September 19, 2018 Charlotte Harbor Event Center
Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director, began the day by sharing in front of a crowd of 200 people that .99 cents of every dollar stays right here in Charlotte County to help those that need it most. We met two people that have been helped by the funded 21 non-profit agencies and six programs. We will never forget meeting Trevor and Shy-kia and how their lives are changed by the help they received.
Pictured: Melissa Scott from Port Charlotte Lowes presents Trevor with a bird house and bird food to put in his new backyard.
Trevor battled depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder since he was nine years old. Now, at the age of 42, he has survived multiple attempted suicides, lost both parents and became homeless. While living in the woods, he experienced diabetes complications which triggered a seizure and cardiac arrest. He began to receive support for medical and psychiatric needs. He now has his own apartment and for the first time in years, feels hopeful. He is working towards a job position in the medical field. He shared with everyone "Keep helping people, there are so many people out there like me who need help." and his final words were "Always set your bar to the moon!"
At the age of three months Ra'el and his Mom, Shy-khia suddenly found themselves with nothing She was overwhelmed and scared that she couldn't provide for her baby. Through the Mentoring for Success program, she completed her GED, is actively searching for a job and plans to get her first driver's license. Life is difficult but with hard work and the support of her mentor she can be financially stable.
“I used to think that you can’t help a damaged woman, but now I know that is not true because of all the support I have received from my mentor and all of the wonderful people from the agencies in our community” ~Shy-khia
Learn more about some of our funded programs.
Charlotte County Reads! Literacy Buddy Program. Literacy Buddy Application.
Mentoring for Success Program. Mentoring a Family Today!