How a local recovery program helped one Bright Star waitress find a new job + a new life [VIDEO]

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If you’ve been to The Bright Star Restaurant in Bessemer, you’ve probably seen Jody Rankins’ smiling face as soon as you walked through the doors.

Rankins has been serving at The Bright Star for two years and loves to brighten the days of her customers and hear their stories. It’s thanks to The Foundry Ministries that she gets this opportunity.

Here’s her story.

For Jody, showing up for work at The Bright Star every day is more than just a job. It represents a new life she found after overcoming addiction and graduating from The Foundry’s recovery program.

Jody became addicted to pain medication following a surgery in the early 2000s.

Even though she had no issues with addiction in the past, Jody found herself unable to stop taking her pain pills. Eventually, it became impossible for her to deny her problem.

“I was spending Christmas with my daughter and I ran out of pills. It became impossible to hide my addiction from my daughter any longer.

I told her I would go to a program just to get her off my back, but my intention was to go back home and get more drugs.

I got in my truck, went about a mile down the road and at a stop sign I heard a loud bump. My tire rod had broken. My daughter picked me up and said ‘I’m taking you to The Foundry.’

I wanted to go one way and God decided I was going to go another way.”

Jody Rankins

From The Foundry to The Bright Star Restaurant

During her time at The Foundry, Jody was not only able to recover from her addiction but also rebuild her life, which included finding a job at The Bright Star Restaurant.

Now, Jody serves locals and newcomers alike who come in for good Southern food and even better Southern hospitality.

“We have generations of people who have been coming for years and years. I waited on a couple celebrating their 60th anniversary who met here.”

Jody Rankins

Finding hope at The Foundry

Jody is one of many lives positively and permanently impacted by The Foundry.

So, how does this local recovery program do it?

Through a ministry and program centered around the love and joy of Christ.

Five program components are designed to guide participants from their first visit to graduation and beyond:

1. Counseling
2. Case management
3. Education
4. Employment readiness
5. Aftercare

Although the program ends after nine months, The Foundry commits to a life-long investment with each graduate. Their aftercare program establishes a support system available at any time.

Some of the aftercare services provided include:

• Church involvement opportunities
• Education services
• Individual counseling
• Resume building
• Transitional housing

Take Jody—she overcame her own addiction and now encourages others with her story.

See how The Foundry helps individuals like Jody find a path to a new life.

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