They are not Homeless, and this is Not a Shelter

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - April 23, 2013 - PRLog -- Exodus Place is doing what it can to break away from being categorized as a "homeless shelter".  There are many rescue missions around the city-ones that provide a warm bed and a meal for a night.  Many of these shelters may not even see any of the people they help ever again.  But Exodus Place is far different.  Exodus is more of a community, more of a home for the men who live here.  The 97 men who reside at Exodus Place all have their own rooms (some share), gather together for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and engage in many activities together.

One move Exodus has made to feel more like a home and less like a shelter is renovate a room to resemble a fishing lodge.  Many people and companies such as Lumbermen's, Home Depot and HBC contracting volunteered their time, supplies and money to make this happen.  The project is completed and when stepping through the door into the lodge, you'd forget you were in the building that used to be an old correctional facility.  The room has a wood burning stove, wood paneling and stone veneers on the walls, beautiful hanging lights, a flat screen TV, three brand new computers and various hunting and fishing decorations.  More projects are currently being planned to renovate other rooms in the building.

Exodus also has activities that the men participate in together.  They enjoy archery, playing cards, fishing off the back deck and Bible studies.  When you walk through the doors at Exodus, it is apparent that everyone knows everyone's name and a lot of the men have taken time to get to know each other.  They share their interest in sports by watching a game together on the big screen, and take concern in one another's progress.  It is not rare to hear a resident ask another resident how an interview went or if they got the job.  

Many men at Exodus take offense when someone calls it a "homeless shelter".  These men are not homeless, and this is not a shelter.  This is their home while they make the necessary steps to get back on track.  They are here because they want to improve their lives by getting a job, finding their own place to live, and staying clean.  Exodus Place is a community of members who are all working towards a common goal, and that is staying out of homeless shelters.