Olga L. Morales

Co-Founder/CEO

Olga Morales, President of the Board of Directors since 2005, has served as Lead Pastor of House of Freedom since its beginnings in 1991. Being Co-founder of the organization, she has carried out several roles during its growth, such as Vice-President of the Board of Directors, Admissions Coordinator, Director of Finance, and Counselor. Her performance has never been limited to only one role, but rather she has acted as Director of Operations along with her loving husband, and founder of House of Freedom, Rev. Esteban Morales. After the death of Rev. Morales in 2005, she assumed the Chief Executive Officer position, which maintains through this day.

The Morales couple’s passion to fight and battle against drugs started at the age of 25. In view of the necessity and fervor to work in favor of young men confronting addiction problems, they both made the decision to resign to their secular jobs and academic education in order to dedicate themselves to this arduous but gratifying mission.

In 1981 they founded in Puerto Rico the rehabilitation center Llave a la Libertad (Key to Freedom), followed in 1986 by Yabi di Libertat in Curacao. Then in 1991, they founded House of Freedom in the state of Florida. With more than 30 years of experience in the field of drugs and alcohol rehabilitation, Olga Morales has been pillar, leader, teacher, and example to all House of Freedom personnel.

However, and remembering the sacrifice involved in leaving aside her academic education, her greatest pleasure has been being able to offer her rehabilitation personnel the opportunity to prepare academically in the clinical field, through this organization. Today, she relies with a wonderful team highly capacitated. This team, not only is prepared secularly, but they also preserve the passion and compassion that served as the main foundation to House of Freedom.

Roberto "Bobby" Cruz

Vice-President

Bobby Cruz was born a 26th of February in the town of Hormigueros, Puerto Rico. From an early age he felt a great inclination towards music. As a humble child his greatest amusement was to sing to the goats he shepherded in his family’s farm. Bobby, in his childhood, never imagined that would become a legend of a new style of music, a different sound that emanated from his personality: Salsa music.

When he moved to New York, along with his family, he continued to develop his musical anxieties, and found an accomplice, his neighbor and friend Richie Ray, with whom he formed the "Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz Orchestra". This musical talent has earned all the most prestigious awards, have sold millions of records, and they have done countless world tours.

Because of their legendary artistic path, Ricardo and Bobby received a Lifetime Achievement Award in November of 2006 in New York City, by the Latin Grammy Awards. They were recognized by the success of hundreds of musical productions and by the great contribution they have made in Latin American music. In his native land, Puerto Rico, he is considered an idol of success and an example of triumph. The name Bobby Cruz has been placed, in his honor, to different institutions, among them; a school of music, a sports park and a public plaza.

The people that have had the opportunity to listen to Bobby preach know that Bobby possesses a marvelous spiritual gift. In 1989 Bobby finished his theological studies in "Vision Bible University" in the United States, in which he completed a PhD in Divinity. For many years Bobby has been dedicated to the study of the Bible, to pastor, establishing over 20 churches and evangelizing.

Iris Y. Ponce

Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer

Iris Y. Ponce joined House of Freedom (HOF) in 1992 as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors and has kept the role since. In 1993 she began to work as a part-time volunteer, developing an office administration system. In 1995 her volunteer status turned to full time while continuing to develop and grow in the administration area. She has served as a receptionist, worked in the admissions department, performed record keeping (clinical and administrative) and has acted as a graduation and event coordinator. She is still working in the finance department that she developed as bookkeeper. In the early years of HOF, she also served as counselor of residential clients during their transition into the community. She enjoyed developing activities and various kinds of workshops with our residents from: coordinating and taking them to many theme parks and outings to working with them hand-to-hand in the landscaping department. Due to her 19 years of experience in developing various departments and her current responsibilities in HOF, she was given the position and title of CFO. Additionally, Iris counts with 30 years of experience in various clerical/technical departments, including payroll, and sales and guest relations at Walt Disney World (WDW).

Yanira C. Diaz

Secretary

Yanira C. Rodriguez (FFCP, CMBT, EDDA), joined House of Freedom (HOF) in 1998 and has held various positions within the organization such as clinical coordinator, admissions coordinator, and counselor. At present time Yanira is the secretary of the executive team and is part of the board of directors. The knowledge and experience that Yanira has gained throughout her experience in the addictions field has played a critical role in our success. Her contributions and passion to help those in need have set a standard among the organization, which as a result has spread and created a positive atmosphere throughout our treatment. In addition, Yanira is the principal at Freedomland Christian Academy in which she oversees all of the academy standards/regulations and is a leader within our community in the education field.