Terrance Blanding and Tony Garner register to vote with Carolyn Connor of Exodus Missionary Outreach Church during the Greater Hickory Ministerial Alliance Get Out The Vote Rally Saturday at the Brown Penn in Ridgeview. Exodus Missionary Outreach Church provided transportation to the polls for those who wanted to take advantage of the last day for early voting. Terrance Blanding, 22 years old, joins the high number of first time voters in this year's election. The bipartisan effort helped people register to vote, and gave the League of Women Voters comprehensive Voter Guide to those going to the polls as part of the Rally.    



    

The Brown Penn Gym in the Ridgeview neighborhood of Hickory was packed today with a crowd of approximately 400 who turned out for the Exodus Homes Community Outreach event. A primary focus of the event was free HIV testing done via mouth swab with results available during the event, as well as information about how to protect against HIV infection. Rev. Reggie Longcrier, Exodus Homes Executive Director, explained, "The alarming HIV infection rates in the African American community can and must be addressed. We cannot afford to wait on this issue." The statistics on HIV and AIDS in the USA clearly show that all races are affected, but that ethnic minorities account for a disproportionate number of cases in most states. African Americans are particularly severely affected by the virus, and relatively high rates of HIV can be found in virtually every sector of the community. The latest Centers for Disease Control report1 on the US epidemic shows that in 2006, 73% of people diagnosed with AIDS were men. Within the African American population, men represent 64% of AIDS cases. Women comprised 36% of all African Americans diagnosed with AIDS in 2006.4 Black women represented 66% of AIDS diagnoses in women in 2006, though just 12-13% of American women are black.

The HIV testing initiative was a partnership between United Way sister agencies Exodus Homes and ALFA with support from Fairgrove Primary Health staff, and members of Exodus Missionary Outreach Church.. The demand from those who came was so great that they ran out of HIV tests by the end of the event, but were able to refer those turned away to make an appointment for testing with the two health care agencies in the future. Jennifer Hart Dockey, ALFA Executive Director, said "The Exodus Homes' outreach events are very effective in drawing people in for HIV testing, and we appreciate these creative opportunities that help us accomplish our mission." Laura Huffman,
RN with Fairgrove Primary Health was surprised at the number of people who came forward to be tested, "This outreach event was an amazing way to take preventive health care to the community."

Pauline Cooke and Alfred Cooke, long time volunteers for Exodus Homes recently commissioned a portrait of Executive Director Rev. Reggie Longcrier to compliment the United Way agency's office renovation that occurred this year funded by the Beaver Foundation and the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation. The portrait was created by local artist Lindsay Barrick and includes a quote from Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, let us talk this over saith the Lord: No matter how deep the stains of your sins, I can take them out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained red as crimson, I can make you white as snow. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land." Pauline Cooke explained their desire to do this, "We love Rev. Longcrier, and admire the tremendous impact Exodus Homes has had on this community. We are very proud to be a part of such a great organization." 

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

On Sunday evening June 29, 2008 a 30 member youth group from Winkler's Grove Baptist Church in Hickory descended on Exodus Homes' main complex to learn about the faith-based United Way supportive housing program and give it a landscaping make-over. The group saw a film about Exodus Homes, participated in a question and answer session with Assistant Executive Director Susan Smith, and talked with Exodus residents who shared their success in recovering from drug addiction, alcoholism, and incarceration. The youth and their adult leaders then proceeded to weed all of the flower beds in the 14 unit apartment complex at 122 8th Ave. Dr. SW in Hickory, and then decorate each unit's porch with beautiful flowering plants in attractive pots. At the end of the project, the group is seen here celebrating what they learned about Exodus Homes, and their contribution to the program.

The Exodus Homes and Exodus Missionary Outreach Church "We Do Recover" community outreach event drew a packed crowd of 300 people to the Brown Penn Gym in Ridgeview on Saturday. The event included free HIV testing by the Aids Leadership Foothill Alliance (ALFA) plus outreach from the Hickory Police Department DAVID PACT unit, and the Hickory Fire Department. Free clothes, food, groceries, furniture, hair cuts and manicures were given away to those who came for hope and encouragement that recovery from addiction, incarceration or any traumatic life experience is possible. Sgt. Mike Beam of the Hickory Police Department is seen holding Jalil Smith with Amber Jones and Keisha McClem who attended the outreach event.

Members of the Young Women of Distinction, an Exodus Homes United Way youth outreach program, are seen with their founder and director Sylvia Ratliff after performing an African dance at the Juneteenth community celebration in the Brown Penn ball field in Ridgeview on Saturday. Young Women of Distinction currently has 7 adult female mentors working with 12 youth and strives to inspire young women ages 7-17 to be strong and intelligent while respecting themselves and the world around them. Dance is one of many positive activities offered to help them develop healthy self esteem and creative expression. In the group photo Ms. Ratliff is seen down front with the young women from left to right; Emerald Abernethy, Labrecia Jenkins, Tiffany Gray, Amber Abernethy, Akira Jenkins, Adriana Galindo-Tabron, Jayana Linder, LaTia Tucker, and Adia Tabron.

Rev. Reggie Longcrier is seen admist the recovery community crowd that turned out to celebrate Memorial Day at the Exodus Homes main site in Ridgeview. Approximately 250 people took part in the day long festivites that included Exodus Homes residents, program graduates, their families, friends, Exodus church members, and  and 14 inmates from Catawba Correctional Center who came out on community passes with prison ministry volunteers. The day began with a 12 step recovery meeting and open discussion held in the parking lot followed by  games, music, and lots of great food cooked and served by Exodus Homes residents in honor of all those who have served our country in the military.

Fran Syptak, President of the Catawba Valley League of Women Voters is seen handing out free copies of the pocket Constitution to members of the community that turned out for the Last Chance For Early Voting Rally that was held today in Optimist Park in Hickory. Exodus Homes volunteers helped coordinate the rally, which included a cook-out and free transportation to the Highland Recreation Center early voting site.

Richard Armstrong recently donated a two story 2000 sq. ft. cinder block building in Long View that was formerly St. James Masonic Lodge to Exodus Homes, a United Way faith based supportive housing program for homeless recovering addicts, alcoholics, and formerly incarcerated people. Mr. Armstong says he and his wife prayed about what to do with the building, then decided to support Exodus because of their excellent reputation and outstanding work in the community. Exodus Homes is considering several options for use of the building.

Pictured  from left to right are Jerry Ratliff, Exodus Homes Director of Operations; Rev. Reggie Longcrier, Exodus Homes Executive Director; and Richard Armstrong.

Catawba County Sheriff David Huffman, Wal-Mart, and Voyss Solutions teamed up to help Exodus Homes by providing a state-of-the-art telephone system to the organization.

Exodus Homes, a faith-based United Way non-profit agency has experienced tremendous growth over the past few years. However, the success of their program meant that they eventually outgrew their homemade phone system. “We don’t know much about phones, but we did our best with what we could piece together from local office supply companies,” said the Reverend Reggie Longcrier, Exodus Homes Executive Director.

With no interoffice intercom and frequently unable to get an outside line, staff had become accustomed to using their cell phones as a way to do business.

Susan Smith, Assistant Executive Director, began to search for a solution to the telephone problem and was directed to Voyss Solutions, a North Carolina-based communications and IT sales and marketing company. After evaluating Exodus Homes’ needs, Voyss Solutions management developed a plan to meet the current needs of the organization and to position Exodus Homes for future growth. As part of Voyss Solutions’ corporate commitment to the communities it serves, the company donated the $7000 cost of wiring and labor. An additional $10,000 would be needed for the telephone hardware.

Sheriff Huffman, a longtime friend of the supportive housing program, then sought help from Wal-Mart. “Exodus Homes is effectively reducing crime in our area, and they are allowing folks to re-enter society better trained, better equipped, and better people,” he noted. “We were happy to be able to help a program that does so much the community,” said David Cruse, Market Manager for Wal-Mart in North Carolina. “Wal-Mart is proud to work with Exodus Homes and help support the work they do to help our neighbors in need,” Cruse added. Exodus Homes plans future fundraising activities to raise the additional funds needed.

Exodus Homes, located in Hickory, NC, is a faith-based United Way agency offering transitional and permanent supportive housing for homeless recovering addicts, alcoholics, and formerly incarcerated people returning to the community from treatment programs and prison. Exodus Homes has a comprehensive array of services to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of its residents

Exodus Homes residents and staff came out in force for the Ridgeview Neighborhood Litter Sweep on Saturday November 24, 2007. The faith-based United Way non-profit supportive housing organization takes great pride in helping improve the Ridgeview neighborhood where seven of its facilities are located.

White House Faith-Based and Community Initiatives National Summit on Prisoner Reentry

The Westin St. Bonaventure Hotel & Suites
404 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071

On November 27-28, 2007 the White House and the Departments of Labor and Justice will host the White House Faith-Based and Community Initiatives National Summit on Prisoner Reentry. On November 28, Exodus Homes will be presenting as one of three transitional housing programs whose excellence has catapulted them into the national spotlight as models for replication in other communities. The faith-based United Way agency provides 85 beds of supportive housing in ten locations in Hickory, and was one of three grassroots organizations that helped Hickory win All America City in June 2007. Exodus will co-present with The Next Door of Nashville, and The Corporation for Supportive Housing with sites all over the country. Susan Smith, Assistant Executive Director for the agency will represent Exodus Homes as she did last July at the White House. Rev. Reggie Longcrier, Executive Director says "We are honored to present our program in this first national summit, and hope other communities will come together as we have here in Catawba County to help individuals  successfully reenter society from prison."  

President Bush has placed unprecedented priority on breaking the tragic cycle of recidivism.  In announcing his Prisoner Reentry Initiative, he stated in his 2004 State of the Union Address -- “America is the land of the Second Chance, and when the gates of prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.” Over the course of the two-day summit, experts and innovators in the field will explore together the latest data, original research, and promising models for combating recidivism and joblessness among the formerly incarcerated.      

Each year more than 650,000 inmates are released from Federal and State prisons and return to their communities and families.  Addressing the tremendous human needs associated with recidivism requires that Federal, state, and local decision-makers partner with nongovernmental organizations—for-profit and nonprofit, faith-based and secular—to promote jobs, transitional housing, education, substance abuse treatment, positive mentoring relationships, and other valuable transitional services. The N.C. Department of Correction says that 74% of people leaving prison are reincarcerated within 3 years. A recent study of individuals served in the Exodus Homes program from 1998 - 2004 show a dramatic decrease in recidivism. Of the 222 residents with a history of incarceration who had been discharged by December 31, 2004, only 29% had been reincarcerated to date. This remarkable study shows that Exodus Homes has decreased the recidivism rate for individuals with a history of incarceration by 45%.
      
Ms. Smith will be presenting on the synergistic working relationship between Exodus Homes, Exodus Missionary Outreach Church, Catawba Prison Ministries, and the community in "The Exodus Movement". Of primary interest to the national audience will be the fact that Exodus Homes is primarily funded and operated by its residents, with only 9% of its annual budget coming from federal sources, as well as community support with numerous creative partnerships. The most unique feature of the Exodus Homes program is the development of permanent supportive housing in the midst of the transitional program with small group living in apartments and houses that helps reduce crime in neighborhoods. Hickory Police Department statistics show that Exodus has reduced crime in the Ridgeview, Green Park, and Kenworth neighborhoods. The City of Hickory, the Hickory Police Department and the Western Piedmont Council of Governments all contributed to the development of the Exodus presentation for the Summit.    

Ms. Smith leaves for Los Angeles on Monday 11/26, and will return Thursday 11/29. She will be sending a Special Report from the summit to the media via e-mail on the afternoon of 11/28 after her presentation. For more information, you can contact her on her mobile phone at 828-962-8196 or at susansmith@charter.net.

Exodus Homes hit a home run yesterday at City Hall in Hickory with it's Stabilizing Communities presentation to a crowd of 100  who turned out to hear why the faith-based organization was asked to present at the White House this summer.  The audience of elected officials and their representatives from city, county, state and federal government were very impressed with the tremendous positive impact the program has had on the lives of its residents and this community. Many other influential community leaders, program staff, and Exodus board members attended, breaking out in spontaneous applause in response to the presentation about how transformed lives, urban renewal, crime reduction, and economic development are stabilizing our community. Once again, Chick Fil A showed up as the corporate sponsor for an Exodus Homes event, providing breakfast refreshments for participants willing to come out on such a rainy day.             
 
Rev. Reggie Longcrier, Exodus Homes Executive Director was very pleased with the event, saying "This tremendous turnout is a powerful demonstration of the community support that helped us get to the White House in July." Susan Smith, Assistant Executive Director of the United Way agency represented the organization at thehite House last summer, and gave a powerful overview of it's 12 locations in five neighborhoods, its operational structure, financial information, social enterprise development, crisis stabilization program, permanent housing component, and new direction for growing the program via managing rental properties for local landlords. Ms. Smith explained that after the White House presentation a high level HUD official approached her saying, "Your program is what we have been looking for all over the country because you're stabilizing the community".

Four Exodus Homes residents gave testimonies of how the program had transformed their lives with love, support services, and discipline. Danny Hearn, President of the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce, moved the audience with his personal experience on the All America City team getting to know one of the Exodus Homes residents on the trip to Anaheim, California. "This fellow was riding a plane for the second time in his life. The first time, he was shackled to the seat on his way to prison. This time he was flying with us as a member of the All America City team because Exodus Homes helped him, and gave him another chance."
 
In September, Anna Maria Faris, HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary for Grant Programs from Washington, D.C. came to learn more about Exodus after hearing Ms. Smith speak in July. Yesterday's City Hall event included remarks from a second federal guest, Teresa Chappell, Special Assistant to the Assistant Deputy Secretary of HUD, Mayor Bob Young who was not able to attend due to illness. Ms. Chappell is the Regional Coordinator to community and faith-based organizations in Region IV, which covers nine states including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. As a result of her accomplishments in the Federal Government Teresa was recently invited to serve as one of the People to People Ambassador Programs “Women in Society Delegation to China” in the winter of 2007.  In her rousing speech, she congratulated Exodus Homes for earning the attention of the White House because of its unique program design and outstanding accomplishments in the community.  Ms. Chappell also commended our community for the success of Exodus Homes saying "It takes a whole village to raise up an Exodus Homes to such excellence." She left the crowd with a deeper understanding of the federal faith-based and community initiative as well as encouragement that more help is coming to assist groups like Exodus Homes in future nationwide trainings called "Show Me The Money!" Hickory Mayor Rudy Wright presented Ms. Chappell with a key to the City in appreciation for her presence at the community celebration of a major Catawba County success story.           
 
For more information about Exodus Homes, you can visit them online at www.exodushomes.org, e-mail to susansmith@charter.net, or call the office at 828-324-4870.    

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.