Our History

Freedom Project came about after a visit to the Monroe Correctional Complex in Washington State in 1998 by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg, the founder of the Nonviolent Communication method, and Director of the Center for Nonviolent Communication in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Over the next several years, some of Marshall's staff, and dedicated volunteers from the area noticed a need and worked together to create the Freedom Project, and give it as much exposure to inmates as possible. Freedom Project was officially founded on Martin Luther King, Jr. day in 2001.

In 2004, the Freedom Project’s founders moved to a more formalized nonprofit model, one that would allow the program to expand. By 2006, 501(c)(3) nonprofit status was established, an Executive Director was hired, and additional training components were finalized to what is now approaching a fully-realized model. Today, the program is attracting additional leaders in both the private and public sectors and we are defining the potential for partnerships that will allow a substantial increase in the level of service delivery.

Resources like Interaction Transitions, a housing program for former inmates located in Seattle, the Pioneer Square Men’s Program, a transitional shelter for men, as well as a direct partnership with the Department of Corrections all support violence prevention and community safety as we move to offer more Nonviolent Communication training in the larger at-risk and in-crisis community.