G-1460

The Matthews House RR Program

Description

Financing

Documents

Photos

History Logs

Project Description

Region: North America

Country: USA

Location: Fort Collins

Total Budget: $35,000

Areas of Focus: Disease prevention and treatment, Water, sanitation and hygiene, Community economic development



The Matthews House (TMH) is a comprehensive strengths-based human services program founded in Fort Collins in 2005. Their tagline - Growing Stronger Together - says a lot about the culture and services they provide. They have numerous programs meant to strengthen the social and economic opportunities of youth and families in Larimer County. Often TMH works in collaboration with other agencies - English as a Second Language (ESL) and GED classes are not taught by TMH staff, for example, but with staff provided by the Mexican Consulate and Front Range Community College. TMH provides a setting for the classes and free child care on premise, plus other support services and walking alongside as appropriate. TMH programs have progressed from youth intervention programs to programs focused on families, and are shifting from intervention to increasingly important and impactful prevention programs. The reader should go to www.thematthewshouse.org for more information - the Annual Report is a good place to start - located in the About section.

TMH's newest program is Restaurant Ready in partnership with the National Restaurant Association. TMH is one of 5 pilot programs partners across the nation, meant to pair industry training classes (ranging from safety to systems to management) with social support and peer relationships - a whole-person approach to jobs training and personal empowerment. The program has received strong community support from for staffing requirements and programs, but lacks for direct capital support for equipment needs for a growing program. The first group of 28 students is in process now, and there are indications for strong demand growth in 2018.

The grant total of $35,000 would build a strong foundation for this program growth, and empower an upskilled workforce for the vibrant, growing, and employee-starved restaurant industry in Fort Collins and greater Northern Colorado. Current operations are accommodated with borrowed or outdated equipment, some of which is in need of update and/or replacement. In addition, there is opportunity for the RR Program participants to gain skills by serving as an event caterer for TMH Events and potentially to the greater community.

The specific usage of the grant dollars are proposed as follows:

12 workstations @ $500 = $6,000

12 Tablets @ $400 = $4,000

Modern Point Of Sale System = $12,000

Assorted Restaurant Equipment = $12,000 (itemization available)

Assorted Catering Equipment = $5,000 (itemization available)

Submitting Rotary member is a part of the newly-launched TMH Ambassadors program, seeking to encourage community members of all capacities to make recurring donations to The Matthews House prevention programs. Curt was on the Board of Directors for 4 years, much of which as President of the Board.

Club members could be involved in the Ambassador program at any level, and could serve in various volunteer capacities - from providing community dinners or experiential education, HOST home provision, and many others including direct service or involvement with the Restaurant Ready program. This grant request was incepted by TMH giving our club an update on programs in the spring of 2017. So many members were excited by the organization's growth and impact that they wished to do something of a greater magnitude to advance the cause. We have partnered on numerous global grants with clubs in India, and have received warm response to this pending request, though nothing is pledged as yet.

PLEASE NOTE!

Submitting Rotarian was asked to provide a bit more detail on outcomes of this request. Incorporating here as an addenda:

1) Expected outcomes: This equipment will increase the number of persons who can come through the program (it's hard even to say what capacity for the program is, it's so new. Also, it would enhance the quality of their experience. Justin, the Program Manger overseeing it, believes the "retail" value of the training is $5,000+ and this will allow another 24 students minimum (per quarter). Most graduates will make $5,000+ more annually afterward (partly from skills, but as importantly from lower personal job turnover due to the soft skills component). Many students will earn $10,000 more, especially over time. TMH has been given honors from CSU for their community impact per $ invested ratio, and they have a great reputation for how well they track and measure outcomes.

It cannot be overstated that TMH is one of only 5 pilot program partners with National Restaurant Association on this program - and so far, the leader in implementation. The impact of this program on the industry at large could be significant over time, and this grant would be a great chunk of support at an important time.

2) I think realistically, 2 or 3 club members might be regular volunteers for the Restaurant Ready program needs, and 2 or 3 or 4 could become volunteers in other capacities more in tune with their talents and interests - this is one of ~12 major programs at The Matthews House. I would be disappointed if we don't get at least 4 recurring volunteers and would hope for 8 or more. There is also opportunity to serve the youth and families on a group level - for example TMH feeds ~500 people in our Community Life Center in the time around Thanksgiving annually and a group of 4 or 10 Rotarians could take a shift at the tongs and spoons in service. There are dozens of ways to connect and serve this cause. Rotarians are Rotarians, so they like to spread the love a bit. A well-executed spreading of awareness, and call to action in service would be important to getting good participation.

3) The organization has already received great community support from employers, including $25K grant from Starbucks, $10K from a local bank, and a commitment for hiring by Ginger & Baker and Rio Grande (and others) and commissary hosting (and equipment borrowing) from Spoons Soups & Sandwiches. There is a sliding scale charge to individuals based on ability, and employers can sponsor candidates for the program that they get dibs on after. In the end, those who get the value will pay for most of the costs (students and moreso employers - who arguably have the most to gain). Foundations such as Bohemian, Otter Cares and Peyback (Peyton Manning's Foundation) have and are expected to continue to help support overhead and program growth. Because the program has such a large magnification effect (and the potential impact to citizens of better food and better service) this should be one of the most loved and sustainable programs at TMH - in addition to being more visible in the community than most of our work. We hope this will increase community support and donations in general but aren't counting on it.

Primary Host Partner

District: 5440

Rotary Club of: Fort Collins-Breakfast

Primary Contact: Curt Bear

Email: curtismbear@gmail.com

Primary International Partner

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Project Status

Dropped
This project has been "Dropped". Check the history log entries to see why it was dropped.

Project listed for the 2017-18 Rotary Year.

Proposed Financing

Existing Contributions Towards This Project

Date

Cash

DDF

Total

Fort Collins-Breakfast (5440)

28-Nov-17

$4,000

$0

$4,000

Remaining Amount to Raise

Additional Club Contribution (Needed) - Add a contribution

$19,334

-

$19,334

Amount Requested from The Rotary Foundation

$11,667

$0

$11,666

Total

$35,000

DDF contributions in grey are pending approval of the corresponding district committee.

Note: as of July 1, 2015 there is a 5% additional support fee for cash contributions. This fee does not appear in the financials above because it does not apply if the funds are sent directly to the project account (without going through TRF, and therefore without Paul Harris credit). Clubs sending their cash contribution to TRF must be aware they will have to send an additional 5%.

Project Supporting Documents

Project Photos


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History Log Entries

28-Nov-17

System Entry

System Entry: Creation of project page.

10-Dec-17

by James Epstein

Please upload the itemization of the restaurant and catering equipment

10-Dec-17

by James Epstein

Please elaborate on how the equipment will be maintained after the grant funds have been used up.

1-Jan-18

by James Epstein

This project was not selected for a global grant but is eligible for a $4,000 district grant. Please re-submit as a district grant.

26-Mar-18

by James Epstein

System Entry: Project dropped by Jim Epstein.

Reason for dropping: Project was changed to a district grant

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