Matthew 25 Facility Returns to Serve at Maximum Capacity

Matthew 25 is pleased to announce that our residential facility is once again able to serve at maximum capacity. For much of the past two years, we have operated at half capacity due to COIVD-19 protocols. This means our census capacity was 25 men, as opposed to the standard 49 men that has been our standard for many years.

We are rapidly accepting new men into our programs, and this means more beds, more meals, more counseling, and ultimately more hope provided to those in need. This, of course, also means more expenses. To help us sustain our momentum and prepare to serve and empower more homeless men and veterans in Middle Tennessee, we have launched the Matthew 25 Renewal Campaign.

This campaign aims to alleviate our growing pains and accelerate our transition back to serving at our fullest capacity. We aim to raise $10,000 to give our organization the financial breathing room and security to provide more meals, hire more case mangers, and restore more lives. You can contribute to this campaign at the button below:

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Youth Choir Performs Concert for Matthew 25

Last week, we were visited by the Youth Choir from the First Baptist Church of Tallahassee, FL. They came to Nashville for their annual mission trip, and we are so thankful that they chose to provide our men with pizza and a concert!

This night was such a boost to the spirit and morale of our men, as simple camaraderie can greatly improve the outlook of a man who is working through personal adversity. Their group was so friendly and encouraging, and they can SING! Thank you First Baptist Church of Tallahassee for providing wonderful music and pizza to not only our men, but the entire Vine Hill Tower!

Matthew 25 Partners with Country Artist Steven Cade

We are pleased to announce we have partnered with modern country artist Steven Cade! In an effort to bring awareness to our mission and raise funds for our work, Cade will visit the Matthew 25 facility for a concert and then play two benefit concerts in Nashville.

Cade shares hope and healing through music. On Monday, April 18, Cade will visit the Matthew 25 facility to meet our men, deliver a guitar, and treat the men and staff to a small concert.

On Wednesday, April 20, Cade will perform a benefit concert at The Listening Room at 8pm. On Friday, April 29, he will perform another benefit concert at Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant at 6pm.

You can buy tickets to the Listening Room show here:

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“Music changes lives and the guitar is such a powerful tool. Music is healing and allows you to express your stories and brings joy,” says Cade. “I give back to homeless shelters because it's part of my story, my family has been homeless as well.”

Cade’s “Giving Guitars Tour” in partnership with Brent Yates and The Gravity of Up visits shelters and agencies across the country that offer housing and services to homeless families and those in need. To date, Cade has visited more than 40 homeless shelters in 11 different states and has gifted over 70 guitars to the residents of these shelters.

 

About Steven Cade and Giving Guitars

· Nashville-based, award-winning, modern country artist, singer-songwriter

· Considered for 7 GRAMMY nominations

· California Music Hall of Fame inductee

· Tours nationally and has been featured with Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Frankie Ballard, Billy Currington, Darius Rucker, Shania Twain, Gavin DeGraw and many others. 

· Taylor Guitars is the official guitar sponsor for Giving Guitars 

Sunday Dinners at Matthew 25

Announcing Sunday Dinners at Matthew 25: a new initiative through which we plan to reconnect with our local community.

For years, we have had supporters come by our facility to serve a meal and break bread with our men. While this has always been a regular occurrence, we now want to make this a formal tradition at Matthew 25. Our goal is to have individuals, congregations, restaurants and community groups provide and serve dinner for all 52 Sundays of the year. 

Not only would this support Matthew 25 financially and operationally, but more importantly it would give a weekly boost to the spirit and morale of the men we serve. It is hard to describe how much simple camaraderie can improve the outlook of a man who is working through personal adversity. 

These dinners would serve as a regular reminder that there are countless folks in the community who care for them, believe in them, and want to back them on journey to a brighter future. This type of personal, intimate encouragement provides a level of support that you simply cannot measure in dollars. 

Our Sunday Dinners initiative offers regular opportunities to support the men we serve, and we are excited to connect and work with the wonderful people and organizations here in Middle Tennessee that are eager for new ways to partner with us. 

If you are interested in providing a Sunday Dinner, please fill out the form below, or simply reach out to: mmiller@matthew25nashville.org

Email us

Local Boy Scout to Refurbish Matthew 25 Patio

Recently Matthew 25 was contacted by a local Boy Scout, Nathan Gafney, who is a junior at Pope John Paul II. Nathan was researching organizations for his Eagle Scout project and chose Matthew 25 as his beneficiary.

The purpose of an Eagle Scout project is to plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or the community. Nathan plans to pressure wash the patio, clean and scrub all handrails, and then personally build chairs, picnic tables, planter boxes and cornhole boards to place in the patio area. This project will be quite the transformation of this space!

“I chose Matthew 25 for my Eagle Scout Project because both of my parents and grandfathers are veterans,” said Nathan. “I really wanted to do something to support veterans in need. Veterans have done so much for us and our country so I think it's important to give back to those in our community that have made sacrifices.”

SUPPORT NATHAN: https://gofund.me/ae7269cc

We know that Nathan’s work will make our patio more enjoyable and functional for years to come, providing a space where our men can relax and socialize with others progressing through our housing programs. We are so thankful for Nathan who has been so proactive in supporting our work! We can’t wait to provide an update in the fall of his progress.

The existing Matthew 25 patio space.

The existing Matthew 25 patio space.

Matthew 25 Adds New Board Member

We are excited to announce that we have added a new member, Lisa Woodruff, to our Board of Directors! Lisa will help to strengthen and diversify our leadership team with her knowledge, passion and skillset. We know that she will be a fantastic addition to our organization as we look towards the future.

Lisa is a Vice President with Turner & Townsend, where she oversees their Central USA business and their Retail sector globally. Lisa is a University of Illinois graduate and a licensed Architect. She is married to her husband of 24 years, Mark, and has two children, Quentin (20), Walter (18). Lisa is passionate about helping young children and serving her communities. She is Turner & Townsend’s Corporate Responsibility Lead for the US business and serves on the YMCA of Middle Tennessee Property Committee and ACE National and Nashville Advisory Councils.

“I was motivated to join M25 because I believe in their work and mission,” said Lisa. “Several of my family members have served in the military and/or have struggled with substance abuse. The opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life, and perhaps save one, is worth the effort. I was drawn in by a fellow board member and friend by his passion for Matthew 25’s work and mission. With my background in architecture, construction and business, combined with my passion for Corporate Responsibility, I hope to help Matthew 25 both achieve our goals for the short term and realize our vision for the future.”

Lisa Woodruff

Lisa Woodruff