A Safe Haven for All
Our History
Timeline
- 1983 Freedom House was founded by family therapist Nedda Simon as a walk-in shelter in Wyanet, IL.
- 1985 The Henry County Outreach Office opened in Kewanee.
- 1989 Freedom House moved from Wyanet to 314 N. Euclid Avenue, Princeton.
- 1995 The handicapped-accessible Children’s Annex was completed.
- 1996 The Sexual Violence Program was added.
- 1999 Administrative personnel, as well as the prevention and sexual assault program staff, were moved to 1702 W. Peru Street, Princeton. The domestic violence program staff remained at 314 N. Euclid Avenue.
- 2000 The Marshall County Outreach Office and the Henry County Legal Advocate Office opened. The Marshall County Office has since closed, but the Legal Advocate Office remains open in the Henry County State’s Attorney’s Office in the Henry County Courthouse in Cambridge.
- 2003 The Freedom House shelter and administrative offices moved to its current secure location at 440 Elm Place, on the campus that formerly housed The Covenant Children’s Home, offering safety and security to women and children meeting the admittance criteria. Freedom House also has four transitional apartments, which may be available to clients for up to a two-year stay.
- 2017Freedom House served over 800 clients and provided more than 4,000 nights of shelter, plus countless hours of medical and legal advocacy, counseling, prevention education, and professional training. Shelter opens to men.
- 201835th Anniversary ~ “Founder’s Day” May 9, 2018
- 2020Purchased the 440 & 446 Elm Place, Princeton IL buildings to create our Freedom House Headquarters
- 2022Opened a satalite office in Geneseo IL – Open House was held on Feburary 1. 2023.
- 2023Opened a satalite office in Lacon IL
- 202340th Anniversary ~ Celebrated at our Annual Gala, held at Tanners Orchard May 6, 2023
”Freedom House fulfills my dream of offering a safe haven to all women and their dependents. Quiet comfort — from chaos, violence, fear, and threats — is now a reality for anyone who seeks it.”