Empowering Lives Through Work and Community
Exodus Homes Urgent Needs
Thank you to all who have generously donated! You have currently funded half of all the improvements needed for the apartments and residents.
Our goal is $500,000, so we still need $224,000. Please share our need with others so that we can make Exodus Homes better and stronger.
Need of General Funds – to replenish our reserves and assist with daily costs.
Case for Support – Overhead & Reserves
Exodus Homes is a proven model of transformation in Hickory and surrounding counties, serving over 150 men and women each year as they rebuild their lives after addiction, incarceration, and homelessness. With 73 beds across seven residences and our Exodus Works vocational training program, we are proud to have a 90% success rate in keeping people from returning to prison—far surpassing the statewide average of 60%.
But behind every success story is the reality that strong programs require strong infrastructure. The systems that keep our doors open—insurance, staff support, transportation, compliance, and financial accountability—are just as essential as a bed or a job placement. Without adequate reserves and overhead support, we cannot sustain the high-quality programs our residents and community depend on.
That is why we are seeking $100,000 or more to replenish our reserves and strengthen our operational foundation. These funds will ensure:
- Financial stability to safeguard against unexpected expenses.
- Capacity to serve by covering core costs that keep housing safe, vehicles running, and staff equipped.
- Long-term sustainability so that Exodus Homes can continue breaking cycles of recidivism and homelessness for decades to come.
An investment in overhead is an investment in people. By helping us replenish reserves and cover essential operating costs, you are ensuring that every resident who comes to Exodus has not just a second chance—but the structure and support to succeed.
Thank you, in advance, for your generosity. It is truly appreciated.
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we’ve made tremendous progress on “The Shoe” renovation project. While our initial estimate was $200,000, unexpected plumbing and structural issues raised the total need to $250,000.
The good news? We’ve raised $195,000 so far — only $55,000 to go!
These repairs are critical to preserving 34 beds of safe, supportive housing for men rebuilding their lives after incarceration, addiction, and homelessness. Every gift brings us closer to the finish line.
Thank you for standing with us to keep hope — and housing — alive.
Friends of Exodus,
“The Shoe,” our resident apartment complex built in 1959, is in crisis.
This aging structure is home to 34 men rebuilding their lives after addiction, incarceration, and homelessness. It also houses our administrative office and a community room, serving as a foundation of hope for those choosing a new path.
But the building’s original galvanized plumbing is failing. Just last week, a major leak in Apartment 6 caused significant damage. The plumbing throughout the entire complex is corroded and must be replaced urgently to prevent further damage and health hazards along with other needed repairs.
To complete this critical project, we must:
- Remove all cabinets and flooring
- Open stucco walls to access and replace all piping
- Install new pipes, flooring, and baseboards
- Repair and repaint walls and ceilings
This is a major, necessary renovation. Without these repairs, we risk losing 34 beds of supportive housing. If we cannot act, more individuals will be turned away, relapse and recidivism will increase, and there will be greater strain on shelters and emergency services.
We cannot let that happen.
Because of a contractor’s generosity in providing a discount and materials at cost, we have reduced the estimated cost to $200,000. While still significant, this is an achievable goal if we come together.
Beyond financial donations, we also need appliances and materials…
- toilets
- single-sink bathroom cabinets
- 8 on-demand water heaters
- 2 industrial-sized freezers
- 4 washers and 4 dryers
- 13 refrigerators and 13 ranges
- Kitchen cabinets
At Exodus Homes, every bed represents a life in transition, a second chance, and hope for a better future. “The Shoe” has served this mission for over twenty years. Now it needs us, and we need you.
Please help us keep these doors open:
or mail donations to:
Exodus Homes
PO Box 3311
Hickory, NC 28603
Every gift helps us preserve these essential housing units for people who have nowhere else to turn.
Please also consider sharing this need with friends, family, and your networks.
To see why this matters, watch Chris’s story here.
Thank you for helping us keep hope alive.
Carol Vandergrift
COO/CFO, Exodus Homes