Exodus Homes is a faith-based United Way agency, offering transitional to long-term supportive housing for homeless recovering people returning to our community from treatment programs and prisons. Exodus Homes has a comprehensive array of services to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our residents. Exodus Homes currently has 73 beds with 9 program locations. We have four major programs:
Supervised Independent Living * Prison Ministry and Post Incarceration Aftercare * Family Preservation and Family Reunification * Exodus Works Vocational Training Program
Click to download a brochure about Exodus Homes
Leadership Succession Begins at Exodus Homes
HICKORY – In 1997, the Rev. Susan Smith had just moved to Hickory from Charlotte and read a story in the Hickory Daily Record about how the Rev. Reggie Longcrier was founding a new church in the Dirk M. Thompson Mortuary Chapel. Exodus Missionary Outreach United Church of Christ was to be a multi-ethnic inner city ministry serving the least of these, especially those in recovery from addiction or incarceration. Smith showed up for the third service of the new church where she heard about the vision for a housing program for homeless recovering people, and the rest is history. She offered her help in creating the new program called Exodus Homes from her background and experience in managing residential programs, and soon she and Longcrier began a partnership that has spanned 27 years. With Longcrier as executive director and Smith as assistant executive director, the new organization experienced phenomenal growth. Today, Exodus Homes is an award-winning United Way agency with 75 beds and nine program locations in Hickory. Their chemistry and diversity at the top empowered staff and residents to do what many said could not be done.
Recently, Smith decided that it was time to step aside and make room for new leadership that could carry the organization to another level and a sustainable future. “My heart’s desire is that Exodus Homes will be here 50 years from now, and it is time for me to pass the baton of leadership. Great leaders must be intentional in passing the baton so that a smooth transition brings change most effectively. Developing Exodus Homes has been my life’s work and I will always be a strong supporter of the great work we do in transforming lives, reuniting families, and stabilizing the community. I will still be the senior associate pastor of Exodus Church which has always been the heartbeat of Exodus Homes. In this way, it is not goodbye, but just a change in the focus of my energy in the Exodus ministry,” she said. Smith will be leaving Exodus Homes after Labor Day to begin working at Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton as the Director of Grants and Sponsored Projects. She is excited about the new chapter in her life saying “I believe community colleges provide a great education and are crucial to the workforce development of any community. God has blessed me with this amazing opportunity and I am looking forward to making a difference in new ways at WPCC”.
Smith will be passing the baton to Carol Vandergift who will be the new COO/CFO of Exodus Homes. Vandergrift is an accounting and marketing professional with skills in strategic planning and organizational development. She has been with Exodus Homes for six years part-time in the business office and has been working with Smith this year on a transition plan, gradually assuming more responsibility and working with the board of directors on improving the fiscal management of the agency. Vandergrift is a high-energy go-getter and just the right person to succeed Smith. “As the new COO/CFO of Exodus Homes, I am honored to contribute to our mission, helping people in recovery transition from homelessness and incarceration to becoming productive citizens of the community. Many view transitions such as this as a challenging time, but I see it as an opportunity for growth and change” she said.
Longcrier fully supports Smith’s decision to pass the baton, saying “This is a bittersweet moment for us at Exodus Homes. No one will ever replace Susan. She has been a strong leader in the good times and the bad, including the two times she battled breast cancer when she never left her post. Our work together has been a demonstration of how two people so different can complement one another in partnership for the great works of God. Susan will still be with us in the church and we look forward to many more years of ministry together at Exodus.” Exodus Homes board president Wes Christopher is confident and optimistic about the agency’s future, saying “Rev. Longcrier and Carol Vandergrift have been working well together in the transition, and the board is here to support them in every way we can. We have many strong leaders in the staff team and it is a great time to be here at Exodus Homes.”
The board of Exodus Homes is asking the public to celebrate Rev. Smith’s 27 years of service by making a gift in her honor. All money raised will be used for gasoline and vehicle repairs for their fleet of 29 vans, minivans, cars, box trucks, and pickup trucks. Funding transportation for their residents as well as all the vehicles used in their vocational training program Exodus Works is always a challenge, and all gifts big or small will be appreciated. Those who make a gift will be listed on a beautiful acrylic wall hanging with an etched image of Rev. Smith that will hang in the lobby of the Exodus Homes office in Hickory. To make a gift, go to www.exodushomes.org and click the “Donate” button. In the memo line “Special Instructions to the Seller” add ” Gift to honor Rev. Smith.” People can also mail their gift to Exodus Homes, P.O. Box 3311 Hickory, NC 28603 or bring it to their offices at 610 4th St. SW in Hickory 28602.
New Life Thrift Store Manager – Darlene Sanders
Darlene Sanders is a graduate of Exodus Homes and is the Thrift Store Manager of the Exodus New Life Thrift Store, among many other things she does in the ministry. Darlene is friendly and upbeat – all of our customers love her. Darlene is ready to help you find that perfect piece for your home or office.
Exodus Works named Non-Profit Organization of the Year!!
Carolina Impact & Exodus Works
The Exodus Diaries
Exodus Homes and Exodus Missionary Outreach United Church of Christ has partnered with Redhawk Publications, an initiative of Catawba Valley Community College, to create Exodus Diaries, a collection of 14 short stories about the lives and transformations of people who have been a part of the Exodus Movement.
Rev. Reggie Longcrier, Executive Director of Exodus Homes and Senior Pastor of Exodus Missionary Outreach United Church of Christ Church explained, “The people whose stories that are highlighted in this book are representative of the thousands of people who have passed through the doors of Exodus Homes and Exodus Church. They have experienced a remarkable recovery from drug addiction, incarceration, and homelessness. This is not just a book about people in recovery but it is a book about people.”
Exodus Diaries was created to share hope with those seeking a place to heal and find support as well as enlighten others that it is never too late for anyone. This book proves we can recover, with heartfelt success stories from all over the human map. Exodus Diaries is for anyone looking for stories of redemption, faith, and freedom.
Purchase your copy of Exodus Diaries Here!
“FROM DISGRACE to DIGNITY” — NOW ON SALE!
Rev. Reggie Longcrier’s autobiography tells the story of his journey through 25 years of addiction and incarceration to his transformation into the award-winning man of God he is today. It is a powerful story that shows how as a young man he chose the wrong role models who led him to a personal hell where only God could rescue him. At times you will laugh over the crazy things he did and other times you will cry for the pain and sorrow he experienced. In the end, you see how God opened the door for him to become Chaplain of Catawba Correctional Center, a prison where he had once served time as an inmate. He had the keys to the gate where he was once locked up.
In the epilogue, he says “After going through the maze of addiction, incarceration, and foolish living, I finally made it out. Scores of others are still running around in the same maze like mice looking for fake cheese, and some may never find their way out. If this is you, listen to the small still voice inside that is trying to help you learn the lessons life has been trying to teach you. You don’t have to keep making the same mistakes over and over again. You don’t have to keep falling into the same traps time after time. God is real, and God can help you.
This is a great book for anyone struggling to learn a new way to live after addiction or incarceration and also for those who need hope for a friend or loved one. You can buy copies online through Exodus Homes by clicking the link below! Copies are $10.00 each plus $5.00 shipping.
Click the “Donate” button below to make a payment online for your copy of “From Disgrace to Dignity”. Please be sure to add how many copies you would like in the memo line where it says “Special Instructions to Seller”. All major credit/debit cards accepted.
Exodus Homes Featured on WBTV On Your Side!
“Turning Lives Around” Nonprofit Provides Housing for Homeless and Former Inmates
Our very own Catie Lawson wrote to WBTV, asking them to feature Exodus Homes on their special highlighting nonprofits, and they accepted! Click on the picture to see the clip that aired on January 15th, 2021.
OUR VIDEO
The video below lets you see “Exodus in Action”, by listening to residents, staff, board members, and community leaders talk about the impact of the program.
The video was produced in 2005, and features interviews with past and current residents. Many things have happened at Exodus Homes since this video was produced, but you can still see how much progress and growth the organization has had over recent years.
If you would like a copy of this video on DVD to share with a local community group or with your friends, please contact us at the contact information above.
Jackson Creative, a full-service video and multimedia company in Hickory, North Carolina, produced this video. Visit them at www.thejacksoncreative.com.
