Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE), founded in 1977, benefits and proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual / developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to help individuals of all abilities realize their full potential. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services including: housing; recovery services; transition to work; employment; day, community and family services; respite; crisis services; education and after school support; specialty health services; and advocacy. We welcome our guest, Robert Budd to talk about it all.
Tune in for this sensible conversation at TalkRadio.nycor watch theFacebook Livestream by clicking here.
Tommy begins by talking about how it has been a year of being in a global state of COVID-19, and he continues to describe what ‘Philanthropy in Phocus’ is all about. Tommy officially starts the show off and then welcomes Robert Budd - today’s guest. Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) founded in 1977, benefits as well as supports over 4000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injuries. Family Residences and Essential Enterprises have been dedicated to helping individuals who have been affected and are very driven to have a mission that helps individuals of all abilities to realize their full potential. FREE provides a diverse variety of support - from housing, recovery, transition to work, employment, education, family programs, after school programs, crises programs, specialty health services, advocacy and so much more. Tommy begins by talking about the word “Differently Abled,” and how all words have meaning and how this word is very important to him. Tommy then diverts into introducing Robert, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc, he is a vision driven, result oriented with over 35 years of progressive leadership experience - joining free in 1985 and has held several leadership positions, most recently becoming CEO chief executive officer in 2008. FREE has grown into a 135 million dollar organization, serving more than 35,000 individuals annually. Robert Budd has dedicated his life outside of FREE to helping people, being an active member of communities and committees that are dedicated to helping people. Robert also describes that he has always been attracted to giving back and he believes that there is a sense of connection to something bigger than us and fuels us - this is naturally energizing.
Tommy and Robert begin this segment by talking about what the organization does and how FREE handles their very complex, unique cases and situations. Robert begins by talking about the change in language that Tommy had mentioned earlier - he describes the story of how FREE decided to begin this initiative long before it hit mainstream media. This was created to change the narrative for many people and find different ways to have people connect to the cause, and the term “Differently Abled” came about due to the change in very robust vision and mission statements which were all designed to be all inclusive. FREE designed their mission statement not only to include the people they support but also to integrate those who support them - this is an all inclusive belief system that helps people realize that we are all on the same page/ same side. FREE has a range of opportunities, and one of the main reasons for this is to give people many options to get into this side of philanthropy - according to Robert this because they want to give people the opportunity to find something that might peak their their interest and usually this is just a door that opens and inspires them and helps them realize that they are passionate about this cause.
The third Segment begins by talking about the impact of the collaborative opportunities of people that the organization serves as well as the other members of society. Robert begins by talking about the organizational skills that FREE provides, and that is completely vocationally driven. Robert mentions that it is important to collaborate with other philanthropic organizations and opportunities - one of which he has experience with is ‘Smile Farms’ which is a group that helps provide competitive employment opportunities to people FREE is working with, it is a way to build bridges to other communities as well as build a connection within the philanthropic community. Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. through collaborating with various community members, philanthropic organizations and other people have been able to create over a thousand jobs within their umbrella as they expanded. However there are challenges that this sector face; this is something Robert is passionate about as he believes it is an issue within the system. There has been a need to educate and inform people as “they just don't know,” according to Robert - people don't understand the joy of giving therefore it is important to give them the opportunity to learn about the cause and let them know that their support is welcome, as it is mutually beneficial.
Robert takes it away by talking about what the future is for FREE, as well as what collaborative opportunities that Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. may be looking for in the future. Robert explains that Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. is looking to partner in the community, such as local businesses, as people don't understand the diversity that FREE offers, and they can benefit greatly from making the effort to look into FREE. Robert ecstatically mentions the organizations love for new ideas, dedicated members to join the team, and especially loves participation. Tommy closes out the show and tells the audience how to get connected to Girls Inc, and queues Always Freyday.
