MATTHEWS HELP CENTER

Matthews HELP Center recently assessed and reviewed all of our programs and services to ensure proper focus and mission alignment. This on-going refinement process is an important part of our strategic approach to prohibit cyclical financial dependency and establish a sustainable future for our targeted clients. Our programs are primarily designed to stop the poverty cycle before it starts. To do that, MHC must be flexible and agile enough to act preemptively -- before eviction occurs or utilities are disconnected, for example. This proactive strategy ultimately ensures that our services will have the greatest impact.<br/><br/>This strategy is implemented by providing short-term assistance to clients through our core services: financial crisis assistance, and community referrals. While all of our clients are treated with exceptional warmth and respect, they are carefully screened by our social workers to ensure, as well, that funds are utilized efficiently and disbursed with integrity. Crisis assistance includes basic needs such as food, rent, mortgage, utilities, transportation, clothing and childcare expenses. Community referrals are given based on our database of resources that benefit clients' needs that are beyond the scope of our service offerings.<br/><br/>Matthews HELP Center's core services are augmented by other specifically targeted programs such as BounceBack Backpacks (weekend food for school children), Back To School Supplies, Thanksgiving Feast and Holiday Support initiatives.

Matthews HELP Center has a long history of helping those in need and enjoys an excellent reputation in the community. For FY 2016-17, our operating budget of $1,342,037. was supported by a paid staff of 10 and 41,136 volunteer hours. Our volunteer support is truly an extraordinary resource, and many dedicated volunteers have been with us for over 20 years!<br/><br/>Our organization is structured to be agile and respond quickly to changing needs. We are governed by a strong, connected board of directors, led by a seasoned executive director, and our dedicated staff includes professional social workers and other accomplished professionals.<br/><br/>Our program capabilities are supported by a sustainable funding model. We are proud to say that MHC receives no federal, state, local government or United Way funding. The income needed to assist those in need comes from:<br/>38% in Contributions, Bequests, Special Events, and Grants<br/>30% In- Kind Contributions<br/>32% Earned Income<br/><br/>Matthews Help Center has an independent financial audits conducted annually and has also established a Sustainability Fund with the Foundation for the Carolinas as a commitment to the future well-being of your community.<br/>For 38 years the community has entrusted MHC with their gifts to assist neighbors who need help. Today, we are still the trusted source.<br/>

MHC has developed an excellent client management system that maintains a detailed database of historical information on all client interviews and services that have been provided. And a client survey and data research are conducted annually. This ensures that trends and progress for each client can be readily discerned, and that informed decisions are quickly made regarding appropriate course of action. <br/><br/>The 2016/17 program results show us:<br/><br/>Program utilization as<br/>FOOD- 6924 <br/>SHELTER- 3,280<br/>CLOTHING- 1,746 <br/>TRANSPORTATION- 543<br/>CHILD CARE- 921<br/>REFERRALS &PARTIAL SERVICES- 2,747<br/><br/>Length of service time has been reduced from 23 months to 20 months from crisis to stability. During this time period MHC tracks each clients program use to ensure a decrease in requested needs over time. It is critical that clients work as a partner with MHC to move out of financial crisis.<br/><br/>97% of clients reported “paying my own bills" was what success looked like for them. <br/><br/>These families gave permission to share their comments from the annual client survey:<br/><br/>“You never expect to have something happen that makes it hard for you to provide for your family. When something did happen, I was at a loss and scared of what was to come for my kids. I received nothing but understanding and support from MHC and the help they gave us, helped us get back on our feet."<br/><br/>“Keep doing what you are doing and keep an open mind, everyone needs help sometimes"<br/><br/>“They are wonderful! They really saved me in a rough patch. I have since successfully gotten out of it and I'm in a much better financial situation."<br/><br/>“I thank you all so much for your assistance. Even with the two of us working full time jobs you understood that we really needed help. Thanks for being there for us in our time of need."<br/><br/>“When it seemed like all hope was lost I reached out for help, and was genuinely embraced without hesitation. Thank you so much MHC."<br/>

Matthews HELP Center has experienced dramatic growth driven by rising demand and population in our service area. In the past fiscal year the reported need of assistance has increased by 33%. We are working to meet this challenge with necessary increases in staff and by reviewing and refining our services, allowing us to continue meeting the basic human needs of our clients.<br/><br/>MHC focuses on ensuring that we are not just a “Band-Aid" fix, as we will work with a family for up to three years if needed to develop a sustainable solution. While our clients are always served in a warm and dignifying way, we have also taken steps to ensure that we are not fostering dependency and that clients are progressing toward self-sufficiency. Our social work philosophy is to only do that which clients cannot do for themselves. <br/><br/>Looking forward, we are positioned to continue assuming a larger role in the community as we respond to increasing needs and strive to disburse our services with greater efficiency and effectiveness. Fiscal year 2017/18 is underway and our focus remains centered on a short term bridge of assistance providing life essentials and counseling to adults and children in financial crisis. We are guided by our philosophy of dignity for the client, concentration of essential resources and services to fill the gap between crisis and client directed stability. Due to the 33% growth in reported client expenses, primarily driven by housing and childcare costs, we will also be working hard to grow our base of donors and provide new financial support opportunities to meet the growing need of families in crisis.<br/>