Recently United Way of Larimer County awarded $35,000 to the Matthews House in the name of decreasing poverty in Larimer County. An abbreviated version of this announcement has been published in the Coloradoan, but for a little more info you can read the entire press release from United Way of Larimer County below.

United Way of Larimer County to Support Self-Sufficiency for At-Risk Youth
Often Overlooked Population Living in Poverty

[Larimer County, Colorado] – United Way of Larimer County announced today the organization will provide $35,000 to The Matthews House, a nonprofit organization in Fort Collins, as part of the effort to accomplish the goal of it’s Pathways Past Poverty initiative.

The funding for The Matthews House will come from United Way’s “Bridging the Gap Fund.” This fund is specifically for projects or work being done to address poverty from a multifaceted approach that works. The organization serves 16-21-year-old youth who have virtually no family, including those who are aging out of the foster care system and youth on parole.

“The Matthews House brings together the strategies to really address poverty for this population and gives them the skills to become self-sufficient,” said Gordan Thibedeau, president and CEO of United Way of Larimer County. He points out that The Matthews House serves an often overlooked population when it comes to poverty.

“We do everything that a parent would have done for them; life skills, job readiness, education,” said Jerri Howe, executive director and founder of The Matthews House. “We work with them so they can become independent.” Howe says the group currently serves more than 70 youth and the need is increasing.

The Pathways Past Poverty initiative is a comprehensive, multifaceted approach to poverty with the goal of turning the trend of increasing poverty around in Larimer County. During the last three years, dozens of community volunteers worked together to determine 12 goals for Pathways Past Poverty. Now, dozens more are researching and developing strategies to accomplish these goals.

Howe said, “I want to see that these youth have a different pathway and that their life is better and not dependent on numerous services so they can learn to be self-sufficient.”

United Way of Larimer County’s focus as an organization is to help people who are in need now while also working with community partners on ways to reduce that need in the future resulting in true community impact.

To learn more about Pathways Past Poverty and the 12 goals, visit www.pathwayspastpoverty.org.