To Increase youth awareness for education as a means for optimizing their opportunities to
having a greater career by developing their skills, talents, and knowledge by partnering with
community stakeholders within the Chicago community.
Preventing youth and young adults from systemic institutionalized incarceration and becoming
part of the juvenile justice system.
We seek to provide at-risk youth with social, educational, physical, cultural and spiritual support through the access of various services. Our projects will partner with schools, churches, Department of Human Services, Department of Children and Family Services and other youth centers. About the Executive Director Jerome Altman- Jerome Altman was born May 10, 1956 In Mississippi to the parents of Jack and Mary Altman. His mother had 5 children, four boys and one girl. Jerome was the next to the oldest child. At the age of 8 years old his gift of music was developed. Jerome was multi- talented, he played the clarinet, the piano and the flute, and he has always had an interest in music. He has played and performed with many bands. Mr. Altman has compassion for working with the youth and young adults citywide, always recruiting children for different programs. In the year of 2002 Mr. Altman and Edward James had an ideal to start a youth organization; Mr. Edward James named the organization Exodus, which it got its name from the bible, when the children of Israel came out of Egypt and enter the promise land in the book of exodus.
In 2002, Jerome Altman and Ed James had an idea to start a youth organization. Their personal
journey was a typical one of Black men in this country. These two travelled through and out of
hardships, commonplace in this society’s marginalized communities. It has been their strength of
character, curious mind, and iron will, paired with deep compassion for their fellow man, that
created and kept alive a small group, which became the Exodus Drum and Bugle Corps.
In September 2017, with the support of the City of Chicago and many local officials, we acquired a building at 816 North Laramie Avenue under the Large Lots Program. We are deeply grateful for the opportunities and possibilities a community-based center affords us. As the Exodus Institute, we seek to exchange our thoughts, concerns, and values through thorough clarification of problems, critical reflection, and mutually supported solutions to our lack of unity and the continuing violent explosions in Chicago. We will continue our Music Arts programming and expand the vision to include an asset-based community development approach. We will do so through collaboration and sharing of resources with other groups and individuals in our community and beyond.
Exodus is firmly grounded in the concepts of asset-based community development. We believe
that every person has the skills, talents, and potential to develop into productive members of our society while pursuing their goals. Exodus creates a genuine climate in which each member of
the group is challenged and supported to develop their goals, based on individual strengths and
Weaknesses. We seek to lead members toward self-determination and action to live up to their
full potential and our actions must optimize everyone’s growth and contributions so that we can
move toward healthy interdependence in our community. Exodus has taught youths to build,
repair, play instruments, and marching maneuvers. This is the context in which we work toward
self-esteem building and preventing violence among our youths.
Exodus approach to youth development is focused on the community needs and has been
developed and implemented into comprehensive and constructive programs for youth and family
development by various types of program activities.
Homework Assistance- The homework assistance program is designed to assist youth with
their homework and create proper study habits
Tutoring- Youth receive tutoring and assistance in completing the school based special projects
Sports leagues- Youth participate in and receive instruction in various sports (i.e. Basketball,
baseball, flag football, volleyball, floor hockey soccer, tennis, golf, etc.)
Recreational Activity- Youth receive and participate in various games room activities
designed to create positive interactive skills and gamesmanship.
Fitness & Wellness- Youth receive physical fitness instruction (calisthenics, weight training,
etc.), aerobics, and safety training as it pertains to proper fitness and Health.
Healthy Eating – Youth learn about the importance of a healthy and nutritional lifestyle
Modern Dance – Provides youth, with expression, an opportunity to articulate their talents
through structured dance lessons.
Youth Leadership- Provides youth with the opportunity to develop team-building leadership,
organizational and life skills.
Drum & Bugle Corps)- youth will learn basic skills in horns, percussion, color guard,
marching & maneuvering and competitive performance
Computer Tech Skills- Participants will receive beginners, intermediate and advanced
training in various computer-based programs.
Mentoring - Mentors will provide a nurturing environment for mentees by helping to fully
develop their social and intellectual potential.
Media Club – youth will learn about social media platforms, careers, and marketing
C.E.D.A. - Delivers home heating and cooling assistance for Chicago land residents facing
financial hardship.
Senior Services - Where older adults can fulfill many of their social, physical, career,
emotional, and intellectual needs ...
Meditation and Mental Health - Is the practice of deep thinking or focusing one's mind for
a period of time for the feeling of relaxation and inner peace to improve mental and spiritual
health.
Job Readiness – Provides Employment Training and Placement for career-bound individuals.
Intergenerational Mentoring - Social engagements and interactions between young and
older generations for a common purpose to build on the strengths and weaknesses to offer
nurture understanding and mutual respect, and challenge ageism.
Covid19 Testing Services – In partnership with state-certified health agencies to provides
testing and Covid19 vaccinations
Exodus has served over 100 youth and young adults over the past three years in the areas of Life Skills, education, Sports, Job Training, and Music Education and has reported successfully advancing towards college, vocational trade, or some type of employment. Some have pursued opportunities in the Armed Forces as well. Exodus Institute has a vision for expansion and is committed to securing more funding to serve more youth, families, young adults, and senior citizens to make allies of businesses, foundations, private, individual, and local donors as well as to support the mission and purpose of the agency.
Exodus Drum & Bugle Corps have performed with and for many organizations, at numerous
block club events, church functions, community picnics, weddings, and large community
events. Since 2002 we have trained over 2,000 youth and young adults in the Music Arts. Over
the years we have assisted and provided employment and higher educational opportunities for
more than 100 youth and young adults. We’ve collaborated with local West Side organizations,
who allowed us space and who supported our group. Throughout, Mr. Altman worked on a
pro bono basis and engaged many volunteers and supporters to keep the dream alive and make it a reality for the young members of Exodus Drum & Bugle Corps. Exodus have increased
awareness of education and personal development. Exodus is a vibrant resource hub and
incubator for education, social/fun, and vocational, professional, and entrepreneurial
employment development activities for youth and adults as a means for violence prevention.
We are multi-faceted professional and personal development through education, training
workshops, and resource fairs.
Under the leadership of Pastor Jackie Reed Jerome Altman has been part of several ministries of The Every Block a Village Church for the last six years; his involvement included youth and outreach ministry and youth recruitment His involvement has made a difference in the lives of many youth throughout his tenure.
Jerome Altman was born May 10, 1956 In Mississippi to the parents of Jack and Mary
Altman. His mother had 5 children, 4 boys and one 1girl. Jerome was the next to the oldest
child. At the age of 8 years old his gift of music was developed. Jerome was multi talented, he
played the clarinet, the piano and the flute, and he has always had an interest in music. He has
played and performed with many bands. Mr. Altman has compassion for working with the youth
and young adults citywide, always recruiting children for different programs. In the year of 2002
Mr. Altman and Edward James had an ideal to start a youth organization; Mr. Edward James
named the organization Exodus, which it got its name from the bible, when the children of Israel
came out of Egypt and enter the promise land in the book of exodus.
Exodus Drum & Bugle Corp. Has been in existence for 10 years incorporated under the
State of Illinois in 2002, Exodus Drum & Bugle Corp. got it’s 501 ( C ) ( 3 ) in December of
2007. Mr. Altman worked with youth ages 6-17, young Adults ages 18 - 25. Mr. Altman is the
Executive Director and he recognized that the grand-parents were helping to raise their
grandchildren and he came up with the idea to allow the grandparents to participate in the
parade, marches, and rallies. He also requested the grandparents to help the children to get dress
in their uniforms to perform in each event.
Exodus Drum & Bugle Corp. he has trained over 2,000 youth and young adults in the
Music Arts. He is a certified radio and television technician; he is a computer wiz, teaching
basic, and advances computer training. He is a manager of 5 th City Community Center,
managed rental properties, set up parties; maintain the building on a daily basis, and also
managed and oversee at least 35-40 participants in the Illinois Department of Human Service
Program.
Exodus Drum & Bugle Corp. has performed with, and for many organizations; Mildred
Franks Foundation, Young Creative Minds, Herdsman Corp. Healing Temple Church, Prince of
Peace Church, Church of the Harvest, Hope Community Church, Mount Vernon Church, Jesus
Parade, 5 th City Reformulation of Chicago, Park District, M.C. Donald Corporation, Murdock
Institute, Major Adams, Masonic Chapter, Eshadi, Bethel New life, Junetenth, Westside Baptist
Ministers Conference, Rising Sun, Slam Duke Productions, Teen Town, Cease Fire, unlimited
block clubs, picnics, weddings, social events, grand openings and Taste of Austin, former Illinois
Senator Rickey R. Hendon 5 th District, Congressman Danny K. Davis 7 th Congressional District.
Former, Alderman Ed Smith, and former, Illinois State, Representative/Senator Annazette
Collin. Illinois State Representative, Camille Lillie. Alderman,Walter Burnett and Secretary of
State Jesse White.