At Matthew’s House, we believe in second chances, sometimes even third, fourth, and fifth. Because real change takes time, grace, and people who don’t give up.
“Dennis” (not his real name) has been part of our story for many years. His life has been one long, uphill battle, against addiction, against relationships that fell apart, and often against himself. Drugs, alcohol, pain, loneliness… they’ve all taken their toll. There have been good moments, hard moments, and moments that broke our hearts.
Over the years, Dennis became a familiar face at Matthew’s House … sometimes joyful, sometimes struggling, but always known. Like so many of our guests, he made mistakes. There came a point when those mistakes meant we had to say goodbye for a while. It’s never easy, but sometimes stepping back is what’s needed for healing to begin.
Still, we made sure he knew the door wasn’t closed. There’s always a way back, and we told him exactly how that could happen.
The first time he tried, he missed his meeting. We were disappointed, not in him, but for him. We always want people to find their way home again. The process we have in place isn’t about rules, it’s about helping guests rebuild trust, self-worth, and a sense of belonging.
Then, something changed.
A few days later, Dennis came back, humble, apologetic, and ready to try again. He asked for another meeting and set the date himself, two weeks away. It wasn’t ideal, but it was what he wanted.
And then, something remarkable happened. Every couple of days, he showed up, not for a meal, but to remind us he was going to make it this time. That persistence, that spark of determination, was something new.
When the day finally came, Dennis arrived early. In fact, an hour early. He didn’t want to risk being late. We bought him a coffee. He smiled. He shared his story. And we listened.
The next week we got to welcome him, this time not just as a guest, but as someone ready to take steps forward.
He’s still facing the same challenges, the brokenness, the daily battles, but now, he’s surrounded by people who believe in him. He’s reconnecting with support services who share our space, and most importantly, he’s choosing hope.
Moments like this remind us why we do what we do. They remind us that redemption is real, that people can change, and that even when life gets messy, grace is still stronger.
Dennis is on a journey. And we’ll keep walking with him, one coffee, one conversation, one small victory at a time. ☕💛