Serving a vulnerable population

Serving a vulnerable population

A donation drive at First Free the next two Sundays benefits Carpenter’s Place, a faith-based day shelter serving homeless people. The center, located at 1149 Railroad Ave., serves breakfast and lunch every day, and offers a variety of other services including case...
‘We can be very real’

‘We can be very real’

The Sunday that Kaylin Carlson led the worship song Rattle at Rockford Rescue Mission, she knew she was in the right place. Kaylin is part of a team of volunteers that lead worship at the Rescue Mission, one of two offsite venues for First Free’s Sunday worship...
Carpenter’s Corner opens Friday

Carpenter’s Corner opens Friday

Three days before grand opening, Kelly Whitham stepped out of her office onto a newly refurbished and fully stocked sales floor. “I stand here and look around and it kind of takes my breath away,” she said. Kelly is director of retail operations for Carpenter’s Place,...
Crime, punishment … and a better story

Crime, punishment … and a better story

In fall 2015, Rickey Claybron and two other men violently robbed three Rockford retail stores and attempted to rob another. They pointed guns at store clerks and customers while stealing cigarettes and cash. Two store employees were struck with the guns and one was...
Angel Tree opportunity grows

Angel Tree opportunity grows

When you spot the familiar Angel Tree in our church lobby on Sunday, you may notice something. It’s bigger. That’s because First Free has embraced the program so enthusiastically in recent years that this Christmas we’re taking on more local kids than ever – 85 in...