Exodus Homes Presenting at White House Roundtable Discussion

Jay Hein, Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives has invited Exodus Homes to participate in a White House Compassion in Action Roundtable, "Faith and Community-Based Partnerships to End Homelessness."  This discussion will occur on July 18, 2007 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Room 450. Susan Smith, Assistant Executive Director of Exodus Homes, will represent the faith-based United Way agency next week in Washington. Rev. Reggie Longcrier, founder and Executive Director of the organization, will remain in Hickory because the supportive housing program is full, Exodus Church is celebrating it's tenth anniversary this weekend, and many new initiatives are underway at Exodus Homes which was formed to act as the non-profit arm of Exodus Church. He says " This is a great honor for our staff and residents. Susan has been here since the beginning, and is very qualified to represent us on this great occasion."   

President Bush’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative flows from the conviction that the most effective way to address our communities’ most pressing needs is to draw upon the unique strengths of every willing community and faith-based partner.  This roundtable will explore a number of today’s most promising efforts to combat homelessness, each of which are built on this simple principle. Exodus Homes was chosen as one of three housing programs in the country to present at the Roundtable because of it's outstanding reputation as a progressive leader in providing transitional to permanent supportive housing for homeless recovering addicts, alcoholics and formerly incarcerated people.  
This Roundtable will feature Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Alphonso Jackson, who will discuss his Department's role in creating and promoting private/public partnerships to combat homelessness.  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will highlight promising models from its Unlocking Doors Initiative, which partners with city governments to engage faith-based and community organizations in developing affordable housing plans and promoting homeownership.  The event will also explore pioneering efforts through the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, including innovative partnerships with grassroots organizations to combat homelessness in communities across the country.   
The Roundtable audience will be comprised of 100 government officials, policymakers, foundation officials, philanthropists, faith-based and community leaders, and includes dialogue between the formal presenters and audience members. Ms. Smith will present a snapshot of how various kinds of HUD funds have been used in conjunction with other funding to "unlock the doors" of supportive housing for homeless recovering people in this area. The City of Hickory Community Development Program, Western Piedmont Council of Governments, N.C. Housing Finance Agency, and N.C. Emergency Shelter Grant Program have all been conduits of HUD funding to Exodus Homes. While HUD has helped Exodus "unlock the doors", numerous community  partnerships, and most importantly, the residents of Exodus Homes themselves have been the strongest sustaining elements that keep the lights on and the doors open. Their innovative grassroots work was recently featured before the National Civic League All America City competition in Anaheim, California where Exodus representatives helped the City win the prestigious award for the third time in forty years.
 
Ms. Smith will need Secret Service clearance for the event, and feels awed by all that has happened over the last ten years. She says "Ten years ago we were a small group sitting in a new church listening to Pastor Longcrier describe the vision God had given him for what is now Exodus Homes. I am blessed to be part of such wonderful work with so many dedicated people. To God be the glory, great things He has done."
 
Ms. Smith will leave for Washington next Tuesday and return on Thursday July 19, 2007. For more information, please call 828-962-8196.