Exodus Homes' Partnership With Catawba County ABC Board Makes An Impact at Statewide NC Association of ABC Boards Conference
08/08/08
The North Carolina Association of ABC Boards
held it's annual conference July 20-22, 2008 in
Myrtle Beach,
S.C. with the presence of Exodus Homes
from Hickory, N.C. adding a unique dimension to
the program of events. Incorporated in 1960, the
NC Association of ABC Boards represents over 140
county and municipal ABC boards operating throughout
North Carolina, working with its members to
promote responsible alcohol sales through control,
provide the highest level of service, and generate
revenue for North Carolina communities. This
year's conference included a
session featuring innovative
partnerships between local ABC boards
and community organizations that prevent underage
drinking and support alcohol
rehabilitation. Catawba County ABC Board's
partnership with Exodus Homes was held up as a model
for grassroots efforts
to provide supportive housing for
homeless recovering addicts, alcoholics, and formerly
incarcerated people returning to the community
from treatment centers and prison. Susan Smith,
Exodus Homes Assistant Executive Director,
represented the United Way agency with a fast
paced presentation that left participants
wanting to know more about their partnership
with Catawba County ABC and how it might be
replicated in other areas of the state. Joe
Wall, NCAABC Board Executive Director said, "I was
amazed to hear about Exodus Homes'
effectiveness with homeless recovering alcoholics,
and even more impressed with the progressive way that
the Catawba County ABC Board has supported their
work."
Ms. Smith described how the Catawba County ABC Board has provided funding for the past four years to support the program's transportation service which is crucial to the overall operation of the supportive housing program. She said "Ray Abernathy, General Manager of the Catawba County ABC Board heard about our need and was very helpful in making it possible for us to present a request to the full board. Over the years they have become strong supporters of our program, and have truly helped us survive the steep increase in gas prices during an economic downturn in our area." Her presentation highlighted the creativity of their support in how they have directed material donations from the community to the program, funded the addition of a mechanical lift on their 24 ft box truck used in social enterprises of the agency, and donated a late model vehicle in excellent condition. Clyde Sigmon, a Catawba County ABC Board member and immediate past president of the NC Association of ABC Boards was very pleased with the reaction to the Exodus Homes presentation, saying "We know we have made a difference in our community with this partnership, and the Exodus Homes' presentation gave ABC representatives from across the state new ideas to help us collectively accomplish our mission."
Exodus Homes also had an exhibit table during the conference, and many participants came to pick up additional information or watch the film about the faith based organization that was produced by the Jackson Group Interactive. Many stopped to marvel at the size of Exodus Homes with 94 people in ten locations, it's ability to reduce neighborhood crime, reduce prison recidivism, and redeem public nuisance properties as an additional benefit of providing supportive housing to homeless recovering addicts, alcoholics, and formerly incarcerated people. Randy Isenhour, current chairman of the Catawba County ABC Board observed the impact that Exodus Homes had on the conference and remarked "This clearly demonstrates the importance of local ABC boards and our ability to manage our resources for the greater good in our communities."
For more information about the NC Association of ABC Boards, please contact Joeseph Wall at JWall@jordanprice.com. For more information about Exodus Homes, contact Susan Smith at susansmith@charter.net
Ms. Smith described how the Catawba County ABC Board has provided funding for the past four years to support the program's transportation service which is crucial to the overall operation of the supportive housing program. She said "Ray Abernathy, General Manager of the Catawba County ABC Board heard about our need and was very helpful in making it possible for us to present a request to the full board. Over the years they have become strong supporters of our program, and have truly helped us survive the steep increase in gas prices during an economic downturn in our area." Her presentation highlighted the creativity of their support in how they have directed material donations from the community to the program, funded the addition of a mechanical lift on their 24 ft box truck used in social enterprises of the agency, and donated a late model vehicle in excellent condition. Clyde Sigmon, a Catawba County ABC Board member and immediate past president of the NC Association of ABC Boards was very pleased with the reaction to the Exodus Homes presentation, saying "We know we have made a difference in our community with this partnership, and the Exodus Homes' presentation gave ABC representatives from across the state new ideas to help us collectively accomplish our mission."
Exodus Homes also had an exhibit table during the conference, and many participants came to pick up additional information or watch the film about the faith based organization that was produced by the Jackson Group Interactive. Many stopped to marvel at the size of Exodus Homes with 94 people in ten locations, it's ability to reduce neighborhood crime, reduce prison recidivism, and redeem public nuisance properties as an additional benefit of providing supportive housing to homeless recovering addicts, alcoholics, and formerly incarcerated people. Randy Isenhour, current chairman of the Catawba County ABC Board observed the impact that Exodus Homes had on the conference and remarked "This clearly demonstrates the importance of local ABC boards and our ability to manage our resources for the greater good in our communities."
For more information about the NC Association of ABC Boards, please contact Joeseph Wall at JWall@jordanprice.com. For more information about Exodus Homes, contact Susan Smith at susansmith@charter.net