Our Story

Foundation for Success Ministries was first imagined during a conversation between a retired woman pastor and a female inmate at the Williamson County Jail in Georgetown, Texas in the spring of 2007.  This inmate typified the plight of many women the Pastor met before and many after who were being left without homes, jobs, money or a means to begin life after incarceration.  As they talked, Rev. Joy Paulson and Leslie St.Aubin realized something had to be done. 

During their weekly “clergy visits” Joy was able to work with Leslie, providing reading material and answering questions, taking her from a desperate atheist  agonizing over the news she had just lost custody of her daughter to a born again Christian.   Over the next days and weeks with the help of Joy, Leslie began exploring what a personal relationship with Jesus Christ means; to planning Leslie’s release from jail; her move to Joy’s home and the first steps they needed to take to form a not for profit organization to answer the needs of women in prison and their transition back into the free world. 

Today FFS Ministries are a ministry serving women in and out of prison through discipleship, visits, and correspondence.  Discipleship involves providing Study Bibles and materials for Christian growth. Visits include personal, one on one visits with women in County and State Correctional Facilities.  Correspondence includes spiritual mentoring and pen pal connections with a Christian sister on the outside and a growing in Christ sister on the inside. 

After their release FFSM follows the heart of Matthew 25:40 - “The King will reply, 'I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these followers of mine, you did it for me!'” to house, clothe, feed and minister to the unique needs of new or renewed Christian women. 

Currently they field 75-100 requests monthly for bibles, books and bibles studies from women serving in county jail and state prison.  The current staff of two write to an average of 50 women a month, with personal letters sharing the hope and love of Jesus Christ.  Since their inception they have served over 500 women through their Foundations in the Word program.  Their Foundations in Christ Housing Program has seen 8 women living in the personal home of Joy; and the need exceeds what they can currently do. 

Joy and Leslie continue to field letters from women; in agony of their circumstances and feeling as though life no longer holds any hope.  They field joyous letters as women give their lives and hearts over to Jesus Christ.  Christian inmates share hope and refer other women to their programs on a daily basis.  And the needs and referrals continue to grow.