St. Matthew's House (Southwest Florida)’s Post

Meet Alex, who dedicates his weekends to making a difference. Learn about his journey Alex's Inspiring Journey: Alex, a young professional brimming with empathy and a desire to give back, has become an integral part of HBHM's impactful work. Every weekend, he sets aside time to volunteer, lending a helping hand to those in need. Through his unwavering commitment, Alex embodies HBHM's essence of compassion, motivation, and community engagement. HBHM's Multifaceted Approach: HBHM's multifaceted approach to alleviating poverty, homelessness, and mental health issues is a testament to its dedication to creating a positive and lasting impact. The organization's programs and initiatives aim to: Provide immediate relief: HBHM offers food, shelter, and essential services to individuals experiencing homelessness or financial hardship. Empower individuals: Through counseling, job training, and other support services, HBHM empowers individuals to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. Advocate for change: HBHM raises awareness about these pressing issues and advocates for policy changes that promote social justice and equity. Real-Life Impact: HBHM's unwavering efforts have yielded tangible results. Alex's contributions, alongside those of countless other volunteers and staff, have helped provide: Over 10,000 meals to those in need Shelter to hundreds of individuals Counseling and support services to individuals struggling with mental health issues: Join the HBHM community as we work together to create a more just and equitable society. By donating your time, resources, or simply spreading awareness, you can help HBHM continue its vital work. Alex's dedication to HBHM's mission is a testament to the power of human compassion and the transformative impact that organizations like HBHM can have on our communities. By working together, we can build a brighter future for all, where poverty, homelessness, and mental health challenges are things of the past. #VolunteerHero #InspirationDaily

Dear Friends, This summer, I am running to support local young victims of abuse and crime! I have challenged myself to complete the equivalent distance of 10 marathons (422 kms) between June and August. As of today, I've run 300 kms in 27.5 hours. Then I'll run a full marathon (third one in my life) in September. My goal is to raise $1,000, which is the average cost for Child Witness Centre to support a child or youth, and their family, through the criminal justice system - so they don't have to walk alone. Together, we can dramatically transform a young person's life. No exaggeration. Statistics show child victims are FAR more likely to face a host of negative outcomes, including mental health issues, addictions, homelessness, violence, and more. But when they are supported, their trajectory becomes MUCH brighter (i.e.: healthier relationships, stay in school, career success, etc.) I recently celebrated 3 years at Child Witness Centre. This incredible non-profit helps kids and families from criminal investigations through to court resolutions. Our team provides a safe landing space, testimonial support, court accompaniment, and much more - often with the comfort of our facility dog. Last year alone, we supported over 1,000 kids in Waterloo Region, Guelph, and Wellington County. Sadly, that didn't cover the demand. Hundreds went on a waitlist started in 2022 - for the first time since the organization began in 1981. Isn't life tough enough without what these kids have gone through? I would love if together, we can get one more child off the waitlist, to receive critical support. It will make a world of difference. Please give generously. https://lnkd.in/g4b_Szfa

✅ share if you agree✅ I sent this to the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce this morning, July 19, 2024, after listening to the "Eggs and Issues" panel discussion regarding the Day Resource Center proposal that is seeking to put a day-shelter in the downtown Downtown Eau Claire area. Price tag approximately $4 to $6 million dollars. Message below: Hi. I'm sending this message to respond to the panel discussion that took place at the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Eggs and Issues series today, July 19, 2024. First, I would like to say thank you for hosting a discussion concerning the issue of homelessness and insecure housing in Eau Claire. What I like about you using your platform for this issue is that it reaches into the business community, which is the precise group who can have incredible influence and effectiveness solving the challenges underlying homelessness. I would like to propose an opportunity for the Chamber to facilitate this conversation more effectively. There are many different entities who receive public and private funding to address mental health, substance use, and developmental disabilities, all three being the primary drivers of chronic marginalization of community members, including those who are homeless. Rather than inviting panels that are comprised of individuals who are pitching a single idea that often seems much more viable than it would if there were opposing viewpoints to challenge the substance of those ideas, invite a panel of individuals with opposing viewpoints who have proven expertise in the matter to have a public debate. Let the community determine the ideas it wants to adopt and support. I believe this is a much more democratic way of proceeding when the proposed solutions for the city's homelessness challenges are going to be largely publicly funded. I will volunteer to take part in this panel. I am anxiously seeking the opportunity to measure my opinions, theories, and supported professional outcomes against those of other organizations. It would be an honor to do it in a public forum. I am also anxious to begin good faith collaboration with other organizations and I believe opening up channels of communication in a format such as this will have a grounding effect on many of us who remain so busy that we often are unable to stop and be mindful of the possibility that other's approaches may be valid. I appreciate you considering my proposal.

SCOTUS is set to hear Johnson vs Grants Pass on April 22. We need to raise another $5k+ to finish this film: https://lnkd.in/gNWUxxaW, and TIME IS RUNNING OUT. The sooner we can get this on YouTube, the more impact in helping to educate people on the horrors of criminalization. By helping us produce this film, you are part of the solution to educating the public on the growing criminalization of homelessness. "Displaced" is a social impact film that brings a critical issue to the forefront: the criminalization of homelessness in America. It tells the story of a homeless veteran, Ray, who struggles to find stability and support due to constant displacement by the police. This reflects a harsh reality where people are penalized simply for lacking a home. The film aims to shed light on this crisis, emphasizing how punitive measures against the homeless exacerbate their plight instead of addressing the root causes, like the lack of investment in housing solutions. It's a powerful call to action, highlighting the need for compassionate and effective approaches like housing and support services to permanently solve homelessness. Social Impact Films Create Amazing Change Social impact films play a crucial role in creating policy change and improving our world. By spotlighting critical issues, these films educate and influence both public opinion and policymakers. They have the power to humanize complex problems, making them more relatable and compelling. Through storytelling, these films can ignite discussions, shift perceptions, and motivate viewers to take action, thereby driving societal and policy changes. Social impact films serve as a bridge between awareness and action, making them vital tools for advocacy and positive change.

Last week I was blessed to do Focus Groups with those experiencing homelessness in St. Louis and surrounding counties. The first day was my 50th such Focus Group almost exactly 26 years ago, I did my first nonprofit Focus Group - with the Women with Children facility at the Atlanta Union Mission (its old name). Unfortunately, there are still some similar situations - untreated trauma from being abused as a youth, but some new insights. In all my years of lived experience with Focus Groups, we have never seen such distrust of the 'system' - especially the government. They see advertisements from the White House touting all the money funneled into communities, but they do not see any more real affordable housing units - so they are assuming politicians and government workers (and slumlords) are taking this money. They trust some really great service providers and staff I met (and they felt they trusted me). Most of the respondents became homeless primarily from a family situation. Either such family conflict (and lack of support from 'the system' to address this conflict - they feel the only viable option was to live on the streets. Or the single parent of the family household passes away, leaving family members homeless. Also, most had bad experiences with what they referred to as 'slumlords' - terrible home conditions, with several having to admit a family member into a hospital from toxic mold. They are also very frustrated with their initial contact with/access to homeless services—mostly 211. They all cited calling several times a day for many days to find a bed or a place to stay—to get the response to call back later from someone 'with very poor customer service'. This results in great frustration and anger—as one respondent stated, 'I used to be patient and calm, but this frustration has made me quick to anger'. I would like to hear from you all - are you seeing similar new trends? In another post - I will touch on possible solutions/strategies. Overall, it confirms my overall observation that STATUS QUO is not working. The community did an incredible response to COVID - keeping so many millions from being evicted, from becoming homeless. But I feel the post-COVID response is creating a more more frustrated (and subsequently then angry) people and families experiencing homelessness. With all the stress all families have been through - I think the ultimate prevention strategy (in addition to truly affordable housing and livable wage job training and opportunities) is better supporting families. 

More than 2,000 people experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County are 55 and older. Challenges that come with aging can be made worse without the right resources and regular medical care. 🔎 Justa Center is working to address this as the only nonprofit in Arizona that provides resources and services exclusively to seniors experiencing homelessness. “A lot of our Justa Center members have fallen on hard times,” Dean Scheinert, Executive Director of Justa Center, said. “Some of them have jobs but can’t afford rent. Other members have serious mental and physical health challenges or substance use disorder. As you can imagine, a younger person is in a better position to find help than a senior.” 💙 Funding from the AZ Blue Foundation is helping seniors experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County get the right help and care through Justa Center. 👉 More about Justa Center: https://bit.ly/3yzQgXu

SCOTUS is set to hear Johnson vs Grants Pass on April 22. We need to raise another $5k+ to finish this film: https://lnkd.in/g-P6tF3M, and TIME IS RUNNING OUT. The sooner we can get this on YouTube, the more impact in helping to educate people on the horrors of criminalization. By helping us produce this film, you are part of the solution to educating the public on the growing criminalization of homelessness. "Displaced" is a social impact film that brings a critical issue to the forefront: the criminalization of homelessness in America. It tells the story of a homeless veteran, Ray, who struggles to find stability and support due to constant displacement by the police. This reflects a harsh reality where people are penalized simply for lacking a home. The film aims to shed light on this crisis, emphasizing how punitive measures against the homeless exacerbate their plight instead of addressing the root causes, like the lack of investment in housing solutions. It's a powerful call to action, highlighting the need for compassionate and effective approaches like housing and support services to permanently solve homelessness. Social Impact Films Create Amazing Change Social impact films play a crucial role in creating policy change and improving our world. By spotlighting critical issues, these films educate and influence both public opinion and policymakers. They have the power to humanize complex problems, making them more relatable and compelling. Through storytelling, these films can ignite discussions, shift perceptions, and motivate viewers to take action, thereby driving societal and policy changes. Social impact films serve as a bridge between awareness and action, making them vital tools for advocacy and positive change.

🚨 Giving Thursday 🚨 There is so much good happening in our state I want to start highlighting my favorite efforts that I see happening around me.  Up first: The Otherside Village. They’re giving homeless people a real chance. It’s like a halfway house, but to rehabilitate the homeless back into society – a halfway community. Who They Are -  The Other Side Village is a 501(c)(3) created to provide permanent housing to 550+ people who have suffered at least one year of chronic homelessness in addition to dealing with the effects of substance abuse, mental health challenges and/or physical disabilities. Who They Help - The Individual:  83% fewer encounters with the criminal justice system 77% fewer inpatient hospitalizations 61% fewer ER visits The Village: an inclusive community of healing and purposeful living focused on health, supportive connections, work, dignity, and beauty. The Community: the first 60 homes of Phase I alone will save taxpayers $6.4M over 20 years, as crime and healthcare demands are reduced How They’re Different - Safe and beautiful housing solves one problem but not the ultimate problem.   Solving chronic homelessness requires deep personal change. This doesn’t happen without a new community, a new mindset and new life skills—which in turn require sobriety, peer-to-peer accountability, integrated employment, on-site coaching and facilities to treat medical and mental health. How to Help - You can donate or find ways to get involved here:  https://lnkd.in/g4rgmdsg Or reach out and I can get you in contact with –            The Other Side Village (Cathleen Twitchell Holt Preston Cochrane)

SCOTUS is set to hear Johnson vs Grants Pass on April 22. We need to raise another $5k+ to finish this film: https://lnkd.in/g-P6tF3M, and TIME IS RUNNING OUT. The sooner we can get this on YouTube, the more impact in helping to educate people on the horrors of criminalization. By helping us produce this film, you are part of the solution to educating the public on the growing criminalization of homelessness. "Displaced" is a social impact film that brings a critical issue to the forefront: the criminalization of homelessness in America. It tells the story of a homeless veteran, Ray, who struggles to find stability and support due to constant displacement by the police. This reflects a harsh reality where people are penalized simply for lacking a home. The film aims to shed light on this crisis, emphasizing how punitive measures against the homeless exacerbate their plight instead of addressing the root causes, like the lack of investment in housing solutions. It's a powerful call to action, highlighting the need for compassionate and effective approaches like housing and support services to permanently solve homelessness. Social Impact Films Create Amazing Change Social impact films play a crucial role in creating policy change and improving our world. By spotlighting critical issues, these films educate and influence both public opinion and policymakers. They have the power to humanize complex problems, making them more relatable and compelling. Through storytelling, these films can ignite discussions, shift perceptions, and motivate viewers to take action, thereby driving societal and policy changes. Social impact films serve as a bridge between awareness and action, making them vital tools for advocacy and positive change.

SCOTUS is set to hear Johnson vs Grants Pass on April 22. We need to raise another $5k+ to finish this film: https://lnkd.in/gNWUxxaW, and TIME IS RUNNING OUT. The sooner we can get this on YouTube, the more impact in helping to educate people on the horrors of criminalization. By helping us produce this film, you are part of the solution to educating the public on the growing criminalization of homelessness. "Displaced" is a social impact film that brings a critical issue to the forefront: the criminalization of homelessness in America. It tells the story of a homeless veteran, Ray, who struggles to find stability and support due to constant displacement by the police. This reflects a harsh reality where people are penalized simply for lacking a home. The film aims to shed light on this crisis, emphasizing how punitive measures against the homeless exacerbate their plight instead of addressing the root causes, like the lack of investment in housing solutions. It's a powerful call to action, highlighting the need for compassionate and effective approaches like housing and support services to permanently solve homelessness. Social Impact Films Create Amazing Change Social impact films play a crucial role in creating policy change and improving our world. By spotlighting critical issues, these films educate and influence both public opinion and policymakers. They have the power to humanize complex problems, making them more relatable and compelling. Through storytelling, these films can ignite discussions, shift perceptions, and motivate viewers to take action, thereby driving societal and policy changes. Social impact films serve as a bridge between awareness and action, making them vital tools for advocacy and positive change.