Since opening in 2005, The Matthews House has become known for successfully supporting at risk youth in Larimer County as they transition to adulthood. However, over the past three years, our Community Based Program has been quietly growing.
Through this program, we provide one-on-one coaching to help at risk families build resiliency and navigate difficulties in the areas of parenting, money management, job readiness and healthy relationships. This assistance increases self-sufficiency of families, reduces the need for children to be removed to out-of-home placements such as foster care and breaks the very cycle that leads youth to need our transitional services later in life.
Lydia (name changed) is a young mother whose life was changed through the Community Based Program.
At 22 years old, she was living in an abusive meth house, with no plan for her future and at great risk of losing custody of her two children who were in foster care. Within three months of beginning intensive work on goals with her Family Coach, she obtained stable housing near her children, was allowed visitations and had a 40 hour per week job, all while maintaining her sobriety. She now has hope for the future and even though her DHS case is closed, she stays connected through Matthews House activities and events.
Lydia’s story highlights the power of relationship based, community supported services. By surrounding her with a network of support focused on helping her to set and achieve her own goals, she was able to start looking forward and make significant life changes.
These changes not only affect Lydia’s life, but her two children as well, who can now rely on a healthy mom instead of “the system”.
By supporting The Matthews House you are helping families to stay together as they work toward achieving self-sufficiency.
