FAQs

Is Exodus Ministries affiliated with a particular church or denomination?

Exodus Ministries is a non-denominational Christian ministry whose practices and beliefs are Biblical. It receives prayer, volunteer and financial support from various churches and individuals, but the program is independent from outside affiliation.

Are men eligible for the Exodus Ministries program?

Unfortunately, Exodus is unable to address men’s needs because of space limitations.

How long do women stay at Exodus Ministries

Participants live on the premises for 12 months while learning to gain healthy independence.

What kind of living arrangements are available for the residents?

Each woman and her children are provided with a private, fully furnished apartment while they stay at Exodus. When they graduate from the program, the women are allowed to take everything in the apartment — furniture, clothing, food, toys — with them to help their family get started on its new life.

Can women be admitted into the Exodus Ministries program without children?

Each woman admitted must have at least one child in her custody and possession. She may have up to three children in her possession, the oldest of whom cannot be older than age 12 on the date of arrival.

How many residents can be at Exodus Ministries at any one time?

The organization has 13 individual apartments available for occupancy. The number of vacancies varies because each woman graduates on the anniversary date of her arrival.

Do Exodus residents receive counseling during their stay?

Yes. Each woman is assigned a Christian Licensed Professional Counselor with whom she meets weekly. Counselor services are paid for by donations to Exodus Ministries.

Does Exodus Ministries receive funding from any government agencies?

No. The non-profit depends upon individual donors, churches, foundations and other organizations that want to help change the life trajectory of mothers and children served.

How does the community benefit from financially supporting Exodus Ministries?

Many ways. The annual cost to incarcerate one inmate in Texas is approximately $23,000. Based upon the national recidivism rate of more than 60% within three years of release from prison, the odds are high that an inmate will return to prison. Exodus graduates have a recidivism rate of less than 13% within three years of their release from prison. For all women who come to Exodus Ministries and stay for more than six weeks, the recidivism rate is less than 16%, far less than the national average. The State of Texas saves the cost of incarceration for each woman who enters Exodus Ministries and does not return to prison.

The cost of incarceration is only one economic impact on the State of Texas. Like men, women who have been incarcerated have a difficult time securing employment and housing. Employers do not want to hire them, and landlords don’t want to lease to them. On the other hand, 83% of Exodus Ministries graduates progress to higher paying jobs or careers upon program completion. As they earn more money, they become less dependent upon food stamps and other entitlements, thus costing the State of Texas and local communities fewer tax dollars.

How do children benefit by living with their mothers at Exodus Ministries?

Some studies indicate that children of ex-offender mothers are seven times more likely than their peers to become offenders if there is no intervention in their lives and the lives of their mothers. Exodus Ministries teaches mothers how to rebuild their own lives and restore their families. Without Exodus Ministries or a similar program, 70 percent of these children are likely to become offenders themselves. Exodus Ministries provides a stable living situation for children whose past family life has been one of chaos and instability.

What is the next step for women, following Exodus graduation?

The next step for each woman is somewhat different depending on her interests and the ages of her children. Many graduates are interested in and capable of completing college level educational work. In partnership with Buckner Family Pathways, some Exodus graduates pursue associate, bachelor’s and, in some cases, master’s degrees. Others seek employment situations that maximize the use of their skills.

What does it cost to operate each residential unit?

The cost to operate a residential unit varies depending upon the number of children, their ages and the mother’s needs. For all units and families of varying sizes, the average monthly residential unit operational cost is approximately $3,500. Clearly, a family with three growing boys has greater financial needs than a family with one 4-month old infant.

How does one apply to be considered for enrollment in Exodus’ program?

While incarcerated or in an in-patient drug rehabilitation facility, an interested candidate must complete and return an application to Exodus. The application is available online or by calling (214) 827-3772. The application is quite comprehensive and detailed. Because of the limited number of units available, many worthy applicants must be denied enrollment solely on the basis of available space.