Expanding to Serve More
A Brief Overview of Expansion Plans
When we opened the Freedom Ranch in 1972, the population of San Diego County was 1.4 million. Today, it’s estimated at 3.1 million. Yet, over all that time, the number of licensed recovery beds in the County has increased by only 75. While the population has more than doubled and addiction—especially to drugs—has become more severe, our capacity to treat those in need remains nearly the same as it was in the 1970s.
Three Keys to Our Success
1. Proven, evidenced based practices
2. Rural setting on 300 rugged acres
3. Affordable Residential Treatment
It is our mission to help as many men as possible recover from the hopelessness of drug and alcohol addiction. It is our vision to dramatically expand our service capacity to make that happen. With a strong track record of success, growing nationwide demand, and the clear societal benefits of addressing the root causes of homelessness and recidivism, expansion has become imperative.
The Fight Against Recidivism and Homelessness
re·cid·i·vism
rəˈsidəˌvizəm/
noun
The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.
According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc., alcohol and drugs are implicated in an estimated 80% of crimes leading to incarceration in the United States. Approximately 95% of inmates return to alcohol and drug use after release from prison, and 60-80% of drug abusers commit a new crime (typically a drug-driven crime) after release from prison.
San Diego County has a critical shortage of residential treatment facility beds while the cost of treatment has never been higher.
San Diego is the nation's eighth-largest, but claims the 4th largest homeless population, and the highest percentage of homeless veterans. While it's difficult to get an accurate count, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimates that 38% of the homeless are dependent on alcohol and 26% abuse other drugs.
Research shows that treatment is effective in breaking the criminal justice cycle. Ranch alumni become respected members of their community where once they were homeless, jobless, and caught in a cycle of crime.
The average wait for a bed at Freedom Ranch is 4 to 6 weeks
Prior to Expansion:
Beds: 56
Residents per year: 250
Acreage of facility: 30
When Expansion is Complete:
Beds: 125 (122%)
Residents per year: 558 (122%)
Acreage of facility: 306 (400%)
Expansion Progress
We’ve already committed over $1.2 million to the expansion, securing 200+ acres of land, obtaining major use permit modifications, and completing architectural plans. The ground has been staked for new buildings, and grading will begin soon. It’s an exciting time to be part of this transformative effort—and we need your help to make it happen
Fundraising Progress
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Our goal of $5.3 million is ambitious but realistic. To date we've raised $1,250,000.00. Reaching our objective will take many people working together wholeheartedly. Look no further than the history of Freedom Ranch as an example of how a group of people can overcome tremendous odds in order to serve others.
Please help in any amount that you can. Many people will choose installments – weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually. Others will donate randomly or in one lump sum. You can give via credit or debit cards, check, cash, transfers of stock and more. And because the Ranch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, every donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.