WHO WE ARE
SONS OF FREEDOM enters juvenile detention centers with one purpose: to share the hope of Jesus and see young men restored, redeemed, and set free.
Beyond the walls, we partner with local churches to build a community where troubled pasts are exchanged for redemption through mentorship, gatherings, and outdoor experiences.
Together, we are raising up a generation of sons who are finding freedom in Jesus. And the need is great.
The Reality
Every year, an estimated 195,000 young people are admitted to detention facilities nationwide
Repeat offense is high: in many states, up to 80% of youth who are incarcerated are rearrested within three years after release.
Youth are detained for a wide range of offenses — from robbery and sexual assault to vandalism and drug possession.
The average stay in detention is about 40 days. For long-term facilities, it stretches to about 259 days.
Racial disparities remain large. In 2021, the detention rate for Black youth was more than six times higher than for white youth. American Indian youth also face elevated disparities.
Photograph: Christian Science Monitor/Getty Images
Our Heart
These numbers are not just statistics.
They represent lives, futures, and stories that matter deeply to God. We believe every young person deserves hope, purpose, and the chance to experience the love of Jesus.
That is why SONS OF FREEDOM exists.
We bring light into dark places, we remind these kids they are not forgotten, and we walk with them as they step into freedom and a new path forward.
