Father Edwin Frederick was a Catholic priest assigned as Chaplain for patients of the former Traverse City State Hospital. After the hospital closed in 1989, Father Fred and a group of five supporters started a non-profit organization called the Fr. Fred Foundation. According to the mission set forth by Father Fred to "listen, care, and share", this faith based program has come to serve the needs of all people in the counties of Grand Traverse, Antrim, Benzie, Kalkaska and Leelanau Counties. Father Fred passed away in January of 2000, but his Foundation and his mission live on. Twenty years later, the needy are ministered to, and every individual who passes through its doors is treated with the respect and dignity that Father Fred modeled for us.

Father Fred in the office at the Foundation

Father Fred on his motorcycle

Father Thome Welcomes Father Iakovos