Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Marlow-Foster.
Cynthia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello, my name is Cynthia Marlow-Foster. I’m the baby of 4 girls. I was born in Columbia, TN. At the age of 6 years. Old, I tried smoking marijuana for the first time. At 8 years old, I was molested, and at 91/2 years old lost my father in a fire at the Maury County Jail. That best friend was my father, Isaac Marlow. That day, my whole life started to fall apart, and I wondered how that could happen. Losing my father caused me to look for love in all the wrong places.
At the age of 13, I had my first child, and by age 161/2, I was a mother of three children. Not only did I have to raise my 3 kids, but I also had to raise my sister, whom I helped to read and write.
Still smoking marijuana at that age and in and out of abusive relationships with boys. At 18 years of age, I found the Love of my life. Mr. Crack Cocaine! He took me to places I said I would never go and found myself there anyway. In and out of jail and prison, and doing things the drugs and the street told me to do. I left my kids for the drugs and men, not knowing or realizing the pain I brought onto my kids. I ultimately gave them to my mother to keep them out of the trap house and the streets with me. I found myself lying to my kids over and over, telling them I would be back to never return for weeks or months at a time.
Many times, I would have sex with different people only to get one more of anything I could get my hands on. In and out of cars and hoping one day the pain would go away. I can remember my baby girl coming to the trap house looking for me and then telling me that I had to make a choice: either you get help or lose me out of your life forever. When she said that to me, it cut me like a sharp knife, piercing my heart. She then assured me that if I got help, she would be with me the whole way! Being a little confused and wondering what to do, I chose life.
My daughter was 18 years old at that time, and I realized I had missed out on all of her and my other kid’s childhood, for drugs.
Being 34 years old and running my whole life from reality, and not wanting to face the death of my father and the things that happened to me as a child. I went through a 2-year program that helped me find my voice and to stand on my truth. I now have 211/2 years clean. I love going back to helping others like myself. I help them regain their lives and hope that they never have to go back to jail, prison, or the streets. They have to do the work from the inside. It’s hard but necessary to get better.
While in the program, God came to me in a dream and told me. He had something for me to do! God called me by name, Cynthia, and said that God didn’t get me clean for me . He allowed me to get clean to save His people. I immediately said, I didn’t want to do it. I said I didn’t have any money, I’m not educated, and I’m not good enough! But God wouldn’t leave me alone. About 18 months into my recovery, I started the process in my field and started to work in recovery programs. About 9 years into my recovery, I went to my husband, who believed in my dream.
In 2016, I opened my first house in Nashville, TN, for women. In 2018, I rebanded to Merited Favor Safe House. While the change I was asked by the Tennessee Department of Corrections to take our program to a rural area, outside of my comfort zone. Which happens to be in Columbia, TN. So, my husband and I, along with my team, found a house in 2020. Our first resident came from Maury County Jail through Drug Court, where he stayed for 3 months alone. We now have our first houses. One for men and one for women. It’s crazy to me now, because looking back, almost 30 years ago, I did drugs in the same house I now save lives in 300 West 2nd Street, the house where we house men wanting recovery. For 6 years now, God has not failed me yet. Most of the men and women we have in our program come to us with no support and are indigent. God will provide for us each time. God keeps telling me to keep my focus on him for all my needs. God will also build you through the storm that may be in your life to show that he is in control of your storm. Merited Favor has made it. We do have a few private donors, quarterly or yearly. Our second house for women is located at 1206 East End Street, Columbia, TN.
We provide wrap-around, grief therapy, 12-step meetings/ groups, book study, one-on-one, and Spirituality. We
continue to search for volunteers and sponsors. My husband and I have yet to be paid for the services, but continue to give back what was given to us.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Merited Favor Safe House non-profit 501c(3)
We need sponsors and donors to help fund this great cause.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I help individuals come out of treatment, as well as prison and jails.
I created Merited Favor Safe House. Merited Favor Safe House is a non-profit 501c(3) 6-month program for individuals’ transition out of incarceration that provides housing. I am the same as the individuals I serve, coming from drug addiction,
Merited Favor helps them with housing and wrap-around service. We are a 6-month structured program.
Merited Favor is proud of changing lives. Merited Favor helps each individual come out of incarceration to gain their life back, to be able to receive new teeth, glasses, get a job, and stay clean without the use of drugs, to find their self-esteem. To finish their 6 months to receive their certification, to let them know that someone understands and meets them where they are in life. We allow them to be themselves.
What matters most to you?
Continuing to save lives
Pricing:
- $1000.00/housing each month per resident
Contact Info:
- Website: https://meritedfavorsafehouse1.com
- Facebook: Merited Favor Safe House
