St. Matthew's House

ST. MATTHEW’S HOUSE

St. Matthew’s House began in 1987 when a group of people got together for a devotional and were burdened for the less fortunate in Collier County. Taking a passage from Matthew 25 to heart, they formed the "Taskforce for the Homeless." Over 30 years later, that small organization has evolved into St. Matthew’s House. Our reach has expanded and our goals have grown, yet the core mission remains the same: to care for the “least of these” in our community by providing housing for the homeless, food for the hungry, hope for the addicted, comfort for the suffering and guidance for the lost.

We strive to provide a hand up, not a handout to the people we serve. But not only do we provide the basic necessities, we also equip them with the life-skills, community resources and vocational training needed to find long-term stability and success.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS 

Our Workforce Readiness program began in 2010 with the opening of our first recovery center, and it’s only grown in the past decade. Many previously addicted or incarcerated individuals find themselves without a job or means of income due to being “unemployable.” They’re often willing and able to work, but just need a chance to learn skills and earn experience. This is where the Workforce Readiness program comes in, providing these people with the employment training they need to find job opportunities in over eight different fields. 

Over the course of a 12-week period, our program trainees are taught critical life skills and receive 300+ hours of hands-on experience supplemented by classroom curriculum that they must master before moving on to the next phase of the program. 

Residents can apply to train in a variety of different vocational tracks including: culinary art, catering, car washing and detailing, hospitality management, peer mentorship, retail operations, customer service and agriculture. And to ensure a successful reintegration into the workforce, once the trainees complete the program, they receive interview coaching, resume building and job placement assistance. In the past year, 87 individuals completed the 12-week program and 82 of those 87 individuals were successfully placed in jobs!

SUCCESS STORIES

In the fall of 2019, Amanda Wheeler completed her vocational training and graduated from Jill’s Place, our retreat center for women fighting addictions. Since then she’s been employed as a Wares Processer for the St. Matthew’s Thrift Store.

“When I first came in, I was lost, broken and estranged from my family,” Amanda said. But now with her new job and new life, there’s hope for a brighter future. “It’s been amazing,” Amanda said. “I love this organization. I can continue to help people that are in need, and it’s truly rewarding.”

Another successful graduate of Jill’s Place is Ashley Dalusio. She had been struggling with alcoholism and addiction since she was a teen and ended up at a St. Matthew’s House shelter for the same reason many do – she had no other options. She’d been to jail and was now homeless. She didn’t have anyone else to turn to, but when she hit rock bottom St. Matthew’s House was there to lift her up. She stayed a night in our shelter and soon after signed up to begin our year-long recovery program.

“I was unemployable, to say the least,” Ashley said. “I’d been struggling with alcoholism and addiction for going on 10 years.”

But she’s unemployable no more. After completing her vocational training, Ashley started a job as a Sales Cashier at the St. Matthew’s Boutique Thrift Store and has since worked her way up to become the Assistant Store Manager.

Ginger Berry is one of our more recent trainees. She chose cooking as her career training path and has enjoyed every minute working at Lulu’s Kitchen. Though she’s been employed for less than a year, she’s already been promoted from prep to line cook.

“It’s the first job I don’t mind coming to,” said Ginger. “Here it’s a learning experience. Everyday we’re learning something new.”

Ginger was without a home and a job when she walked into our shelter. She says she doesn’t know where she’d be or if she’d still be standing if she hadn’t found a place at St. Matthew’s House when she did.

“I’d messed up,” said Ginger. “I’d been looking for work and every door closed because of my background.” So she did what she could and left the rest up to God. “I kept praying. I was like, ‘I know the Lord’s going to open the correct door for me.’”

And that’s exactly what happened. Now, Ginger has a steady job, a supportive environment and the satisfaction that she’s making a difference.

“What I love about being here is that I can give back to the people that helped me,” Ginger said. “I can be on that line and train someone else to maybe not go down the same path that I did.”

The vocational training at St. Matthew’s House makes a lasting impact that ultimately strengthens the entire surrounding community. We equip individuals with resources to find and keep employment breaking cycles of poverty and substance abuse which in turn saves taxpayer dollars and contributes to a more successful society.

The cost of operating our 12-week program is just over $3,000 per person which includes curriculum costs, uniforms, staff and wages.

So just think, when you donate to support us, you’re helping someone like Amanda or Ashley or Ginger. You’re changing their future by providing them with options they never thought they’d have. You’re giving someone a second chance.