Fred Brown Recovery Services

07/13/2025

Ticket sales for our Annual Comedy Show start in two weeks. Look for a special one day pre-sale code coming up soon!

05/19/2025

In Memoriam: Karl B. McMillen Jr. (1928 – 2025)
Fred Brown’s Recovery Services remembers the extraordinary life of Karl B. McMillen Jr., whose compassion and generosity transformed countless lives across Southern California. Karl passed away on May 6, 2025, at age 96, leaving an enduring legacy, particularly
in the field of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery.

05/19/2025

In Memoriam: Karl B. McMillen Jr. (1928 – 2025)

Fred Brown's Recovery Services remembers the extraordinary life of Karl B. McMillen Jr., whose compassion and generosity transformed countless lives across Southern California. Karl passed away on May 6, 2025, at age 96, leaving an enduring legacy, particularly in the field of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery.

Born in 1928, Karl embodied determination, resilience, and hard work. Starting from humble beginnings, he founded Alert Plumbing and later Todd Pipe & Supply, building it into one of the region's foremost plumbing supply businesses, employing hundreds across multiple locations. His business success was rooted in a relentless commitment to integrity, quality service, and respect for his employees and community.

The loss of his eldest son, Mark, to addiction in 1986, followed by the passing of his beloved wife, Thelma, and later his youngest son, Chris, profoundly influenced his life's purpose. Having courageously overcome his own struggles with alcoholism, Karl dedicated himself wholeheartedly to preventing similar pain for other families. He shared his personal experiences and reflections in his memoir, "Triumphs and Tragedies: A True Story of Wealth and Addiction," hoping his family's story would serve as both caution and inspiration.

In 2008, Karl and his second wife, Carol, established the McMillen Family Foundation, significantly enhancing support for addiction treatment, education, and prevention. The Foundation quickly became a transformative force, funding dozens of organizations across Southern California, strengthening the regional recovery community and providing support for thousands of individuals and families.

Fred Brown's Recovery Services is deeply honored and grateful to have received support from the McMillen Family Foundation, including over $350,000 to establish our kitchen on W 14th and upgrade our inpatient home on W 19th. Each day, this facility provides nourishing, home-cooked meals to hundreds of our clients, enhancing their health, dignity, and recovery journey.

Beyond his impactful contributions to SUD treatment, Karl’s generosity reached into broader community needs, supporting healthcare, education, and essential local services. His holistic and compassionate approach to giving demonstrated how personal success could powerfully address the most pressing societal challenges.

Karl McMillen Jr.’s empathy, unwavering resilience, and noble spirit continue to inspire Fred Brown's Recovery Services and the many individuals and organizations touched by his life. We extend heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all who knew him. His remarkable legacy will forever guide and motivate us in our shared mission of compassion and recovery.

05/01/2025

Book of the Month: Burden of Concrete by William S. Hayes

This month, we’re spotlighting Burden of Concrete — a raw, thought-provoking debut by William S. Hayes that delves into the unseen weight of masculinity, memory, and survival in America’s forgotten corners.

Hayes crafts a powerful narrative about a man trying to hold it together under the pressure of family, poverty, and the brutal expectations of what it means to be “strong.” Gritty, poetic, and unflinchingly honest, this is a book that stays with you long after the last page.

04/23/2025

03/17/2025

Stay Connected with Fred's Brown Recovery Services! 📢

Exciting things are happening in our community, and we don’t want you to miss a moment! 🌟 Follow us on Instagram for updates, events, and inspiring stories.
Join us for our weekly Alumni Meeting Livestream https://fredbrown.org/alumni-livestream/

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Let’s grow together—see you there! 💙

Alumni Meeting Live: Tuesdays at 6:30 pm Speaker Library Click thebutton if you are watching during the live time (6:30 - 8:00 pm Pacific Tuesdays) and the video is not playing. Click the icon in the lower

10/21/2024

Jay Mohr Upset RZA from Wu-Tang Clan, Reminisces on SNL, Being Sober

-->>Get your tickets to see Jay Mohr live at our Comedy & Trivia Night! https://fredbrown.org/comedy November 1 at James Armstrong Theater in Torrance.

https://youtu.be/XPEhmL4WzqA?si=ytX39kqO9zfqnIji
Jay Mohr

Jay Mohr talks getting sober, tattoos in your 50's, and that time he made up a child to get out of an awkward situation with RZA.🎙️ Preston and Steve on 93....

10/02/2024

We’re thrilled to announce the return of our comedy show fundraiser this year on November 1st! Our headliner will be none other than Jay Mohr from Saturday Night Live, recognized as one of Comedy Central’s 100 greatest stand-up comics. Plus, we’re excited to welcome back Dustin Ybarra for a second year – despite his packed schedule with The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and his various TV, film, and stand-up projects.

But that’s not all – we’re kicking off the evening with our first-ever Trivia Night! Come early to enjoy snacks, drinks, and great company. It’s going to be a night full of laughter, fun, and community! Learn more at fredbrown.org/comedy

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get tickets get tickets get tickets Presented by: Fred Brown Recovery Services Location: James R. Armstrong Theater 3330 Civic Center Dr, Torrance, CA 90503 Doors open 5 pm | Free Parking | Snacks & Concessions Join us before

10/02/2024

We're excited to announce that we will host another comedy show fundraiser this year! Jay Mohr from Saturday Night Live, one of Comedy Central’s 100 greatest stand-up comics, will be our headliner talent this year! Dustin Ybarra will be back for a second year, busy as he is with Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show and his full plate of TV, Film, and Stand-up Comedy work.

Before the Comedy Show, we will be introducing our first-ever Trivia Night! We will have plenty of snacks and drinks on hand, so come early, plan to socialize, and have fun all evening long.

get tickets get tickets get tickets Presented by: Fred Brown Recovery Services Location: James R. Armstrong Theater 3330 Civic Center Dr, Torrance, CA 90503 Doors open 5 pm | Free Parking | Snacks & Concessions Join us before

10/01/2024

We are excited to announce that we will host another comedy show fundraiser this year! Jay Mohr from Saturday Night Live, one of 's 100 greatest stand-up comics, will be our headliner talent this year! will be back for a second year, busy as he is with Jimmy Fallon’s Straight to the Point The Tonight Show, and his full plate of TV, Film, and Stand-up Comedy work.

This year, we will not be hosting a sit-down dinner. Instead, we will focus on Out of the Darkness and Into the Light-Heartedness! Before the Comedy Show, we will be introducing our first-ever Trivia Night! Come early for Recovery Trivia! Our host will ask several trivia questions, and contestants will play from the comfort of their seats in the auditorium. While we will have prizes for Trivia Champions, the focus is having fun while testing our knowledge of building freedom in recovery! We will have plenty of snacks and drinks on hand, so come early, plan to socialize, and have fun all evening long.

06/11/2024

🔴 GOING LIVE TONIGHT!
Join us for the Alumni Meeting Live Stream at 6:30pm PST ⏰
👉👉👉👉👉👉👉
Tune in at: https://fredbrown.org/alumni-livestream
Listen to the Inspiring Journeys of individuals who've come Out of the Darkness and into the Light! 🌟

06/04/2024

🔴 GOING LIVE TONIGHT!
Join us for the Alumni Meeting Live Stream at 6:30pm PST ⏰
👉👉👉👉👉👉👉
Tune in at: https://fredbrown.org/alumni-livestream

Listen to the Inspiring Journeys of individuals who've come Out of the Darkness and into the Light! 🌟