WALKING ALONGSIDE COMMUNITIES IN NEED

Featuring Nicole Armstrong, Executive Program Director, The Matthews House

The Matthews House, a community resource for youth and families in need in Fort Collins, CO, is guided by a compassionate and resourceful direct service and administrative staff.  They work every day toward their overall goal of disrupting the cycles of poverty and abuse.  Leading this team is Nicole Armstrong, Executive Director, who took on this role as of March 2020.

Nicole has been part of the Matthews House almost from its beginning.  Since 2008, she has served in many roles, starting as a direct service worker herself.  Her experience and insights have given her a perspective on all sides of working with youth and families.  Nicole has had the opportunity to join the team when it was still in its infancy – with just 7 employees.  And she has been provided the opportunity to grow professionally and personally as The Matthews House also grew and developed.

In her current role as Executive Director, Nicole is responsible for the overall administration and management of The Matthews House, including service programs, fundraising, and business operations.  Her areas of responsibility include planning and evaluation, policy development and administration, personnel and fiscal management, and public relations.

Nicole’s personal and educational experiences inform all of her work at The Matthews House.  Nicole herself is married and has children, including foster children.  In addition, she holds a Masters degree in Clinical, Counseling, and Applied Psychology from Post University and a Bachelors of Science in Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services from the University of Colorado.

When Nicole started with The Matthews, their goal and mission were to serve youth in transition. Through continued work to expand and understand the needs of the youth and families in our community, they have continued to expand with intentional programming and opportunities.  This has ensured that their community is healthy and that all youth and families feel supported and part of our community.  The Matthews House continues to explore and understand the needs in the community with intentional work that honors what is needed for the youth and family we serve.

Nicole understands the honor and humility of walking along side someone who is vulnerable during some of the hardest times of their lives. Some of the youth and families come for a short time and other times they stay for longer times. All of the youth and families Nicole has met and worked with bring so much meaning to her work and have shaped who she is as a worker and parent.

Throughout her years at The Matthews House, Nicole has come to understand and appreciate the true value of her journey and experiences. She considers it an honor to work at an agency that has been instrumental in changing the landscape of how human services are rendered in Northern Colorado.

INSPIRING STUDENTS FOR THE KINGDOM

Featuring Rogene Low, High School Principal, Resurrection Christian School

Rogene Lowe is an educator who is passionate about inspiring students and staff to seek knowledge, growth, and the Kingdom. Not only does she help them learn skills and knowledge but also helps them to develop a growth mindset. In her seventh year as the high school principal at Resurrection Christian School, Rogene has felt God-led in partnering with families and the community to raise up a generation who will impact the 21st century for Christ.

With undergraduate studies in science and pre-med, Rogene spent several years pursuing a career in the medical field. She had aspirations of becoming an epidemiologist who would travel around the world to eliminate infectious diseases.

But she realized that God had another plan for my life. After earning an advanced degree in education from Colorado Christian University, she spent time in various aspects of public education before being offered a position in a Christian school in south Denver. That was the first opportunity she had to openly share her faith with students each day.

Rogene went on to become Secondary Principal at Front Range Christian School. In that role she oversaw activities of 250 junior high and high school students and 20 full time faculty. She hired staff, supervised student activities, developed and maintained curriculum, fostered parent/school partnership, conducted teacher observations and evaluations, maintained an instructional program that exceeded compliance with state and accreditation standards, and provided academic counseling and guidance support for students exploring college and career options.

During that time she also co-lead and taught educational classes with Colorado Christian University’s Dean of Education and supervised field hours for secondary education majors.

These experiences in both high school and college contexts prepared Rogene well for the full range of responsibilities she now has at RCS. Through this work, she continues her efforts to encourage learning, and deepen faith, so that students can make an impact in their communities.

While Rogene has been active in her work in education, she has also been engaged in her church and faith based initiatives such as the National Day of Prayer of Northern Colorado.

G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice is also pleased to have Rogene Lowe serving as a Board Director.