Get to Know…Community Impact Manager for Basic Needs Matt Lowe
Describe your role at United Way so a third grader could understand it.
I support programs in the community that provide basic human needs, such as food, shelter, safety and rent or utilities help. I also manage the team who leads our community’s efforts to end homelessness.
Share about your career history and how you made your way to United Way.
I began my career in youth ministry. After serving 10 years as a youth pastor, I began working in a transitional living program for youth who were aging out of either the foster care system or juvenile corrections. As I continued to grow as a leader, I moved from working with youth to serving as the shelter supervisor at St. Anthony Family Shelter. My responsibilities included oversight of case managers, life skills classes and program staff. I also facilitated a rapid rehousing program designed to move people from homelessness to housed very quickly for more than six years before taking a job at HumanKind Ministries as the director of homeless services. In this role, I was able to have even more influence with those who provide direct services in the programs. It was from there that I was given the opportunity to move to the United Way as the community impact manager for basic needs.
What are your interests or pastimes?
I love college football and basketball (Go Hogs!). I also really enjoy spending time with my family and my three dogs. My middle daughter, Zoe, plays competitive softball, so we spend most weekends in the summer and fall months at various softball tournaments around the region. I enjoy playing video games and spending time outdoors with friends or family. I enjoy hiking and find nature therapeutic.
Share a favorite book or movie and why.
I read a lot. I average over 60 books a year, so it’s hard to narrow it down to just one. Though I enjoy movies, I don’t watch a lot of TV, other than sports. A couple of books that have really inspired me through the years are “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” by John Maxwell and “Visioneering” by Andy Stanley.
If you would like, share a little bit about your family.
I have been married to my lovely wife Rebecca for 23 years. We have three children together. My oldest is named Ian. He is 20 and lives with his girlfriend in south Wichita. My middle child is Zoe. She is 17 and is in the IB program at East High School. Finally, my youngest is Ava. She is 11 and in the sixth grade at Wilbur Middle School. They are all very different, and I am very proud of each of them!
What is the number one reason you love working at United Way?
I love my job because it gives me the opportunity to serve the community of Wichita! In my role, I get the opportunity to provide leadership and influence with all of the great programs within the basic needs area. I truly believe that many of the issues that we face as a community are community problems, and they will only be solved as we work together as a community to solve them. I love it when I get the opportunity to just speak positivity and encouragement into the providers who work tirelessly with people on a daily basis!
OUR FOCUS
Our focus is on health, education, financial stability and basic needs—the building blocks for a good quality of life and a strong community. Click below to learn more about what we’re doing, the programs we invest in and our lasting impact in each area.