Success Stories
Sandy Duvernay 
Counter help, Panda Express - Coastland Center Mall, Naples
I had one young son (Malachi) and was pregnant with my second, when their father left for Mexico to care for his grandmother. Unfortunately, he never returned; he literally just disappeared. I gave birth to my second son via c-section, and ended up living with my mom for a short time in the recovery, as I couldn't lift Malachi. My hours were cut back at work, my vehicle died and things were getting to be too much living there. A friend told me about St. Matt's, and since the streets were not an option for us, we moved in. During my stay at SMH, I acquired a job and formed a huge network of support with other moms who were living there. St. Matthew's House helped me find programs to help me get back on my feet again. I lacked the know how, and they specialize in teaching people how to live independently. God put things in place for me, but I had to follow the rules. During my stay, the newspaper ran a story on my experience, and people I had never met assisted me in different ways. I realized that God has His hand on this place. Now that I have settled into our new life, in our own place, with a good job, I am hoping to begin classes to become a medical assistant or work in the culinary field. I know it was God working through people and St. Matthew's House to help us.