I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
In rural Middlesex County, there are not many options when it comes to places where young people can go and mingle and relax. The Foundry Middlesex, a faith-based youth center for middle school and high school aged students, is one place providing a safe and welcoming environment for area youth. All students are welcome regardless of their faith journey.
The 501 (c) (3) nonprofit opened its doors in January 2024 and is in the Topping area of Middlesex County. During the school year, The Foundry offers the only after-school program of its kind in Middlesex, as well as a few summer activities. In conjunction with the group’s mission, students have the opportunity to build friendships, grow as individuals, learn new skills and develop a path for their futures, all within a supportive, non-denominational, faith-based environment.
The center is the creation of Reverend Aaron Wells and his wife, Bonnie, former nurse at Middlesex County High School. They relocated in September with their family to Florida to serve a new church there. Prior to the Wells’ departure, The Foundry hired Urbanna resident Beth Justice as Program Director. A dozen volunteers help her operate The Foundry, which serves about 18 young people at the present. The Foundry relies on donations from civic organizations, businesses, churches and individuals. They are also exploring opportunities for grants. The organization is overseen by a Board of Directors, headed by chairman H.C. (Skip) King, Jr.
Beth Justice, Program Director
“Currently we can serve as many as 25 kids, so we do have some openings,’ Justice explains.
Justice notes the current 25-person limit is due to facility size and volunteer staff availability. The monthly fee for the school year after-school program is 50 dollars per month per household, which includes center activities and snacks. A scholarship program is available. Along with Justice, vetted volunteers demonstrate and teach life skills rooted in faith-based values and principles. The volunteers submit to a strict background check and are certified in first aid and CPR.
In the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, The Foundry will be open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3 to 6 p.m., in addition to hosting special events. One Friday night each month, The Foundry hosts “Game Night,” where kids play the “Minute to Win It” game, or enjoy “Karaoke Night.” They devour pizza and are encouraged to invite friends to come and join in the fun. They are also planning to add “Family Night” on occasion for the upcoming school year.
Students can come from other area localities if they can find transportation to The Foundry. However, Middlesex County Public Schools have been accommodating for county students that need transportation after school to The Foundry. Justice notes, “We have a lot of kids that get off the school bus here. Family members pick them up at the end of the day. They must be signed out by the authorized person.” She adds, “We also have a few students who come here who are homeschooled.”
The Foundry is unique due to an emphasis on behavior and choices consistent with faith- based principles.
Justice, who also serves on the Town of Urbanna’s Town Council, is a Middlesex native well- known in the area and in Central Virginia because of her years as a lead singer with the classic rock band Sweet Justice. She recalls that she was “in between day jobs”, when she noticed a newspaper ad in the local weekly newspaper announcing the program director vacancy. She had spent 23 years working as an interpreter for the deaf, both in the school system and for the Community Services Board. In that capacity, she gained experience working with young people.
“I was praying that God would send me a fulfilling job where I could make a difference, in addition to singing,” she recalls, adding that her grandfather was a minister. When she saw the ad for The Foundry job vacancy, Justice says, “I felt God was tapping on my shoulder.” After seeing the ad for three weeks, she finally called, applied for the job and was hired.
Reverend Wells designed and built the current facility. There is a living room-like area with a comfortable sofa and overstuffed chairs. Scriptures are prominently displayed on one wall, while vinyl records fill another wall. Tables adjacent to the living room area are stacked with books and board games. There is a ping pong table, an air hockey table, a foosball table and a large television with Wii games, a chess set at a table waiting for players and a pool table dominating the center of the room. A colorful snack bar anchors one side of the large open area, along with a separate coffee bar. The Foundry’s coffee bar’s sign, COFFEE, is an acronym stands for “Christ offers forgiveness for everyone everywhere”
Tables and chairs where students can work on various crafts or projects adorn the room, and three desktop computers are set up with desks and chairs for participant use. These computers connect with Middlesex County Schools’s network. A permanent stage with its own sound system is available for music events, talent shows and karaoke. There is an inside cornhole game and an arcade wall featuring full-size, professional video arcade games like Pac-Man, The Simpsons and NBA Jam.
Middlesex resident Caylee Walsh, who will be 16 soon, was homeschooled and has already graduated from high school. She begins classes this fall at nearby Rappahannock Community College and plans to become a registered nurse. “I’ve been going to The Foundry since it opened. I’ve made a lot of friends there. I was very shy when I started going there, but my shyness has gotten better,” Walsh says. “It’s fun and gives you experience in things you have never done before. It’s very hands-on. The Christian part I enjoy, because it helps me know more about God.”
Earlier in 2025, the Middlesex County Animal Shelter, endured a time of crisis after a dog with parvovirus was surrendered to the shelter. In addition to a massive cleaning effort, the shelter had to discard all food, dog bedding and supplies as part of its efforts to stop the spread of parvo, a highly contagious deadly virus. Justice told the Foundry students about the need at the shelter and suggested any donations as a good community service.
Using her own money, Walsh purchased two large bags of dog food, toys, blankets and treats. Her donations were augmented by other Foundry students who donated additional blankets that Walsh and Justice took to the shelter.
Justice says stories like Walsh’s are also part of The Foundry’s story, which includes encouraging volunteering and community service. Last year Justice showed the kids YouTube videos about the devastation in western North Carolina caused by flooding and mudslides that accompanied Hurricane Helene. Foundry students later were asked to help the Middlesex Moose Lodge in Hartfield, Virginia. They loaded local trucks that traveled to North Carolina bringing needed supplies to Hurricane Helene victims.
“I felt very happy doing that because I like helping others,” Walsh says about loading trucks alongside other Foundry students. “I felt bad for the people who lost their homes, and it made me feel grateful that I could help.”
Jaelyn Shepherd, 17, a rising senior at Middlesex High School, says The Foundry’s Christian emphasis “is a positive.” “If you are not familiar with the Lord, you will be immersed here. Some of the kids who come are in a shell and keep to themselves at first, but you can make friends here,” Shepherd says.
For the after-school programs, a typical afternoon starts with iced tea or water and snacks. We also have the coffee bar area which includes hot chocolate. “When the kids first get here after a long day at school, they’re hungry,” Justice says. “The Food Pantry at The Cryer Center helps by providing food to us. The volunteers also like to “chip in” occasionally, bringing their homemade meals and desserts for the kids to enjoy. Sometimes, I will bring groceries to prepare food for the group with the students who have culinary interests. For example, a pasta bar with different sauces and fixings. It’s satisfying for everyone involved!
They kids come in, socialize, eat and shake off the stresses of the school day for about an hour before we do anything else. Then we might sit in a half circle and talk. Sometimes the kids will write in their journal, create vision boards or talk about everyday issues they are experiencing. For example, youth struggles, teen angst or the loss of a loved one.”
Justice continued, “They play a lot of physical games! They love to play pool! The basketball goals are also a favorite located in the back of the facility. Throwing the football and playing other ball games are popular. It’s important that they get some exercise and run off all the energy they have cooped up from the day before they go home. If they are upset about something at school, we want to make sure they have someone who will listen with care and understanding. We gently encourage them to take concerns to God in prayer. Our goal is to be mentors who support, guide and uplift them as they navigate life.”,
“They love to participate in art and hands-on projects, and they love to sing,” she adds. “They like participatory music. We had an open mic [microphone] event, and the kids who take band at school brought their instruments, including a tuba!”
The Christian aspect of the program includes activities centered around faith. Justice explains, on St. Patrick’s Day, we showed a video about the real Saint Patrick. For Easter, we took them to see the animated ‘King of Kings’ movie.”
Justice says sometimes the older kids will mentor younger students. She is gratified to see the effects of The Foundry, recalling one young man who at first would just come in and do activities by himself. “Now he’s participating with the kids and singing in karaoke!” she says. “That’s the beauty of this place. We also have wonderful volunteers. Another volunteer brings his dog, Major, with him, and the kids love the dog.”
Justice says the staff and I focus on positive peer relationships, healthy social interaction, supportive friendships, community service, and faith filled hearts, along with a focus on real- world issues.
Our program also features guest speakers who introduce students to a wide range of career opportunities, helping them explore future possibilities and connect learning to real life goals. A recent speaker was Kasey Law, C & F Bank manager. She taught financial literacy to the kids, like the importance of having good credit scores and how to budget their money. On another day introducing careers, an Army recruiter came to talk to the students about what the military offers in careers and benefits. “We want them to have good ideas about their career choices,” Justice notes.
Although The Foundry is not technically open in the summer, there are some events on this summer’s agenda. Plans include a pool party, cookout, fishing off the dock of an area private home, trips to see a movie at Compass Cinema Six in Kilmarnock (participants must pay for their own movie tickets) and participating at Camp Piankatank.
“At The Foundry, they receive healthy socialization, we teach them old-school board games and teamwork. They are encouraged to get their heads out of their phones. They learn life skills, and we talk about how God is involved in our lives,” Justice adds.
Jaelyn Shepherd says, “The Foundry has changed my life for the better and brought me closer to people. I would like to give a big thanks to Miss Beth and the volunteers for helping me and giving me many opportunities.”
If you are interested in more information, please contact them at: www.thefoundrymiddlesex.org or Telephone: (804) 348-8059. Donations may be mailed to The Foundry Middlesex PO Box 121, Locust Hill, Virginia 23092. Please contact us if you would like to volunteer. Your generosity and involvement help us continue our mission at The Foundry: “Melting Barriers and Forging Futures.”