Keeping Upwardly Alongside Cassie Matthew, Bird Of '80

Cassie Matthew (left) at Reynolds’ Phi Theta Kappa induction ceremony alongside physician Susan Hunter, School of Nursing as well as Allied Health (center), as well as physician Wendy Bolt, Dean of Students.

Cassie Matthew, Class of ’80, was dorsum on campus to portion her unique storey at this year’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) induction ceremony. While addressing the Honors Society students, Cassie shared that her ain success was non a foregone conclusion.   

“I know I was meant to encourage people who mightiness non convey the typical back upwards network.” Cassie Matthew, Class of ’80, established Hands-Up Ministries (HUM) alongside her hubby to render affordable homeownership possibilities inwards the City of Richmond’s Highland Park area. “I may convey come upwards from a middle degree background, but I empathize the struggles of those who haven’t. When I left Freeman, I only knew in that place was no agency I was going dorsum to high school. My professors at Reynolds treated me similar an adult, which helped my self-esteem. I felt similar I had a run a hazard to brand it.” 

After Reynolds, Cassie transferred to ODU, married, had children, as well as discovered a novel passion. “I had e'er stayed active inwards the community as well as church. I was typical missionary, where you lot become for a calendar week as well as come upwards home. Then, I started helping inwards my ain city. I wanted to brand a divergence for people, but our paths were never going to cross unless I was inwards their neighborhood; they weren’t going to live on inwards mine. What’s the existent work alongside poverty? Most people I talked alongside said housing, as well as therefore that’s the mission of Hands-Up Ministries.” 

An affordable abode is role of the answer, but non all. Cassie encourages those who are served past times the non-profit to exercise educational activity every bit a substitution to overcome existent as well as perceived hurdles. “I felt similar a failure, as well as therefore I could relate to anyone who feels similar they’re a failure. My conversation is that schoolhouse is the answer. Apply for a Pell grant. Go for it. The bailiwick as well as confidence you lot make from the college experience are life-changing.”