Matthew’s Hope Social Post Disgusting and Self-Serving

October 10, 2024

RE: Matthew's Hope Social Post Disgusting and Self-Serving

Open Letter to the Community,

The self-serving use of social media is loathsome especially in the wake of a natural disaster such as Hurricane Milton! Our lawyers will be in touch with Matthew's Hope Founder/President/CEO Scott Billue about his slanderous and disgusting conduct.

Hospitals, first-responders and emergency response personnel around the state and Brevard, left their loved ones and homes behind to answer the call of duty during Hurricane Milton. I am beyond furious that a leader of a self-professed faith-based, not-for-profit organization would prey on the compassion and kindness of the community in the wake of a natural disaster.

While Mr. Billue characterized a "look of disgust" within his slanderous social post about a gentleman identified in the post as "Louis," it is his post that is disgusting and self-serving.

I commend our Brevard County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) officials. They did an outstanding job coordinating the response to Hurricane Milton for our area. They coordinated as many area social and human service resources and partners as possible in preparation of Hurricane Milton. All focused on preserving life and property of every Brevard citizen, including our citizens (and their pets) experiencing homelessness. Among the many partners working with Brevard County EOC was the Brevard Homeless Coalition which provided them a list of shelter resources for the homeless. Matthew's Hope was prominently included on that list.

The poster made uninformed claims and slanderous innuendo within his post. Yes, ahead of the storm, "Louis," visited our Emergency Department where we had the honor to care for him. He did not require hospitalization. Concerned about the impeding storm, our Care Partners made it a priority to ensure that the gentleman had a safe place to shelter before leaving the hospital. As such, we contacted Brevard County EOC to ask for assistance, which is customary during a declared natural emergency.

Brevard County EOC personnel immediately began working with their partner agencies to coordinate the safe transfer of Louis to one of the designated Brevard Homeless Coalition shelters. Matthew's Hope was listed as a Brevard Homeless Coalition partner prepared to shelter clients during Hurricane Milton. We are grateful to Brevard County EOC officials for arranging Louis' safe transportation to the pre-arranged shelter location. Incidentally, no shelters were activated in North Brevard until after 10pm yesterday, requiring persons needing shelter to travel to central and south county facilities. Matthew's Hope, I'm told, is relatively new to Brevard County. Why would anyone support an organization that uses such unethical tactics to exploit the people whom they espouse to serve?

As always, I commend the caring and compassion demonstrated by our nearly 300 Care Partners who answered the call of duty with excellence and valor during Hurricane Milton. They always go above and beyond for patients and the community.

And, I, again, commend the exceptional person-centered response and coordination by Brevard County EOC officials and all first-responder agencies throughout Hurricane Milton. These good people are the ones who are hurt as a result of this kind of irresponsible, self-serving and slanderous conduct.

George

George Mikitarian, Jr.
President/CEO