ABOUT THE FOUNDRY MINISTRIES
For more than 45 years, The Foundry Ministries in Bessemer, Ala. – previously known as City of Hope – has provided faith-based social support services for individuals experiencing poverty. Founded in the 1990s, the organization is now one of the 30 (22.1 percent) residential addiction rehabilitation centers in the state, and continues to operate food and clothing distribution services and vocational training. Many Foundry clients are former inmates.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
The Foundry’s approach to treatment is heavily reliant on religion and is described on the facility’s website as “Christ centered.” This is one of the 45 (33.1 percent) where residents are in program divided between adult men and adult women. All individuals participate in cognitive and behavioral change-oriented curriculum, religious activities and study, counseling, continuing education, and life skills training.
Clients also receive job training through the organization’s farm, thrift store, or auto shop. Programming typically lasts one year, including three months in transitional living. Drug testing is required following individual off-campus visits.
While the facility’s website emphasizes the fact that The Foundry Ministries does not provide mental health treatment, case managers can arrange for medical care when necessary, and some medication is allowed under supervision.
All clients and their families are encouraged to participate in a family reunification program.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The center employs multiple pastors, social services coordinators, and counselors. While the facility’s public materials do not specify whether any staff are certified to treat addiction, they do note that many staff members are alumni of the recovery program. Additionally, 98 percent of substance abuse treatment facilities in this state do have higher education requirements for staff.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The Foundry Ministries operates three residential programs. Foundry Farm is an 80-bed working farm and men’s rehab center outside of Cullman, and the downtown Bessemer campus has space for an additional 132 men and 56 women. This level of accommodation is quite high, given that the median number of individuals in a non-hospital residential treatment facility at a time is 18 clients.
Residents live in a relatively strict environment. No phone calls are allowed during the first six weeks of treatment, and no personal electronic devices may be used any time during residence.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Feedback from three former clients polled by Best-rehabs.com reflects a high level of satisfaction with accommodations and staff members. Metrics measuring meals and nutrition, the facility’s cleanliness and upkeep, and opportunities for exercise and leisure activity received high ratings of mostly four and five stars out of five. The level of staff training and experience and the quality of staff support were rated even higher, on average.
Written comments from these alumni characterized the facility as safe and treatment as consistent. One reviewer cited the Bible-based nature of rehab as a strength, and another noted that The Foundry Ministries “empowers” clients. Only one of these three alumni indicated that counseling options were limited, awarding this category one out of five stars, and strongly disagreeing that the center utilizes the 12-steps.
Likewise, 14 Google reviews were favorable, rating the program an average of 4.6 out of five stars. Concurring with an earlier referenced alum, one reviewer described a “Spirit filled and God inspired ministry,” and in fact, alum J.H. added, “There is a good bit of variety.”
The facility’s Facebook page, which it has the ability to monitor, reveals a similarly high rating of 4.5-out of five stars, based on 78 users to date. Written comments from alumni, loved ones, and staff members all praise the religious aspect of the program, the high quality of care, and the compassionate environment. Former client J.H. wrote, “Not only did this place aid my recovery, they gave me a job,” and A.W. added, “I found purpose in life and was shown how to have an unshakeable relationship with God at The Foundry.”
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
At the time of this writing, the two Best-rehabs.com reviews submitted by loved ones are fairly positive. Both survey respondents noted that they would recommend the facility to others. While one cited no weaknesses and gave four stars to holistic offerings, counseling options, and staff level of support, the other rated counseling and holistic therapy options just two and one star, respectively, and indicated that the program was not 12-step based.
Reviews from loved ones on Google and Facebook alike credit the facility with being life-saving for their families and friends. B.B., a parent on Google, wrote, “My child has turned her life around with the help from this program,” and a Facebook user who visited his daughter at this facility commented, “I’m amazed at the change in just 3 short weeks.”
FINANCING
Emphasizing the need for integrity in its religious approach to treatment, the facility’s website specifically states that the organization does not accept state funding. The cost to clients for a 12-month recovery program is $995.
[1] Google Reviews
[2] https://www.facebook.com/pg/thefoundrymission/reviews/?ref=page_internal