We are Cortex | Mike Milton

Mike Milton isn’t bashful about what led him to establish the Freedom Community Center: “I am both a survivor of violence myself, and I'm a person who was doing harm in my community, which led to me being incarcerated.”

Because he had perspective from both sides of that equation, Milton said it positioned him perfectly to create a “survivor-centered” organization that can reach out to individuals who feel unsafe in their homes or communities and direct them to resources and help. At the same time, members of his team can contact those who are doing harm and invite them into a process to break the cycle.

Milton said his experience on both sides of the justice system persuaded him that the community was asking for something different. On the Freedom Community Center’s website, in “a love letter to St. Louis,” Milton shares details of his background in north city: sexually assaulted as a youngster, commiting crimes between the ages of 17 and 21, cycling in and out of the St. Louis City Justice Center and the Workhouse, sharing cells with childhood friends. 

“We are not our worst decisions,” Milton said. “If we have access to things that keep us safe — like food, education, community belonging, mental health services, health care services — it actually will reduce violence in our communities in real time.”

Now, operating out of offices in the Cortex Innovation District, Milton said he finds the resources and like-minded community support to help his organization thrive.

“There's so many people who we’re sharing the work with in the same building,” Milton said. “I get to see WePower and Dream Builders and Forward Through Ferguson — people we're in coalition with.”

They can sit down and have lunch together. They can share resources and services with participants served by each of their organizations. 

“It's been great to be in a community that all has the same vision, which is how we make St. Louis better and safer,” he said.