Director: Matt Yates
About Matt
Q:What date did you join The Salvation Army?
My first official day was February 17th.
Q: What did you do and where did you work before joining The Salvation Army?
I worked for the Office of the Jefferson Circuit Court Clerk, David Nicholson. I performed tasks ranging from data entry to strategic planning to policy writing. I also coordinated the “Circuit Court Compassion Committee,” where the people within the court system aided various non-profits in their causes.
Q: Tell us more about your background?
I attended Holy Cross High School in Southwest Louisville. I went to Morehead State University to study government and play football. I returned home to Louisville to continue my education in public policy. I received my Masters in Public Administration at U of L.
Q: Why did you want to join The Salvation Army Center of Hope?
You could not have told me a year ago that I would be working in non-profit. My ideal job was to work in city policy. I thought I would be like Charlie Sheen off Spin City! Wrong. I discovered that I had a desire to work in government because I wanted to work with people. I later learned that what I desired most was to help people.
With the Circuit Court’s Compassion Projects, I gained a satisfaction I never knew before. As a part of the Salvation Army, a person has the opportunity to have that feeling every day. When that opportunity was presented I had to take it.
Q: What have you learned about those you support?
I have learned that the homeless crisis in this community is much more severe than most people realize. There are thousands of men, women, and children that are forced to sleep either in the shelter or on the streets every night. These people should never be stereotyped as lazy or as deviant. They are simply real people that took wrong turns in life. We should realize how blessed each of us truly is to have someplace to call home.
Q: As the new director, what challenges does The Center of Hope face and how can donors and volunteers help COH meet those challenges?
We are in tough economic times. While monetary funds and resources are restricted, the need for our help is greater than ever. The Salvation Army works tirelessly to fight a battle against poverty and homelessness in this community. However, we cannot work alone. This entire community must unite together to acknowledge and address this crisis.
Volunteers and donors are vital to our success. We are in constant need of clothing, food, and monetary funds to help lead folks out of homelessness and keep low-income families out of homelessness. We also need volunteers who have the resources to teach our clients to live independent. Lessons in resume’ writing, life skills, and job hunting would go far to enable our clients. It is wonderful to be able to feed clients every day and lodge them every night, but real successes come when our clients leave the shelter and overcome homelessness.
Q: Is there anything else you want to add about The Salvation Army and/or The Center of Hope?
My job does not feel like work. It is more of a commitment to a cause. I will always have problems, but my troubles could not equate to the troubles of the men and women that come through our doors. For this, and like many of you, I am blessed.
My work is tiring, and sometimes disheartening. Yet, the people at the Center of Hope work through the good and the bad because they believe in doing the most good. It is their commitment, faith, and generosity that continue to strengthen my efforts; and every “thank you” from a client who received our assistance makes it all worth it.