The Foundry’s mission is to develop leaders among the children and young people of a specific neighborhood, Bowling Green's West End. The focus is intended to be targeted—with a desire to maximize impact and concentrate resources. This concentration includes a focus on children, especially preschool-aged children. Even more specifically, it is designed to identify high potential children and famil
ies who might otherwise go unidentified and under-resourced. The goal is to build strong relationships with these children and families and enhance opportunities. Success is defined in children who might otherwise do “ok” instead thriving, succeeding, and leading in positive ways in our community. As one would imagine, this vision requires comprehensive and long-term efforts. Of all areas of focus, education becomes the primary tool for escaping the negative effects of poverty. Other initiatives, including physical fitness, community gardens, health-based initiatives, and neighborhood groups enhance and enrich life in the community. Under-girding all of this is a faith-based approach that is not merely focused on propositional evangelism without relationship. Instead, the faith aspects of this plan fuel a desire to commit to long-term development, increasing human dignity on both sides of “the tracks” and raising hope that God can and does change people and systems.
