The Men’s Recovery Program of the Foundry Ministries

Men’s Recovery Program
Image: foundryministries.com

As the president of Bravo Corporation, a successful pizza franchise in Birmingham, Alabama, Ramon Arias is tasked with the day-to-day operations of the company. In his spare time, Ramon Arias volunteers with the Foundry Ministries in Bessemer, Alabama, where he participates in the employment readiness program of the organization.

The Foundry Ministries is an organization dedicated to helping those who are homeless regain their lives by providing them with a home, proper food and diet, as well as training programs to help combat self-destructive habits.

One of the organization’s initiatives is the Men’s Recovery Program, which focuses on helping those who cannot afford a place to live or have been evicted from their homes. With campuses in Bessemer, the Foundry gives men a safe place to live, warm clothes, and daily essentials such as toiletries.

The recovery program also includes free medical and dental care, as well as therapy to assist in overcoming addiction and substance abuse. The Men’s Recovery Program implements a Christ-centered curriculum that allows for one-on-one counseling sessions, helping the men address issues they face in their lives and their relationships.

The Men’s Recovery Program also focuses on employment readiness, helping the participants re-enter society with the tools necessary to build a new life.

The Re-Entry Program at The Foundry in Alabama

The Foundry
Image: foundryministries.com

Ramon Arias leads the Bravo Corporation in Birmingham, Alabama. In addition to presiding over his considerable holdings in pizza franchises, Ramon Arias is active in charitable pursuits in the Birmingham, Alabama, area. He is especially involved with local ministry The Foundry.

Serving some of Alabama’s most underserved populations, The Foundry focuses on those from low-income backgrounds and who have struggled with substance abuse or the legal system. More than 1,000 men leave Alabama’s prison system each month, and more than a third of those people will find themselves re-incarcerated within a few years without intervention. The Foundry takes a faith-based approach to helping these individuals heal themselves and better their lives.

The Foundry operates a six-month-long Re-Entry program, which is designed to give former inmates the tools they need to thrive in work and life. The program helps participants meet basic needs, such as shelter and medical care. They also have access to a wealth of counseling services, Bible studies, and adult education classes.

During the second phase of the program, participating men are eligible to obtain full- or part-time employment outside of The Foundry. Once employed, former inmates may take advantage of opportunities in transitional housing, affording them extra support and accountability as they transition into mainstream society.