In Loving Memory Of Kathy Biedenharn

It is with heavy hearts that we honor the life and legacy of our founder, Kathy Biedenharn.
In 1983, Kathy heard an offender make a simple statement: “I need a place to live and a job.” While many would have heard only a problem, Kathy heard a calling. That moment became the foundation of City of Faith and a mission that would impact countless lives for generations to come.
Kathy had a heart for helping the people others did not want to help. She believed that every person deserved an opportunity to rebuild their life, regardless of their past. Her faith, compassion, and unwavering belief in second chances became the cornerstone of everything City of Faith would become.

She was never content to lead from a distance. Kathy was hands-on, approachable, and deeply invested in the lives of the people we served. She loved preaching to residents, speaking with them personally, and helping them navigate life’s challenges. She expected accountability, encouraging residents to keep our facilities clean, get their lives together, and pursue successful futures. At the same time, she challenged staff to go the extra mile, meet people where they were, and never lose sight of the humanity behind every struggle.

Kathy’s belief in the mission was unwavering. When she launched the Little Rock facility, there was no guarantee a contract would be awarded. Yet she moved forward with courage and conviction, trusting that if the mission was right, the opportunity would follow. That faith and determination became a defining characteristic of her leadership.
Those who knew Kathy will also remember the pride she took in presenting herself professionally. She was always well put together, carrying herself with confidence, dignity, and purpose. She understood that representing the mission meant setting an example for others.

For Kathy, City of Faith was never simply about providing housing or employment. It was about Inspiring Commitment—commitment to personal growth, responsibility, faith, hard work, and the belief that a better future was possible. She inspired commitment in the residents she served, the staff she led, and the communities she impacted.

What began with one woman’s response to a simple need grew into something far larger than she could have imagined. Through her vision, more than 30,000 individuals have received opportunities for housing, employment, guidance, and support. Families have been reunited. Lives have been restored. Communities have been strengthened. More than 3,000 employees have found purpose and meaningful careers serving alongside her mission.

Today, the ripple effects of Kathy’s work continue to spread far beyond the walls of our facilities. Every success story, every second chance, and every life transformed stands as a testament to her belief that people are capable of change and worthy of hope.

While we mourn her passing, we celebrate a life of extraordinary service, faith, courage, and compassion. Her mission did not end with her—it lives on in every person who carries forward the work she began.
Thank you, Kathy, for seeing possibilities where others saw problems, for believing in people when others would not, and for dedicating your life to helping others find a better path forward.

Your legacy will continue to inspire us for generations to come.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23

A Service will be held to honor Kathy on Monday June 7th at 11 AM at 208 Lincoln St, West Monroe, LA 71291 at Christ Church.