Full-Circle Impact: How One Donor's Generosity Brings Art, Opportunity, and Connection to The Next Door
From The Next Door:
By Jordan Flores
The Dalles, Ore., Dec. 22, 2025 — Matthew’s support of The Next Door (TNDI) comes from one simple belief: that we’re always better off when we work together. In that work, he’s discovered that caring for others can nurture your own sense of purpose, community, and connection.
In his early career, Matthew worked for a citywide politician in New York City, but he quickly realized just how difficult it was to create tangible change within large-scale systems. In a world where success can mean compromising your values, Matthew wanted something entirely different.
After years of living in cities across the U.S. and abroad, from California to New York to Argentina, Matthew longed for a place that felt like home. He wanted his family to be a part of a community where his kids could grow up with stability and connection, where people truly cared for each other, and where meaningful change could be made locally. When he and his wife moved their family to the Gorge in 2018, they found exactly that.
Here, Matthew was presented with the opportunity to support a local high school student’s aspiration to attend Gonzaga, which later led him to create a scholarship at the Hood River County Education Foundation for other students needing a bridge to their dreams. It was also here that he discovered The Next Door. Everywhere he looked, in the circles and initiatives he was a part of, The Next Door was involved and providing support, care, and opportunity to those who needed it most.
While attending a pottery class at The Clay Commons, the studio’s owner, Dyana, told Matthew about The Next Door’s therapeutic schooling program being in need of support, particularly for art opportunities for students. Looking for more ways to get involved in the community and inspired by his mother, who’s an artist, Matthew partnered with The Clay Commons to make a generous gift to TNDI's therapeutic schooling program: pottery classes at no cost to students.
“We don’t have an art program unless we have donors like Matthew,” says Tim Shampoe, TNDI’s School Administrator. “Being able to get the students out of school and into an art studio gives them an opportunity they didn’t know existed.”
“It’s super important for these kids,” he continues. “They see these imperfect things, and it's a really great reminder that art - much like life - isn't perfect, but that there's beauty in the distraction.”
For students, these pottery classes have opened doors to skills they never thought they had and provided a therapeutic space to process emotions they may not otherwise have the words for. They’re discovering beauty in the creative process and building lifelong confidence along the way. Many proudly display their creations in their foster homes and at school, a daily reminder of the impact of Matthew’s generosity.
For Matthew, supporting the arts is deeply meaningful. It's a way to give kids who may not have other outlets or skills, or who are shy or nervous about participating in group activities, the chance to express themselves creatively. It also preserves access to art programs and ensures creative opportunities aren’t lost in our culture, especially amid widespread funding cuts. Matthew’s support of The Next Door not only benefits the youth TNDI serves, but it also models empathy, service, and the joy that comes from helping others for his own children.
Through his generosity and belief in community, Matthew has created a space where opportunity, creativity, and connection can thrive. And in a serendipitous turn of events, the student Matthew helped attend Gonzaga, who was able to pursue their dreams because of his mentorship and support, now works at The Next Door, continuing the ripple of impact Matthew’s generosity began.
Now through December 31st, every gift will be matched up to $45,000! When you give to The Next Door, you’re strengthening your community, uplifting your neighbors, and getting to experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from caring for others. The greatest impact you can make is right here at home. Visit nextdoorinc.org/donate to double your impact today and help us meet our match.
The Next Door Inc. (TNDI), founded in 1971, is the largest social service agency in the Gorge, serving over 13,000 people annually in a seven-county region across Oregon and Washington. With over 35 programs, TNDI supports and empowers children and families, striving to fulfill our mission of opening doors to new possibilities by strengthening children and families and improving communities. For more information, please visit https://nextdoorinc.org/
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