Metropolitan Ministries, Inc.
Hope is Here
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Through services that alleviate suffering, promote dignity, and instill self-sufficiency, Metropolitan Ministries reaches the community of at-risk and homeless amilies and individuals who are most in need of food, shelter, and other basic needs in the greater Tampa Bay area. The Ministries offers services through its Family Support Centers and Mobile BrigAIDe outreach teams that include: food, clothing, housing assistance, transportation assistance, education, career guidance, and job training, as well as emergency housing and long-term residential housing programs for families and children.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Family Support, Outreach, and Homeless Prevention
Metropolitan Ministries provides comprehensive services and solutions for poor and homeless families through its family support centers, mobile outreach, and transitional housing programs that help families reach and maintain their best level of self-sufficiency.
The Ministries reaches out to hungry people by providing prepared meals to partner organizations, located throughout the Tampa Bay area, where anyone who is hungry can be fed.
For families and individuals who live in their own home, but are at risk of becoming homeless, the Ministries provides emergency food boxes, clothing, holiday assistance, and referrals to other agencies to meet their additional needs. These services are offered in a manner that emphasizes dignity.
Uplift U® Self-Sufficiency Program
The Uplift U Self-Sufficiency program is for families who need help recovering from traumatic life events. Long-term services like on-site child care and classes in spiritual development provide a safe, loving environment where long-term healing can occur. Now, 100 families and 250 children have a home base as they work toward self-sufficiency.
The program offers the following:
• Safe shelter and three nutritious meals a day
• Trauma counseling and case management
• Health and wellness programs
• Early childhood education and onsite K-5 partnership school (in partnership with Hillsborough Public Schools)
• Youth enrichment programs
• Spiritual formation
• Adult education and life skills classes
• Job training
• Employment and housing assistance
Emergency Family Shelter
Providing short-term housing for families and single women. The Ministries offers life-skills training and employment services that help families get back on their feet and become self-sufficient.
Our short and long term self-sufficiency programs include:
• Safe shelter and three nutritious meals a day
• Trauma counseling and case management
• Health and wellness programs
• Early childhood education and onsite K-5 partnership school (in partnership with Hillsborough Public Schools)
• Youth enrichment programs
• Spiritual formation
• Adult education and life skills classes
• Job training
• Employment and housing assistance
MiraclePlace Pasco
In 2015, Metropolitan Ministries expanded its services in Pasco County with 12 transitional housing units for homeless families with children on our Holiday Campus. Today, Pasco has a total of 24 units and is a replicate model of our campus in Tampa. Average length of stay is four to six months. Stays can be longer with educational goals supporting an extension.
In the Spring of 2023, we will break ground on the redevelopment project of our West Pasco county campus in Holiday, FL which will double our capacity above.
Services offered include:
• Residential program
• Three hot meals daily
• Case Management and Counseling
• GED and Adult Education
• Rent and Utility Assistance
• Financial Wellness
• Housing Assistance
• Employment Training
• Early Childhood Education and Teen programs
We acquired Restored Hope in Dade City, FL (East Pasco County) in 2021, now known as Metropolitan Ministries East Pasco, offering family support and homeless prevention services for those in need.
The NeighborHOPE Project
The NeighborHOPE Project’s goal is to help transform high-need communities in eight zip codes and three counties in the Tampa Bay area. We will accomplish this through investment in resources, services, collaboration, and capacity building.
Target Areas:
Hillsborough: 33610, 33619, 33605
Pasco: 34610, 34669
Pinellas: 33712, 33705, 33755
Many of these communities have higher rates of poverty, racial discrimination, and health inequities. Taking a community-based assets approach, The NeighborHOPE Project seeks to infuse resources that help residents address immediate needs and provide future opportunities for economic mobility. Each year, we hope to expand our reach as needed.
First Hug Community-based Program
First Hug is a child-centered program ensuring that Hillsborough County children are ready to learn and succeed and provides wraparound preventative services to alleviate family stress. First Hug is a home visitation and case management program specially designed for families struggling with homelessness with children birth through middle school. Home visitation and personalized case management assure children are ready for school and provide parents with tools to advocate for their child and connect to school and safety resources. How case managers work with families:
-Assess the unique needs of each family and work together to develop a client-driven self-sufficiency plan
-Reduce family stress and the impact of trauma
-Meet weekly to assist families as they work towards stabilization
-Provide resources/tools to support healthy family relationships and safe living environments
-Provide employment, adult education, connection to job placement services
-Identify safe housing options
Where we work
Awards
Gold Certification 2015
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council
Certification 2020
Sanctuary Model of Trauma Informed Care
Affiliations & memberships
Andrus Institute - Trauma Informed Care Certification 2020
External reviews
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of meals served or provided
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people, Homeless people, Victims and oppressed people
Related Program
Family Support, Outreach, and Homeless Prevention
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of families helped through housing and case management services
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Family relationships
Related Program
Uplift U® Self-Sufficiency Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
At-risk and homeless families benefited from our housing and residential programs with 88% successful exits.
Number of households that obtain/retain permanent housing for at least 6 months
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Family relationships
Related Program
Uplift U® Self-Sufficiency Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
These 16,481 volunteers donated 131,108 volunteer hours saving the Ministries $3.6 million.
Number of low-income households who have received utilities assistance to keep the lights, heat and/or water on in their homes
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Family Support, Outreach, and Homeless Prevention
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Families who need help with common utility bills can come to the Family Support Centers at Metropolitan Ministries locations for assistance.
Number of and dollar amount of goods and services given in-kind
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
2020 and 2021 saw record high donations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Number of bed nights (nights spent in shelter)
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Families, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Emergency Family Shelter
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of families assisted with rent or mortgage to avoid eviction
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Family Support, Outreach, and Homeless Prevention
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of households that retain permanent housing for at least 6 months
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Family relationships, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Uplift U® Self-Sufficiency Program
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Of the more than 700 families completing our residential programs successfully, 88% of families maintained stable housing.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Metropolitan Ministries will be America's most effective caregiver to poor and homeless people.
Our programs will be known for their compassion and innovation in helping struggling families and individuals achieve their highest potential for self-sufficiency.
Our approach to involving citizens in understanding and caring for their disadvantaged neighbors will serve as a replicable model.
Our caregiving will be supported by an exemplary staff, high-quality facilities, dedicated volunteers, donors and collaborative partners.
Above all, our witness will be to the power of love in healing broken lives and building strong, caring communities.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Family Support Center: the focus of this program is reaching out to as many as 99,000 families in need and preventing homelessness.
On-Campus Residential Services: consists of 124 units that house 116 families and 18 single women including 300 children. On any given day, approximately 450 persons have a safe place to live while working toward self-sufficiency. The residential stay, depending on the individual or families' needs and the program the family is enrolled in, could last from a few weeks up to 12 months. The components of the Residential Programs include- Counseling, Food and Nutrition, Children's Programs, Employment, Health, Culinary Arts, Housing Placement, and Recovery and Sobriety Services.
First Hug Mobile Case Management Services: a home visitation case management program specifically designed for families struggling with homelessness with children 0 to 8 years old. First Hug uses trauma-informed evidence-based techniques to provide key services that help homeless families in crisis stabilize, decrease stress, and assure children are safe, ready to learn and succeed. 556 children benefited from the First Hug program in the last year (this is in addition to our on-campus programs).
PromiseLand Early Childhood Education Center: provides loving, comprehensive care for children zero through five years old. Specialized programs include: Infant Mental Health, Special Needs, Parent-Child Interactive Therapy.
Metropolitan Ministries K-5 Partnership School: The Patricia J. Sullivan Partnership School serves as a choice elementary school. In close partnership with the School District of Hillsborough County, parents and our dedicated staff, we help students achieve academic success and social and emotional growth.
Parent-Child Home Program: a national early learning program for children aged two to three years old, this program aids under-resourced parents or guardians of children by providing home visitors for help with developing their child's reading and early learning skills—offering encouragement for parents and to prepare children for school readiness and life success.
Spiritual Formation: spiritual assessments and counseling, connection to local congregations, Bible study, worship services.
Youth Enrichment Center: serves middle and high school teens and supports our critical after-school programs and summer camps. Programs are specifically designed to address trauma, educational gaps, leadership development and enrichment for at-risk youth. Specialty programs include SpeakUp, a public speaking and leadership program, Dale Carnegie leadership training, performing arts training with the Patel Conservatory, A Robotics Program offered through STEAM, sports and exercise, relationship support and emotional safety, real-world experiences.
Health and Wellness: mental health counseling, addiction recovery counseling, exercise and nutrition programs, family, couple and child counseling, health screenings, mobile health clinic.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
• Maintain 4-Star Charity Navigator Rating - their highest rating
• We are almost certain we are the only nonprofit in the area with a dedicated
Process Improvement and Outcomes Department who track and report regularly on key performance indicators of the client, volunteer, staff, and donor data, as well as all program compliance.
• Community Engagement: 43,000 active donors, 60+ service partners, and 16,481 volunteers.
Success through accountability:
• Program accreditations
• Volunteer board of directors
• Adherence to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
• Annual audit by a qualified independent CPA firm
• Ethical standards and principles are the foundation for maintaining public trust, and Metropolitan Ministries' fundraisers are members of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and uphold the Code of Ethical Principles and Standards.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
In the 50 years of Metropolitan Ministries' existence, we have been able to provide the following to poor and homeless families in the Tampa Bay region:
• 43,370,752 meals have been served
• 1,336,302 shelter nights have been provided to families
• 351,001 families have received holiday assistance, including gifts for children-in-need
• Over 2 million children's lives have been impacted by our services
• 2,053,466 Volunteers have given their time and talents to ensure our mission is carried out each day
In 2022:
• Devised plans for the complete redevelopment of our West Pasco County campus which will double our capacity to serve in that area.
• Opened a brand new Counseling and Resiliency Center, a place for families to heal, transform, and grow.
• Expanded our CREATE program - Children's Recreational, Education, Arts, and Therapeutic Experiences
• Earned a "Grade A" for our partnership Elementary School, an outstanding achievement for at-risk and homeless students
• 4,221,597 meals served.
• 107,569 nights of safe shelter provided.
• 32,751 at-risk and homeless children received toys for Christmas.
• 99,120 families helped in our Family Support Centers.
• 753 families benefited from our residential housing programs and 88% have not returned to homelessness.
• 87,851 emergency food boxes distributed.
2023-24 Initiatives:
EXCELLENCE IN MINISTRY
-Complete plans and begin construction for Pasco Campus refresh with a focus on Outreach and Childcare, and implement staffing and programs for for outreach and residential housing.
-Expand footprint of The NeighborHOPE Project (targeting high need communities)
-In light of the current economic conditions, determine our role with integrated Affordable Housing and Early Childhood Education programs. Potentially submit proposal to develop affordable housing and childcare facilities.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
-Adjust pay scales and benefit packages focused on retention to meet current economic conditions.
-Enhance training and development for remote workforce and frontline staff
-Develop Board Development Plan to broaden leadership opportunities geographically
ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY
-Embed fundraising and client testimonial storytelling, especially for Pasco and Pinellas counties
-Implement plans to support additional locations and distributed holiday assistance model
-Implement Tampa campus refresh plans.
-Sustain and grow the Metropolitan Ministries Foundation to ensure $1M is transferred for operating expenses annually.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We share the feedback we received with the people we serve, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Metropolitan Ministries, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 07/18/2023
Jr. Carlos Baldor
BST Global
Term: 2023 - 2025
David Beshears
Beshears & Associates
Rev. Evan Burrows
First Baptist Church of College Hill
Chris Christenberry
Atlantic Health Solutions
Sheriff Chad Chronister
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Gerry Coughlin
Oak Point Advisors
Frank Ferreri
Ferreri Search
Scott Fink
Hyundai NPR
Tricia Hancock
Independent
Josh Helms
Physicians Partners of America
Rose Hester
BayCare
Kurt Hull
Diversified Asset Funding
Andy May
Cushman & Wakefield of FL, Inc.
Jeff Marple
Southeast Independent Delivery Services
Andrew Pittman
ASAP Capital Partners, LLC
Jerome Ryans
Tampa Housing Authority
Josh Helms
Physician Partners of America
Eric Bailey
CAPTRUST
Keri Eisenbeis
BayCare
Nicholas Glover
Tampa Bay Chamber
Tony March
Pay It Backward Foundation
Keto Nord
United Way Suncoast
Willie Nunn
Homes By WestBay
Kelly Ring Bulleit
Independent
Dan Rodriguez
NextPath
Keebler Straz
David A. Staz Foundation
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 02/06/2020GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.