Exodus Transitional Community, Inc.

Last updated on May 22, 2008

It is Exodus' mission to reduce recidivism and make a positive impact in the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals and their families by providing support services that liberate and empower them socially, economically, spiritually, and academically. We do this through by providing a supportive reentry program and lifecoaching/mentoring services for adult and children who have incarcerated parents.

Description:
Exodus Transitional Community, Inc. is a faith based non profit organization in East Harlem specializing in assisting formerly incarcerated individuals and their families by providing employment readiness workshops, resume preparation, basic computer literacy, mock interviews, educational workshops, anger and substance abuse workshops, spirituality workshops, health and fitness workshops, family and relationship workshops, and community involvement workshops. We make hosuing referrals and other supportive service referrals for participants and their families as well.

We also host the Exodus Lifecoaching Institute, a program where formerly incarcerated adults are adopted into either a community or one-to-one lifecoaching relationship. The Institute also hosts an MCP (Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents) Program, a White House Initiative to provide one-to-one mentoring for children who have an incarcerated parents).

ETC is supported by donations. We have a documentary airing on PBS on March 29 and host visitors from all over the world. We also provide internships for students enrolled in social work, criminal justice, law, accounting, management, and the like.

We partner with and have the endorsements of Prison Fellowship Ministries (AngelTree), Abyssinian Church, Church of God East Flatbush, Good Tidings Church, Christian Association of Youth Ministries, MENTOR.org and others listed on our website.

What makes ETC distinct from most other reentry organizations is that we were founded by and are staffed by formerly incarcerated individuals who have made successful transitions back into the community Collectively, there is over one hundred years of incarceration among the staff. Therefore, we believe that if anyone has a handle on this work, it is us.

We are looking for mentors for our MCP program to work with children between 6-18 and for lifecaoches to work with our adults. We are also looking for volunteers to assist with resume preparation, computer workshops, and administrative work.

History:
Exodus was born in the hearts of incarcerated men who saw their friends return to prison after serving lengthy sentences. As seminary students, these inmates compared the biblical model of the Exodus to the plight of their friends who returned to prison, and saw the parallel of those who were liberated but were so unfamiliar with the desert that they longed for the familiarity of Egypt, where they had been slaves for so long. When Julio Medina, one of those seminary students was released from prison, he joined forces with another formerly incarcerated person, Rev. Dr. L. McLeod, and ETC was born. Julio rented space in Dr. McLeod's church, Church of the Living Hope, located in East Harlem. East Harlem is one of the seven highest arrest and incarceration areas in NYC, so it was felt that it was an appropriate place from which we could start giving back. Since its inception in 1999, Julio and ETC have been honored with many awards-too many to identify here, but available on our website.

Contact people:

Sheryl Sohn, Project Director, (917) 492-0990 x207, (email)
Adam Friedman, Program Director, (917) 492-0990 , x203, (email)
Wendy Vasquez, Program Manager, (917) 492-0990 ,x208, (email)

Office fax number: (212) 722-6669

Address:

161 E. 104th Street (between Lexington & Third Aves)
New York, NY 10029
(See a map)

Web Site: http://www.etcny.org

Directions:

Take the #6 train to 103rd Street and walk one block ahead to 104th Street. Make a right and halfway into the block you will find the only white brick building on the left hand side. The brick say, "HOPE." Wnter the gate and walk up to the top floor.
  Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: #6, 103rd Street,
  Walk distance (in minutes): 2
  Nearest Bus Stop: 100,101,102,103, 5 minute walk

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