To the Editor:

My name is Lea Bates and I am the Pastor and Administrator of the new Esther Academy in Blue Ridge, Ga. The Esther Academy is a faith based, Christ centered home for women who are struggling with alcohol and/or drug addictions. With the introduction of this facility to the surrounding communities, we are offering hope to those who otherwise might not be able to find it.

This new home will house 18 women, and offers a 9 month program which will focus on the restoration of the women who are enrolled. They will be taught how to live a new life… free from addictions through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Improved employment, life, and coping skills taught at the Esther Academy will assist the women to live their lives more fully and help reduce the rate of women repeatedly returning to incarceration. Also, they will be trained in the life skills needed to further their potential to society when they graduate from the academy. We believe that this home will be a place of hope for many women. It will open the door to a whole new beginning.

The Esther Academy operates under the covering of Bridge of Hope International, Inc. Both the goal and purpose of Bridge of Hope International is "linking communities to hope."

If you would like more information on this organization, you may contact Pastor Lea Bates at The Esther Academy (706) 258-2395. If you would like to contribute to this non-profit organization, you may send your correspondence to Bridge of Hope International Ministries, PO Box 968, Morganton, GA, 30560.

Lea Bates