“We really need more people thinking ‘why wouldn’t I?’ That’s my neighbor.” - Sharlene

In Episode 86 of Straight Talk, No B.S. with Matthew’s Hope, presented by Imagine Marketing, Pastor Scott is joined by Sharlene Dewitz who is the Director of the Brevard Campus for Matthew’s Hope as well as Shannon Diaz who is a former guest of Matthew’s Hope who now serves as the Orange County Director for Matthew’s Hope.

Sharlene and Shannon also head up the mobile teams for Matthew’s Hope and in this episode they share the importance of that component of the operation. The mobile teams often serve as the first point of contact for many of the newly homeless in our communities and help bridge the gap to other services. They offer familiar faces and dignified services to those in the most need as they face life in the elements.

Each week, Pastor Scott, Shelley and guests share their experiences from operating a homeless outreach in Florida's Orange and Brevard Counties to raise awareness and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the homeless crisis in America today.

To learn more or to donate, visit: https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/

#homeless #homelessness #ministry #dignity #orangecounty #brevardcounty #crisis #homelessawareness #unhoused #florida

In this episode of Straight Talk, No B.S. with Matthew’s Hope, presented by Imagine Marketing, Pastor Scott and Shelley provide an update on their new sleeper bus program. The first bus has been delivered, and more are on the way.

Learn what sparked this idea, how the program will work, and how the sleeper buses will integrate into all the other services Matthew’s Hope provides.

Each week, Pastor Scott, Shelley and guests share their experiences from operating a homeless outreach in Florida's Orange and Brevard Counties to raise awareness and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the homeless crisis in America today.

To learn more or to donate, visit: https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/

#homeless #homelessness #ministry #dignity #orangecounty #brevardcounty #crisis #homelessawareness #unhoused #florida

“He has a very jaded view of what a homeless person is.” ~Shelley

In this episode of Straight Talk, No B.S. with Matthew’s Hope, presented by Imagine Marketing, Pastor Scott and Shelley react to a recent executive order from President Trump titled “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets” which claims to lay out a plan to clear our country’s streets of homeless individuals.

There is a lot to unpack in this order and Pastor Scott and Shelley don’t hold back with their reactions to the contents including the language itself which in many ways dehumanizes and advances stigmas about those experiencing homelessness while suggesting there is a fairly simple solution to what, in reality, is a very complex issue.

You can find the full episode on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

Each week, Pastor Scott, Shelley and guests share their experiences from operating a homeless outreach in Florida's Orange and Brevard Counties to raise awareness and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the homeless crisis in America today.

To learn more or to donate, visit: https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/

#homeless #homelessness #ministry #dignity #orangecounty #brevardcounty #crisis #homelessawareness #unhoused #florida #trump #executiveorder #crime

In Episode 83 of Straight Talk, No B.S. with Matthew’s Hope, presented by Imagine Marketing, Pastor Scott and Shelley discuss the changing demographics of homelessness.

The reality of what they are seeing each day often contrasts dramatically with that ideas many people have of what homelessness traditionally looked like. Young people, baby boomers, mothers with babies and those with disabilities are becoming a larger and larger portion of the guests they serve.

Each week, Pastor Scott, Shelley and guests share their experiences from operating a homeless outreach in Florida's Orange and Brevard Counties to raise awareness and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the homeless crisis in America today.

To learn more or to donate, visit: https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/

#homeless #homelessness #ministry #dignity #orangecounty #brevardcounty #crisis #homelessawareness #unhoused #florida

In Episode 82 of Straight Talk, No B.S. with Matthew’s Hope, presented by Imagine Marketing, Tracy and Pastor Scott are joined by Sherry, a former guest of Matthew’s Hope.

Sherry previously joined the podcast way back in episode 6 so if you haven’t watched that yet, we encourage you to do so, but now she has returned to share some incredible news about the future of herself and her daughter Olivia. Learn how Sherry’s journey is coming full circle from homeless to a homeowner.

Each week, Pastor Scott, Shelley and guests share their experiences from operating a homeless outreach in Florida's Orange and Brevard Counties to raise awareness and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the homeless crisis in America today.

To learn more or to donate, visit: https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/

#homeless #homelessness #ministry #dignity #orangecounty #brevardcounty #crisis #homelessawareness #unhoused #florida #habitatforhumanity

“People come in and their clothes are still wet from the day before.” ~Shelley

In Episode 81 of Straight Talk, No B.S. with Matthew’s Hope, presented by Imagine Marketing, Pastor Scott and Shelley discuss the unique challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness here in Florida during the heat of Summer and the dangers of Hurricane Season.

Florida is known for volatile weather that often consists of torrential downpours and severe thunderstorms with damaging wind. And that doesn’t even include actual hurricanes. Combined with Florida’s law prohibiting sleeping in public spaces, the temperature, bugs, lack of rest, and constant dampness leads to an extreme level of anxiety among the guests that Matthew’s Hope serves. These challenges all combine to make it extremely difficult for someone to put their life back together and move forward.

Each week, Pastor Scott, Shelley and guests share their experiences from operating a homeless outreach in Florida's Orange and Brevard Counties to raise awareness and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the homeless crisis in America today.

To learn more or to donate, visit: https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/

#homeless #homelessness #ministry #dignity #orangecounty #brevardcounty #crisis #homelessawareness #unhoused #florida

In Episode 80 of Straight Talk, No B.S. with Matthew’s Hope, presented by Imagine Marketing, Pastor Scott and Shelley react to recent news surrounding the passing of the so-call “Big Beautiful Bill” and the rapid establishment of “alligator Alcatraz.”

Learn how aspects of the bill will impact our homeless population and possibly lead to more individuals becoming unhoused. Plus, hear how the speed at which the new migrant detention facility in the everglades went from idea to opened compares to the glacial pace of projects Matthew’s Hope has undertaken that involve government cooperation.

Each week, Pastor Scott, Shelley and guests share their experiences from operating a homeless outreach in Florida's Orange and Brevard Counties to raise awareness and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the homeless crisis in America today.

To learn more or to donate, visit: https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/

#homeless #homelessness #ministry #dignity #orangecounty #brevardcounty #crisis #homelessawareness #unhoused #florida

Episode 79 kicks off Season 3 of Straight Talk, No B.S. with Matthew’s Hope, presented by Imagine Marketing. Tracy is joined by Pastor Scott and Shelley to preview some of the topics they will be covering in depth over the coming weeks including the changing demographics of homelessness, and their reactions to the so-called Big Beautiful Bill and Alligator Alcatraz.

Each week, Pastor Scott, Shelley and guests share their experiences from operating a homeless outreach in Florida's Orange and Brevard Counties to raise awareness and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the homeless crisis in America today.

To learn more or to donate, visit: https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/

#homeless #homelessness #ministry #dignity #orangecounty #brevardcounty #crisis #homelessawareness #unhoused #florida #bigbeautifulbill #alligatoralcatraz

“We shouldn’t be warehousing people.” ~ Tim McKinney

In Episode 78 of Straight Talk, No B.S. with Matthew’s Hope, presented by Imagine Marketing, Tracy and Pastor Scott are joined by Tim McKinney, CEO of United Global Outreach.

Pastor Scott and Tim share some of the key ingredients required to achieve true transformation. Learn how simple things like treating all people with dignity can have a powerful impact on someone’s life when they are at their lowest point. Plus, they discuss the issues with our current shelter system and ways in which they could better serve the individuals that rely on them while also benefitting their surrounding communities.

While Tim’s organization serves mostly impoverished people and Matthew’s Hope serves only those experiencing homelessness, there are similarities in the fundamentals that each are based on and the needs of the people they serve. Both are bringing attention and resources to populations that have traditionally not had voices of their own.

Each week, Pastor Scott, Shelley and guests share their experiences from operating a homeless outreach in Florida's Orange and Brevard Counties to raise awareness and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the homeless crisis in America today.

To learn more or to donate, visit: https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/

#homeless #homelessness #ministry #dignity #orangecounty #brevardcounty #crisis #homelessawareness #unhoused #florida #bithlo #homelessshelter

“They’ve given me new life.” - Laurie

In Episode 77 of Straight Talk, No B.S. with Matthew’s Hope, presented by Imagine Marketing, Pastor Scott and Tracy are joined by Laurie as we continue our Real Faces of Homelessness series.

Lori shares the story of how emergency open-heart surgery started her spiral into homelessness. A reminder of how quickly things can change and how it can happen to anyone. Hear how Laurie discovered Matthew’s Hope and how her future is so much brighter now because of them.

The goal of this series is to combat many of the stigmas and prejudices that exist about those experiencing homelessness by introducing you to real people and real stories.

Each week, Pastor Scott, Shelley and guests share their experiences from operating a homeless outreach in Florida's Orange and Brevard Counties to raise awareness and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the homeless crisis in America today.

To learn more or to donate, visit: https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/

#homeless #homelessness #ministry #dignity #orangecounty #brevardcounty #crisis #homelessawareness #unhoused #florida #realfacesofhomelessness #homelessnessshouldnotbeacrime