About Us

At The Matthews House, we believe that strong families are the cornerstone of vibrant communities. Our Caregiving & Parenting programs are designed to support and empower parents and caregivers, providing them with the skills, resources, and confidence they need to nurture their families effectively. Explore our diverse programs tailored to meet the needs of families in our community.

In 2003, our founder met a young man in Old Town Fort Collins who had just aged out of foster care. With no resources available in Larimer County for youth in his situation, he was left couch-surfing and living on the streets. Motivated by his story, The Matthews House was established to provide a safe space for system-involved youth, offering the resources and support needed to break free from cycles of poverty and abuse and move toward independence.

After several years and hundreds of success stories, we recognized the importance of working with families to prevent crises before they occur. By improving family relationships, providing essential resources, and offering ongoing coaching, we’ve been able to positively impact hundreds  of families annually.

In 2024, we expanded by returning to our roots, inspired by that young man who aged out of the foster care system and the growing need to support unaccompanied youth in our community. While we couldn’t solve the homelessness problem back in 2003, we have since developed numerous creative solutions. Unfortunately, youth under 18 cannot access adult shelters, and today, over 1,800 youth and young adults in Northern Colorado are homeless, with 1 in 30 young adults having slept somewhere other than their home in the past month.

We are excited to announce our partnership with Thompson School District and other close partners to open Northern Colorado’s first youth shelter in Fall 2024.

Administrative Team

8

NICOLE ARMSTRONG, M.S.

Executive Director
Serving TMH Since: 2008
Nicole@TheMatthewsHouse.org

7

MARIANA RUIZ

Executive Assistant
Serving TMH Since: 2016
Mariana@TheMatthewsHouse.org

Development Team

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ERICA VANDER SANDE

Development Director
Serving TMH Since: 2023
Erica@TheMatthewsHouse.org

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ADRIANA BORJA JOVEL

Development + Marketing Associate
Serving TMH Since: 2020
Adriana@TheMatthewsHouse.org

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SARAH SIKES

Volunteer + Development Associate Serving TMH Since: 2023 Sarah@TheMatthewsHouse.org

Program Directors

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SHAWN KEEFER

Experiential Education Director
Serving TMH Since: 2013
ShawnK@TheMatthewsHouse.org

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NATALIE VACHA

Family Services Director
Serving TMH Since: 2018
Natalie@TheMatthewsHouse.org

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LISE HARWELL, M.Ed.

Operations and Grant Management Director Serving TMH Since: 2016 Lise@TheMatthewsHouse.org
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AARON BROWN

Youth Shelter Director
Serving TMH Since: 2020
Aaronb@TheMatthewsHouse.org

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MINDI CASTANEDA

Early Childhood Director
Serving TMH Since: 2022
Mindi@TheMatthewsHouse.org

Board of Directors

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NOELLE HAGAN, PRESIDENT

President

BRITTANY-PEARCE

BRITTANY PEARCE

Vice-President

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JUDY RODRIGUEZ, SECRETARY

Secretary

JESSE-PATTON-TREASURER

JESSE PATTON, TREASURER

Treasurer

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WILL HOTZ

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SETH SILVERS

ROYCE-GLADER-PRESIDENT

ROYCE GLADER

BRI-BROWN

BRI BROWN

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MAGGIE GREENE

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BETH TATARKO

Our Partners

With support of communal and corporate partners, as well as, individual and familial donors we have the ability to disrupt cycles of poverty.

As an agency we are the engine and our donors and sponsors are all the adjacent parts that keep this vehicle moving. We are supported by over 40 businesses, 20 plus community partners, and dozens of individuals who wholeheartedly desire to create equality and opportunity for all of its individuals.