Freebird More Than a Song Title

Members of the Freebird Organization collaborating with the 6th precinct. Officer Pitrowski has been instrumental in helping Freebird to get involved with the community File Photo

While most of us are breathing more freely now that the severe effects of the pandemic appear to be behind us, there are those who are still experiencing a “shadow pandemic” known as domestic violence. The Freebird Organization, with headquarters in Smithtown, NY, was created to give assistance to families in the community who find themselves in need of domestic violence services. The mission of the organization is to provide resources and support to help these individuals break free from the cycle of abuse and live a life free from fear.

Started by its partners in 2002, the goal is to provide survivors and their families not only with safe shelter, but with critical services such as counseling, therapy, legal support, and job placement. Breaking the generational cycle of domestic abuse starts with education. Freebird provides workshops on providing problem-solving, visionary exercises and leadership practices for those stuck in the cycle of abuse but is bringing seminars and workshops to high school and college students who are first embarking on adult relationships, so the cycle is stopped before it starts.

Freebird also has offered self- defense classes along with self-help classes, peer counseling and seminars for local organizations and businesses. Currently Freebird has partnered with homeless shelters across Long Island giving workshops - teaching women how to find and maintain healthy relationships. Finding their passion and rebuilding their lives is an important message Freebird hopes to bring to those in need. How to have healthy relationships and learning what red flags to look for in avoiding toxic relationships is a cornerstone of the organization’s mission.

In many instances, victims of abuse find themselves in a human trafficking situation, living with their abusers with no means of escape. The intersection between domestic violence and trafficking illustrates how abusive behavior creates an environment that enables and perpetuates violence.

Freebird is devoted to helping victims extricate themselves from these situations and helping them obtain their independence to lead a productive life. Freebirds’s goal is to work with other like minded organizations as well as law enforcement agencies to take on this “shadow pandemic” and help to eradicate this underrated epidemic.

See: https://www.freebirdorg.com

TheFreebirdOrg@gmail.com

Confidential text or call line: 631.987.1308.