About Us

Our Mission:
Exodus Housing strives to eliminate homelessness for families in South King and East Pierce Counties by providing transitional housing and supportive services designed to help family stability and independence.

History and Purpose:
Exodus Housing was founded in 1994 with the awareness that homelessness is not simply an urban problem, but also affects smaller communities that often lack the infrastructure to provide services and resources to their homeless families. Our program was developed to provide transitional housing and supportive services for homeless families in these suburban and rural settings. By providing transitional housing, case management, community-based mentorship and other services for homeless families, we function as a catalyst to help resident families move toward independence and we mobilize communities to reintegrate and support their homeless citizens.

Since 1994, Exodus has served families who are homeless in the communities of Auburn, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Kent, Pacific, Puyallup and Tacoma. We have over 100 volunteers providing mentorship, support and assistance to client families. Exodus provides families who have been homeless with stable housing and reconnects families to their community through a supportive network of local mentors. We offer our resident clients a continuum of service referrals that range from education or workforce training opportunities, counseling services, domestic violence services, legal assistance and more. Through intensive case management, we work diligently with our families to develop and implement employment, housing, financial and family goals that will provide the tools and skills for a positive future.

Our Staff Members & Board of Directors

Staff
Deborah R. Smith
Executive Director
debsmith@exodushousing.org

Bob Rowlands
Family Services Director
bobrowlands@exodushousing.org

Tonya Tunnell-Thornhill
Case Manager
tonya@exodushousing.org

Marilyn LoSavio
Program Manager
marilyn@exodushousing.org

Judy Kimball
Program Assistant
judy@exodushousing.org

Lisa Tighe
Program Assistant
lisa@exodushousing.org

2008 Board Members

Officers
Karla Emerson, President
Owner, Auto Buy Here

Tammy Wagendorf, Vice-President
62 AW Career Assistant Advisor, United States Air Force

Jan Gilbertson, Treasurer
Realtor, Better Properties Real Estate

LaTraya Ellis, Secretary
Loan Officer, A+ Mortgage, Inc.

Directors
Mysti Barnett, Assistant Vice President,
Manager, Kibble & Prentice

Pat Bosmans
Attorney, City of Des Moines

George “Tony” Brown
First Sergeant, 62 MOS, United States Air Force

Jeri Worklan
Retired, Healthcare

Diane Supler
Deputy City Administrator, City of Sumner WA

Auxillary
Bill Emerson
Owner, Honey Dude Services