23 years of Serving Others
Exodus Youth Services
Serving & Helping the poor of our Nations Capital
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How it Started
In late 1985, I co-founded Exodus Youth Services, Inc., a 501.C.3 nonprofit corporation, with my husband, Logan, in Washington, D.C. In the beginning of our mission, homeless veterans and runaway youth were our staff. When The Bingham Foundation provided our first substantial grant, we purchased a large recreational vehicle for our Streetside program. Office space was obtained, and professional staff were hired to deal with the growing population of several thousand needy people who came to us for help.
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Mary Otto, Senior Staff Writer, The Washington Post (2000)
“The High Season For Volunteers, After The Holidays, Helping Hands Vanish” by Mary Otto, The Washington Post, November 22, 2000, Metro Section
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“…Mary Lyman Jackson, the Catholic lay worker who has brought her Exodus Youth Ministries program to the streets of Northeast Washington for the past 14 years … knows the importance of giving volunteers a rewarding, even joyful experience …”
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Arthur Santana, The Washington Post 2001
“Christians Spread Word, Aid, ‘Church Van’ Tours Poor Neighborhoods to Care for Kids” – by Arthur Santana, The Washington Post, District Extra, January 24, 2001
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Christians Spread Word, Aid - The Washington Post
www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2001/01/25/christians-spread-word-aid
Lynne Duke, Staff Writer, The Washington Post 1988
“A ‘Listening Mission’ For Youths, From NW Curbside, Exodus Counselors Lend A Friendly Ear” – by Lynne Duke, The Washington Post, Front Page, June 24, 1988
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A 'LISTENING MISSION' FOR YOUTHS - The Washington Post
www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1988/06/25/a-listening-mission-for-youths
The Mission
I was honored to serve a multicultural population: Uzi-packing gangs, the Skinheads, Latino and African refugees, runaways, throwaway youth, prostitutes, at-risk families, and numerous homeless children, families, and veterans. Thanks to the generosity of many churches, theological institutions, civic clubs, universities, foundations, and individuals, we provided social services, outreach, referrals, recreation, fellowship, and advocacy to the neediest people in the poorest neighborhoods of our Nation’s Capital.