Matthew's Hope, Orange County

Let us know what you think of our benches.

With HB1365 becoming Law October 1, we all need to let our State and Local Legislators know that Not here is not a Plan, nor an answer to addressing this crisis.

We’re excited for the theme of this year’s fall fundraiser, The Roaring Twenties 💃

Don’t miss this magical night of food, fellowship, entertainment and games of chance 🎲

Let’s dress up in our chicest 20’s attire and party 🎉🎉🎉

Get tickets here ➡️ https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/theroaringtwenties

Saturday is moving day for our newest Moving Forward Program family 🤩

We could use some help getting this family moved in to their new apartment. 🚚 We are looking for a moving company/service that may be interested in helping us out this Saturday, 7/27.

Please email [email protected] if you or someone you know is able to help.

Matthew’s Hope is in need of more licensed Volunteer Barbers and Stylists to help us on Tuesdays between 9:00am to 1:00pm in our professionally set up Shop at our Orange County Campus in Winter Garden.

Please reach out to [email protected]

611 Business Park Blvd. Winter Garden

Matthew’s Hope Orange County can always use more Cereal, Milk, Juices, and Fresh Fruits along with breakfast side dishes for our Tuesday & Thursday Outreach caring for the homeless men, women and children living in our community.

We are currently hosting over 300 visits a week, serving over 500 prepared meals a week, along with hundreds of sandwiches!

Want to volunteer but can’t in person? Please consider helping us out by bringing preprepared meal items such as Egg Cassaoles, Breakfast Sandwiches, Breakfast Burritos and/or breakfast side dishes.

We can also always use more single serve nonperishable food items , travel size hygiene items, and casual type clothing such as gently use jeans, shorts, t-shirts, and running/mesh style shoes.

Can you, your business, church, club, or civic group help out?

Questions? Reach out to [email protected]

https://matthewshopeministries.harnessapp.com/wv2/donate

Matthew’s Hope Orange County is located at 611 Business Park Blvd. in Winter Garden just off Story Road.

MatthewsHopeMinistries.org

The month of July has seen so many victories (big & small). Gage earned a spot in Transitional Housing, Christian got his license, Tom earned a new bike, Cornelious earned a new 3 Wheel Bike, Margie and her family headed to N. Carolina to live with family and get a new start, Mister got his Birth Certificate, Micheal got a much needed mobility scooter to name a few of the bigger ones. All this is made possible by donors just like you who understand just how quickly life can change.

Your time, talents and treasures make all we do possible. Every dollar donated is an investment in your community. With Matthew's Hope's commitment to giving a hand-up, rather than a hand-out, you will witness the impact of your investment. Please prayerfully consider becoming a Sustaining Donor today with your monthly gift.

https://matthewshopeministries.harnessapp.com/wv2/donate

We also encourage you to visit MatthewsHopeMinistries.org and watch or listen to our award winning weekly Podcast “Straight Talk, No BS” at: www.matthewshopeministries.org/straighttalk-podcast to learn how your investment is used in addressing the homeless crisis taking place in the communities we serve.

Listen or watch our Weekly Award Winning Podcast “Straight Talk, No BS” now

www.matthewshopeministries.org/straighttalk-podcast or find us on your favorite podcast platform.

Our Clothing Pantry has an immediate need for the following new and gently used items for both men and women. Underwear must be new.

Boxer Briefs: MD, LG, XL (New)
Ladies Panties: All Sizes (New)
Bras
Men’s T-Shirts: MD, LG, XL
Jeans: All Sizes
Shorts: All Sizes
Running/Mesh Style Shoes: All Sizes

*No Dress Clothing Please*

A few donors have taken our specific list of needs as being too picky or ungrateful, when it really just comes down to our limited space, limited manpower, and that we do not have a Thrift Store. We thank you in advance for your understanding and support.

Donations can be dropped by Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm or by appointment.

Matthew’s Hope Orange County is located at 611 Business Park Blvd. in Winter Garden just off Story Road.

https://matthewshopeministries.harnessapp.com/wv2/donate

You may recall we told you about one of our guests and her children last week who had the courage to escape domestic violence and enter in to our Matthew’s Hope Moving Forward Program 🤩 She is soon to graduate after gaining her US citizenship earlier this month and just got word she has qualified for her own apartment!

So many of you have reached out asking how you can help this family 💜

The family has a move in date of Wednesday 7/24. Here is a list of things needed for their new home...

2 Full beds
3 Dressers with 6 drawers
Nightstands
Coffee table
Sectional sofa or Sofa & love seat
2 storage organizer bookshelf
4 Lamps
2 TVS
1 TV Wall Mount
Washer
Dryer

If you would like to help this family with their fresh new start, please email [email protected]

Thank you Big Boards Charcuterie and Catering for stepping up to provide and serve a delicious meal to our outreach guests today. 💜

If your family, business, group, or club would like to prepare a breakfast, lunch or to-go dinner for our guests on a Tuesday or Thursday, please email, [email protected] or Call (407) 905-9500 for more information.

Matthew’s Hope Orange County is in need of Meat (Ham or Turkey) and Cheese (American, Cheddar, Gouda) with no condiments as we will provide packets so sandwiches do not get soggy.

We are serving hundreds of homeless men, and children each week and we try to provide at least one to go meat & cheese sandwich to each along with a PB&J sandwich. Can you assist! This is a great opportunity for church groups, civic clubs, and even families who cannot come in to Matthew’s Hope to volunteer.

For additional information, reach out to [email protected]

Matthew’s Hope Orange County is located at 611 Business Park Blvd. in Winter Garden just off Story Road

Support financially by visiting: https://matthewshopeministries.harnessapp.com/wv2/donate

That should address homelessness … just wait until HB1365 goes into Law October 1.

You need to be asking your local and state representatives what the Plan is. Not here is not a Plan.

Homeless people make up increasing number of Orange County arrests, data shows - NewsBreak Near the end of June, a senior executive inside the Orange County government opened an automated email detailing the number of inmates under correction officers’ care the day before.

Mark your calendars!

Our Meet the Teacher evening is set for Thursday, August 8th from 4 pm to 6 pm in Winter Garden and Friday, August 9th from 4 pm to 6 pm in Cocoa!

Our Bible theme this school year is Sent to Serve, inspired by Matthew 20:28 "Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

We look forward to all of the ways that we will serve each other, our school family, our Matthew's Hope ministry, and most importantly, God.

For ways that you can get involved in helping us to make a difference with some of our most high-risk children under the age of 6 in our community, please visit www.matthewshopeministries.org or email our Firm Foundation Director at [email protected]

📍 Myth: People experiencing homelessness are dangerous and violent.

✅ Fact: Not having a home does not make someone a criminal, just like having a home does not make someone innocent of any and all crimes. According to data, people experiencing homelessness are far more likely to be victims of violent crime than to commit violent crime. But because of the infrequency of violent crimes committed by people experiencing homelessness, they tend to be considered “newsworthy” and attract more media attention.

www.usich.gov

Talk about Christmas in July! So excited for one of our guests and her children… Not every week we get to celebrate these type of victories but these are BIG! First she has the courage to escape domestic violence and enter in to our Matthew’s Hope Moving Forward Program, and now she is soon to graduate after gaining her US citizenship earlier this month and just got word she has qualified for her own apartment!

Your time, talents and treasures make all this possible. Every dollar donated is an investment in your community. With Matthew's Hope's commitment to giving a hand-up, rather than a hand-out, you will witness the impact of your investment. Please consider becoming a sustaining donor today with your monthly gift.

https://matthewshopeministries.harnessapp.com/wv2/donate

We also encourage you to visit MatthewsHopeMinistries.org and watch or listen into our award winning weekly Podcast to learn how your investment is used, “Straight Talk, No BS” now at: www.matthewshopeministries.org/straighttalk-podcast or find us on your favorite podcast platform.

Thank you Eric & Leanne R. for your $1,000 donation! We promise to be good stewards of your investment into our community.

To learn more about all that Matthew’s Hope does, and how your money will be used in our community, please visit MatthewsHopeMinistries.org

https://matthewshopeministries.harnessapp.com/wv2/donate

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=VKPYQMEN5UP2S&ssrt=1720048552997

Matthew’s Hope Orange County is located at 611 Business Park Blvd. just off Story Road in Winter Garden

A special shout out for another back to school donation! Thank you Ms. Meranda (a former Firm Foundation teacher) for supporting us even though you’re 700 miles away! 💜

At the request of Board Member, Parker Pridgen, CEO of Advent Health Apopka, Advent Health employees spent their "Day of "Service" volunteering at Matthew's Hope today.

We thank you for giving your time today.

Thank you Mary, President, West Orange Women, for the donation of women's clothing.

Your support is appreciated. Thank you! 💜

📍Myth: People experiencing homelessness just need to get a job.

✅ Fact: While employment helps people stay housed, it does not guarantee housing. As many as 40%-60% of people experiencing homelessness have a job, but housing is unaffordable because wages have not kept up with rising rents. There is no county or state where a full-time minimum-wage worker can afford a modest apartment. At minimum wage, people have to work 86 hours a week (https://nlihc.org/oor/about) to afford a one-bedroom. Even when people can afford a home, one is not always available. In 1970, the United States had a surplus of 300,000 affordable homes. Today, only 37 affordable homes (https://nlihc.org/news/nlihc-releases-gap-2023-shortage-affordable-homes) are available for every 100 extremely low-income renters. As a result, 70% of the lowest-wage households spend more than half their income on rent, placing them at high risk of homelessness when unexpected expenses (such as car repairs and medical bills) arise.

The Orlando Chi Club, Professional Nursing Organization stopped by with some much needed donations and took a tour of our facility.

Thank you Wyniqua Brown, Rene Hamm, Coleen Cox, Heather Peralta, Yolanda Linda and Constance Brown 💜

Matthew’s Hope Orange County is in need of the following items.

Paper Towels
Paper Plates
Paper Bowls
Paper Coffee Cups
Plastic Cups (Small)
Plastic Spoons
Plastic Forks
Garbage Bags 55 Gallon
Toilet Paper
Laundry Detergent

We can always use more of the following...
Cereal
Oatmeal
Juices
Milk
Fresh Fruits

Maybe you, your Church, Club or Business could help out in some way? Your time, talents and treasures are what make Matthew’s Hope possible.

Questions? Reach out to [email protected]

https://matthewshopeministries.harnessapp.com/wv2/donate

Matthew’s Hope Orange County is located at 611 Business Park Blvd. in Winter Garden just off Story Road

MatthewsHopeMinistries.org

Today we kick off our Wish-List Wednesday!

Every item purchased for our classrooms helps us continue to provide sliding scale tuition for families who qualify and allows us to keep our tuition fees affordable without compromising the quality of early learning that we provide.

Did you know the average tuition for a full-time student at Firm Foundation Preschool is $695 per month and that we hire highly educated, loving, and committed early childhood professionals?

Your donations are helping us build a firm foundation for our future!

Make sure to check our page each Wednesday for items on our wish-lists! We thank you for your continued support and prayers.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1XAQNNEYASZ50?ref_=wl_share

This post was brought to our attention today and we’d like to address it and encourage others to ask the hard questions. Knowledge, facts and truth hold power for those honestly seeking them.

1). Many have phones to stay in contact with family, employers, doctors, probation officers, etc. or the are seeking employment. Much like the rest of us.

2). As for as an ATM Card, not having the benefit of seeing it, it could have been an EBT Card or an SSI Benefit Card. Hard to say.

If the anonymous person who posted this question to us could share, how do you know they are not employed? A large portion of the people we serve are in fact employed, often doing jobs no one else wants to do. That said, those jobs typically don’t pay enough money to get somebody off the streets. A typical one bedroom department now requires about $2000 a month, with the proof of an income of $72,000 a year. We are seeing more and more people unable to qualify for a lease or mortgage in the current economy. We are also seeing more and more people who are senior citizens and those with physical and/or mental disabilities being displaced from homes they have lived in for years. They have money, but nearly not enough money to be able to put a roof over their heads. 

I hope this helps and if you have a follow up question, please present it to us. The only way to address the crisis taking place throughout central Florida is to address it head on. 

We also encourage you to watch or listen into our award winning Podcast, “Straight Talk, No BS” now! Visit www.matthewshopeministries.org/straighttalk-podcast or find us on your favorite podcast platform.








We’re excited for the theme of this year’s fall fundraiser, The Roaring Twenties 💃

Don’t miss this magical night of food, fellowship, entertainment and games of chance 🎲

Let’s dress up in our chicest 20’s attire and party 🎉🎉🎉

Get tickets here ➡️ https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/theroaringtwenties

We Are Winter Garden Imagine Marketing

The cold weather is here and the need grows daily. Can you, your business, church, civic group, or club help us provide for the hundreds of homeless men, women and children we serve weekly?

Donations can be dropped by Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm or by appointment.

Matthew’s Hope Orange County is located at 611 Business Park Blvd. in Winter Garden just off Story Road.

https://matthewshopeministries.harnessapp.com/wv2/donate

Clothing Needs:
(Men/Women-New or Gently Used)
Beanie Hats
Gloves
Winter Socks
Running/Mesh Style Shoes
Jeans
Sweat Pants
Long-sleeved T-Shirts
Hoodies
Sweatshirts
Ladies Panties (New)
Bras
Mens Boxer Briefs (New)

Misc. Needs:
Blankets (Light, Tight Weave)
Tents (9'x7')
Tarps (10'x8)
Sleeping Bags
Backpacks

MatthewsHopeMinistries.org

Matthew’s Hope Orange County has received a $10,000 Donation to help expand our medical services!

It will take us coming together to be the change we want to see in our community.

As a side note, we also received $40k towards expanding our Showers in Winter Garden. Dignity begins at Matthew’s Hope. Medical assistance, mental health care, showers, haircuts, laundry services and more with a large helping of unconditional love!

Want to be a part of the life changing, life saving, stories taking place at Matthew’s Hope? Please consider partnering with us in 2024 by committing to becoming a Sustaining Donor with an ongoing monthly or quarterly donation. Every bit helps… $5.00, $10, $25, $100… everyone’s sacrifice is different and appreciated.

https://matthewshopeministries.harnessapp.com/wv2/donate