About the Institute

What is the Freeman Family Institute?

The Freeman Family Institute was established to provide support to families undergoing crisis.  The Institute was primarily established to help families survive the suicide of a family member.  The Institute seeks to face the trauma caused by other types of crisis including the death of a loved one from any cause, especially if, and when, the family is having trouble adjusting.

At the Institute it is our goal to provide compassionate service and to help illuminate the path forward from where the family currently is in the healing process. It is our goal to provide support and quiet places to recover, rebuild, and to heal from the scars left as a result of the tragedy.

Why was the Institute Formed?

The Institute was founded in 2010 by the Freeman family; Gary, Denise, Daniel, Desiree, and Krista after the loss of their son and brother, Joshua, to suicide in July of 2008. Gary and Denise understand first-hand the pain and anguish associated with the tragic loss of a child to suicide.  Daniel, Desiree, and Krista suffered the loss of a dear sibling and understand what it is to lose a loved one suddenly. The family came together about two and a half years after Joshua’s death looking for a way to help others face, and recover from, the tragedy of suicide. The idea that became the Freeman Family Institute was thus born. For more information about the events that unfolded prior to, and around, Joshuas' death please visit our CaringBridge Memorial.

The Institute was formed to provide help and support to those who have lost a family member to suicide – that help and support being provided by those who have walked that path before.  While the loss of a loved one is almost always traumatic, the loss of a family member to suicide is even more traumatic.  Loved ones can feel rejected in addition to the feelings of resentment, guilt, anger, loneliness, loss and other feelings that accompany the untimely loss of those they loved.  The Institute was formed to help families dealing with suicide understand what happened in their loved one’s life, how to face what happened and accept it, how to cope with the loss, and how to heal from the loss.

What is the purpose and the vision of the Institute?

The purpose of the Institute is to assist others who have experienced a suicide, or the loss of a loved one, in their family to find peace and begin their recovery so that life can again become meaningful.  As one moves forward in the healing process it results in a lessening of the anguish and sorrow associated with the untimely loss of a loved one. Eventually hope and the joy of living can again be felt. When joy and hope can again be felt one can be assured that the healing process is well underway.

Our vision is that in helping families recover from suicide, or the tragic loss of those they love, family members can again find and experience peace, hope and joy in life.  It is our vision that this healing can start in family workshops and retreats where family members can spend up to a week together with other families that have also suffered the loss of a loved one so that together they can help to lift one another. These workshops and retreats, along with the time spent there as a family, will allow the families to move forward with confidence on the path towards healing and regained hope. This time together will help foster an increased understanding of how to heal individually and as a family.  This will allow a deepening and strengthening of family bonds that will help each member of the family know that they are not walking their path alone.