What is Team 25:35?
Honoring the verse that inspires our work, Team 25:35 is our group of monthly donors that provides dependable, critical support of our mission. The faith and devotion of this team is invaluable to both our day-to-day operations and long-term stability, as each member is helping to reinforce the financial foundation that sustains our mission. The steadiness of this team enables us to offer daily, unwavering support in the form of beds, meals, counseling, compassion, and, ultimately, hope.
How much do I give?
Our suggested monthly contribution is $25.35, which amounts to $0.83 per day. We understand that everyone’s budget is different, so any recurring pledge confirms you as a member of the team! No amount is too big or too small.
What’s the benefit?
Our program makes things seamless for our donors. In a few clicks, you can set up an automated monthly gift from your credit card or bank account. On our end, predictable monthly giving improves our long-term planning and decision making, allowing us to confidently strategize to meet the future needs of our community. It also protects smaller organizations like ours during times of uncertainty or emergency, as we can count on the stability of this team.
Where does my money go?
We know that a recurring gift is no small commitment, and we want you to have clarity and confidence about what your money is accomplishing. We are proud to say that 76% of unrestricted donations directly support our programs and services. As a recurring donor, you will receive a quarterly email that summarizes the impact of your dollar!
Clinical Services
Shown is Matthew 25 graduate Bernard Williams, an Army veteran, with Senior Case Manager, Juanita Johnson.
This budget category includes the salary, taxes and benefits of our Clinical staff, which is the absolute backbone of our work. Through case management, this team assists men in setting and reaching personal goals. Whether it is finding employment, securing permanent housing, or rediscovering purpose and self-worth, our clinical team serves these men with counsel, accountability and compassion.
In addition, we provide our men with regular group meetings and life skills training. This includes groups such as recovery skills, Bible studies, meditation, Tai Chi, substance education, fitness instruction, landlord Q&A, Communion and more.
Shelter
Our residential facility is situated on the second and third floors of the Vine Hill Tower in Nashville. When men enter our Transitional Program, they are provided a dorm-style room, which is shared with a roommate as their temporary home. Our facility features communal bathrooms and showers, as well as common areas such as a TV room, pool table, exercise area, outdoor patio, computer room and library.
In their room, men are provided with a bed, linens, pillows, and a dresser. They are also offered any clothes they might need, as they can browse through donated underwear, shirts, socks, pants, dress clothes/suites, etc. Some men quite literally enter our programs with nothing but the clothes on their back.
Food
Men in our program are provided three meals per day, seven days per week. Our facility features a commercial kitchen which can serve up to 4500 meals per month. Of course, we also provide drinks such as water, coffee and tea each day.
For employed men, we provide sack lunches for them to take to work each morning. Each night, our men gather together for dinner at 5:30pm. This act of camaraderie helps to improve the outlook and morale of men who are working through personal adversity. We also offer dinner to the men living on the third floor within our Progressive Housing Program.
Operations
This category covers a wide range of expenses that keep our work flowing seamlessly. This can include items such as high-speed internet, cleaning supplies, LED light fixtures, paper, ink and pens. It also covers costs for items like toiletries, linens, clothing, first aid, and transportation for our men, who need assistance getting to and from work, medical appointments, or simply the grocery store.
Security
Many of the men in our program have experienced severe trauma. We do our absolute best to provide them a sense of safety and security in this temporary home. For safety and accountability, our residents are required to check in and out each time they enter and leave the premises. All guests must also check in with our front desk when visiting.
We utilize a state of the art video surveillance system that enables us to monitor the building, ensuring that our men, staff and facility are protected and secure at all times. We continue to monitor and adapt to the area around us and to seek out ways to provide adequate security while enabling our residents to maintain independence and autonomy during their time in the program.