A celebration is planned tomorrow in Carroll for the grand opening of the “Freedom House.”
It’s a half-way house for veterans who’re suffering from alcoholism or post-traumatic stress. Randy Riesberg, an army veteran from Carroll, says the inspiration came from a conversation with a fellow veteran who went to Des Moines for help.
“He was telling me one time on the phone, he says: ‘If we had a halfway house up there, I think I could get the hang of being sober,'” Riesberg says.
This new, privately run half-way house in Carroll will be a place for recovering veterans to stay and heal, according to Riesberg.
“As a veteran of the military, I couldn’t ever talk about what I had done, so these guys will be able to sit around the table and chat with each other on what’s bothering them,” Riesberg says.
Up to eight men at a time will be able to stay at the Freedom House. No alcohol will be allowed.
“And hopefully they will get clean and sober and stay clean and sober,” Riesberg says.
Riesberg will manage the house. A lawyer from Carroll still owns the property, but is donating its use as a halfway house.
The American Legion will conduct a flag raising ceremony at the Freedom House tomorrow at noon. The Hy-Vee in Carroll is donating food for a midday fundraiser and t-shirts with a logo for the halfway house will be sold to raise money for the operation of the home. Donations may be dropped off at the Carroll County State Bank in Carroll. Riesberg may be reached at 712-790-3481
(Reporting by Quinn Palmer, KCIM, Carroll)