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The Foundry Inspires Hearts of Hope
Posted on May 11, 2009
BESSEMER, Al—More than 400 women from throughout the area attended The Foundry Rescue Mission and Recovery Center’s third annual Hearts of Hope Benefit Luncheon, May 6 at noon, at Vestavia Country Club. The event exceeded the goal of $80,000 to benefit The Foundry’s Women’s Center.
“This event began as a way to introduce women in the community to The Foundry’s ministry and invite them to partner with us to ensure addicted and homeless women receive the services and support they need,” said The Foundry’s Development Director Leslie Freeman. “We’re pleased the luncheon has been well-received, and attendance and contributions have grown considerably over the years.”
Proceeds from the 2009 luncheon and silent auction will benefit the vital programs and services for women in The Foundry’s Recovery Program who are working to become stable and productive members of the community.
In June, The Foundry will open a new women’s dorm, which has been under renovation. “The new facility increases our capacity from 35 to 52. That means we can help even more weary and hurting women develop the emotional, spiritual, educational and economic skills they need to live substance-free, self-sufficient lives,” said Michele Heintz, director of women’s ministries and wife of The Foundry’s executive director, Rev. Bill Heintz.
The duplexes that had been home to the women in The Foundry’s Recovery Program will be used to house fifteen women in The Foundry’s aftercare program, Heintz explained. “With the completion of these renovations we will not only be able to bring seventeen more women off the streets into recovery, but fifteen women will have a place to stay while we continue to assist them after they graduate and transition to living independently. Laura Mitchell, who spoke at the luncheon, is an amazing testament to the importance and success of our programs.”
Mitchell, a 2008 graduate of The Foundry’s Recovery Program, shared her moving testimony of overcoming addiction and rededicating her life to Christ. She recently returned from three months in Thailand and Cambodia where she worked with social injustice issues, and she identifies with women battling all kinds of challenges, including addiction. “I used to be one of the down and out,” Mitchell shared. “I have my own messy path and I can see each woman’s value and identity. God’s love covers a multitude of sins.”
For photos, interviews and other information, Leslie Freeman