Matthew’s Hope hires executive director

Matthew’s Hope Ministries has hired an executive director, Shelley Bradford, who joined Matthews Hope in 2018.

Her interest with the homeless ministry began in 2010 when she and her husband, Darren, were running a race and Matthew’s Hope founder Scott Billue was saying a prayer at the start. As he educated the crowd about the new ministry, Shelley Bradford told her husband she felt a calling to work for Matthew’s Hope one day, as she had always had a heart for the homeless community.

Eight years later, she saw a posting that Matthew’s Hope was hiring a receptionist. She was considered overqualified, but she was hired after shared the story with him of the race in 2010.

“Shelley is always very quick to kneel next to any guest, look them in the eyes and listen to their story,” Billue said.

She is a trained crisis responder by the National Guard; human behavior specialist; and certified master life coach with certifications in leadership, relationship, parenting, health and wellness. She also is a recent graduate of Leadership West Orange.

The Bradfords have three children, Amanda, Thomas and Meyer, and Meyer spends afternoons at Matthew’s Hope in the pantry and fulfillment areas.

Shelley Bradford is involved in local Orlando theaters in various acting roles, and her entire family is active in Crossfit and powerlifting.