History

    In 1968, a group of concerned citizens recognized the need to establish a  recovery program for alcoholics in the Heart of Texas.  These people organized and founded the Freeman House, located at 1401 Columbus Avenue in Waco,  Texas.  The program opened its doors to provide rehabilitation services for adult male alcoholics on January 1, 1969.

The three story Georgian style mansion, constructed as a private home in 1911, derived its new name from Macon W. Freeman.  As one of the original members of Alcoholics Anonymous in Texas, Freeman later became the first Executive Director of the Texas Commission on Alcoholism.  The original Freeman House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

    With the acquisition of the Neatherlin Carriage House, the program began admitting adult female alcoholics on January 1, 1975.  The Carriage House, at that time, was the site of a special program for veterans of the United States Armed Forces.

    The Freeman House, later renamed The Macon W. Freeman Center, further expanded to meet the needs of growing numbers of chemically dependent females seeking rehabilitation.   A fashionable “turn of the century” mansion located next door at 1425 Columbus Avenue was acquired in 1987,  making it possible to increase the  residential capacity from eight to twenty-seven women.  Although much of the program is still coeducational, the Women's program addresses “gender specific needs”  and problems facing the female alcoholic/addict.   Problems such as. co‑dependency, role conflict, sexual abuse,  and unrealistic self imposed or societal expectations are addressed in specialized therapy groups.   

    A Women with Children’s Residential Program  was dedicated in 1993 at the Dorothy Goodrich Jones House at 326 N. 14th St..   This program provides unique services to pregnant women receiving drug and alcohol rehabilitation services.   Recovering women with up to two children under age 8 are accepted into this program.  Parenting education and vocational training are included in the three month course of residential treatment

    The Macon W. Freeman Center, is committed to meet the broad spectrum of needs facing those who suffer from  chemical dependency.  After thirty years of service, the Freeman Center Board of Directors and professional staff strive to stay abreast of residential treatment modalities that best suit the needs of the recovering alcoholic/addict.   Through affiliations with Baylor University and McLennan Community College, The Freeman Center has expanded it’s mission to become a Clinical Training Institution.  Graduate level internships in the helping professions of Social Work and Psychology prepare clinicians with practice skills for the treatment of addictions.

    The Freeman Center is a private, nonprofit, tax exempt 501(c)(3)  corporation, which has provided treatment and rehabilitation for recovering alcoholics/addicts since January 1, 1969.

    The Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse has licensed The Freeman Center to provide Intensive Residential and Residential Treatment services for 110 clients.   The Outpatient Program provides therapeutic services to over 300 additional clients who do not require the residential level of care, for both adults and juveniles.  A  professional food service staff tends to the nutritional aspects of recovery.  Clients are each assigned daily responsibilities as a part of the group living  program.

    Additional services are available at the D.E.A.R. Unit (Detoxification, Evaluation, Assessment & Referral) and is located at 1619 Washington Avenue.  Aftercare Groups are offered to former clients in order to prevent relapse and provide continuing peer support.

Location

    The Freeman Center is located near the downtown area of Waco in the 1400 block of Columbus Avenue. The residential setting is within walking distance of churches, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous clubs, and within two blocks of city bus service.

    The Freeman Center grounds are comprised of three living facilities; the men's unit at 1401 Columbus; the women's unit at 1425 Columbus; and the carriage house at 320 North 14th (immediately behind the men's unit). The buildings may be referred to in the Client's or Resident's Handbook or in daily conversation as follows: "1401" is the men's unit (sometimes called the "big house"); "1425" is the women's unit; "320" is the carriage house; "326" is the Jones House for women with children services; and "1619" is the D.E.A.R. or detox unit.

Philosophy

    The Freeman Center provides a chemical free environment in which professional guidance and peer support allow each client to work toward achievement of individualized treatment goals.  A multi-disciplinary staff of professional Social Workers, Psychologists, Nurses, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors, Licensed Professional Counselors, and consulting Physicians provide the highest quality of care to clients regardless of their ability to pay.  We endeavor to help each resident develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes which will permit recovery from addictive diseases.  The foundation for personal growth and improvement will be to learn: