Founding Executive Director Rev. Reggie Longcrier is a man with outstanding experience as a well-known community leader, prison chaplain, and church pastor. He provides Exodus Homes with the vision and leadership necessary to successfully accomplish the mission of our program. Rev. Susan Smith Walker, Founding Assistant Executive Director, assists Rev. Longcrier with the experience she brings from a lifelong career in human services, particularly residential program management, and non-profit administration.
We believe that a relationship with God is the foundation of successful living, and maintaining sobriety. Exodus Homes affirms the freedom of religion for all residents and will assist them in pursuing spiritual growth through their chosen faith. Residents who decline participation in faith-based activities are offered alternate activities of equal value to their recovery.
We provide transitional to long-term supportive housing for homeless people who meet our admission criteria. Our residents come from treatment programs, detox centers, hospitals, prisons, jails, homeless shelters, and other settings. Exodus Homes actively fosters leadership development among our residents whenever possible and appropriate. We conduct ongoing activities in the community to reach those we serve, their families, and their friends.
We advocate for the rights of those we serve and educate the community about substance abuse, and recovery from addiction and alcoholism.
OUR VISION
We believe that the dignity and worth of every individual should be cherished, protected, and preserved and that people who have made mistakes in life deserve another chance to live right. We believe all people can learn a new way to live, maintain their sobriety, and become productive tax-paying citizens who are an asset to the community.
Since our establishment in 1998, Exodus Homes has made a profound improvement in the quality of life in Catawba County. We have received local, regional, statewide, and national attention for our progressive, innovative work with a very difficult population. We were one of three grassroots projects unique to this community that helped the City of Hickory win All America City in 2007.
Exodus Homes’s operating budget is 75% supported by the revenue generated by our vocational training program Exodus Works and resident fees.
Exodus Homes is 83% operated by volunteers, most of whom are current or former residents. We are self-government in its truest sense.
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.
This video was produced by Jackson Creative, a full service video and multimedia company in Hickory, North Carolina. Visit them at www.thejacksoncreative.com.
