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The journey continues in building our capacity to change lives.

Thanks to your generous support, the fundraising portion of our Journey Together Capital Campaign is complete! Your partnership is already making an impact—helping us ensure that no one is alone or without a pathway on their journey from

Crisis

to

Contributor.

Next Steps:

Expand Emergency
Housing Shelters For Women And Children

Completed & Opened Fall 2024

Your support is increasing our emergency housing capacity by 32%, going from 225 beds to 297 beds.

Long waiting lists for emergency housing mean that people experiencing homelessness must wait months for beds in our shelters. At worst, they remain in situations of abuse. At best, they are only a step away from further trauma. As we look into the eyes of first-time unsheltered moms or senior citizens, we see the eyes of a dearly loved child of God and are compelled to do more.

Your support means 72 more lives sheltered and protected during their hardest times.

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Increase Capacity In Our
Women's Recovery Program

Construction Begins Fall 2025

You are enabling us to increase capacity in our recovery program from 184 to 223 daily participants.

Our community, like so many others, is challenged by the presence of fentanyl and the prevalence of substance use disorder. St. Matthew’s House offers the only year-long, faith-based, 12-step, residential addiction recovery program in Southwest Florida: the Justin’s Place Recovery Program for men and women. Our current facilities are at capacity and are in need of expansion.

Your partnership is increasing daily capacity in our recovery program from 184 to 223 participants by building additional residences, classrooms, offices, and a multi-purpose space to support growth at Jill Wright Retreat Center.

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Build Additional
Transitional
Housing Units

Construction Starts Early 2026

Your gift will give 104 more women and men a second chance to become productive members of society.

As part of our commitment to support Justin’s Place graduates and those emerging from homelessness, we seek to provide affordable transitional housing for up to two years so that they can live near their jobs and continue to benefit from a supportive, sober community. In Southwest Florida, affordable housing is becoming increasingly difficult to find, and nearly impossible to secure for anyone with a criminal history. We do not have enough housing units to serve everyone ready to make that transition.

Your gift is growing Justin’s Village, our sober living neighborhood, and supportive housing units from housing 88 to 192 women and men total, granting a second chance and the opportunity to become constructive members of society.

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Thank you to those who donated...

As I step into the role of CEO, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your incredible support of the Journey Together Capital Campaign. Your generosity and belief in our mission—to serve those facing hunger, homelessness, and addiction in Southwest Florida—continue to inspire us.

Thanks to your partnership, we’ve reached our fundraising goal. This achievement empowers us to expand emergency shelter capacity, strengthen our recovery programs, and build additional transitional housing units. These developments will directly impact individuals currently on our waitlists as well as those who have found restoration through our recovery programs, offering them the care, stability, and hope they deserve.

I’m deeply grateful for the foundation laid by former CEO Steve Brooder. Alongside VP of Development Bill Curry, Department Directors Matt Seluk and Hillary Lemaster, and campaign co-chairs Doug Londal and Terry Brown, Steve helped guide this campaign to success. With the Women and Children’s Shelter now complete, we are entering the groundbreaking phase for Justin’s Village and the expansion of the Women’s Recovery Campus.

I am fully committed to seeing these transformative projects through and ensuring they deliver lasting changes for our community.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support continues to make a profound difference.

Warm regards,

Ben Bridges

President and CEO – St. Matthew’s House

The Journey In Action....

See the stories of lives changed by your generosity and the power of community.

“I’m proof that this program actually saves people’s lives. It saved mine.”

“Before here I didn’t have any hope. Now, I believe there’s so much waiting around the corner.”

“Addiction is fast and fierce. We need to grow our programs now.”

The journey doesn’t stop here.

Continue your support in our day-to-day operations that bring our mission to life. From providing meals and shelter to offering life-transforming recovery programs, your ongoing gifts ensure we can continue serving those who need it most—every single day.

Donate

For additional forms of financial giving including Stocks, Donor Advised Funds, and Retirement Contributions.
Or contact us to discuss further: [email protected]