If you walked with me along the peaceful grounds of Foundry Farm-or visited our Worship Center... our Outreach Center... or our newly renovated women's dormitory-you'd experience just a fraction of The Foundry's transformation from the original Bessemer Rescue Mission, which opened 40 years ago. I'm not talking simply about bricks and mortar. Our growth also represents the transformation of our vision to embrace not only homeless and transient men, but also struggling families, ex-inmates re-entering society, and men and women battling addiction... and their loved ones battling alongside them.

If our walk took us to the front desk of our dormitory for men in our Recovery Program, you'd meet Eddie Wilson. His demeanor alone says he's responsible. Accountable. Professional. As dorm manager, he makes sure rules are followed and residents' needs are met. What you might not detect unless he tells you-and he will-is he was once a resident himself.

"I started drinking at 14," Eddie shares. "After I finished high school, I started using cocaine." His substance abuse led to blackouts, separation from his family and trouble with the law. "After multiple DUIs, the judge told me to get a bed at The Foundry or he'd get one for me. I knew what he meant-I was looking at a 20-year prison sentence."

While Eddie was at The Foundry, he overcame his addiction, began his walk with God and regained his sister's friendship and trust. She, too, gave her life to Christ. Sadly, she passed away last September, leaving behind a 15-year-old son. Eddie, now leading a clean, sober and godly life, sees his nephew every weekend and hopes to become his legal guardian.

Eddie graduated from The Foundry in 2006 and returned this year to join our staff and help other men who are dealing with the same issues and challenges he faced. "For someone to come into my room and cry, and for me to be able to share what The Foundry and God did for me, that's a blessing," he shares with gratitude. "I'm here to listen and offer words of encouragement. To read the Bible with them. I know each and every guy here and their families. It's very rewarding to be on this side of the Recovery Program."

Currently, 26 members of our staff are graduates of The Foundry like Eddie. We feel so blessed these individuals have chosen to draw on their pasts to help others build bright futures. We're just as excited when other graduates continue careers that were put on hold... share God-given talents with the world... and, most important, become models of faith, strength and grace within their families.

Over the years we've learned the importance of ministering not only to the individual, but also to the family as a whole. Our curriculum has evolved to include family and marriage counseling, more opportunities for residents to worship and spend quality time with loved ones and post-graduation follow-up support that includes parents, spouses and children.

Our goal is to see lives of men and women restored completely: First, their walk with the Lord and a life free from addiction. Then housing and gainful employment. Finally-and most critical to a permanent transformation-their relationship with their families.

As we prepare to celebrate The Foundry's 40th anniversary, Michele and I are overwhelmed by gratitude that God called us to be part of this vital organization. We're committed to continuing His work of restoring hope and rebuilding lives. Because of your faithful partnership, I believe you are, too.

I pray you'll make a gift today to help us provide recovery, re-entry and rescue for the growing number of addicted, homeless and destitute men and women who turn to us each year. I also invite you to send an additional celebration gift-of $40, $400 or even more-in honor of the thousands of lives that have been reshaped by the hands of God... over the past 40 years.

Sincerely,
Pastor Bill Heintz
Executive Director, The Foundry