Friday January 7, 2011  •  7:00pm  •  FREE and all are invited!
Exodus Missionary Outreach Church, 1763 Highland Ave. NE, Hickory, NC 28601
 
The 7th annual “Giving Back” Gospel Concert will be held Friday January 7, 2011 7:00pm at Exodus Missionary Outreach Church in Hickory, and will feature the renown Exodus Missionary Outreach Church Gospel Choir under the direction of Minister of Music Zack Martin. Many of the choir members are current or former Exodus Homes residents or have received help in their prison ministry or community outreach. William Mangum, the Greensboro artist who created the nationally recognized Honor Card program that raises funds for homeless shelters during the holidays will be the featured guest. 
 
This year they have even more to be thankful for than in years past. The recession and extremely high resident unemployment has seriously impacted the program. In 2009 four people were laid off, salaries were cut, and health benefits eliminated. In October 2010 five executive staff began working without pay and two housing locations were closed to keep the doors open in the remaining six housing locations. A public appeal to save the organization went out at the end of November, and the community has responded with an outpouring of financial gifts and offers to help.  The organization has stabilized for the moment, but they are not out of the woods yet. The board and staff still have much work to do in streamlining the program so it can be sustained by available  revenue.   
 
Exodus Homes Executive Director Rev. Reggie Longcrier expressed his gratitude for the generosity of the community saying, “We want to thank all of our supporters for believing in us.  The community has spoken with their gifts and offers of help . We have received so many kind letters and notes that let us know they need us to survive. We can’t let them down. ”  Assistant executive director Rev. Susan Smith says their supporters have kept the program from being another statistic in the recession. “Individuals, churches and businesses have been very good to us this year, and helped us keep our doors open. Four other programs similar to ours have already closed; two in Statesville, one in Charlotte and one in Kannapolis.  Community based funding will be the key to our survival in the days to come.”                
 
The “Giving Back” Gospel Concert is an annual event that has become an end of holiday tradition for many in this area. Contemporary and traditional gospel music is performed by the Exodus Choir that is well known for its energy and  excellence. The audience is invited to clap their hands, stomp their feet, and get up and dance! Several current and former Exodus Homes residents will give brief testimonies of appreciation, and William Mangum will thank all those who sold or bought Honor Cards to help raise funds for Exodus Homes.  The Unifour Christian Fellowship Church Praise and Worship Team from Newton will sing from 6:30pm – 7:00pm as people are seated. People are encouraged to come a little early to get a good seat, as the event is usually very well attended.  Light refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall after the concert.
 
For more information  about the “Giving Back” Gospel Concert, contact Rev. Susan Smith 828-962-8196 or susansmith@charter.net.

Exodus Homes was featured in The Charlotte Observer in the article “Recovery agency fights through recession” (December 27, 2010).  The article profiles several of the Exodus Homes residents, and discusses the challenges we face at this time.

To read the full article online and view the photos/videos that accompany it, please click this link.

Exodus Homes, a faith Based United Way agency that provides supportive housing for recovering people returning to the community from treatment centers and prison, held a press conference today to tell the community that it is fighting to survive the recession.
 
Kevin McIntosh, chairman of the Exodus board, said today that they have lost $346,000 in revenue since 2008, and needs the community’s support to continue its work. Rev. Susan Smith, assistant executive director of the organization reported that the organization is experiencing a severe cash flow problem, and is months behind  in their bills and mortgages. “In the short term, we need to raise at least $75,000 to survive” she said, appealing to the community for donations.
 
Major cutbacks have already taken place, loans and mortgages are being deferred and restructured, and Exodus is canceling its annual Christmas Lights Festival and Food Crawl this year. “Sadly, the lights will be out at Exodus this Christmas,” McIntosh said.
 
The agency was founded in 1998 by Rev. Reggie Longcrier, and was built on an employment model. Its  primary funding has been from the residents who pay fees from wages they earn working jobs Exodus helped them obtain.  Since 2008, the loss of jobs and prolonged high unemployment in the area has made employing their residents almost impossible. Without jobs, they cannot pay their program fees. Exodus has also suffered significant funding cuts from other local, county, and state sources due to the effect the recession has had on them.
 
For the past 12 years Exodus has been a boon to the community. “Since 1998 we have helped almost 2,000 men and women become drug-free, productive, law abiding, tax-paying citizens” said Rev. Longcrier. “We have reunited families, and helped good people get jobs.” According to the Hickory Police Department, Exodus Homes has reduced crime significantly in areas where its program is located – especially in the Ridgeview neighborhood. Around the organization’s central campus, drug related calls to police have been reduced by 98%, and by 35 % in the neighborhood overall.  
 
Through Grants and other local, state, and national funding, rev. Longcrier estimates Exodus has brought over a million dollars into the community. The program has won many awards for excellence, and was a key part of the Hickory All-America City team that won that honor in 2007. Later that year staff was invited to speak at the White House because if the program’s effectiveness in stabilizing the community around it. In addition to supportive housing, the agency provides mentoring programs for at-risk youth, walk-in crisis services, after care, and outreach to the community, treatment centers and prisons.
 
With jobs disappearing from the area, Exodus took action. According to Rev. Smith, “One solution was to create jobs for our residents.  In 2007 we created  in our own enterprises called Exodus Works providing fully insured and affordable landscaping, moving, cleaning, odd jobs, and car detailing.  More recently we opened a thrift store on First Ave. SW to sell surplus donations. Despite the recession, our businesses have grown steadily and will surpass $100,000 in sales by the end of 2010.” Currently 20-25 Exodus Homes residents work in these enterprises  part time as needed.  New revenue from the thrift store and continued growth in Exodus Works will help in days to come.   
 
They have been struggling for some time. In early 2009, the agency laid off four people, cut salaries, eliminated health benefits, and closed two rental locations. More cutbacks and downsizing are needed, however. As a result, Exodus will close and sell two properties; a 16 bed men’s apartment building in the Green Park neighborhood and a five bed women’s home in the Kenworth neighborhood. They are not taking any new residents while they redesign the program.   In October, the executive staff began serving as volunteers to keep the doors open. They still have 63 beds and six housing locations. The plan is to continue operating primarily from the Ridgeview campus area where they have five facilities on 8th Ave. Dr. SW.  
 
Banks and other lenders involved with their six housing properties are working with Exodus to defer and restructure their loans, Rev. Smith reported. She said the board is working closely with their staff, bringing in a business consultant to help downsize and streamline the finances of the operation. “The Christmas lights may be out at Exodus this year,” she said, “but we will be back.” 
 
They need the community’s financial support to help us get from where they are to where they need to be. In the short term, they need to raise at least $75,000 to meet their current obligations and survive. Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams, Inc. have donated $5,000 and challenge other business to help them keep the doors open . Holy Trinity Lutheran Church gave $5,000 and the Episcopal Church of the Ascension has given $3,000.  They challenge other  churches to help “so homeless recovering people don’t have to sleep under bridges or go back to jail.” An anonymous donor has given $10,000
and challenges other individuals to contribute as well. Their annual Honor Card campaign kick-off will be held this evening at the  Exodus Church fellowship hall with Greensboro artist William Mangum who created the program to raise funds for homeless programs all over N.C.  They are hoping people will be generous in the end of year giving season. 
 
Kevin McIntosh is confident they will make it through the storm, saying “I have worked with Exodus for fourteen years and know from experience the staff can adapt and do whatever is necessary to survive. They’ve seen tough times before.  They have tremendous faith in God, and give 200% every day. They are not quitters, and they need your help.”  Rev. Longcrier said, “We need to work as if everything depends on us, and pray as if everything depends on God. Our problems are big, but our God is bigger.”

Monday November 22, 2010, 6:00pm
Exodus Missionary Outreach Church (www.exodusoutreachchurch.org for directions)
1763 Highland Ave. NE, Hickory, NC 28601
Please RSVP to susansmith@charter.net or 828-962-8196
 
Click this link to receive an order form for the 2010 Honor Card!

Inspired by a chance meeting between Greensboro artist William Mangum and a homeless man, the Honor Card program has raised more than $3 million for homelessness in North Carolina since the annual holiday program began 22 years ago. The 2010 Holiday Honor Card features the painting “Everybody Needs Somebody” by Mangum, depicting a solitude figure befriended by a caring soul. The Honor Card is produced at no cost to Exodus Homes by Wachovia Bank and William Mangum. Food for the dinner will be donated by Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, Jason’s Deli, and Tasteful Beans Coffeehouse. 
 
Revenue from the sale of Honor Cards is urgently needed because Exodus Homes’ operating budget has lost over $233,000 since 2008 due to high unemployment of our residents plus budget cuts from United Way, Mental Health, Catawba County ABC Board, and other funders. We are struggling to survive. Honor Cards are available for a minimum donation of $5 per card each holiday season with 100% of the proceeds going to provide services for homeless people. The Honor Card says a gift has been given to Exodus Homes in honor of the recipient, and has information about the program inside. It makes a beautiful gift, and many people use them as Christmas cards.  
 
This year’s honor card inspiration is a heartfelt true story of an individual reaching out to a North Carolina homeless vet in spring 2010. As a result of this friendship, both have benefited much and the vet now has an automobile detailing business and a roof over this head.
 
On Monday November 22. 2010 we are holding a 2010 Honor Card kick-off dinner with special guest William Mangum who will share his passion for this work and tell the true story of this year’s card.  We are inviting local churches, and business to send a representative to learn more about being an Honor Card coordinator for your organization. Individuals are also encouraged to attend! Honor Card coordinators are asked to take at least 25 cards and share with others how much a $5.00 or more donation will do to help Exodus Homes continue serving homeless recovering people. After the holidays are over, coordinators return the money raised and any unsold cards to Exodus Homes. 
 
This will be an inspirational evening to learn more about a gift that keeps on giving.  Please RSVP to susansmith@charter.net or 828-962-8196 and let us know who your representative will be. You are welcome to send more than one person!

510 1st Ave. SW, Hickory, NC 28602

The Exodus Works Thrift Store is now open and needs your help. The store helps provide vocational training for the residents of  Exodus Homes, a United Way agency that provides faith – based supportive housing for homeless recovering people. Revenue from the  Thrift Store is urgently needed because Exodus Homes’ operating budget  has lost over $233,000 since 2008 due to high unemployment of our residents plus budget cuts from United Way, Mental Health, Catawba County ABC Board, and other funders. Exodus Works is the social enterprise of Exodus Homes and creates jobs for our residents in landscaping, moving, odd jobs, and car detailing services. It is  doing well,  but not growing fast enough to support the housing program which is struggling to survive. The Thrift Store is a recent addition and donations of all kinds are needed.
 
We need new and gently used clothing, furniture, household items, appliances, and electronics.  Tax deductible donations can be brought to the warehouse Monday – Saturday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Donations scan be picked up  on Mondays and Saturdays by calling  Jerry Ratliff at 828-781-3222.
 
We also need customers! Our store is a pleasant place to shop for great bargains, and we have bi-lingual staff for Latino people. Please help us spread the word! For more information about items for sale in the store, call Thrift Store Floor Manager Johanna Leitch at 828-962-8199.  For more information about Exodus Homes contact Rev. Susan Smith at 828-962-8196, susansmith@charter.net, or go to www.exodushomes.org.
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Hickory City Ward 4 Alderman Hank Guess cuts the ribbon for the grand opening of the Exodus Works Thrift Store at 510 1st Ave. SW in Hickory on October 28, 2010. Those attending the event included Hickory Mayor Rudy Wright, Exodus Homes Board president Kevin McIntosh, other board members, staff, Exodus Homes residents, and people from the community. The store offers new and gently used clothes, furniture, appliances, household items, and electronics. Store hours are Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm, Saturday 8:00am – 4:00pm. For more information about items for sale in the store, please call Johanna Leith, Exodus Works Thrift Store Floor Manager at 828-962-8199.  To donate items for the store, please call Jerry Ratliff at 828-781-3222.      

Watch the video below to take a quick tour of the Thrift Store (taken during the grand opening event):

Thursday October 28, 2010  •  12:00pm  •  510 1^st Ave. SW  •  Hickory, NC 28602

Exodus Homes, a faith-based United Way agency providing 82 beds of supportive housing for homeless recovering people, is about to celebrate another dream come true.  In order to survive the recession, they have expanded their social enterprise, Exodus Works, to create jobs  for residents of the program in fully insured landscaping, moving, cleaning, odd jobs, general labor and mobile car detailing.  As part of  the plan to create more jobs and sell surplus donated items, they are opening a new thrift store at 510 1^st Ave SW in Hickory.   A Grand Opening ceremony and ribbon cutting will be held at noon on Thursday October 28, 2010 followed by light refreshments and tours. Rev. Reggie Longcrier, Exodus Homes executive director is excited about this new venture saying, “A thrift store has been part of the vision for many years and it is right on time. We are struggling to survive, and selling surplus donated items will help us make it to a better day.”

The  new thrift store will also house an office for Exodus Works, so that supervisors of the social enterprise can have more space to  work. ExodusWorks currently has three full time supervisors, 25 part time employees, and is the biggest employer of Exodus Homes residents.  The two story 9,000 sq. ft. facility also serves as a warehouse. Donated items such as furniture, clothing, and household goods not used in any of the 10 program locations of Exodus Homes will be rotated  through the store for sale.  Photographs of items in the warehouse will be available for customers to review if they don’t see what they need in the store.

Exodus Homes residents have been working for weeks to clean and sort items for sale in the store.  The United Church of Christ Linking In New Creative (LINC) ministry team representing four local churches worked to improve the outside of the store by replacing rotten wood, painting, and removing a large metal pole that had been used in the past to hold a sign.  Dave Leonetti, City of Hickory Senior Planner, and Sally Fox, Hickory City Council representative helped Exodus Homes locate the new warehouse after their previous warehouse downtown had been condemned last spring.

Ward 4 Hickory City Council representative Hank Guess will be on hand to cut the ribbon along with other city officials and Exodus Homes’ board members.  The public is invited to attend. Exodus Homes needs donations of furniture, clothes, and household items in good condition for the  82 residents of the program, and the thrift store. Donated items can be picked up if necessary by calling Exodus Homes Director of Operations Jerry Ratliff at 828-781-3222.

For more information about the thrift store grand opening, or to donate items, contact Rev. Susan Smith 828-962-8196. For more information about Exodus Homes or Exodus Works, go to www.exodushomes.org   

Exodus Homes, a faith based United Way agency providing 82 beds of supportive housing to homeless recovering people returning to the community from treatment centers and prison is struggling to survive. They have lost $233,000 in revenue since 2008 as a result of the high unemployment of its residents who pay fees that are the primary source of funding for the program. Budget cuts from major funders such as the United Way, Catawba County ABC Board, and Mental Health have also had a major impact.
     
Since the recession began, they have laid off four people, cut all salaries 20%, eliminated health benefits, and closed two rental locations while maintaining the same services for the residents of the program. Business Manager Ann Dickson juggles the bills the best she can. “I know the utility and insurance cut-off dates by heart. Somehow we have gotten by, but many bills are months behind” she said.  

The challenges of the last two years have made them even more determined to provide a way out of addiction and incarceration for homeless people who are ready to change, and learn a new way to live. “We could not wait for the government or the economy to save us because we were going down” said the Rev. Reggie Longcrier, Exodus executive director.  “We had to create our own jobs, and generate our own revenue by expanding our social enterprise Exodus Works with a one year grant from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation for a Business Developer to increase sales.”    

The numbers tell the good news that despite the recession, their plan is working. Annual sales for their fully insured moving, landscaping, cleaning, painting, and general labor services have increased 495% since 2007 – from $21,000 in 2007 to a projected $109,000 for 2010. Sales for the first two quarters of 2010 rose 176% over the first two quarters of 2009 – from $17,000 to $47,000. When Exodus Homes residents receive their Exodus Works paychecks, they are able to pay their program fees to the supportive housing program.

Approximately 40% of the Exodus Works wages paid to Exodus Homes residents come back to the agency. They try to employee as many residents as possible as contract laborers, and spread the work around. Most pay checks are small.  The social enterprise employs two full time supervisors from the community, and so far in 2010 approximately $9,000 has been paid back into Exodus Homes as resident fees. The income residents are allowed to keep helps them pay their child support, probation fees, buy medication, food, and other personal items. The social enterprise is not yet making a profit on its own. However, considering the benefit of job creation, the funds that have come back into the agency as program fees, and the disposable income for residents – it has been worth it.                   

Exodus Homes envisions a day when revenue generated by Exodus Works will be a primary source of funding for the agency, but they aren’t there yet. They recently landed a contract with a major apartment complex for landscaping, and business continues to increase.  They do not have funds for advertsing, so marketing has been limited. Many people are surprised to learn about the variety and affordability of their services. Hickory Mayor Rudy Wright, and Catawba County Chamber of Commerce CEO Danny Hearn are regular customers. The program provides references upon request. 

Exodus Works is gearing up for the fall with specials on leaf removal, and gutter cleaning. “We need more people to hire Exodus Works to meet their needs. Our people want to work, and we must be more self sufficient to survive” said the Rev. Susan Smith, assistant executive director of the agency. “We’re not asking for a hand-out. We just need a hand in building the bridge that will insure our future by taking us from where we are to where we need to be” she said.

For more information, call Exodus Works at 828-324-2390.

Please join us for a hand clapping, foot stomping, get-up-out-of-your-seat good time! 
 
Exodus Missionary Outreach Church Gospel Choir — 13th Annual Choir Anniversary
Saturday August 21, 2010, 6:00pm
Exodus Missionary Outreach Church www.exodusoutreachchurch.org
1763 Highland Ave. NE, Hickory 28601
Free, and all are invited!
 
Thank you!