Mission Statement
The mission of the organization is to provide youth, family, and substance abuse
services to enhance the quality of life in our community.
History
Freeport Pride, Inc. is a community based organization incorporated under IRS 501(c)(3) providing youth
and substance abuse services. The organization was named in 2002 as the result of the consolidation of two
organizations, Freeport Youth Outreach, Inc. and Operation PRIDE of Freeport, Inc.
Operation PRIDE of Freeport, Inc. was established and incorporated in April 1970 after several months
of work in developing the organization. The name of the organization at that time was TRY-LITE, Inc., and
the purpose as written in the Certificate of Incorporation was “To study, survey and analyze the needs of
the community in regard to the dissemination of information regarding drug abuse and concerning the prevention
of drug abuse and the rehabilitation of persons affected; to develop, promote, establish, coordinate and/or
conduct programs for the dissemination of information concerning the nature and results of drug abuse, the
means of prevention and the public and private services available for the rehabilitation or assistance of
persons affected by drug abuse.”
The Freeport Drug Council, which proceeded TRY-LITE, was a coalition of community groups and individuals
concerned with the drug abuse problem in Freeport. After formation of TRY-LITE, it became a member of the
Council. The Council was concerned with coordinating the various drug abuse services and planning new services.
The Council evolved into TRY-LITE, which evolved into a direct services agency in the spring of 1971. On May
25, 1971, the name Freeport Citizens Committee on Drug Abuse, Inc. (Operation PRIDE) was adopted. The TRY-LITE
Certificate of Incorporation was amended in July 1971 to reflect the new name. A grant from Nassau County was
obtained, a permanent office was rented (16 West Sunrise Highway, Freeport), and in late July the agency’s
first Executive Director was hired followed by the hiring of other staff in August 1971.
For the next 3 ½ years, the agency provided drug abuse prevention services in addition to, on a limited scale,
some treatment services. In April 1975, the agency shifted its emphasis to drug abuse treatment services at
the urging of Nassau County (Department of Drug and Alcohol Addiction). In November 1987, the agency was able
to secure additional small grants to significantly enlarge its prevention program. In November 1988, the agency
introduced the phase program, a more comprehensive approach to its treatment services.
In April 1993, the corporate name of Freeport Citizens Committee on Drug Abuse, Inc. was changed to Operation
PRIDE of Freeport, Inc.
Freeport Youth Outreach, Inc. was established in 1974 as a delinquency prevention project. The program was
governed by an advisory board composed of community representatives and representatives of various organizations
that provided some type of services to youth (i.e. the Freeport Schools, Nassau County Probation, Operation PRIDE,
Freeport Family Community Center, Freeport EOC etc.) The focus of the program was bringing delinquency prevention
services, most often some form of counseling, to Freeport youth in the areas of the community where young people
frequented. Over the years, services evolved with the counseling services being strengthened, outreach continuing,
and specialized programs being added (e.g. employment services, a post institutional program etc.).
In 1985, the program, which had operated as a program of Family Service Association of Nassau County, incorporated
under the name Freeport Youth Outreach, Inc. Although there continued to be a focus on delinquency prevention, youth
and family services were provided for other problems. Initially, the target population was adolescents. The Freeport
Schools identified a need for services for younger children, and the agency began serving youth ages 5-21 for a myriad
of different problems. A large benefit to the community was that all services were free of charge. That along with
the outreach services that were available made the agency a vital part of the community.
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