Cassie Matthew (left)
at Reynolds’ Phi Theta Kappa induction ceremony with Dr. Susan Hunter, School
of Nursing and Allied Health (center), and Dr. Wendy Bolt, Dean of Students.
Cassie Matthew, Class of ’80, was back on campus to share
her unique story at this year’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) induction ceremony. While
addressing the Honors Society students, Cassie shared that her own success was
not a foregone conclusion.
“I know I was meant to encourage people who might not have
the typical support network.” Cassie Matthew, Class of ’80, established Hands-Up
Ministries (HUM) with her husband to provide affordable homeownership
possibilities in the City of Richmond’s Highland Park area. “I may have come
from a middle class background, but I understand the struggles of those who
haven’t. When I left Freeman, I just knew there was no way I was going back to
high school. My professors at Reynolds treated me like an adult, which helped
my self-esteem. I felt like I had a chance to make it.”
After Reynolds, Cassie transferred to ODU, married, had
children, and discovered a new passion. “I had always stayed active in the
community and church. I was typical missionary, where you go for a week and
come home. Then, I started helping in my own city. I wanted to make a
difference for people, but our paths were never going to cross unless I was in
their neighborhood; they weren’t going to be in mine. What’s the real problem
with poverty? Most people I talked with said housing, so that’s the mission of
Hands-Up Ministries.”
An affordable dwelling is part of the answer, but not all.
Cassie encourages those who are served by the non-profit to use education as a
key to overcome real and perceived hurdles. “I felt like a failure, so I could
relate to anyone who feels like they’re a failure. My conversation is that
school is the answer. Apply for a Pell grant. Go for it. The discipline and
confidence you gain from the college experience are life-changing.”
