HOLLY POND — Located just outside of Cullman is a place of refuge for those struggling with alcohol and drug addiction.

The Foundry Farm is an 80 acre farm just east of town located off Highway 278. It will serve as an induction center for men waiting to transition to The Foundry’s main campus in Bessemer.

Bill Heintz, executive director of The Foundry and The Foundry Farm said he knows first hand the troubles with addiction.

“I’m a 30 year ex-drug addict,” Heintz said. “There is the opinion that once you are an addict, always an addict, but the Bible tells us different. I know my relationship with God has helped me stay on the straight and narrow.”

Heintz said he may not have overcome his addiction without the help of the Lord.

“I’m not saying you can’t do it without God,” he said. “But faith-based in my opinion is the best way.”

Heintz, known as Pastor Bill to everyone at The Foundry, said this is what he is supposed to be doing.

“It has been an incredible journey to see what God has done,” Heintz said. “When you understand the magnitude of the drug problem, that ‘s a drop in the bucket.”

The Foundry bought the farm about a year ago and has just recently moved residents in.

By buying the farm, Heintz hopes to impact even more people.

“We realized this was going to be a benefit to a person’s recovery,” he said.

Heintz likes the solitude of the farm life and the individual time he gets to spend with the men.

“I get to come up here and get more one-on-one time with each resident,” he said.

The resident’s daily routine includes waking up to chores and maintaining the farm. Some men cut grass, others maintain the garden and others do household chores.

The garden contains tomatoes, corn, squash, beans, peas, okra, watermelon and the men just recently planted pumpkins.

The food is used at both The Foundry and the farm.

An old chicken house has been transformed into a wood working shop for the men to develop their talents.

“Some of these men are incredibly talented,” Heintz said. “People stereotype addicts, but they can be productive citizens.”

The men have made picnic tables, swings, signs and other wood products.

Heintz said Cullman has been supportive thus far and hopes that will continue.

“Lowe’s has been great to us and donated a lot,” he said.

They even had someone donate the John Deere tractor used on the grounds, but are in dire need of more farm equipment.

“We are thankful for what has been donated, but could use more farm equipment,” Heintz said.

Heintz looks forward to becoming part of Cullman County.

“I have a feeling something special will come out of this. It’s really neat to watch people transform their lives,” Heintz said. “I want the farm and the residents to be an asset to the community.”

The farm staff includes a full time counselor, a farm supervisor, two dorm supervisors and a cook. Members are on duty around the clock. There is currently room for approximately 30 residents, but they are hoping to expand.

“This was a no brainer. This is such a natural place. We did not even comprehend the impact a place would have on people’s attitudes,” Heintz said.

The Foundry is supported by the many stores on the campus.

“Seventy percent of our revenue is produced by The Foundry,” Heintz said.

The Foundry receives no federal, state or United Way funding. They want to be able to stay a faith-based so they rely on gifts, private foundations, businesses and the church.

Treatment time varies, but usually takes 12-15 months. The cost for admittance is $495.

“The average stay is between $12 and $15,000 per person,” Heintz said. “We keep the individual’s cost low to be able to treat as many people as we can.”

Heintz described The Foundry as a place of transformation. What happens in a foundry describes what God does in the lives of people who come to The Foundry. Men and women come through the doors, seemingly hopeless and useless, and through the transformation at The Foundry, they return to the world productive and useful citizens, Heintz said.

“The same thing that goes on in a foundry, goes on in the hearts and lives of the people at The Foundry,” Heintz said. “It says who we are, what we do and where we are.”

At both the farm and The Foundry, work therapy is important.

“Everyone has a job,” Heintz said. “Addiction gets you self-centered and unproductive.”

Residents may work in one of the many enterprises at The Foundry.

“This allows a person to develop responsibility and self-worth,” he said.

Working allows residents to receive skills they will need when they leave the treatment facility.

What is The Foundry?

The Foundry was founded in 1971 when Sam Reynolds opened it as the Bessemer Rescue Mission.

Over the next 20 years, the Mission expanded its facilities to care for more homeless men and to meet their increasing complex needs. In 1992, a duplex on Sixth Avenue was purchased to provide shelter for homeless women.

In December of 1995, God called Rev. Bill and Michele Heintz to start a ministry for men and women addicted to drugs and alcohol. Bill became the executive of the Mission Jan. 1, 1996.

In 2004, the ministry was renamed The Foundry Rescue Mission and Recovery Center. The center now includes a recovery program, re-entry program, worship center, Super-Thirft Outlet, auto center, community outreach center and medical center.

To donate to The Foundry, visit their website at www.thefoundryonline.org. They accept clothing donations for the thrift store, car donations, farm equipment and any financial support.

One man’s journey

Kyle Anderson was living the life of a part-time Christian. He was attending church every Sunday with his mom, but the rest of the week he was using methamphetamines.

“For the better part of 11 or 12 years I have been riding the fence,” Anderson said. “I went to church, my parents were missionaries and did mission work all over, but during the week I was a different person.”

Anderson said he was arrested more than 30 times.

“I was arrested for the last time and sat in jail for 40 days and decided I was tired of trying to do it myself,” he said.

While in jail for that last time, he got a awake-up call. He was ready to change.

“I wanted a spiritual-based recovery center,” he said. “I got out of jail and two days later I came here.”

That was only three weeks ago.

“God has anointed this place.,” he said. “It is unreal.”

Anderson has not yet had the day to day struggles one would expect after years of addiction.

“I’m in my element,” Anderson said. “I have no desire to go back to my lifestyle.”

He said he has a wife-to-be waiting on him at home and wants to change.

“The hardest thing is being away from my family,” Anderson said. “But if I spend eight months getting my life together, they will wait on me.”

While at the farm, residents are not allowed to have contact with anyone outside of the farm. No pagers, cell phone or i-Pods.

“This is a good place to find yourself,” he said.

‰ Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.