Today we’d like to introduce you to Douglas Dunn.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Exodus began in 1985 through the vision and work of Don Dennis. Don, an ex-offender, had personally experienced the need for a program that provided both the practical and spiritual aspects necessary to meet the basic needs of ex-offenders. It was his goal to create an agency that would break the generational cycle of crime and decrease recidivism. Don worked with Chaplain Jerry Groom, the chaplain at the Coffield Unit and later the chief of chaplains for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, to create a ministry that would serve the unmet needs of ex-offenders. Originally, the ministry began under the auspices of Dallas Baptist Association with the mission to serve couples with children.
The organization first opened its doors to two couples who were mentored by Don Dennis and his wife. Throughout the next few years, the ministry grew to meet the increasing needs of the ex-offender community. In the 1990’s, as the organization expanded, the DBA assisted the agency with the purchase of the present facility, a twenty-unit apartment complex. Countless capital improvements have been made to the facility as well as many advancements in the ministry’s strategy. Today, the ministry serves single women ex-offenders and their children in a 12-month, comprehensive, residential program. Our research indicates that of the women who are served by Exodus, more than 95% remain free of incarceration for at least three (3) years following their completion of the Exodus program.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has certainly not been smooth. There have been times when it was not certain Exodus Ministries could continue because of a lack of funding. Because the demographic we work with are formerly incarcerated, many people look at them as “less than” and even “unworthy” of support. Some believe they would be throwing good money after bad if they invested in Exodus Ministries and the work God is doing here. As a result, it takes humility and insight on the part of our supporters to recognize we are all sinners in need of a savior.
The women we serve are no different than those who have never been to prison or used illegal drugs. It is by grace the rest of us have been spared the slings and arrows of that lifestyle. Because we are working with human beings, no matter how careful we try to be in the selection process, ultimately it is God who works in the lives of the women we serve. Because it is God who does the work (we only have front row seats to His work), we are completely dependent on Him to perform miraculous works in their hearts. Just like the rest of us, the women have free will and sometimes choose to satisfy their sinful desires instead clinging to Him who can free them from their past.
Exodus Ministries – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Exodus Ministries is an intensive, comprehensive, residential, discipleship ministry to women reuniting with their children to achieve a productive and fulfilling life through Jesus Christ. Services provided to the mothers and their children include a faith-based 12-step recovery program, parenting instruction, anger management, Christian counseling for each of the women and each of the school-aged children, personalized case management, Bible studies, life skills, job skills, financial literacy and money management, mentoring, and many off-campus enrichment activities. In addition, if a resident arrives without a high school diploma, she is required to work toward a GED, in addition to finding and holding a job.
As part of the financial literacy and money management components of the program, all money earned or received while the women are in the program is turned over to the Exodus bookkeeper who establishes an accounting for all such monies. After each resident reaches $500 in her account, she begins to “budget” for her needs and the needs of her children. The budgeting process entails each resident identifying her needs on a weekly basis and meeting with the Executive Director or other staff to determine which expenses (needs) will be approved for disbursement from the resident’s account. Other than the money received through the budgeting process, residents are not permitted to have any money in their possession during their tenure at Exodus.
The mentoring process is carried out through volunteers assigned to the residents. In addition, mentoring is an all-day, everyday process in which the staff of Exodus discusses life issues and addresses past experiences, current circumstances, and plans for the future. The work is intense and very demanding, but the rewards are immeasurable.
When asked recently what we do exceptionally well, one of the members of the staff responded, without hesitation, “We love these women and children exceptionally well.” And, so we do. We pour ourselves into the lives of the women and children in obedience to the call God has placed on our lives. We are best known for the comprehensive nature of the program and the incredible results achieved by the graduates of the program. The recidivism rate for graduates of the Exodus Ministries program over the last four (4) years is zero (0%) percent. For all of the women who darken the threshold of Exodus Ministries and who stay for more than six (6) weeks, the recidivism rate is less than five (5%) percent.
What sets Exodus Ministries apart from other organizations is that no other ministry of which we are aware in the State of Texas does what Exodus Ministries does in the way in which it is done. We serve BOTH women AND their children, a unique model in the space which is occupied by Exodus Ministries, in an intensive, comprehensive, residential discipleship ministry.
If you had to start over, what would you have done differently?
Not having been present at the beginning of Exodus Ministries which occurred more than 32 years ago, it is hard for me to say I would have done anything differently. We have no way of knowing the challenges the founders faced, except to know formerly incarcerated women in that era faced a good deal more shame than they are likely to face now. In order to survive the ebb and flow of life, building a stronger individual donor base is very important. We are making diligent efforts to reach out to the community and increase the visibility of Exodus Ministries.
In addition, we are seeking to communicate to those who have not been incarcerated or who have never abused illegal drugs or alcohol that all sins count the same when standing before God. We are ALL in need of rescue and redemption no matter how pious and righteous we may think we are. One of our “little” sins, is enough to keep us from the presence of God but for the saving grace of our Savior. When we grasp that, it is much easier to have a clear perspective on the efforts the women who call Exodus Ministries “home” for a season are making to live life differently.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4630 Munger Avenue #100 Dallas, Texas 75204
- Website: http://ExodusMinistries.org
- Phone: (214) 827-3772
- Email: info@ExodusMinistries.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exodusministries/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExodusMinistries
- Other: https://www.yelp.com/biz/exodus-ministry-dallas
Image Credit:
Eli Hammonds
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