For Matt, a member of the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT), the success of our clients — especially those who are unsheltered or staying at the Johnson Street Shelter—hits close to home. In 2020 and 2021, Matt was staying at Johnson Street himself, navigating a difficult cycle of incarceration and addiction treatment.
“Honestly,” he reflects, “it was tough trying to stay there and stay sober. But JStreet gave me a roof over my head, and the staff really cared.”
It wasn’t until 2022 that Matt experienced what he calls “an epiphany.” While in treatment, he realized he was stuck in a cycle, and that he had the power to break free. He made a commitment to rely on the support systems he’d built over the years and to maintain his recovery once he left treatment. That decision changed everything.
As he leaned into those connections, Matt began building the life he’d once thought impossible. He got married to someone he met in recovery and in early 2024, he joined our staff.
At first, Matt expected it to feel strange working alongside people who had once been his support staff. But it had the opposite effect. “Knowing the impact they had on me made me want to work even harder and show that I could be good at this,” he says. “There’s a lot of mutual respect between guests and staff, and that helped me build rapport not only with coworkers, but also with guests who remembered me.”
Now, as part of the HOT Team, Matt works directly with individuals living unsheltered, helping them access basic needs and connect with resources. During the ongoing Housing Sprint ahead of the Johnson Street Shelter closure, the team is stepping up in a big way, offering referrals and support to those in need.
“There are days that are tough,” Matt admits. “But then there are days where I hand someone some gear, or share part of my story, and it really clicks for them. Those are the moments I know I’m making an impact. We’re seeing more people follow through with their next steps, and I’m proud to be part of that.”
Matt also values the team’s connection to the broader community. Local businesses and neighbors can call the HOT phone when someone needs support.
“We’re not just serving our clients,” he says. “We’re serving the whole community.”