ABOUT US

Bridge 2 Freedom

Bridge to Freedom (B2F) is an all-inclusive faith-based residential nonprofit reentry program that provides housing, mentoring, drug rehabilitation services and treatment, job readiness, life skills training, trauma therapy and Christian discipleship. Our main goal is to reduce recidivism.

An inmate being released from prison is much like a scuba diver resurfacing from the deep. The longer they have been submerged under the pressure of rigid confinement/incarceration, the longer they require readjusting to the reduced pressure of the standard atmosphere in the free world. Rising too quickly causes decompression sickness which can paralyze and kill the diver. So too, the inmate re-entering the free world must pause at various levels on their journey back to the responsibilities of freedom. The rapid re-entry that most inmates currently experience is, we believe, a major factor in the appalling recidivism statistics. “Two-thirds of state prisoners are rearrested within three years of their release, and half are re-incarcerated” (Amy L. Solomon, Senior Research Associate at the Justice Policy Center of the Urban Institute).

Bridge to Freedom wants to get in the water with these incarcerated individuals during their release process. We find individuals who are ready to embrace their second chance to become fully functioning members of society. Along with our re-entry strategies we work hard to facilitate up to two years of housing that is both safe and nurturing to ensure an environment of learning and healing to empower the individual to reach their full God-given potential. We want to see our participants become leaders in their communities and seek restoration wherever they resurface.

Our Mission

Creating Opportunities for Healing, Growth, and Lasting Success.

Bridge to Freedom equips justice-impacted individuals with restorative programming, workforce development, mentorship, and community support that encourages personal growth, strengthens confidence, and prepares individuals to thrive beyond incarceration.

Our Vision

Communities Where Transformation Leads the Way.

We envision communities where every justice-impacted individual has access to meaningful opportunities, supportive relationships, and the resources needed to build a successful future.

Our vision is to see lives restored, families strengthened, and communities transformed through hope, purpose, and opportunity.

Founder & Executive Director

Dr. Mica Battle, Ph.D.

“You’re Only as Free as You Want to Be.”

— Dr. Mica Battle

For Dr. Mica Battle, Bridge to Freedom is more than an organization—it is the fulfillment of a calling shaped by faith, resilience, and lived experience.

A respected leader, speaker, and advocate for restorative justice, Dr. Battle holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Organizational Leadership and has dedicated the second phase of her life to helping justice-impacted individuals discover hope, purpose, and opportunities to build brighter futures.

But her story didn’t begin in a boardroom. More than 25 years ago, Dr. Battle experienced incarceration and heroin addiction firsthand. While incarcerated, she served time alongside one of her own sons—an experience that profoundly shaped her understanding of the challenges faced by justice-impacted individuals and their families.

Through faith, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to change, she rebuilt her life. Today, she often shares her journey with a simple but powerful statement: “I went from a dope fiend to a doctor.” Those words are more than a testimony, they are a reminder that transformation is possible.

Today, Dr. Battle has been clean for more than 25 years and leads Bridge to Freedom with the conviction that no person’s future should be defined by their past.

Under her leadership, Bridge has launched innovative restorative initiatives including Power & Purpose Lab, Bloom Again, Man in the Mirror, Just Released Magazine, Chicago Soul Café, workforce development programs, and community partnerships that create opportunities for healing, growth, and long-term success.

She believes lasting transformation begins before release by investing in people, strengthening families, and building communities where hope has room to grow.

For Dr. Mica, Bridge to Freedom isn’t simply an organization.

It is living proof that restoration is possible.

Faith Inspires Our Work

Bridge to Freedom is rooted in the belief that every person possesses inherent worth and the capacity for transformation.

Our work is inspired by the words of John 8:36:
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

This promise reminds us that genuine freedom extends beyond physical release. It is found in restored hope, renewed purpose, transformed thinking, and lives changed from the inside out.

While our work is faith-inspired, we welcome opportunities to serve, collaborate with, and support individuals and organizations from all backgrounds who share our commitment to restoring lives and strengthening communities.

Why Bridge Is Different

Bridge to Freedom is more than a service provider.

We create restorative experiences that connect personal growth with practical opportunity.

By combining wellness, workforce development, mentorship, entrepreneurship, storytelling, and community engagement, we help justice-impacted individuals prepare not only for release—but for a future filled with possibility.

We believe transformation is not a single event. It is a lifelong process strengthened by community, purpose, and consistent support.

Our Core Values

Everything we do is guided by these principles:

Hope: We believe every person deserves the opportunity to build a brighter future.

Dignity: We treat every individual with respect, compassion, and humanity.

Restoration: Healing and personal growth create the foundation for lasting change.

Opportunity: Meaningful work, education, mentorship, and community support help individuals move forward with confidence.

Community: Transformation happens through relationships, collaboration, and shared purpose.

Excellence: We strive to deliver programs and experiences that are thoughtful, impactful, and rooted in care.

Help us grow

Your support fuels Bridge to Freedom’s mission to empower justice-impacted individuals through restorative programming, workforce opportunities, mentorship, and community support—helping create pathways to healing, growth, and lasting success.