Mary Hall Freedom Village

A ngela Bennett , connections manager, has worked in most departments of Mary Hall Freedom Village. “We get phone calls for potential participants-- women or men-- and direct them to the appropriate agency to better serve them. We do assessments to see if Mary Hall Freedom Village is the right program for them. Not only do we do admissions for substance abuse, but refer our participants to housing programs, for veterans as well as for women with children. Do they need treatment? Do they need housing? Do they need to go to detox first? Before they get into any program, we do the assessment. Then, we try to determine which counselor will be the best fit for them so they can have a successful journey in the program.” In 2005 Angela was a grad student at Clark Atlanta, and she was placed at Mary Hall for her practicum. “They hired me as an intern working in daycare. I graduated and went back home. Years later, I wanted to move back and started as a case manager, then admissions.” She shared that she worked in most departments before becoming the connections manager. She states: “Connections is my favorite because I like to be the face of the agency—the first point of contact, the first person they meet. To see where the ladies are at the start and to see them blossom as they progress in the program.” Angela says, “A client may come straight from jail, still wearing a jumper. They come in, still wearing their wristband. I ask, ‘Would you like me to cut it off for you?’ She watches as their face lights up. “They feel free.” Angela makes sure she knows their names, “… so when we pass them in the hallway, we can talk to them. Ask how their day is going. The first day may be a ‘two’ and soon it turns to an ‘eight.’”