Nelson Chapel rededicated in honor of Freedom House founder Nedda Simon

PRINCETON — On a beautiful spring Friday morning, Nelson Chapel in Princeton was rededicated in honor of Nedda J. and Donald H. Simon. Nedda is the founder of Freedom House and her husband, Don, was her greatest supporter who stood at her side to ensure all needs of the shelter were met.

The chapel, along with the next-door shelter building and administrative offices, was recently purchased by Freedom House from Covenant Children’s Home.

The board and staff made a quick decision to honor their founder, Nedda Simon, two days before the 38th anniversary of when Freedom House was founded in 1983.

A small crowd, which included city of Princeton representatives, a representative from state Rep. Dan Swanson’s office, past and present Freedom House board members, and Simon’s family, gathered Friday for a short ceremony where Diana Whitney, vice president of the board, welcomed attendees and spoke of Nedda’s accomplishments.

She spoke of the great opposition Nedda was met with in the early 80s when she first spoke of the need for a local safe haven for victims and their children. Before Freedom House was opened, the nearest shelters for battered women were found in Peoria, Streator and the Quad Cities.

Whitney said little by little Nedda’s dream took shape and finally came to fruition in a small house in Wyanet. The shelter later moved to 314 N. Euclid Ave. in Princeton and finally to its current location at 440 Elm Place.

Today, Freedom House serves five counties and has assisted thousands of women, men and children over its 38-year period. It’s a 24-hour/32-bed agency staffed by trained professionals serving victims of domestic and sexual violence.

“Though she may be small, she is mighty,” Whitney said. “Because of her vision and tenaciousness, a fully-trained, professional staff provides shelter, hours of counseling, legal advocacy, education and hope for all the clients served within its wall and outreach centers, and all at no cost to them.”

Through it all, Nedda had Don at her side, who was there writing the first rent check for Freedom House, there to repair broken doors and windows, fix leaky washers, buy food, pay the light bill and hug Nedda when situations got tough.

On Friday, Nedda spoke of hope, which is the emotion she said fueled Freedom House, making it a reality.

“Hope is a personal and human trait. It’s an inspiration, actually. As far as I know and scientists know, human beings are the only ones that have the capacity to hope,” she said. “When we hope, sometimes every other emotion is already gone. We’re absolutely out of fuel, but hope always seems to be there.”

Nedda said without Don, she couldn’t have done the work she did for Freedom House. She also thanked Freedom House Executive Director Michael Zerneck for leading the agency to where it is today.

“Don and I can rest knowing that hope is here and it will last forever as long as it’s needed,” she said.