Matthew's Hope Moving Forward 04.28.16

SPRING 2016

Happy Birthday - page 26

HOMELESS MINISTRY SOON HOMELESS ITSELF? - page 3

Reprinted with Permission from Orlando Sentinel

Matthew’s Hope offers work, salvation in Winter Garden Scott Maxwell - Contact Reporter Taking Names

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Pastor Scott Billue started Matthew’s Hope to provide socks and underwear for the needy in 2007.

Today, it has blossomed into a full-fledged nonprofit that houses the homeless, treats the drug addicted and gets them back to meaningful lives.

he midday sun beats down on Bill Metzger, and sweat beads upon his brow.

(Photo Scott Maxwell)

He is in the midst of hard garden labor with soil to be tilled, fertilizer that needs spreading and produce ready for harvest.

He’ll perspire much more before the sun sets.

Yet this is precisely where Metzger, 53, wants to be — at the edge of a four-acre swath of land where, two years ago, he went looking for a barbecue lunch and ended up finding salvation.

“When I came here, I was broke and broken,” Metzger said, recalling a downward spiral that started with a lost job and bottomed in a toxic mix of drugs and homelessness. “I knew I was killing myself. Finally I decided I didn’t want to die.”

He found new life at Matthew’s Hope, a nonprofit in Winter Garden that started as one church’s effort to provide socks and underwear for the homeless — and which has blossomed into a full-scale operation that now serves thousands.

Next week, the effort first launched by NEXT Community Church will celebrate its sixth anniversary — something founding pastor Scott Billue never imagined.

“Making it this far is a huge deal,” Billue said as he stood amongst dozens of volunteers and 100 or so people looking for help.

The campus on Daniels Road off State Road 50 has showers for the homeless (the “structurally challenged” as Billue calls them), a food pantry for the hungry and a clothing closet stocked with everything from bras to work boots.

But that is just the beginning.

Matthew’s hope is about job-training and life skills, education and redemption.

The campus includes a Montessori preschool, a car-detailing service and furniture-repair shop where guests can learn new job

skills, and the garden Metzger now runs as a full-time staffer, harvesting blueberries, arugula, carrots and kale.

The group has 14 houses. But participants have to work to earn their keep. They deposit money and “points” in the nonprofit’s savings accounts.

Detail enough cars or harvest enough crops, and maybe you can get a used bicycle. Or a new one. Finally, a car.

Guests meet with doctors and dentists, financial planners and creditrepair experts.

“Our average person leaves here with $5,000 in their pocket, new teeth, a car and fresh credit,” Billue said. “We’re not sending them out there when they’re not ready.”

And Matthew’s Hope has accomplished all of this without a dime of government money. It has an annual budget of about $1 million — all of which comes from donations and proceeds reaped from the services and products it offers.

A walk around the campus finds a mix of success stories and setbacks.

Greg is an artist who came to Matthew’s Hope with a drinking problem. Matthew’s Hope taught him he could paint sober. He has his first professional exhibit in a few weeks.

In the same room, though, a limping client admits that he’s still drinking while taking antibiotics for a serious infection. “You gotta stop,” Billue tells him. “I don’t want you to lose that leg.”

As we walk away, Billue says: “I’ve watched a guy pull his foot out of

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Some of the people are indeed the drug-addicted and the lost. But most are working families who simply hit a pothole in life.

HOMELESS MINISTRY SOON HOMELESS ITSELF?

Matthew’s Hope tries to fill that pothole before it becomes a crater.

“Sometimes,” Billue said, “we can get a family back on track in just a week or two.”

The Rumor is True...

a boot and seen his toes not come with it.”

Faith motivates Billue and many of his volunteers. But it’s not forced on those who turn to them for help. “We don’t beat them over the head with a Bible,” he said. “We show them the living water. Whether they drink that water or not is up to them.”

One of my favorite quotes about faith in action is: “You pray for the hungry. Then you feed them. That’s how prayer works.”

Billue and his army of altruistic warriors put that principle into play every day.

It starts with a hot shower. And when it works, it ends with selfsubsistence.

“The No. 1 reason people support us is because of the self accountability and the dignity,” Billue said. “And we’ve got a lot more to do.”

You can learn more about Matthew’s Hope at www.matthewshopeministries.org.

Scott Maxwell - Contact Reporter Taking Names email: smaxwell@orlandosentinel.com

Yes, Matthew’s Hope is in need of a new home by the end of July.

This would include our Firm Foundation Preschool, Playground, Offices, Shower Trailer, Pantry, Hair Salon, Laundry, Classrooms, and Harvest of Hope Garden and Greenhouse.

If you can help or would like to donate toward the move and a new home, please contact our Founder Scott Billue at ScottBillue@MatthewsHopeMinistries.org

www.Facebook.com/MatthewsHopeMinistries | MOVING FORWARD | MATTHEW’S HOPE | 3

IN THIS ISSUE Matthew’s Hope offers work, salvation in Winter Garden................ 2 New Faces at Matthew’s Hope....................... 5

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Letter to the Editor.......................................... 6 From the Founder........................................... 8

MATTHEW’S HOPE FOUNDER

The Front Porch......................................... 9-11

Scott Billue

Cloning Matthew’s Hope in Bithlo............................................. 12-13 From Our Garden.......................................................................... 14

PHOTOGRAPHERS Kathryn Kuehn Photography (www.QNpix.com)

Top 10 Ways to Battle Bugs.......................................................... 15 Breaking Bread on Bay Street....................................................... 16

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Book Recomendation: The Entitlement Cure.................................... 17 Photo Album: A Day of Normal................ 18-19

WRITERS Pastor Frankie Gallo, Jennifer Grant, Kirsten Harrington, Emily Subrahmanyam and Carole Wolbert.

Pantry Opens at Public School..................... 20 Investing Your Influence: Eden’s Lemonade Stand.......................................................... 21 Matthew’s Hope Providing Simple Necessities........................ 22 Allison’s Apiary Honey.............................................................. 23

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Greg Johnson - Artist............................... 24-26 On the Cover: Making A Difference: Happy Birthday Matthew’s Hope!....... 26-27

Into the Woods: The Sound Eviction Makes.................................. 28 Something to Smile About............................ 29

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In Loving Memory.................................... 30-31

MATTHEW’S HOPE STAFF MEMBERS Judi Ridenour, Bookkeeper Barbara Beuhrer, Office Assistant Glenda Robinson, Office Assistant Pastor Frankie Gallo, Ministry and Outreach Ginger Allen, Preschool Director Katie Reed, Preschool Teaching Assistant Nancy Pfaff, Registered Nurse Barry Altland, Volunteer and Events

OUR MISSION...

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atthew’s Hope fosters the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of the homeless men, women, and children of our West Orange community by meeting basic needs, developing skills, and restoring dignity and independence.

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Sarah Rosenburg, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Want more copies of the magazine?

Call 407-905-9500.

Altland, Rosenburg & Pfaff Join Hope Matthew’s Hope

NEW FACES

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arah Rosenburg joins our staff as a licensed clinical social worker. Sarah was with Matthew’s Hope before we were called Matthew’s Hope, back in 2010 when we launched the Freeze Warning Shelter. She desired to see the homeless have a safe place to sleep when the weather became dangerously cold.

Sarah is pursuing a certificate in Child Parent Psychotherapy from the University of California-San Francisco. In addition, she has her Masters in social work from the University of Central Florida and a Bachelors of Arts in Religion: concentration in Christian Education, with a Minor in Spanish from Florida Southern College.

Sarah is also the Founder of Renewed Hope Missions located in the Dominican Republic. Renewed Hope serves several villages outside of Santiago and has built a well and a Montessori-based school.

We are very excited to welcome an old friend back to Matthew’s Hope and the gifts that she brings in moving our mission forward.

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atthew’s Hope is also excited to announce the addition of Barry Altland to our staff team.

Barry is a writer, speaker and author of the book, Engaging the Head, Heart and Hands of a Volunteer. Barry blends world-class leadership principles from the for-profit world with his own numerous experiences as a volunteer and leader of volunteers to offer a fresh perspective on volunteer engagement.

In his professional life, Barry has cultivated talent strategies in a variety of industries, ranging from the theme parks of Central Florida to agribusiness, supply chain logistics, financial services and healthcare. He has invested 15 years developing talent and leadership across all levels of organizations. Barry has served as a collaborative partner to teams and leaders to assess performance inhibitors and devise creative solutions that optimize people, passion and performance.

Mr. Altland has designed and facilitated hundreds of workshops and interactive learning experiences.

Barry’s volunteer life spans faith-based service, homeowners association leadership, professional association leadership at the local and national level, working with youth, athletics, education-based volunteerism and social impact organizations. Barry has even designed and led corporate social responsibility strategies in multiple companies.

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ancy Pfaff is a Registered Nurse who comes to us as a long-term Matthew’s Hope Fan.

Nurse Nancy, as her patients call her, comes to us with an extensive background in school nursing in West Orange County. She served as a Resource Coordinator providing school nurses with medical, dental and community resources to help them care for their students. After realizing that many children had serious illnesses, but didn’t have a doctor to go to, or the funds to pay a doctor, Nancy began the Children’s Free Medical Clinic.

For the last 15 years Nancy has worked with homeless men and woman at Pathways to Care and most recently Healthcare Center for the Homeless where she provided medical care and case management in the camps of orange county for the last 7 years. While working with some homeless patients in Winter Garden, Nancy was introduced to Pastor Scott and Matthews Hope and has been a fan ever since. Nancy believes “Pastor Scott knows how to do homelessness right. I love caring for the homeless population and am thrilled to be able to that through Matthews Hope.” www.Facebook.com/MatthewsHopeMinistries | MOVING FORWARD | MATTHEW’S HOPE | 5

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Matthew 25:35-40 Dear Disillusioned,

’s Hope, Dear Friends at Matthew s d people at a homeles nce a month I help fee e I’v so past year or shelter in my city. The things I’ve seen. the gotten really jaded by a be a juror on a case for I was almost chosen to with ed arg ch shelter. He was man I’ve served at the hernalia. possessing drug parap e really jury, but that experienc I wasn’t picked for the money I am spending my own disillusioned me. Here d out fin I d an to the homeless on vegetables to bring y on ne spending their own mo that some of them are drugs. lping at pposed to continue he Often I ask God if I’m su Please . go I always glad when the shelter, and yet I’m in heart so it’s more like His pray God will change my this situation. ard articles in Moving Forw And thank you for your le more litt helped me to have a magazine, which have ople. pathy for homeless pe understanding and em

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Signed, Disillusioned

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omeless ministry can often feel like two steps forward and five steps back. We’ve had people whom we’ve housed in transitional housing and helped out of dire situations, suddenly turn on us and call us names with such anger and spite.

Several of our guests move themselves forward only to fall back, as recently as yesterday. After quite a few days of sobriety, one man whom I care about went on a drinking binge. Again.

While we always meet basic needs for all of our guests, we want to be good stewards of our donors’ money. So we make sure our guests don’t get bigger ticket items, like a bicycle or steel-toed boots, unless they earn points to acquire those things. Additionally, guests in our transitional housing must agree to random drug tests.

With this said, we will never withhold basic needs, like food, from someone simply because of addictions. We feel Scripture supports this.

I have prayed for you, just as you’ve asked. But consider also this encouragement I draw from Scripture, and specifically from the name of our homeless ministry here in Winter Garden. Matthew’s Hope comes from the passage in Matthew 25 that says we do all this unto Jesus, not unto the person we think we are serving. Jesus actually spoke of the very ministry you have done each time you bring those vegetables, friend! He said you were spending your money on vegetables for Him, not for the person you saw that day in court. Here is the passage from where we pulled our name. May God inspire you to continue doing good deeds because of His great and merciful love for all of us. “‘For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and go to visit You?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me (Matthew 25:35-40).’”

Signed, Your friends at Matthew’s Hope Ministries

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Love Begins at Home We support Matthew’s Hope and are dedicated to building a stronger community where everyone has the opportunity to live their life to the fullest potential.

PERSONAL HOME CARE SERVICES:

SERVICE PROVIDED BY Registered Nurses Licensed Practical Nurses Home Health Aides Physical Therapists Occupational Therapists Speech Therapists Medical Social Workers

P: 4 07.801.3635

F: 4 07.3 86.7301

www.serendipitylovingcare.com

• Companionship

• Laundry

• Homemaker

• Changing Linens

• Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care

• Nurse Assessments

• Safety and Security

• Toileting

• Light Housekeeping • Respite Care

• Mobility Support and Ambulation or walking

• Grocery Shopping

• Hygiene

• Errands and Incidental Transportation

• Grooming

• Dressing

• Meal Preparation

• Bathing Physical Assistance

• Monitoring Diet

• Assistance with Eating

• Medication Reminders

• Help with Activities of Daily Living or ADL’s

• Conversation, Social Contact and Activities

• Live-In Caregivers

• Clothing Selection

• Observation

• Cleaning Kitchens and/ or Bathrooms

• 24 / 7 care

Lic. #299994448

www.Facebook.com/MatthewsHopeMinistries | MOVING FORWARD | MATTHEW’S HOPE | 7

FROM THE FOUNDER

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Let us live, love and serve

s Matthew’s Hope enters our seventh year serving our great community, all while experiencing many growing pains, while I myself am going through many changes in my personal life, I began to reflect on why I do what I do. It certainly isn’t for the money, and truth be known, I have many more critics than one might believe. So while pondering, meditating, and praying on this, the following came to mind…

Luke 12:29-32 MSG reads: “What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.”

And Nehemiah 1:3-4 MSG states the following: “They told me, The exile survivors who are left there in the province are in bad shape. Conditions are appalling. The wall of Jerusalem is still rubble; the city gates are still cinders. When I heard this, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God-of-Heaven.”

So I ask…

Do you weep for the world around you?

Does your heart ache when you watch the news?

When you drive down the street, do you take in what you see around you and ask yourself… what can I do?

When you hear of a crisis do you run from it… or toward it?

We must weep with Jesus… Our Hearts must ache for His people… when we have His heart of compassion; our hearts then beat with His. The moment He breathed into you the gift of life, at that very same moment, there was a specific work He called you to… yes, even a flawed broken sinner like myself.

God has gifted you for so much more than who you are right now.

God is looking for someone just like you… to make a difference in the world by simply doing what you can. And what you can do is much greater than what you think… Your story is not yet complete.

Philippians 4:13 NKJV says: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

If you can get outside of yourself and look around, you will see that something needs to change and that something starts with you and it starts with me. We can’t just play at being “Christian.” Our life must reflect the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ!

Luke 12:33-34 MSG tells us: “Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.”

What wrecks the heart of a man who loves God is often the very thing that God will use to move us to do something for which under normal circumstances we would never attempt to do.

We can join God in making right what is wrong with the World. But… if you have been exposed to all that is broken in the world and fail to view it from Heaven’s viewpoint, which promises that everything is being restored, then you will become stuck in an impossible downward spiral of aggravation, frustration and anger that will stop you in your tracks and make for one miserable existence, often becoming a religious Pharisee full of biblical knowledge but lacking the heart of Christ for which grace and mercy abound.

The stakes are high and the risk is greater than ever before so we must fight. Our goal in life needs to be Bigger than ourselves… It needs to be in concern to the One whose name we bear.

When you have a deep desire to see things change, you take off the gloves, you get on your knees and you fight! The greater the risk, the harder you must fight. And you do this not knowing what the end results of your labor will be other than the promises for which He has made, and His promises stand firm!

1 John 4:4 NIV: “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

It is because of this truth, this promise, His promise, that regardless of what happens on this journey that each of us is on, you don’t have to allow the size of the hill, the size of your failures, or the depth of what you witness happening all around you to get you down… if you believe that with God, all things are possible.

Together, and with Him, we can and will make a difference.

As we work out our salvation together… Let us choose to live life as He intended… No longer settling for the Ordinary… but expecting the extraordinary… for the one that calls us by name as the sons and daughters of the Most High has equipped us by His Holy Spirit.

Is now the time? Ask yourself. Maybe today is the day to embrace, and to own, your own story, not pretending to be someone or something you are not. Your Integrity is owning the story God has given you to write. And if God is with us, who can be against us, for we are more than conquerors! Let us live, love and serve as though we understand and believe His word… His truth.

Here’s to the Crazy Ones Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels.

The trouble-makers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status-quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them. But the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.

(Author unknown) I hope to see you in the trenches… you may get dirty, but you’ll be blessed beyond measure!

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THE FRONT PORCH Acupuncture helps guests at Matthews Hope traumatic stress disorder, addictions, and more.

She inserted 5 tiny needles into the ear of several willing guests at Matthew’s Hope, then removed them 30 minutes later.

Reporting by Sue Blois

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anine Margewicz was confident that a well-placed needle—or five—could help homeless men Greg said he has always had a fear of needles, and women. She runs an acupuncture but noticed such a significant decrease of JANINE MARGEWICZ business in Winter Garden on Plant Street, stress and anxiety that he would gladly do it and also volunteers at Matthew’s Hope. again. Heather went to her job right after the acupuncture and her boss asked what was different. Chuck “After a year of building relationships with the guests, gaining their trust,” she says, “we came together to offer this said, “I haven’t had pain in my shoulder since she did that.” treatment.”

Janine plans to continue to offer complementary treatment Janine explains that the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) protocol has been used for over 30 years for stress reduction, sleep disturbances, post-

Unity Concert Series

every other Thursday during the 1:00 p.m. life recovery class.

“We all have a special gift bestowed upon us,” she says, “and my heart knows how beneficial acupuncture can be.”

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he Garden Choir created a concert partnership with Matthew’s Hope. Quinn Roberts, the Board Chairman of the 9-year-old choir, said their new focus as a choir is to showcase organizations around Winter Garden and throughout the West Orange Community, one concert at a time.

Matthew’s Hope helped kick off the Garden Choir’s first annual unity performance under the theme of Hope. The songs covered a variety of genres and included additional performances by a chamber choir and a local men’s a cappella group known as “Sounds Like Chicken.”

Two people who have lived in transitional housing spoke about the positive influence of Matthew’s Hope on their lives. www.Facebook.com/MatthewsHopeMinistries | MOVING FORWARD | MATTHEW’S HOPE | 9

THE FRONT PORCH “T

imes are tough because of the economy, job situation and my circumstances. My hopes for the future are to get back on my feet, stay on top, and try not to fall back down again. [Matthew’s Hope] is keeping hope alive for me in these hard times. I’ve been coming to Matthew’s Hope about two years now.”

Thank You Duke Energy

-- Cameron, a guest

Community Partnership

By Frankie Gallo

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inter Garden isn’t Mayberry and it’s no longer 1960.

Yet Michael Stopples, who owns Scoops, (the oldfashioned ice cream parlor in historic downtown Winter Garden) has a heart like Andy Griffith. So when a homeless person asks Michael for a free meal, he wants to help. Thing is, this isn’t 1960 anymore and the motives for those asking for a handout have changed.

Helping can hurt, at times.

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ebbie Clements, Community Relations Manager for Duke Energy, presents a $5000 donation to Matthew’s Hope Founder Scott Billue to assist Matthew’s Hope in continuing its mission of serving the homeless men, women, and children of our community. To learn more about Matthew’s Hope and how you can get involved visit www.MatthewsHopeMinistries.org

Scott Billue met with Michael and reminded him that Scoops is a business, not a ministry. He assured the business owner that there are many places the indigent or hungry can get food in central Florida. Matthew’s Hope, for example, is just up the street. Scott suggested that Michael tell people that if they truly wanted a meal and were hungry, they would be welcome to come back at closing time and he would gladly feed them all they could eat.

He also encouraged Scoops and other merchants in downtown Winter Garden to become partners with Matthew’s Hope. Scott hands out window decals that businesses can display, identifying themselves as partners in ministry. Learn more about how your business can join with Matthew’s Hope—call 407-905-9500 or visit matthewshopeministries.org.

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THE FRONT PORCH

“Things have never been better” - Chef DeAndre

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eAndre use to be homeless in Winter Garden, Florida and got help at Matthew’s Hope. “I will never forget what you all have done for me and the love I got,” he wrote recently on Facebook. “I am currently living in Las Vegas, Nevada, attending school at The Art Institute of Las Vegas studying Culinary Management for my Bachelors of Science. I am working as a personal chef for two families here in Las Vegas and things have never been better. Thank you all so, so much. God bless you all and this outreach.”

God’s Little Helpers

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hanks to--from left to right--Bobby (10), Luke (4) and Harrison (4) for helping us restock our food pantry. When asked why they wanted to bring food to Matthew’s Hope, Harrison answered, “Because we are God’s helpers.”

See our website for a list of our top needs right now: www.matthewshopeministries.org/faq/how-can-i-donate/

www.Facebook.com/MatthewsHopeMinistries | MOVING FORWARD | MATTHEW’S HOPE | 11

Cloning Matthew’s Hope in Bithlo Intent on using the Matthew’s Hope model, woman starts homeless outreach from the ground up

By Carole Wolbert

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lda Cabrera is a beautiful woman with a welcoming smile and a calming voice, who dreams of beginning a ministry to serve the homeless in the Bithlo area. Many years ago, she says the right help, at the right time, saved her family from becoming a part of the homeless population. “My husband and I had both lost our jobs and were two days away from eviction. My cousin loaned us two months’ worth of rent. We were able to use that money to buy us time until we got our acts together.”

Now, she would like to return the same “right kind of help at the right time” that she and her husband received, to the homeless men, women and children of Bithlo, Florida, a town 34 miles east of Winter Garden. According to city-data.com, 21.5% of Bithlo’s population live below the poverty line—a statistic nearly twice the amount of the rest of the state of Florida.

And Elda is intent on using the Matthew’s Hope model as the pattern for her new ministry. After driving past a truck with the Matthew’s Hope logo on the side, she went home and did some research at matthewshopeministries.org. Next, she called the office and scheduled a tour of the Matthew’s Hope office. Once there, she was invited to come back and attend a staff meeting the following day. She took advantage of this opportunity and came armed with questions to clarify who, what, when, where, why and how. “I was amazed that founder, Scott Billue, gave me two days of his time, and even offered to put together a how-to for me to use.”

What drew her to Matthew’s Hope in the first place? She was impressed by a model that invites each person in need of help to take ownership of the situation. Elda liked the way that guests were given ample opportunities to move forward toward independence

and self-sufficiency. “Allowing the homeless to see for themselves where they could be, building trust with them because many other people have let them down, and offering one-to-one attention is all very important.”

Since touring Matthew’s Hope, she has begun to interview homeless people in Bithlo. She chooses to identify herself as a “homeless advocate” when she introduces herself to those begging on the street. One man, whose been very cooperative, goes by ‘Street Dog’. He’s a 30-year veteran of homelessness and he has offered Elda perspective.

He said a fairly high percentage of the homeless are content with living in the woods. He went on to say that many are not willing to return to mainstream society. Street Dog’s helpfulness went beyond answering a series of questions and included suggesting a place for Elda to put up a sign announcing when she will be in the area and the items she will have for those in need. He also cautioned Elda that some people in the woods are dangerous and warned her not to go into the woods, but to meet the homeless in a public area. Pastor Frankie Gallo, the outreach pastor at Matthew’s Hope, also told Elda to always have her cell phone with her and, if at all possible, to have someone accompany her as she speaks to the homeless.

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Thanks to those she has interviewed, she has also learned that although canned goods are a great way to provide food, they need to be the self-opening type. “Many homeless do not have a can opener readily available to them,” Elda says, “and some of them have received pretty severe injuries and infections from attempting to open the cans with knives or other sharp objects.” In addition to all of this, she is also in the process of putting together a list of the most needed personal items. This self-appointed advocate to the homeless plans to share this list with various groups in her area.

Early on, Elda became aware that she needed to develop her business model—providing a complete picture of the proposed ministry and having it available to present to business leaders, community leaders and pastors alike. “A woman I recently met at church has a business background and has offered to help me put my business model together,” Elda enthusiastically replies. “She is also willing to help me set it up as a corporation.” Her husband is also very involved with community events that help the homeless.

“He has offered to ride along with me when I am driving around to interview the homeless,” she adds.

Elda has been on a fact-finding mission. Through her interviews she has been able to identify five pressing needs: jobs; cell phones—so the homeless can provide potential employers with contact information; medical care; permanent addresses; and food. She has already begun to contact area businesses to help her with these stated needs. For example, the manager of a local resale shop offered the use of his computers so that the homeless can search for job postings. Additionally, he is willing to contact Elda to let her know when recruiters will be conducting interviews at his facility. This way, Elda can pass this information along to the homeless.

She has an appointment with an Assurance Wireless Telephone representative to learn how to help the homeless obtain cell phones from the government, at no cost to the client. She is putting together flyers directing the homeless to the medical help already available in the area, including a map with directions to each location. She has been advised to go to the local post office and find out if and how the homeless in the area could make use of the general delivery post office box. She is now in the process of putting together a list of needed food items that could be collected and organized for distribution by members of the various churches, businesses, community organizations and schools in the area.

Elda has met with people at the Department of Children and Families in Bithlo, and also with Tim McKinney who runs another ministry that serves low-income individuals and families. During her time at Matthew’s Hope, she picked up on how much the ministry depends on the community for effectiveness. Therefore, she wants to insure she creates a community network that can develop collaborative strategies.

Not everything is in the planning stage. “The board from my church has already approved for me to use our building to pass out day-old Panera bakery on Saturday mornings from 8:30-9:15. It’s a start.”

Elda is a dynamo, accomplishing all of this, while working full time as a sales rep for Care Plus Health Plan. She is intent on making a difference in the lives of her homeless neighbors, but she realizes she can’t do it alone. “As we grow, I am going to need help.”

Do you want to know more about Elda’s goals on the East side? You may email her at eastorlandohelp@ gmail.com or call her cell phone at 407.462.9328.

www.Facebook.com/MatthewsHopeMinistries | MOVING FORWARD | MATTHEW’S HOPE | 13

FROM OUR GARDEN

Savory Herb-Roasted

Turnips Recipe by: A Whole Ne

Ingredients:

Directions:

I

f you’ve been to the grocery store lately and checked out the prices of organic produce, you will clearly see why I am such a large fan of Matthew’s Hope’s chemical-free garden. The word “organic” ensures that crops have been grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. This label also comes with a hefty certification fee deterring many small farmers from being able to carry this certified organic label and ensuring that consumers pay up to three times as much for organic produce.

The good news is that you can buy fresh, chemical-free produce from the Matthew’s Hope “Harvest of Hope” garden at a very affordable price. Matthew’s Hope produce is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, therefore reducing your exposure to toxic pesticide residues in your body. Also, when you purchase produce from their garden, it is hand-picked the morning of pick-up, ensuring that you are receiving your healthful bounty at its most nutrient-dense state.

Freshly picked produce is not only more nutritious, but it is also much more delicious than produce that has been picked before it’s peak and traveled thousands of food miles to make it to your local grocery store.

So now that you understand why to purchase at Matthew’s Hope, let’s talk about what to buy this month and the deliciousness that we can make with it. For this edition’s recipe, I decided to dress up the not-sopopular turnip. Turnips are a root vegetable and are often overlooked as a savory side dish. They are low in calories and loaded in vitamins and minerals, a particularly rich source of vitamin C. The recipe pairs turnips with a variety of health-benefiting herbs.

Herbs are a rich source of antioxidants and have been linked to

w Life

• 3 lbs turnips, peeled and cut into chunks • 1 small onion • 3 garlic cloves • 2 teaspoons fresh thy me • 2 teaspoons fresh pa rsley • 2 teaspoons fresh ore gano • 1 teaspoon fresh ros emary • ½ teaspoon salt • ¼ teaspoon pepper • 1 tablespoon coconu t oil

1. Preheat oven to 45 0º 2. Combine turnips, onions and garlic in a 13x9 baking dish and toss with coconut oil.

3. Combine herbs, sa lt and pepper and mi x well. Sprinkle over turnip mixture.

4. Bake for 40-45 mi nutes during baking to allow . Remove from oven and stir twice turnips to cook evenly.

5. ENJOY!! Garnish with fresh herbs if de sired.

Tip: Coconut oil beco below 76º. If your oil mes solid when it is exposed to a temperat is solid, leave the req the oven as it preheats uired amount sitting ure easier to use in your to liquefy the oil. This will make it muchon recipes.

reduced inflammation. Common herbs may also help protect against certain chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

By using herbs to flavor your food, you will decrease the amount of salt, fat and sugar in your diet which are all commonly used as flavor enhancers. The aromatic flavoring of fresh herbs can transform almost any ordinary dish into a savory delight. In this recipe, I use a combination of thyme, parsley, oregano and rosemary straight from the Matthew’s Hope garden.

Enjoy.

About the Author Stephanie Lang is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and mother of two. She is passionate about helping families to create healthier lifestyles by embracing healthy eating, exercise and selfcare routines. Stephanie is the owner of A WHOLE NEW LIFE which provides individual, family and corporate wellness coaching, as well as healthy living workshops. Call Stephanie at (407) 697-0118 for your free health consultation or log onto awholenewlife.net for more recipes and resources.

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TOP 10 WAYS TO BATTLE BUGS Our chemical-free garden requires our gardener to get creative

By Kirsten Harrington

F

rom the Goliath Hornworm, an alien-like threat that can devour an entire tomato plant; to the wild boar sneaking into the garden at night tearing up the dirt; growing a healthy, productive garden at Matthew’s Hope is hard work.

Stifling heat and poor soil conditions add to the challenge.

“Florida is a different world. It’s like trying to grow something on the moon,” said Bill Metzger, who manages the chemicalfree garden. Over the past several years, he’s collected an arsenal of organic gardening techniques to battle the bugs.

#10

#9

#8 #7

LADYBUGS When the going gets tough, Bill calls in the Red Army – 10,000 ladybugs released simultaneously to feast on aphids. Two or three times a year, Pastor Frankie hops on his motorcycle and heads over to Oviedo to pick up another troop.

OAK LEAF TEA Ever wondered how to grow brilliant orange Habanero peppers in January? The answer: a good strong cup of tea. Take a tote of oak leaves, cover with water and steep it for four days. Use the “brew” to water the plants and regulate the soil PH, providing perfect growing conditions.

Hold the sugar, please.

#6

#5

#4 #3

#2

NEEM OIL Neem oil is a natural plant extract tough on pests and mildew, but not harmful to humans or lady bugs. Over time, some insects become immune to it, and then…

SOAP SPRAY …Bill switches to soap. A quick spray (Dawn dish detergent mixed with water) kills white flies and aphids; not to mention, it leaves plants squeaky clean.

#1

THURICIDE CONCENTRATE While the name may sound scary, thuricide is only harmful if you are a leaf-munching caterpillar. This naturally occurring soil bacterium takes care of cropdamaging bugs but won’t harm beneficial insects.

COPPER Chinese and Egyptians have recognized the antimicrobial benefits of copper for centuries; Matthew’s Hope capitalizes on ancient wisdom with a modern day organic copper fungicide to rid cucumbers and squash of mildew.

HOT WATER This good-old fashioned remedy kills ants, weeds and unwanted grass. Put the kettle on and attack those pests with hot water – just be sure not to get it on the plants.

DIATOMACEOUS EARTH This dusty ground-up fossil powder is effective against aphids, ants, beetle grubs and squash bugs. It’s a powerful force against pests, since insects don’t build up resistance to it like they do to other chemical applications.

COMPANION PLANTING Colorful marigolds, sunflowers and nasturtiums are more than just pretty faces. When paired with the appropriate fruit or vegetable plant, these flowering beauties attract pollinators and give harmful pests something to snack on.

Birds go for the sunflower seeds instead of blueberries, and nematodes and maggots are deterred by marigolds.

PRAYER There’s only so much you can do to influence Mother Nature. Work hard and pray continuously.

To order our chemical-free produce, visit us online at www.MatthewsHopeMinistries.org/garden-order-form/ www.Facebook.com/MatthewsHopeMinistries | MOVING FORWARD | MATTHEW’S HOPE | 15

Breaking Bread on Bay Street Transitional Housing Guests Move Forward, One Meal at a Time

Everyone shows such love to my kids. We’re not used to that.

When we were homeless and living in our car, it was tough to have anyone around us,” she said.

Kristen and her three children proudly show off the picnic table which they built as a family that serves as the patio’s focal point.

In addition to holding veggies & dip and chocolate chip cookies, the table serves as a place to vent and gain support from each other. “Everyone is so helpful here. It’s nice to have someone to confide in,” she admits.

By Kirsten Harrington

A

heroin addict, an alcoholic, a former meth user, and an abused woman gather around the table sharing barbecued ribs, corn on the cob and macaroni salad. The kids play and want to know if it’s time for dessert, all the while, a well-fed black lab makes his rounds, offering affection in the form of sloppy kisses and a wagging tale.

It’s a chilly Sunday evening, as this unlikely group gathers for a common purpose—to enjoy fellowship and food without worrying about what brought them together in the first place. They live in the cottages on Bay Street and take part in the Matthew’s Hope Transitional Housing Program. The rules are strict, the days are long and the journey is stressful.

But on the nights when they gather for potluck dinner and a game of Uno or a movie on the shared patio, the mood lightens.

“It’s relaxing. It feels good to come out here and just be normal, to not worry about what got us here, or our addictions,” explained a Bay Street single mom named Kristen. “It’s like a little family.

Pastor Frankie, who lives onsite and is a paid employee of Matthew’s Hope, started the community meals about a year ago with a barbecue. Now they happen spontaneously, three to four times a week when the weather is warm enough. “Eating and laughing together or playing Uno or Yahtzee, help the guests acclimate,” Pastor Frankie said.

He pointed to a table nearby, known as the confessional. “As long as they are sitting there they can complain or curse or vent – they need that,” he said.

Breaking bread together allows the guests to temporarily shed the labels that are placed on them (addict, drunk, homeless) and instead, enjoy one of the most basic pleasures in life we all share.

“When we get together to eat, he’s just a brother in the Lord,” says Pastor Frankie referring to a guest. “We’re just breaking bread together.

But the sustenance the Bay Street residents receive from the potluck meals transcends physical nourishment; they are also filled spiritually. “When we could, we’d put something on the grill and have a Bible study,” Kristen says, pausing from her dinner to zip her son’s sweatshirt. “The more Bible studies I do, the better I feel.”

1 6 | MATTHEW’S HOPE | MOVING FORWARD | www.MatthewsHopeMinistries.org

BOOK RECOMMENDATION

The Basics: Title:

The Entitlement Cure:

Finding Success in Doing Hard Things the Right Way

Author: Dr. John Townsend Paperback: 276 pages Retail price: $22.99 What is entitlement?

People are not getting to where they want to go, because they don’t know how to do life the hard way. Entitlement, Townsend says, is “the belief that I am exempt from responsibility and I am owed special treatment” (page 19).

“Entitlement has become a serious problem in our society, and it’s not getting better…The disease is not limited to any age or socioeconomic demographic. In my organizational consulting and in my psychological counseling, I have worked with seriously entitled people in their 80s and with highly responsible individuals in their teens. The disease cuts a wide swath.

“Nor does the word entitlement, as I’m using it in this book, have anything to do with politics or government programs. The word has, in some circles, become a shorthand for tax-funded benefits to those who may or may not deserve them. For the duration of this book, forget that use of the word entirely. I’m talking about something entirely different—something that’s as likely to affect the critic of government programs as it is the programs’ beneficiaries” (page 23).

What is the solution to entitlement?

Townsend says entitlement keeps us from tackling challenges and finding success, but he offers strategies for fighting entitlement, such as learning to: • Grasp the value of keeping inconvenient commitments • Find ways to minimize regret • Take a meaningful risk every week • Understand why saying “I don’t know” is the first step toward success

“There is a solution to entitlement, which I call the Hard Way. The Hard Way is the entitlement cure. It is a path of behaviors and attitudes that undo the negative effects of entitlement, whether in ourselves or in others. Here’s my definition of the Hard Way: the habit of doing what is best, rather than what is comfortable, to achieve a worthwhile outcome” (page 26).

www.Facebook.com/MatthewsHopeMinistries | MOVING FORWARD | MATTHEW’S HOPE | 17

PHOTO ALBUM

Normal

A Day of Trip to SeaWorld®

A “Day of Normal” is a time for play, an opportunity to forget you are without a home to call your own. We try to give our Guests, working within our Moving Forward Program, opportunities to play here and there. We’ve had some Beach Days, Predator Football Games, Squeeze Baseball Games, Solar Bear Games, as well as visits to Fun Spot America, Seaworld, and Universal Studios. Have an idea for a Day of Normal or want to donate Tickets to an Event for our Guests? Please let us know.

Car Detailing Program MATTHEW’S HOPE - HOMELESS MINISTRY

Giving West Orange County’s homeless responsibilities and another opportunity to become independent and to break the cycle of homelessness.

All vehicle-detailing work is done at Matthew’s Hope, 1460 Daniels Road, Winter Garden. Cars cost $25 for an inside-and-out detail. An additional $15 will get the car hand-waxed with high-quality products. Vans and small trucks are $35 for a detail, $50 for detailing and waxing. Larger trucks can be cleaned, too, and drivers can call for a quote.

Stop by or call us for a quote today!

407.905.9500

1460 Daniels Road Winter Garden, FL 34787 MatthewsHopeMinistries.org

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PHOTO ALBUM

Support Matthew’s Hope through

Hope Chest Creations Refunished & Repurposed Wood Furniture & Pallet Furniture Located at 535 W. Plant St., Winter Garden, FL

To learn more join our Public Group on Facebook 1460 Daniels Road • Winter Garden, FL 34787

www.MatthewsHopeMinistries.org

407.905.9500

www.Facebook.com/MatthewsHopeMinistries | MOVING FORWARD | MATTHEW’S HOPE | 19

Pantry Opens at Public School Matthew’s Hope Gives Back to West Orange High

By Emily Subrahmanyam

A

n emergency food pantry at West Orange High School recently opened in partnership with Matthew’s Hope. WOHS is the third largest high school in all of Florida with 3,749 students. Within the first week of opening, 11 students took advantage of the pantry’s items.

Learning and physical wellness become a challenge to students who are homeless, economically disadvantaged or just not getting enough to eat. “We have over 30 students registered as homeless and believe there are more based on data,” says Ms. Kristen Iannuzzi, WOHS wrestling coach and 2015 Teacher of the Year. “Additionally, we have families that may not be homeless but are struggling to provide basic necessities.”

It can be embarrassing for a teenager to go and get hygiene products and food from a pantry. “For the ones who could’ve been embarrassed, I turned it into a lesson.” says Mrs. Leisa HopkinsBrown, who works in the special needs department. “There were a few students that were very aware or anxious, so we asked them to help another student and then gave them supplies as well,” explains Mrs. Hopkins-Brown. “They were usually more than happy to help other students.”

“We usually try to send home food on the weekends for students that we know struggle financially, so the pantry is incredibly helpful,” says Mrs. Hopkins-Brown.

Ms. Kristen Iannuzzi, WOHS wrestling coach and 2015 Teacher of the Year

James (not his real name), a junior at WOHS, first received services from Matthew’s Hope during the holiday season. “Because of Matthew’s Hope’s generosity, we were able to provide gifts and clothing for this young man,” Ms. Iannuzzi explained. “Now, he visits the food pantry here at school. This has been such a help to supplement the groceries he purchases for himself at home,” she says. “To this student, the pantry has had an immeasurable impact.”

Ms. Kristen Iannuzzi is the coordinator for The Student Assistance and Family Empowerment Program (SAFE). “When I took the position as SAFE coordinator, I realized there was a need here on our campus,” says Ms. Iannuzzi. When meals and other basic needs are not met, obstacles arise in students’ abilities to learn.

“The pantry helps diminish those obstacles” says Ms. Iannuzzi.

“While I organized the initial movement, we are really thankful to our students and to Matthew’s Hope for running with it.”

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INVESTING YOUR INFLUENCE Facebook. They pinned information on a board in their neighborhood. Eden brought flyers to school to advertise her lemonade stand ahead of time.

And Matthew’s Hope leant her a tent.

Then the day before, Eden and her mother went to the grocery store and bought 100 hotdogs and 10 gallons this time of ready-made lemonade.

They had since moved and there was no longer a lemon tree, but business demand had long out grown a few backyard lemons.

Eden’s Lemonade Stand

By Jennifer Grant

E

den Rollis was bored. Since a lemon tree grew in her backyard she asked her mom if she could set up a lemonade stand. Her mother, Meredith, agreed but said she couldn’t keep the money she earned, so she needed to think of to whom she would give the proceeds.

Her grandfather, Roger Prehn, is a pastor who volunteers at Matthew’s Hope, and he had talked all about that ministry with Eden. So Eden knew right away that she wanted to raise the money for that cause. “She knows the money goes to help homeless people find their way without being just given money,” says Meredith. “She knows they have to participate without being given a hand-out.”

That day, two years ago, Eden raised an amazing $57 selling homemade lemonade for Matthew’s Hope.

She enjoyed hosting the lemonade stand so much that she wanted to do it again. Her parents said she could do one per year.

The next year she decided to sell hot dogs in addition to the lemonade to earn more money for Matthew’s Hope. The young philanthropist brought in a whopping $850 that she got to deliver to the ministry in person.

As an 8-year-old, Eden just did it again. She planned ahead. She set aside the Saturday after Christmas for her lemonade stand since she would be out of school. Her mom posted about it on

The night before she opened for business, Eden was lying in bed thinking about how her lemonade stand would turn out. “I was thinking about how much I’d sell and how much money I’d earn for Matthew’s Hope,” she says. She wanted to earn more than the years before, and her goal this time was to raise enough to help pay for someone’s housing.

Her advertising paid off. On December 26, 2015, people from the neighborhood, along with friends and teachers stopped by Eden’s lemonade stand. Some people, like her principal, who wanted to support the 8-year-old but were out of town, sent a donation. “My husband and I purchased the items needed without taking anything from her profits,” says Meredith. “Lots of people asked about Matthew’s Hope. We had flyers and current copies of the Moving Forward magazine to hand out.”

At the end of the day Eden and her mom counted the money together. The young benefactor raised $1,286.

Her mother was amazed. Not as much by the amount Eden raised, but by her daughter’s response to the money. “For her not to want a dime of it,” says Meredith, “for an 8-year-old to have all this and not to ask for any of it, she knew what it was going for. It warms my heart.”

“I was thinking I have a house and some people don’t,” says Eden, “and I wanted to give money to people who don’t have a house so they can have one.”

She delivered the money to Matthew’s Hope where she learned that she had raised enough to actually provide housing in the “Moving Forward” program—even several hundred dollars more than one month’s mortgage for transitional housing. Eden is already talking about her plans for her lemonade stand at Christmas 2016.

Her goal is to raise even more money. She wants to turn more lemonade into homes for the homeless.

www.Facebook.com/MatthewsHopeMinistries | MOVING FORWARD | MATTHEW’S HOPE | 21

INVESTING YOUR INFLUENCE

Matthew’s Hope Providing Simple Necessities Reporting by Sue Blois

“I

heard about Matthew’s Hope and started coming two weeks ago. Last week I brought my boyfriend. This is the first time either of us has been homeless and we love the supplies, clothes and food, but especially laundry and showers.

Sometimes, Matthew’s Hope supplies the only food we have. We both can’t believe that people are so nice, caring and helpful here.

It’s unbelievable.”

--Rayna

47 S. Dillard Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787 407.656.1100 • floridametalcraft.com

Florida Metal Craft, Inc. has been providing metal fabrication service to Central Florida since 1931.

We’re a 3rd generation family owned business with combined facilities of over 15,000 square feet.

We stock a full supply of steel, stainless and aluminum in sheet, round, square, angle and more.

TIG/MIG/Stick Welding Metal Sales Industrial Gases Architectural Metal Fabrication Industrial Metal Fabrication

Equipment Repair Cutting & Forming Mobile Services Available Projects Large & Small

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INVESTING YOUR INFLUENCE

Allison’s Apiary Honey “I

started working with honey bees when I was 12 years old. I have been keeping bees for 41 years and I currently have around 100 beehives that I manage. This is a family business, so my five children and my wife help in extracting, bottling, labeling and selling honey at farmer’s markets. My apiaries (where I keep bees) are at Bio-Sphere in Winter Garden, at Matthew’s Hope, in Ocoee, St. Cloud, an orange grove in West Winter Garden and Ferndale at Red Lion Nursery. I love honey bees and honey, and other products of the hive,” commented Paul Allison.

To purchase raw, local and unfiltered honey, visit Matthew’s Hope office. One bottle (12 oz.) costs $8.00. When you stop by the Harvest of Hope Garden on Matthew’s Hope property, peek just beyond the rows of produce to see Paul’s hives at work under a clump of trees.

Harvest of Hope Chemical Free Produce & Honey!

Available Monday through Saturday.

For availability, pricing and to place an order please visit...

www.MatthewsHopeMinistries.org/garden-order-form/

1460 Daniels Road • Winter Garden, FL 34787 • www.MatthewsHopeMinistries.org • 407.905.9500 www.Facebook.com/MatthewsHopeMinistries | MOVING FORWARD | MATTHEW’S HOPE | 23

ARTIST

GREG JOHNSON

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S

erious art was coming out of the Sarasota County Fair; that rumor was enough to pique the interest of Greg Johnson.

When he heard it was coming from a spray can, Greg went to investigate.

At the county fair booth of the man who calls himself CosmoKid, curious crowds encircled the artist five people deep. Greg watched as he moved quickly, spraying aerosol paint onto paper, spinning it around, building space scapes and fantasy universes in mere minutes. “I stalked that man for a week, watching everything he did,” Greg says. “At the end of the fair, I got the courage to talk to him.”

Twelve years ago, Greg learned CosmoKid’s secrets of using just a spray can, no brushes, a piece of cardboard or newspaper for sharp lines. Quickly his skills earned him an invitation to entertain at NASA’s company picnic—three years in a row—creating space art for employees and their families. Today, the 55-year-old has a business called Cosmic Creations Art. He has a piece of work on display in the April 2016 exhibition of the SOBO Art Gallery in Winter Garden, Fla. But Greg’s success is only as new as his 6 months of sobriety. Greg is currently a homeless guest living in Matthew’s Hope transitional housing.

A losing fight with alcohol started Greg in a downward spiral in 2009, ending in homelessness. “I made at least 15 trips to the Emergency Room over the last three years [because of drinking], and went through probably three detoxes at the hospital,” he says. Last year, Greg started attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, working at Matthew’s Hope, and committing to the “Prodigal Place” program in Matthew’s Hope transitional housing. Designed for men and women battling addictions, this special division of the homeless ministry’s housing program has helped many.

Part of Greg’s recovery included working at Matthew’s Hope Chest, where registered homeless guests learn how to refinish and transform donated wood furniture. Homeless guests earn points in the Effort Points Program at Matthew’s Hope while working on the time clock.

Greg, who spent 38 years as an auto mechanic, loves the combination of using his hands and expressing his art. The Hope Chest creations— like a piano turned wet bar or TV stand turned pet bed—feed his creative soul.

“I’m going to be a graphics art designer. I go on the computer and mess around with it for about an hour every night,” he says. But he still loves creating his art. Now he wears a 3m respirator, gloves and eye protection when he paints.

He doesn’t drink. “My brain’s coming back,” he says with a smile. “The whole fun of [my art] is to see this chaos disappear.”

The chaos in Greg’s life is also starting to disappear, leaving behind only beautiful art.

You can see Greg at the Hope Chest - either to arrange to donate a piece of real wood furniture or to purchase a refinished or repurposed piece or to order pallet furniture - located 100 yards west of Park Avenue at 535 W. Plant Street in downtown Winter Garden, FL. You can also see Greg’s art work on display at the SOBO Gallery at 127 South Boyd Street in Winter Garden. Gallery Hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10am - 6 pm.

www.Facebook.com/MatthewsHopeMinistries | MOVING FORWARD | MATTHEW’S HOPE | 25

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Happy Birthday, Matthew’s Hope!

by Erik Segalini

S

hhh. Please don’t wake the 6-year old. He doesn’t sleep much these days, so the silence is welcomed. Right now, most of the lights are out and it is late at night; the double-wide trailer is empty except for just me and him.

Watching him sleep makes me think of how this all began. I wasn’t there when he was born, but I heard about it: how his father, a local pastor, couldn’t ignore the needs of the homeless on a string of cold

nights. The pastor worried until he found a warm building where homeless people could escape dangerously low temperatures. In March 2010, Matthew’s Hope was born. Ever since, this 6-year-old has proven the African proverb that “it takes a village to raise a child.”

Six years later and this little guy is growing fast, outgrowing everything.

The community loves him, loves what he’s becoming; they donate gifts of clothes and food all day long, all week long. Unfortunately, we can only keep the stuff our 6-year-old uses the most. Believe it or not, we’ve crammed a lot into this double-wide: 24 bins of gently used sneakers, a wall of 5 shelves and 4 bins just for work boots and steel-

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toed boots. He has 14 bins of brand new underwear and a closet full of toiletries, just to name a few.

If you’re wondering why a 6 year-old needs all of these things, well, it’s because he keeps finding lots of people who need help. He’s got a caring heart.

And food? Boy, he eats a lot—we estimate that half a ton of food goes out of our pantry every week. Canned goods and bottled water, mostly, but diapers, vitamins and granola bars, too. He especially loves those Vienna sausages and coffee.

When our 6-year-old is not inside helping feed and clothe his guests, he’s outside washing cars, digging in the dirt of our 1 ½ acre garden or splashing around in the greenhouse with our new aquaponics and aeroponics technologies. Have you seen it yet? The greenhouse rises up from the backyard like a giant silver birthday cake, and the tank full of tilapia fish inside the greenhouse are his biggest birthday present this year. Fun to watch, those fish will help grow produce that we can sell in quantities like never before. They’ll help us teach our guests a trade that’s in demand within the agricultural world. And they’ll help draw attention to the cause.

part-time, some full time—and 50-100 volunteers every week to keep an eye on him. Needless to say, our costs keep going up. But he’s worth it. Everyone knows and loves him—local government, businesses around West Orange County and 60 churches. He can’t be confined to just this trailer anymore—he claims a furniture restoration spot off the bike trail called the Hope Chest and he has 15 transitional homes where guests can enter the Moving Forward program and get their legs back under them. Even though he receives zero government funding, the city of Winter Garden says he has made West Orange County a better place to live. And I agree.

I started wondering tonight, what will he look like as a teenager? Or an adult? I hope he rests well. Tomorrow will be another busy day.

Like most 6-year-olds, he’s learning a lot every day. Impossible not to, with the Montessori-based preschool and that amazing playground built right on the property. He plays hard, works hard, but with a maturity, focus and drive belying his youth. He is always fighting homelessness.

So now you understand why this little guy needs his sleep.

He’s becoming a bit of a handful. It takes 11 paid employees—some www.Facebook.com/MatthewsHopeMinistries | MOVING FORWARD | MATTHEW’S HOPE | 27

INTO THE WOODS

The Sound Eviction Makes about trash and rodents force the landowner to push people off his property.

I recently got a phone call from the local police department asking that I go visit a few of these camps and explain to the folks dwelling on the effected properties that they would have to leave. This is a good thing and shows progress because in the past, folks who live outside would one day come back from wherever they’d go during the day, only to find the trees cut down and all their belongings, their home—gone! Memories, important papers, pets, gone, just as if a tsunami or tornado had been through.

Working with the police and inviting Matthew’s Hope into the process, the city carried their end of this eviction legally and properly. “No trespassing” signs were posted so all these suburban campers would know that their days of homesteading, squatter-style, were soon to be over.

Some were mad, but most were sad. “We can’t move,” they told me.

“We have a dog.” or “I can’t move all this stuff on a bike.” Through tears Miss Tammy, a disabled woman, a bit past middle-aged, looked so defeated. I wrapped my arms around her and assured her that it was definitely going to happen. I talked to another guy, an old over-the-road truck driver requesting 40 more days until he would receive an income tax check. “I don’t have that power, my friend. I’ll ask, I’ll pray, but I’m just the messenger.”

Pastor Frankie Gallo

A

lice doesn’t live here anymore. Neither does Dave, Kevin, Cory, Betty, Robert, Sandy, Stu, Billy, Barbara or Tammy.

Eviction! That word is dreaded by all who live paycheckto-paycheck and I witnessed an eviction these past few weeks that affected 11 people, two dogs, three cats and a slew of tents.

Yes, tents.

You see, many of our friends who live outside have claimed small little corners on forgotten dirt paths behind the tree-lined streets of our West Orange County towns. Most are so well hidden, you would never know they are there. Here, they go about day-to-day routines, living outside, underneath the radar of the average person.

Often, they stay in the same spot for years, creating a self-governed community. They have all their belongings—their clothes, bikes, whatever—and any memories salvaged from their previous life, all in their camp. This is home.

But sometimes, these properties are sold. A new store will be built or a new subdivision begins popping up. Other times, complaints

I visit homeless camps in West Orange County all the time. I have meals, drink coffee and pray with them in their homes. Many people have been in the same spot for more than five years. This thing I do outside with these people is not easy. There is death, disease, brokenness, addiction, violence. But evictions feel like kicking a man when he is down.

Being the bearer of bad news is not an enjoyable part of what I do at Matthew’s Hope. However, for the first time in the 10 years I have been doing this, nobody lost their stuff, thanks to the communication between the city and the local police department. A few good cops who really care about my friends who live outside went above and beyond to make sure nobody got hurt, lost their stuff, or was arrested. In a sense, all my structurally-challenged friends got to keep their dignity as well. Only one person was arrested for trespassing and this, after a 30-day grace period.

Today, I stood in an empty mud puddle that was once a community, a home to so many people. I closed my eyes and listened to the soft whisper of laughter, dogs barking with their master, a litter of kittens mewing for milk. I saw moms, dads, sons, daughters, grandpas and nanas in my mind’s eye. And I heard the tears of my friends, now gone. Tears that sounded like the dew falling off a leaf on a Florida morning.

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SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT

K

erc Hoyt first came to Matthew’s Hope for help in 2010. He is moving forward, living in one of our transitional homes. Kerc’s tried a lot of jobs—sous chef, car detailer, bike repairman, dishwasher, auto mechanic—and while he still does many of those jobs at Matthew’s Hope, he has discovered his niche’ as a teacher’s assistant with the afterschool program at our Firm Foundation Preschool. He loves the children as much as they love him, and works hard at being the best teacher’s assistant he can be, including online courses. “There’s a lot I need to learn,” the 47-year-old says. “Sometimes I go in that classroom and see how Mrs. Allen gets 18 kids on the quiet carpet—nobody moving, everyone listening, waiting. It is just amazing how she does it.” www.Facebook.com/MatthewsHopeMinistries | MOVING FORWARD | MATTHEW’S HOPE | 29

IN LOVING MEMORY

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and rescues those who are crushed in spirit” - Psalm 34:18 REGGIE CHAMBERS 12/29/1954 – August 2015

CLIVE “C.J.” PLUM

8/31/1951 – 12/17/2015

BRIAN MURRAY

10/25/1966 – 12/22/2015

BARBARA POPE

2/20/1956 – February 2016

BILLY BROGGLIN 9/25/1971 – 1/17/016

3 0 | MATTHEW’S HOPE | MOVING FORWARD | www.MatthewsHopeMinistries.org

Over the Road Ambassador

by Carole Wolbert

W

hen Brian Murray arrived at Matthew’s Hope in Spring 2012, he had no job. Gone was his transportation career spanning more than two decades--an exemplary career decorated with numerous safety awards from Ryder and Prime Inc., even being named Employee of the Month. Instead, Brian described himself as “depressed, under stress and dealing with anger issues.” He was facing a broken marriage and no longer had a driver’s license due to an unpaid fine for “following too closely” in the state of Virginia.

When Brian arrived at Matthew’s Hope, he was living in the woods of Ocoee, Florida.

However, he still believed that things could get better. A short while after he arrived, Matthew’s Hope initiated the “effort points program,” which allows homeless guests to accumulate points by working on the property of the ministry, either in the offices, the garden, or the car detailing program, for example. Points can be exchanged by guests for things like a tent, a bicycle or clothes.

Points could also be used to pay fines and reinstating licenses.

Brian was one of the first guests to jump in; he started working hours each week in the new chemical-free vegetable garden on the Matthew’s Hope campus. Eventually he accumulated enough

points to get a second chance at success.

Matthew’s Hope staff members assisted him in reinstating his driver’s license and he became a taxi driver. During this time he was still coming to Matthew’s Hope, using the additional points he was earning to obtain things like a wardrobe and shoes for his new job. During this time, the sadness he had come in with was replaced by a very social Brian who enjoyed spending time at Matthew’s Hope.

Brian soon purchased his own semi cab and returned to the Over the Road driving he had enjoyed for more than 25 years. However, he never forgot Matthew’s Hope and whenever he was in the area he would proudly drive his ‘cab’ on campus, sit on the porch and visit with his old friends – staff members, volunteers and guests.

While on his over-the-road trips, Brian would stop and eat at local diners. His favorite topic of conversation became talking about the second chance he had received thanks to the ministry of Matthew’s Hope. In essence, Brian became an ambassador for the ministry.

On December 22, 2015 Brian passed away from a heart attack. He will be missed, but not forgotten; his name is on a memorial brick in our Harvest of Hope garden.

www.Facebook.com/MatthewsHopeMinistries | MOVING FORWARD | MATTHEW’S HOPE | 31

NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION WINTER GARDEN, FL U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 77 WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 77

1460 Daniels Road Winter Garden, FL 34787 1460 Daniels Road Winter Garden, FL 34787

B

ags ags of of lessings lessings

for the Garden of Eatin' Pantry for the Garden of Eatin' Pantry NON-PERISHABLE

ONGOING NEEDS

We need your help to keep the shelves stocked...

We need your help to keep the shelves stocked...

Please take advantage of the BOGO (Buy One, Get One) and coupon opportunities wherever you shop. Feed your family, while feeding Please take advantage of the BOGO (Buy One, Get One) and coupon another... opportunities wherever you shop. Feed your family, while feeding another...

Give us a call at 407.905.9500 or drop by and pick up your canvas Bags of Blessings bag with our grocery list printed right on the bag.

Give us a call at 407.905.9500 or drop by and pick up your canvas Bags of Blessings bag with our grocery list printed right on the bag.

Mosquito Repellent Men’s Underwear Vienna Sausages Bottled Water Mosquito Repellent NON-PERISHABLE ONGOING NEEDS (Briefs & Boxers) Chicken (Canned) Paper Plates (Dixie Style) Men’s Underwear Vienna Sausages Tuna (Canned) Bottled Water Women’s UnderPaper Bowls (Briefs & Boxers) Chicken (Canned) Ham (Canned) PaperNapkins Plates (Dixie Style) garments Paper Tuna (Canned) SPAM Women’s UnderPaperTowels Bowls Crew & Shorty Paper HamStew (Canned) Beef garments PaperPaper Napkins White Socks Toilet SPAM(Canned) Chili Crew(9x7) & Shorty Tents Paper Towels Plastic Forks & Spoons Beef &Stew Pork Beans White Socks Tarps (8 x 10) Toilet Paper Plastic Drinking Cups Baked Beans Chili (Canned) Tents (9x7) Sleeping Bags Plastic Forks & Spoons Men’s Deodorant Pasta Pork &Products Beans (Canned) Tarps (8 x 10) Backpacks Plastic Drinking Cups Women’s Deodorant Jelly Baked Beans Sleeping Bags Running Shoes Men’s Deodorant Disposable Razors (Twin) Mac Cheese (Canned) Pasta&Products Backpacks Work BootsWomen’s Canned Wet WipesDeodorant (Travel size) Jelly Soups Running Steel Toe Shoes Disposable Razors (Twin) Peanut Butter Crackers Mac & Cheese Men’s Shampoo (Travel size) Work Jeans BootsMen’s Cheese CannedCrackers Soups Wet Wipes (Travel size) Women’s Shampoo (Travel size) Publix Gift Cards Steel Toe Pudding Cups Crackers Sweatshirts & Hoodies Peanut Butter Men’s Shampoo (Travel size) Men’s Bodywash Aldi’s Gift Certificates Fruit Cups Men’s Jeans Cheese Crackers Pocketed T-shirts Women’sBodywash Shampoo (Travel size) Women’s Publix Cards Gas GiftGift Cards Granola PuddingBars Cups Sweatshirts & AA, Hoodies Batteries (C, D, AAA) Men’s Bodywash (Travel size) Shaving Cream (Travel size) Aldi’s Certificates Target Gift Cards Breakfast Fruit CupsBars Pocketed T-shirts Work Gloves Women’s (Travelsize) size) Gold BondBodywash Powder (Travel Gas GiftGift Cards Walmart Cards Ground Granola Coffee Bars (Small) Batteries (C, D, AA, AAA) Bike Locks (Keyed) Shaving Cream (Travel Toothpaste (Travel size)size) Powdered Creamer Target Gift Cards Subway Gift Cards Breakfast Bars Work Gloves Bike Tire Tubes (26”) Gold Bond Powder Q-Tips (Travel size) (Travel size) Can Openers (P38) Walmart Gift Cards Ground Coffee (Small) McDonald’s Gift Cards Bike Locks (Keyed) Bicycle Brake Pads Toothpaste (Travel size) Denture Cream Dish Soap (Small) Powdered Creamer Subway Gift Cards Lowe’s Gift Cards Bike Tire Tubes (26”) Bikes (Mountain) Q-Tips (Travel size) Nail Clippers Can Openers (P38) McDonald’s Gift Cards Lynx Bus Passes Bicycle Brake Pads HE Detergent Denture Cream Hand Sanitizer Dish Soap (Small) Lowe’s Gift Cards Oxy Clean - Laundry Bikes (Mountain) Hair Nail Brushes Clippers Lynx Bus Passes HE Detergent Hand Sanitizer Matthew’s Hope can care for a structurally a day, $150 acquires all documentation necessary (birth Oxy Clean - Laundry Hairchallenged Brushes person for just 50 cents certificate, Florida ID, Social Security card, etc.) to secure jobs, food stamps and other benefits.

Matthew’s Hope can carea for challenged for justwork 50 cents all documentation necessary (birth • $50 provides tenta &structurally tarp • person $35 provides bootsa day, $150 acquires • $500 makes available all the basic essentials certificate, Florida ID, Social Security card, etc.) to secure jobs, food stamps and other benefits. to survive in the woods for one year • $50 provides a tent tarp • $35 provides work boots • $500 makes available allgiving. the basic essentials Please consider partnering with&us by making a tax deductible donation and making Matthew’s Hope a part of your regular to survive in the woods for one year Executive Director: Karen Gowing Founder & Chairman: Scott Billue Please consider partnering with us by making a tax deductible donation and making Matthew’s Hope a part of your regular giving.

1460 Daniels Road | Winter Garden,&FL 34787 | Office: 407.905.9500 | Emergency: 407.461.2625 Executive Director: Karen Gowing Founder Chairman: Scott Billue www.matthewshopeministries.org | info@matthewshopeministries.org | volunteer@matthewshopeministries.org 1460 Daniels Road | Winter Garden, FL 34787 Office: 407.905.9500 | Emergency: 407.461.2625 Please Friend|Us on Facebook www.matthewshopeministries.org | info@matthewshopeministries.org | volunteer@matthewshopeministries.org Please Friend Us on Facebook