Who are we: W.A.D.E.( Willingness, Acceptance, Desire and Empowerment)

W.A.D.E. freedom house is a residential recovery program for women who are seeking help in overcoming their addiction to alcohol or drugs.It’s mission is to provide counseling and guidance to women addicted to drugs or alcohol, to identify and address the circumstances which lead to their addiction and to help them restore their self-respect and sense of self-worth..

It reaches out to women who have no place to go or no alternatives but to stay in active addiction until incarceration or death. The all-female staff offers acceptance, understanding and compassion to women in our care-striving to help them find a new direction, purpose and most, importantly, hope.

Capacity - Wade currently (2011) supports 23 women but has a capability of serving 37 women.

Sources of referrals - Court systems of surrounding counties. Courts refer individuals who have, no family support, and literally have no place to go once they are released from jail or prison.

Legal status - W.A.D.E freedom house is a nonprofit corporation organized under Chapter 3A of Title 10 of the Code of Alabama 1975. It’s purpose is to provide education, resources and information for education, job placement and career counseling, and counseling for sober living, home.

Concept of Treatment Program - A holistic approach - our women do not need to be incarcerated or simply a number in a large institution where they can fall through the cracks. The complexity of the disease requires treatment focusing on all aspects of the individuals life. Our treatment plan is spiritually based on the 12 steps, they are required to complete all 12 steps prior to leaving.  Along with self esteem, codependence and relapse pervention.  It provides the critical assistance needed to address their substance abuse while transitioning to a stable living and highly monitored work environment in the serene atmosphere of the Jacksonville facility.


We are a unique recovery center.  We are on a farm and we are a work program.  The girls here have jobs out in the community.  They also help with farm duties.  We believe in what we do here.  This year the girls have a garden and have grown alot of produce.  This teaches responsibility and boosts their self esteem through hard work.

We are designed to keep the women busy.  This does not work with everyone but it does work for the ones that truly want to change their life.  After completing the program.  The women can stay here for $50 a week to save money for restitution, housing, transportation and rebuild their lives.  That gives them an oppurtunity to change everything, they don't have to go back to what they know, they have a choice.  Currently we have five graduates staying at our facility.  They have been here as long as two years.  Every woman that walks through our doors has that same chance at a new life.