eve and all day Christmas day watching our daughter fight for life in the ICU after her last overdose. Year after year, program after program and tens of thousands of dollars left us wondering if the nightmare would ever end. Thank you Pastor Brothers. Thank you Freedom Village USA and most of all thank you Jesus for giving us the daughter we dreamed of having. It's true... Freedom Village USA is a 'place of miracles'." - Forever

"Transforming Troubled Youth Through Christ" - Freedom Village USA

Ministries of Freedom Village USA

Freedom Village USA
Teen Campus & Ministry Headquarters

Freedom Village Canada
Reaching Canada's Youth

Freedom Village Ukraine
Reaching Ukraine's Teenagers

Operation Mercy
Reaching Ukraine's Orphans

Freedom Academy
On campus school

Gift of Life Home
Home for Pregnant Girls

Ruth Homes
Women over 21

Freedom Ranch
Men over 21

Women's Ministry
Restoring Women's Lives

Nursing Home Ministry
Outreach of Senior Saints

R.E.I.N.S. of Freedom
Reaching Kids Through Horses

Victory Today TV
A Picture of Hope

Music Ministry
Victory Singers
Sounds of Freedom Choir
Sounds of Freedom Ensemble

Jail/Prison Ministry
Hope for Prisoners

Psych Ward Ministry
Helping the Victims

Save America's Youth
Public School Outreach

Save Canada's Youth
Public School Outreach

Freedom Bible College
Training Tomorrow's Leaders

Freedom Publications
Video, Tape, and Book Helps

1-800-Victory
Helpline

Christina Tells Her Story

My name is Christina and today I can smile. A few years ago, I couldn't say that. I was a girl living without laughter, without hope, without a chance. Growing up in a broken home, my dad wasn't around as much as I would have liked. I started replacing that need for him with boyfriends. At 15 years old, I found myself in an abusive relationship and at 18 years old, I was pregnant. I was too ashamed to tell anyone, so I called the clinic, made an appointment, and had an abortion all by myself. I hid the pain of it deep in my heart, not dealing with it, and eventually masking it with drugs and relationships.

I became a heroine addict, and pregnant again. I thought that if I chose to have this baby it would make everything better. After I had her, I lost custody of her and wound up pregnant again. I felt I had no other option but to have another abortion. I was lost and alone. I thought there was no hope for me. At the point of suicide, I chose to pick up the phone instead of a knife. I was admitted into a program where I learned about forgiveness for others and especially myself. Today I can smile, not only because I have my daughter back, but because I have myself back as well.

"Transforming Troubled Youth Through Christ" - Freedom Village USA