About Us
About Us
Matthews HELP Center serves and cares for our community by providing programs and services that meet life's basic needs. We provide financial and non-financial crisis assistance for those in need within our community. An integral part of our organization is Backporch Treasures, our very own Thrift shop. Backporch Treasures is the Thrift Store that shops like a boutique! Visit it once and you will understand! Proceeds from Backporch Treasures go to support the mission of Matthews HELP Center.
Matthews HELP Center is a thriving and growing organization, serving an average of over 430 families per month. We offer an array of programs and services, and are always reassessing and considering additional services to assist our neighbors in need.
Matthews HELP Center STAFF
2013 Board of Directors
Job Openings with Matthews HELP Center
The "back porch" of the Center is the entrance to our Thrift Shop, Backporch Treasures. This wonderful shop serves many needs. Everyone is welcome to come in, browse and shop for fantastic bargains! The money generated by the Thrift Shop, and financial donations from the community, allow the mission of the Center to be fulfilled.
All of this is possible because of the hundreds of dedicated volunteers who come to the Center offering their time, talent, and care. This community organization is tremendously effective because of them.
A Brief History
Matthews HELP Center was birthed out of a need recognized by two women from the Matthews Woman’s Club (June Hamrick) and the Happy Times Club (Iris DeVore) who sought a central place in the Matthews community to provide crisis assistance.
In 1978, the Woman’s Club membership enlisted the entire community in organizing such a center. Much work was involved in establishing the organization as a nonprofit entity, recruiting volunteers and turning this idea into a functional organization.
The Town of Matthews acquired the historic Clark House in 1976 and allowed HELP Center volunteers to paint and scrub the Center into being. The doors opened in November 1979. From the beginning of its existence, the HELP Center has enjoyed a close working relationship with the town government. The relationship was established early on with the agreement that the HELP Center would use the Clark House as its base of operations. For the first 10 years, the town awarded grants to ensure the continuance of HELP Center programs. When it was time to reapply for the town grant in 1991, the board determined the grant was no longer necessary.
The HELP Center has been able to maintain its operations with proceeds from its very own thrift shop sales and donations from area churches and businesses. We receive no federal, state or local government funding, and no United Way funding. MHC raises funds through sales in its thrift shop, local fundraisers, corporate and foundation grant awards, partnerships with area churches and businesses, and donations from the community it serves.
