Exodus has been up and running now for about 6 months - and continues to go from strength to strength. We regularly have about 12 guys meeting every week and in total 20-30 guys have come along in that time and show up when they can. Some live far away which makes the journey difficult.
I'm not saying that Exodus can take all the credit - but since we started not one of our guys has returned to prison - and for a couple of them at least this has been a record! We do have one guy up in court for offences committed late last year. The social work did reports on him at that time, and concluded that his life was so chaotic that only a custodial sentence would be appropriate. However, given the change they have seen in him in the last six months and his involvement with Exodus (which in turn has led on to him attending services in his local church and doing an Alpha course) the social work have agreed to throw out their last assessment and start again, to reflect these changes and the fact he has stayed out of prison for a record period of time.
We are needing to extend the work of Exodus however and are looking at 2 possibilities. One is for us to buy a mini-bus! So many guys are wanting to come but have no means to get there, that in the short term we could do with some form of transport. But we need a driver! In the longer term we may look to start up Exodus groups in different areas, but at the moment we don't have enough of a critical mass from another area to do this.
The other thing that looks more likely is that we need a house! Guys are coming out of prison with no accomodation, or are being stuck in hostels or bed & breakfast accomodation, and they have no support. Especially for guys who are serious in their Christian commitment, but are young in faith, they need support and good company. We have one guy (an ex-prisoner now studying a BA in theology!) who wants to live in this house and be a supervisor/mentor to the guys - and we have 2 guys at the moment who would greatly value a "safe house" to stay - so we are actively looking to at least rent, if not buy in the long-term, accomodation for Exodus. There are new 4 bedroom houses being built in the heart of the community here which would be ideal - but we would need about 120 people/groups to pledge £1000 each - do-able? With the rental income we would then get in from the house, we could buy our minibus and give support in many other ways.
This would require Exodus seeking full charitable status however - and the thought of that process makes me bury my head in the sand!
I have more to say about Exodus - but reckon I've said enough for this post - stay tuned!
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