Concerned over the escalating number of bars in the neighborhood, Freedom House led the community in an effort to reduce the number of new and renewed applications for liquor licenses. The initial focus of the organization was on urban renewal neighborhood improvement programs designed to protect Upper Roxbury from urban blight began in 1949 when Freedom House helped to organize neighborhood clean-up projects and playground construction. In 1996, Freedom House considered merging with other community organizations, although in the end it decided not to do so. A number of directors have served since then the Executive Director is currently the Snowden's daughter, Gail Snowden. In 1984, Muriel and Otto Snowden retired as co-directors. The rebuilt facility opened in 1961 and remains the current home of the organization. Collins was the first to 'buy a brick' to help in this effort. A rebuilding campaign ensued, and Boston Mayor John F. On the night of January 31, 1960, a fire destroyed the Crawford Street facility. In 1952, it moved to 14 Crawford Street on the Grove Hall section of Roxbury. Criticized in the 1960s by black militants for taking a 'self-help' approach to racial equality, Freedom House re-examined its mission, and went on to play an increasingly critical role in the struggle for civil rights in Boston, especially during the period of desegregation of Boston's public schools.įreedom House's original location was at 151 Humboldt Street in Roxbury. The initial goal of Freedom House was to centralize community activism in the fight for neighborhood improvement, good schools, and harmony among racial, ethnic, and religious groups in Roxbury (a neighborhood of Boston), Massachusetts. The founders were the social workers (and married couple) Otto P. History įreedom House was founded in 1949 as a center of civil rights and advocacy for Boston's African American community. The mission of Freedom House is to promote economic self-sufficiency and social justice for residents in historically underserved neighborhoods through targeted educational development, increased civic and political engagement and progressive cultural advocacy.

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