Throughout my life, I always knew I wanted to help people while pursuing my entrepreneurial spirit, but I wasn’t sure exactly what path to take. That changed in 2006 when I became aware of the need for better treatment options in Pittsburgh. At that time, existing Methadone programs had long waiting lists, the term “Opioid Epidemic” wasn’t yet part of our national vocabulary, and Suboxone was still in its early stages.
Recognizing the growing need for accessible treatment, I decided to start Freedom Healthcare Services. My vision was to create a place that wasn’t just a facility, but a community—a great place to work, a great place to receive care, and, most importantly, a program where everyone felt valued, unjudged, and welcome. “Treatment with Compassion” became both our slogan and our mantra.
It wasn’t an easy journey. The phrase “Not in my backyard” (NIMBY) became part of my daily reality. Despite these challenges, we persevered and were able to open our doors in Bridgeville in 2009.
While I have not personally experienced opioid dependency within my family, addiction has certainly touched my life—through friends, their children, and my children’s friends. As we all know, addiction does not discriminate; it knows no social boundaries and waits silently, like a sniper. I am proud to say that through Freedom Healthcare, we’ve helped thousands of patients and positively impacted tens of thousands of lives, including the families of those we treat. We’ve also been able to provide our staff with stable, rewarding careers, allowing them to pursue their passion for helping others.
I am immensely proud of everyone who has contributed to making Freedom Healthcare a trusted name in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas. Together, we have built a solid reputation rooted in compassion, with an unwavering commitment to our patients’ recovery.

Kim Rivera, CADC, CCDP, is FHS’s senior counselor, having been part of the FHS family from the onset. Prior to starting at FHS, Kim worked in intensive outpatient, methadone maintenance and was an addictions counselor/supervisor  at POWER/CYF whose mission was family preservation and reunification. Kim is currently “semi-retired” and has difficulty considering full time retirement due to her compassion for others and seeing  the struggles and battles fought by those we serve.  Kim understands the challenges this disease presents and finds nothing more rewarding and fulfilling than witnessing success and knowing it all started with possibly a seed she planted. In Kim’s free time, she enjoys going to the gym and in particular, swimming; spending time with family, and caring for and training dogs, especially German Shepherds
for therapy work.

Hello!! My name is Dayle and I am the Bridgeville Front office assistant. I am the first person you meet when you walk into the building. I enjoy talking to each patient as they come in to make them feel at home. I have been with Freedom for almost 8 years and I have loved my job since day 1. Freedom is a great place to work because we are like a family here. We are very family oriented. And I love that our motto is Treat People with Compassion. We Definitely do. One fun fact about me  is that I love arts & crafts and making wreaths.

I have over 38 years experience counseling individuals with substance use diagnosis.
I have 40 years of personal experience with addiction and recovery.
Comfort the afflicted, Love the Outcast, Inspire the hopeless.
  For fun I cook tripe.
  Why I work for Freedom
Be Real
Be Humble
Be Kind

My name is Ashley.  I am a nurse at Clear Choices in Rochester PA. I was born in the mid 80s in Ellwood City PA. As a child my family moved around a lot. I met my husband in 2012 and we settled in East Palestine OH in my late 20s. I got married in 2016 and we have one young daughter. I went to nursing school in 2009 and received my nursing license in 2011. For the next decade I worked as a dedicated nurse for a nursing home located in Beaver falls PA. I loved my job working in long term care but decided it was time for a change so I came to Clear Choices at the beginning of 2023.  I absolutely love my job at Clear Choices.  I enjoy seeing my patients every day, talking to them and helping them in any way I can. I am empathetic and compassionate and my coworkers here at Clear Choices are wonderful, caring and compassionate people. When I am not at work I love spending time with my family. My husband and I love going to the movies especially when a new Marvel or DC movie comes out. Fun Fact: I like to joke around a lot and I absolutely love Adam Sandler movies!! I think they are hilarious.

My name is Brenda Voytek. I have been a Counselor at Freedom Healthcare Services for over 4 years. I am a trauma-informed counselor with extensive knowledge and training in the field of family violence. I utilize Motivational Interviewing, CBT, DBT, and Choice Theory in sessions. I have worked with trauma victims/survivors for over 20 years, individuals with severe & persistent mental illness for 15 years, and D&A patients for 10 years. I have a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Psychology, Sociology, & Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina Upstate, an MA in Counseling from Webster University and received a Professional Coaching Certification at Duquesne University. I am a domestic violence and sexual assault survivor who chose to become a counselor to give back to the community. I feel my struggles as a teen/young adult have given me a unique perspective to offer others dealing with similar situations.  My goal is to help patient’s breakthrough negative patterns and self-defeating behaviors to get to the next chapter of their lives where they can have a healthier relationship with self and others. Fun Fact: I like to travel and loved spending 30 days in London studying abroad.

Hello, I’m Shawn Johnson, the Certified Recovery Support Supervisor. I am a person in long term recovery since November 2, 2013. I have worked in the social services field  for about 9 years from juvenile probation, community outreach, family reintegration to Certified Recovery Specialist. It has been my greatest reward to help others like people have helped me find a pathway to recovery. I look forward to being a part of the team and assisting the consumers with resources and finding a pathway to recovery.

Wendi has been with Freedom Healthcare for 7 years and in the addiction field for 17 years. She graduated from Waynesburg University with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. She began an entry level job as a drug and alcohol counselor in 2005 and found her true passion for helping others. When she is not working at FHS, she enjoys spending time with her family, shopping and making crafts. She also likes to travel and spend time outdoors..but only if it’s warm.

Hello, my name is Cindy Stegenga and I am the nurse here at Freedom Healthcare. I have been a drug and alcohol nurse for over 10 years. My time at Freedom has been incredibly rewarding. There is nothing like assisting and watching patients achieve their treatment goals. My wish is to see every patient succeed in their journey to sobriety.When I’m not at Freedom, you can find me at home watching football, or hanging out with my husband, three children and our two Labrador Retrievers, Layla and Lucy.