The Foundry Skills Development Center selected for funding that keeps mentorship and life skills training free for fatherless and under-fathered young men in the Vicksburg area.
America’s Christian Credit Union (ACCU) and actor and author Kirk Cameron have awarded a ministry grant to The Foundry Skills Development Center, a Vicksburg-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to sustain free practical skills mentorship for fatherless and under-fathered young men ages 9–18 across the region.
ACCU is the only full-service, federally insured financial institution in America built exclusively to serve Christians, churches, ministries, and faith-based organizations nationwide. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Glendora, Calif., ACCU partnered with Cameron to identify ministries making measurable local impact through Christian-centered service. The Foundry was selected for its focused mission of mentoring young men who lack consistent father figures, equipping them with practical life skills grounded in Christian values and ensuring no financial barrier prevents a young man from participating.
The Foundry’s programming takes a two-pronged approach: teach young men the practical skills they lack, and deliver that instruction through the direct mentorship of Christian men. Males aged between 9–18 are grouped by age and skill level and learn hands-on basics like how to use tools safely, fix a faucet, jump-start a car, maintain a lawnmower, and grill a meal. Sessions open with devotionals, grounding the work in faith and giving young men a picture of what responsible, engaged manhood looks like. For many participants, the men at The Foundry are among the few consistent male influences in their lives. All programming is provided completely free of charge to participants and their families.
“We exist to make sure that the resources of the Christian community are working for the people and organizations doing Kingdom work on the ground,” said Frank Clement, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at America’s Christian Credit Union. “The Foundry is exactly the kind of ministry this partnership was designed to support: serving neighbors, removing barriers, and doing it with excellence.”
The grant will allow The Foundry to continue providing its programming at no cost, ensuring that financial barriers never prevent young men in the Vicksburg area from accessing the mentorship, life skills development, and practical instruction the ministry offers.
To learn more about America’s Christian Credit Union’s mission and membership, visit americaschristiancu.com/about. To support or connect with The Foundry Skills Development Center, visit thefoundryms.org.
About America’s Christian Credit Union
America’s Christian Credit Union (ACCU) is the only full-service, federally insured financial institution in America built exclusively to serve Christians, churches, ministries, and faith-based organizations nationwide. Founded in 1958 by five Nazarene pastors in Southern California, ACCU safeguards nearly $1 billion in assets on behalf of more than 150,000 members and 2,000-plus faith-based organizations, without compromising the values that make it unique. As a member-owned credit union, ACCU returns profits to its members, stands by them in times of adversity, and ensures that every dollar on deposit is doing Kingdom work. Learn more at americaschristiancu.com
About The Foundry Skills Development Center
The Foundry Skills Development Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Vicksburg, Miss., with a focused calling: mentoring fatherless and under-fathered young men ages 9–18 through hands-on, practical life skills training rooted in Christian faith. Through programming designed specifically for young men who lack consistent father figures in their lives, The Foundry equips young men with the character, confidence, and capabilities to thrive. All programming is provided free of charge. Learn more at thefoundryms.org