January 2020 Newsletter
Happy New Year!
As we look back on years past, and look ahead to the coming year, we can't wait to continue welcoming families to our ministry. 2020 marks 35 years serving the women and children of Dallas by giving them a second chance at a fruitful life.
As we begin the New Year, we would love to introduce you to our team! We are a small team, made up of people who truly love the work we have the privilege to do. We all have different gifts, but we truly believe the Lord brought us to this place for a very specific purpose.
Stephanie DeBose is celebrating 1 year with Exodus. She serves as the Case Manager, and is such a blessing to the women and children we serve. She is gifted in so many ways, but you can not possibly leave her office without feeling loved. We're so thankful to have Stephanie on our team. Read what she has to say about her role at Exodus below:
"I became a social worker because I felt that it was what God was calling me to do. I really didn’t have a choice. The same can be said once I was presented with the opportunity to work at Exodus. I felt that God led me to Exodus.
I like to call the year a woman and her children spend at Exodus the “Come Up Year”. I call it this because it is a transformational year of great growth for the women and children, I have the privilege of serving. Each woman rises out of the ashes of her past and God makes everything about her beautiful and full of light.
Often when a woman comes to Exodus, she is so broken, so unsure and afraid of the new path she is attempting to walk out. I stand with this woman and I am honored that I get to help her, guide her and most days just love and encourage her. I love to hug them and tell them that I love them. I love that I get to help them work out a situation before it becomes a problem. I love that I can help them make sense of this new journey. I love that I get to encourage their newfound sense of independence. I love that I am on the front line watching every successful first bus ride, every first time ever having a job, every hug they can give their children…every moment really. The world is new to them. They are no longer shackled by their past drug addictions, past incarceration, past habits or past toxic relationships.
I have said a lot of words that don’t begin to explain my emotions. There are no words to describe my passion for my job. There are no words to describe how much I love and adore the women I serve. There are no words to describe how much I want to see them succeed and excel. I want their children to have the opportunity to live their best life. I am honored every single day, even when annoyances or inconveniences are present. I know that I have been blessed with an awesome responsibility and chance to make a real difference in the lives of the women and children that I serve."
How will you serve in 2020?
Fred Rogers said, "It is not so much what you have, it's what you do with what you have"
What do you have? Time? An hour and a half a week? An eye for decorating? A desire to throw a birthday party? Let us help get you plugged into an opportunity that fits your schedule!
Brooms
Mops
Buckets
Antennas
We are in HUGE NEED of hats, mittens, scarves! As the weather gets cold, we give out our entire stash, so we need to replenish our stock of warm accessories! Can you look at your favorite store and grab us some things from the clearance bin?