Stories That Inspire
At Matt Urban Human Services, we are incredibly proud to celebrate the success stories of individuals and families in our community. These stories are a testament to the resilience, determination, and support that make a real difference in people’s lives. Every success reminds us why we are here: to help others rise, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals.
Our mission is to empower individuals by providing the resources, guidance, and opportunities they need to succeed. Whether it’s finding stable housing, securing meaningful employment, pursuing education, or building stronger families, each story is unique but united by one theme: transformation.
We’re excited to introduce you to Orville, one of our dedicated employees who prepares meals for our community. Orville’s journey has been challenging—he battled alcohol addiction for nearly 30 years, losing touch with his family and struggling without a home. Despite multiple stints in rehab, it wasn’t until 2019 that things began to change when a rehab center offered him the chance to study culinary arts. Orville has recognized the destructive role alcohol played in his life, and his family is thrilled to have him back in their lives as the person they always knew he could be. In 2020, Orville joined the Matt Urban Center, where with the support of Shayla, Adria, Abigail, Mr. Gordon, and others, he found stability. He’s been sober for over a year and a half now and has reconnected with his children and ex-wife, who are thrilled with his transformation.
We are incredibly proud of Orville and all that he has accomplished. His story is one of perseverance, hope, and the power of community support. We wish Orville continued success, happiness, and the joy of building even stronger connections with his family. He is an inspiration to us all.
Felicia’s Story of Hope and Gratitude
Hello, my name is Felicia, and I am a client of the Rapid Rehousing Program. Pictured here are my daughter and me. I experienced homelessness for three years due to the pandemic that caused significant disruption worldwide and affected many families. At the end of 2023, I was referred to the Rapid Rehousing Program and was fortunate enough to receive housing through the agency on January 1st, 2024, in a 4-bedroom home for my family and me. I am incredibly grateful for the support they provided to me and my children, helping us regain stability. As someone with a disability, this program has also positively impacted my health, as my health was in a poorer state before joining. The staff has been exceptionally helpful and understanding, and I am thankful for a community that genuinely cares about the well-being of others. In the future, I hope to assist others facing homelessness. Thank you to my Housing Manager and to the Matt Urban Center for their unwavering support. Thank you to the Rapid Rehousing Program. I look forward to learning about other programs that offer assistance to those in need.
A Story of Hope and Transformation
The Matt Urban Permanent Supportive Housing Team has done exceptional work, helping many individuals like Sean find stability, support, and hope.
Sean came to us a year and a half ago, facing challenges with alcohol addiction, homelessness, and separation from his family and children. Through the dedicated efforts of our staff, Sean received housing, guidance to overcome his addiction, and support with essential needs like food and clothing.
Today, Sean’s journey is a testament to his resilience and determination. Motivated by the belief that he deserves the best, he has successfully overcome his addiction, found employment in non-emergency transportation, and more recently, secured a position in stadium construction. Beyond financial stability, he has reconnected with his children, building precious bonds that mean the world to him and his family. We are deeply proud of Sean’s progress and are inspired by his story. His achievements remind us of the power of support, hope, and the human spirit.
We wish Sean all the best in his continued journey forward!
Sadio’s journey with the Matt Urban Housing First program is a testament to his resilience and determination. Since joining in June 2023, he worked closely with Journeys End to obtain his U.S. work visa, driven by a singular goal: to find employment and give back to the community that had supported him.
During his time in the program, Sadio valued every opportunity and resource provided, maintaining independence despite lacking a steady income. His commitment to personal responsibility was evident, as he took excellent care of his apartment and made sure to provide for himself without asking for additional support.
In March 2024, after nearly a year of dedication, Sadio’s efforts paid off when he was granted his work visa. Sadio spent several months walking the streets of Broadway, William, and Clinton, applying to stable job opportunities.
By the end of September 2024, Sadio finally received the good news he had been waiting for—he secured a stable position at Buffalo News Press.
This job was not only a source of great pride for Sadio but also marked the beginning of a new chapter. Sadio’s story is one of perseverance, hope, and deep gratitude for the support he received from the Matt Urban Housing First program
A Journey of Courage: Devene’s Story
We’re honored to share the story of Devene—a strong, determined woman who faced incredible challenges and found the courage to start over for the sake of her children and herself.
In 2018, Devene moved from Buffalo to Ohio with her young son to begin a new chapter with her husband, filled with hope and dreams of a happy, supportive family life. The following year, they welcomed a beautiful daughter. But soon after, the relationship began to change. What started as emotional strain and manipulation gradually escalated into verbal and physical abuse.
After her daughter was born, things became more difficult, and over time, there were multiple incidents of physical violence. Devene found the strength to take action by pressing charges and returning to Buffalo to protect her children and begin again. But the journey was far from over.
Even after she left, her husband continued to manipulate and intimidate her—sometimes using false identities to communicate and making emotional threats. Fearing for her family’s safety and feeling immense pressure, Devene returned, hoping for real change. Promises were made, but the situation did not improve. Ultimately, she made the brave decision to leave for good and fully separate herself and her children from that harmful environment.
In 2021, after another difficult period, Devene reached out for help and was connected with the Matt Urban Center. Our team helped her find safe housing and access vital resources for her family. She and her children also received emotional support and counseling to begin healing from their experiences.
With time, care, and the right support, Devene began rebuilding her life. Her divorce was finalized in 2023, and in 2024 she took a major step forward by enrolling in a nursing program. Thanks to her hard work and the stability she found, she successfully completed her studies and began a new career.
Today, Devene is thriving. She has created a safe, loving home for her children, and is embracing a new beginning with strength and hope. We are proud to have supported her on this journey and inspired by her resilience. We wish her and her family continued peace, happiness, and success.