When Sarah Nejdl founded Families to Freedom in 2015, it was out of a deep concern for the countless victims of domestic violence who were unable to find safety due to a lack of resources and shelter space. The organization's mission is simple: to provide transportation to safety for victims of domestic violence, whether that means reuniting them with family far away or helping them reach a shelter in a neighboring community.
Sarah’s journey to establishing Families to Freedom began when stumbled upon alarming statistics about domestic violence victims in Texas. "I started Families to Freedom because it bothered me on a woman-to-woman, mother-to-mother, human-to-human level," Sarah explained. "It bothered me to think that women who were in crisis were being told to call their local domestic violence shelter for help, only to find out that there was no space for them."
"I started Families to Freedom because it bothered me on a woman-to-woman, mother-to-mother, human-to-human level. It bothered me to think that women who were in crisis were being told to call their local domestic violence shelter for help, only to find out that there was no space for them.”
— Sarah Nejdl
The statistics were grim: at the time, about 32% of callers to shelters in Texas were turned away due to lack of capacity and in major cities like Houston and Dallas, that number was closer to 78%. "The advice we were giving wasn't working, and that was being demonstrated through data," Sarah said. She realized that building more shelters, while necessary, would not be enough. "The solution, in my mind, was to help victims and survivors get to family far away so they can get that long-term support," she shared. Relocating victims from shelters to the homes of their family members can distance them from their abusers while freeing up beds for others in need.
Families to Freedom has since evolved to meet the growing needs of domestic violence victims. Initially, Sarah herself would fly or drive victims to safety. Today, the organization has a network of volunteers who provide transportation, purchase bus tickets, and even arrange commercial flights. "We also evolved during the pandemic to offer rides to shelters, even if they were just a ten-minute drive down the street," Sarah said, emphasizing the importance of getting victims to safety as quickly as possible.
The process begins when a victim calls the hotline, and the team first assesses their needs, determining whether they require transportation or other forms of assistance. If transportation is needed, details are collected, including the pickup location, amount of luggage, number and ages of children, and a risk assessment of the abuser. The destination is confirmed with either a crisis center or the victim's contacts to ensure legitimacy and safety. Once all information is verified, the operations manager coordinates the logistics—either arranging a volunteer driver, booking tickets, or providing a fuel card. After the journey, follow-up calls are made to check on the victim's well-being and ensure they are receiving the necessary support. In 12 months they transported 1,134 victims and survivors to new safe places, plus gave relief on their hotline to an additional 933 callers. Families to Freedom serves a predominantly female population, reflecting the gendered nature of domestic violence.
Meet the Families to Freedom Team: Dedicated and compassionate, this group works tirelessly to provide life-saving support and transportation to survivors of domestic violence, helping them find safety and a fresh start.
One of the challenges Families to Freedom faces is a constant shortage of volunteer drivers. "We never have enough volunteer drivers to meet our ever-growing demand," Sarah admitted. Despite this, the organization has managed to expand its services, particularly in Houston, where the need is most urgent. "When we put out an alert to our whole volunteer team, sometimes we wait a long time and don't get any responses back," Sarah said. In such cases, staff members step in to ensure victims get to safety, even if it means disrupting other critical operations.
To volunteer as a driver, candidates fill out a form with basic information, triggering a follow-up call from the operations manager to discuss the role and ensure it aligns with their interests. If it's a good fit, the volunteer is scheduled for orientation and detailed driver training, covering logistics and responsibilities. After passing a background check, volunteers begin receiving alerts for victims requiring assistance. Ideally, volunteers should be close enough to a Families to Freedom office to receive necessary materials like car seats, use a fleet vehicle, and gas cards and credit cards essential for multi-state trips. As Sarah mentions, if you are "anywhere east of Abilene," they can make it work.
Voices of Strength: These brave testimonials reflect the resilience of survivors who, after years of enduring abuse, found the courage to start anew. With the help of Families to Freedom and critical relocation services, they embraced a life free from fear and violence. Every step forward is a victory toward a safer, brighter future.
The impact of Families to Freedom’s work is undeniable. Sarah shared stories of victims who, without the organization’s help, would have had no way to escape their abusers. One such story involved a woman who needed to get to Las Vegas with her dog but had no valid photo ID and couldn't take a commercial flight or bus. "The only way for her to get to her friend's home in Las Vegas was by car ride," Sarah recalled. A volunteer driver stepped up to drive the woman and her dog across multiple states to safety.
For Sarah, the rewards of her work far outweigh the challenges. "I know that I am bringing good and relief to these people, and that makes me feel so happy," she said. Despite the heavy subject matter and the logistical challenges, Sarah remains passionate about her mission. "In the end, knowing that you have made a direct impact on someone's future – there's nothing better in the world."
Families to Freedom continues to rely on the generosity of volunteers and donors to sustain its operations. In addition to financial contributions, the organization always needs items like snacks, water, luggage, pet carriers, handbags, and car seats. "We try to pick up with dignity," Sarah said. "It's not just picking up and dropping off, but we try to arrive with something that shows we care."
As Sarah looks to the future, she remains committed to expanding Families to Freedom’s reach and impact. "We are bringing a lifeline to people in their darkest hour," she said. "And that makes all the difference."
This is the story of Families to Freedom – a story of hope, resilience, and the power of community to make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.
How You Can Support Families to Freedom
Want to make a difference in the lives of domestic violence survivors? Here are a few ways to get involved:
Visit the Families to Freedom homepage – Learn more about our mission and how we help survivors find safety. Click here.
Become a volunteer – Apply to join our team and help make a life-changing impact. Click here to volunteer.
Make a financial contribution – Your donation directly supports survivors in their journey to safety. Click here to donate.
Donate essential items – See our wishlist of items that help survivors transition to a new life. Click here to donate items.
Your support helps families take the critical steps toward safety and freedom. Thank you for being part of this mission.
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