About Us
If you are here it is likely that you know someone who is in need. 
​
.We want you to know we understand.  In fact, that is why we started Freedom Though Education: For over 30 years we have seen many individuals, both youth and adults make poor decisions, get caught up in the system and need help getting back on track. We even saw it with those closest to us.

If you have a family member, a friend or you are a professional in the field (Parole Agent, Probation Officer, etc.) you know how stressful this time can be for all involved.  Just know we're glad you're here, we understand and are here to assist you in any way we can.

Who We Are
We are a fully compliant 501c3 organization with a board that is dedicated to providing services through Freedom Through Education to those wanting to make the changes necessary to be successful in life. Some of the services we provide are:
  • Sober Living Environments
  • Out Patient Services
  • Transitional Housing
  • Job Training Services
  • Job Placement Assistance
  • Social Enterprises

What We Are Not
Throughout the years the needs of the participants has increased drastically, however  services have not changed to meet those needs. Freedom Through Education  recognizes the need for full-service programming. Instead of focusing on one need (Substance Used Disorder for example) we look at the individual and determine all that needs to be addressed. Our goal is the success of the participant, regardless of the number of services they need and how long it takes. By design we have carefully crafted our methodology to meet specific needs that the system was failing in one way or another.  As a result we strive not to do the following: 
  • Provide only one service
  • Be more concerned about time than success
  • Allow finances to get in the way of services
  • Allow mistakes to keep you from having a second chance​
What does it cost?
The cost of services varies greatly depending on the need of the participant. However, Freedom Through Education will never let finances get in the way of anyone receiving the services they need. We are dedicated to find the funds necessary to provide those in need with the services for them to be successful. We are funded through donations, grants, contracts and sometimes self-pay participants.
Can we visit?
Because of the confidentiality of all of our participants, anyone interested in visiting any of our sites must make prior arrangements with the staff of Freedom Through Education.
Is it safe?
Freedom Through Education hold safety, security and confidentiality as very high priorities in all of our programming. We make every effort to ensure our participants feel safe and comfortable in all of our facilities, regardless of the neighborhoods they are in.

Our Story
Although our founder, Bill Lane began his career in this field officially in 1990 as a teacher in the California Youth Authority (CYA), currently the Department of Juvenile Justice, teaching California's most hardened Juvenile Offenders, ages 18-25, his passion for this work started 15 years before.

Bill and his wife married in 1975 and began a life long journey together. After buying their first home, they quickly started to build relationships with the neighborhood kids. What they found was the most needy kids would come down to their house to "hang out". They taught Sunday School at church and the most needy kids latched on to them. Bill went into the ministry with Youth For Christ in 1979 working with youth in High School and again those kids that had the highest needs, who were getting in trouble in school or with the Justice System were drawn to Bill. After years with Youth For Christ, additional schooling and searching for the next career, Bill started his career with the California Department of Corrections in 1990. 

From the CYA, Bill was promoted to the head of education at San Quentin State Prison. It was during these years that Bill noticed the tremendous need for transitional services. California had a recidivism rate as high as 85% (the highest in the nation) and nothing was being done about it. Bill formed an advisory group of men at San Quentin that were serving life sentences because of the choices they had made as young adults. The goal of this group was simple: "How do we break the cycle of violence and incarceration?" It was during that time that Freedom Through Education was formed. As one inmate put it: "With the right education, whether it is academic or making the right decisions, we can be free where ever we are."

One of the major breakdowns Bill saw in the system was preparing the men and women for re-entering society. Too often they were given their "gate money", let out the gate and were told - "Good luck". With no services lined up, no support and all the barriers attached to them, it was no wonder they returned to the lifestyle they knew and were soon back in prison.

In 2000, Bill began consulting with programs across the Country working with youth who were either First Time Offenders or youth who had been incarcerated. Finally, Bill saw programs assisting youth to change and get back on track to be productive members of society. Bill enrolled into a Doctorate program and for seven years studied programs throughout the United States to determine the most effective services possible for this population. In 2007 Bill was able to put his Doctorate research into practice and open up the Sacramento Community Based Coalition (SCBC), a transition program for men and women coming out of state prison. It quickly became the most successful transition program within the state and has been replicated in many counties.

During this entire time, his wife has been by Bill's side encouraging him and giving him the support necessary to stay on track. As a result Freedom Through Education has become a ministry for  both of them. They have had the opportunity to help 100's of families that have found themselves at a crossroads in life and needed support and guidance.  We think we can help you too.  Please call or write today (the contact info is at the bottom of each page).  If we can't help you with what you need, we will do all we can to find you the services you need to become successful.

Our Board

Dr. Bill Lane
Founder
Erin Lane
Director of Finance
Richard Wilkins
Business Owner ​ ​
Keith Lane
​Administrator​ ​
Keith Chandler
Certified Law Student
Mark Marshall
Administrator
​

Our Mission
To provide members of disadvantaged communities the freedom to a more successful life by expanding the choices they have through services in the areas of Education, Spirituality, Life Skills, Treatment Services and Employment Skills. We recognize that we do not have control over the choices they make, but we do have the ability to expand the options they have.​