Residents

January 28 2019

Ten Years!

by Ted Rodarm, Executive Director

Matthew 25 Ministries relocated its housing operation to Pahokee in January 2009 and we are celebrating 10 years at Pelican Lake! Initially, eight residents arrived from Okeechobee and immediately went to work.

By the time I arrived later that year, much of the hardest work was already done, however, I have seen pictures and heard stories from Maggie and others who were here from day 1. There was so much trash and debris – furniture, mattresses and tires – and overgrown vegetation that one street was completely impassable. While the larger items had already been removed, I hauled my share of shopping carts and car batteries out of a canal. For months, I was still finding discarded diapers.

The church was uninhabitable at first. It was filthy from disuse and the rafters were filled with thousands of bees. The pews fell apart when they were moved and the dingy carpet with big red flowers was hideous. It took a lot of labor to hold our first church service with 10 in attendance – including Dick and Maggie – sitting on metal folding chairs. Maggie, of course, led praise and worship with her tambourine.

Many of the apartments had been vacant for some time and were inhabited by insects and rodents. One by one, the apartments were cleaned, painted, furnished and readied for occupancy.

Over the years, we have continued to make improvements and upgrades and today have 125 residents who may not otherwise have housing. We realize the comforts we enjoy today are possible through the labor of the Witherows and others that came before us and we are thankful. Their labor would not have been possible without your continued support and we are grateful.

As Maggie told me as she was recalling the early days, “We’ve come a long way, baby!”

January 28 2019

February 2019 Newsletter

Events, Newsletter, Residents, Testimonies

February 2019 Newsletter

November 28 2018

An “Old” Challenge

Steve Crook Jr Newsletter, Offenders, Residents

by Ted Rodarm, Executive Director

While our focus is to provide transitional housing opportunities, we have a number of disabled or elderly residents who will likely be here for the rest of their lives. As our population continues to get older (our oldest is 93), we are increasingly challenged.

This year we have had four residents pass away and we were there for them and their families during these end of life times. Most recently, three of our residents have spent time in the hospital. Much time has been spent visiting them and communicating with doctors, nurses and family members. One of these gentlemen has no family in Florida so we have taken on the role of his immediate family here.

Due to the strict residency restriction laws, there are very few assisted living facilities or nursing homes where they can go to receive proper care. Without access to the medical care they need, we are often tasked with caring for these men the best we can. We are currently coordinating with in-home nursing services and other providers.

If you know of any qualified health care providers who would be willing to share their expertise and time by providing care to some of our residents, please have them contact us or let us know how we may contact them.

Your support helps provide an on-site staff to assist our elderly residents and others in many ways.

November 28 2018

Reflections 2018 – #3

Steve Crook Jr Newsletter, Residents, Uplifting

by Ted Rodarm, Executive Director

As I was going for a walk this morning, I was reminded of those we have served. Each individual has their own experience and story to tell. Our residents come from all walks of life – teachers, preachers, former law-enforcement officers, truck drivers and financial advisors. While some are retired, many are not able to work in chosen professions and are often relegated to menial or labor positions. I watch as the cars are leaving to go to work.

There is Chris, who two year ago was wet, cold, hungry and sleeping under a bridge when we first met him. Today, he is happy in his apartment and I see him smiling as he rides his three-wheel tricycle in the community.

There’s Mitch, a former preacher who has limited mobility due to a number of strokes, sitting under a tree, enjoying the morning sun.

I see a number of our military veterans proudly displaying the American flag in front of their homes. These men honorably served their country during war and peace, yet are often shunned by society today.

As I finished my walk, I was filled with peace, knowing our residents are happy, safe and thankful for the opportunities they have at Matthew 25 Ministries.

November 28 2018

Reflections 2018 – #2

Steve Crook Jr Newsletter, Residents, Uplifting

by Ted Rodarm, Executive Director

This week we are preparing for the arrival of our newest resident. We are very deliberate in our process of evaluating, accepting and receiving our residents. Going through much of the same process for each individual, some tasks become monotonous – communicating with release officers, probation officials and family members; obtaining a bed and bedding, and purchasing other supplies.

However, as we’re making plans to travel 398 miles to pick up “Jeff”, I’m getting excited. He’s already told me how thankful he is that we will be there when he is released and how he won’t have to spend 18 lonely hours on a Greyhound bus. I’ll get to see the look of satisfaction on his face as he sits down to eat his first meal of freedom and witness the simple joy of a clean, comfortable bed that he can call his own and the contentedness of coming “home”.

What a blessing it is for me to see first-hand the joy that these things bring. Thank you for your support and allowing us to help others.

November 28 2018

Reflections 2018 – #1

Steve Crook Jr Newsletter, Residents, Uplifting

by Ted Rodarm, Executive Director

In 2018 we have welcomed 28 new residents to our community and have seen a similar number successfully transition to the greater community as they have been able to find housing opportunities placing them closer to family and employment opportunities.

Each new resident received their own bed, bedding and supplies. This is only possible through your support.

In the ten years that Matthew 25 Ministries has been operating at the Pelican Lake community outside of Pahokee, over 400 men and women have benefited from our transitional housing program. Without the opportunity of safe and affordable housing, much needed assistance and a built-in support system, many of these individuals would have been homeless or re-incarcerated, putting a burden on state and local taxpayers.

Your support does so much more than impact the lives of individuals. Investing in these men and women makes our communities safer and we all enjoy the benefits of saving tax dollars.

September 26 2018

SUCCESS – A Love Story

Steve Crook Jr Events, Newsletter, Residents, Uplifting

I remember nearly nine years ago when Matthew 25 Ministries welcomed a new resident. He settled in quickly, became active in the community and made many friends. His friendship with one woman grew over time, they began dating and were married in September, 2012 at Jacob’s Destiny Church. I know so well because my beautiful bride, Rose, and I renewed our vows on September 30th and are celebrating six wonderful years of marriage. I love you, sweetheart!

Ted & Rose Rodarm

6 year anniversary

September 22 2018

September 26 2018

God’s Love, Peace & Joy

Steve Crook Jr Intake, Newsletter, Residents

by Ted Rodarm, Executive Director

We often grow close to those we serve as we get to know them and invest ourselves in them.

This month, we welcomed a young man (let’s call him Daniel) who had recently been convicted of a felony. He knew that this felony conviction would change his life forever. He had many concerns before he arrived. “Where will I work?” “Who will I live with?” “What will I do?” Knowing many of our residents have been incarcerated, where he had not, he wondered what they would be like and if he could fit in.

Daniel quickly got acclimated and found that the other men in the transition house were quite like him and he fit in right away.

Daniel had been residing in the U.S. legally, but is not a citizen. With a felony conviction on his record, we knew he may be subject to deportation, but he realized he had to move forward while he was here. Nine days after his arrival, immigration officials arrived to detain him.

I felt robbed! I was working with him individually to get him acclimated and we had planned to go job hunting the following day. He was doing so well and there were already signs of success. While I was working with Daniel, there were lessons I learned along the way.

He called me last week to thank me and told me that in the nine days he was at Matthew 25 Ministries, he felt a love, peace and joy that he thought he’d never experience again. We agreed that what he was feeling was Jesus in his heart and he was giving these things as well as receiving them.

I’m thankful for the opportunity to help Daniel in his time of need and the lessons I learned from him. He is now looking forward to being reunited with his family in his homeland and we will always treasure him being a part of our family at Matthew 25 Ministries.

August 30 2018

Comings and Goings

Steve Crook Jr Intake, Newsletter, Offenders, Residents, Uplifting

by Ted Rodarm, Executive Director

August was a very busy month for us. We welcomed five new residents during this time and are preparing for more in September. Each arrival brings its own challenges. Cleaning, painting and waxing of floors are done in preparation for a new resident. Beds, bedding and supplies are needed as well. We communicate with and coordinate with family members, release officers and probation officers regarding their pick-up and arrival. Trips to the probation office, Sheriff’s Office and the tax collector to get identification are all legally required within 48 hours. It can be a whirlwind!

As each new resident arrives, they are immediately surrounded by their new family and built-in support system. These are all things that add to the successful reentry of those we serve.

June 1 2018

God’s Plan (June 2018)

Steve Crook Jr Newsletter, Residents, Testimonies

by Ted Rodarm, Executive Director

We had what we thought was a good plan. We were planning for the future when earlier this year we set a goal to get a new van. We intended for this to be a year-long campaign, but God had other plans.

Last month, we received the news from our mechanic that we needed to replace the van NOW. Like any other flesh and blood individual, I started to worry because I had no idea what we were going to do. Of course, God had the whole situation under control. In the midst of my panic, we received the proceeds from this year’s Great Give and, with other funds held in reserve, suddenly we had $17,000.00 for a new van.

We went to a local Toyota dealer to trade in the old van and buy a new one. After looking at several vans and test driving a couple of them, we found one we really liked. Unfortunately, we weren’t sure it was in our price range as we still were unsure of what we would get as a trade-in value for our old van. We sat in the sales office while the salesman spoke with his manager, wondering what number he would come back with. When he did come back, he sat down and showed that the price of the van minus the trade-in would be $16,997.45, less than three dollars under our budget! I couldn’t believe it! God’s planning was perfect. His plan worked so much better than mine. I am so thankful that God intervened.

I am humbled by the generosity of so many people including the response of our current and former residents. I spent a considerable amount of time making phone calls and I received a common reaction – “I know how important the van is and I want to help.”

On behalf of the men and women whose transportation needs will be met for the next several years – thank you, and may His richest blessings be yours always.