Fighting hunger, homelessness, and addiction in SW Florida.

Our waiting lists are filled with people in need of safe shelter, recovery programs and affordable housing. Help us ensure that no one is alone or without a pathway on their journey from

Crisis

to

Contributor.

Together we’re making progress
$3M needed to hit the $18.5M goal

Thanks to Organization A, every donation will be matched, doubling your impact!

$2.2M left to reach the $3.0M goal
27.76%

215+ people in Southwest Florida are ready to change their lives, but are on the waiting list. Those on lists for addiction recovery or shelter continue to experience trauma-filled and life-threatening circumstances. Their road to recovery becomes steeper and longer. This compels us to expand our capacity.

Through the Journey Together Capital Campaign, we are committed to closing this gap. With your financial support, we can expand our ability to serve Southwest Florida’s most vulnerable residents—helping them survive, find stability, and achieve lasting prosperity.

We invite you to be part of this transformative journey. Your generosity can change lives—join us today.

Campaign Goals include:

1

Expand Emergency
Housing Shelters

Your support will increase our emergency housing capacity by 32 percent, going from 225 beds to 297 beds.

Estimated need

$2.4 Million

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 see the face of homelessness changing, we look into the eyes of first-time unsheltered moms or the elderly. As we look into their eyes, 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. Help us make room for them.

2

Increase Capacity in our
Recovery Program

You will enable us to increase capacity in our recovery program from 184 to 223 daily participants.

Estimated need

$3.6 Million

St. Matthew’s House offers the only year-long, faith-based addiction recovery program in Southwest Florida, the Justin’s Place Recovery Program for men and women. Our community, like so many others, is challenged by the presence of fentanyl and the prevalence of substance use disorder. Our biggest challenge today is program capacity. You will enable us to increase capacity in our recovery program from 184 to 223 daily participants by building additional residences, classrooms, offices, and a multi-purpose space to support growth at Jill’s Place, our women’s recovery campus. And renovating kitchen and dining facilities within the retreat and conference center that houses Justin’s Place participants to accommodate program expansion.

Your help means 39 more people on the path to recovery every day. Together, we can expand hope and healing.

3

Build Additional
Transitional Housing Units

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

Estimated need

$9.0 Million

As part of our commitment to support program 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. We do not have enough housing units to serve everyone ready to make that transition. Our Justin’s Village sober living neighborhood and supportive housing units house 88 women and men today. In Southwest Florida, affordable housing is becoming increasingly difficult to find, and nearly impossible to secure for anyone with a criminal history. Your gift will allow 104 additional women and men a second chance and the opportunity to become constructive members of society.

Your gift gives 104 people a second chance to rebuild their lives and thrive. Together, we can create a foundation for hope and opportunity.

Be the change Southwest Florida needs.

Join our Journey Together and help transform lives—one person, one family, one community at a time.

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

Thank you to those who have got us this far...

As I reflect on the incredible support you’ve shown thus far toward the “Journey Together” capital campaign, I am filled with gratitude. Your generosity and belief in the mission to serving those facing hunger, homelessness, and addiction in Southwest Florida are truly inspiring. 

We are so close to reaching our ultimate financial goal, which will allow us to expand emergency shelters, increase recovery program capacity, and build more transitional housing units. These efforts will directly impact those currently on our waitlists, providing them the care, support, and resources they desperately need.

Your partnership has made this progress possible, and with your continued support, we can cross the finish line. Thank you for believing in this mission and for being part of this life-changing work.

God bless you,

Steve Brooder, CEO – St. Matthew’s House