About Us
Matthias Academy
Matthias Academy is a nonprofit adult day program in southeast Wisconsin. Matthias Academy serves adults with mild to severe disabilities, specialized medical needs, behaviors, and mild to severe autism from Illinois and Wisconsin.
Matthias Academy provides a student-centered program for adults to learn, work, and socialize. Classes are offered and based on interests of the students, changing every 8-12 weeks. We highly encourage the involvement of the surrounding community to come into our facility to shop and visit, we also encourage the involvement of local schools and local colleges to volunteer and help! Times of recreation and leisure are guided, and exercise and mobility are required multiple times daily to maintain health and wellness. Independence is strongly encouraged and parent and student-guided goals are carried out throughout daily opportunities. The Matthias Academy highly qualified, experienced and loving staff embrace every student for who and how they are.
Meet Elizabeth
After teaching Special Education for 17 years, Elizabeth (Liz) Pumala founded Matthias Academy as a NonProfit Organization in 2018. Matthias Academy will fill the gap for the many that do not fit into local adult day programs and residential facilities. “Matthias” is a family name that means Gift from God, which is exactly what our most deserving adults are. Liz’s plan for Matthias Academy is to welcome each student for exactly WHO they are.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Congratulations to our 96 Pioneers and Eagles of Matthias Academy! You all have individually raised the amount needed, in the timeline required, to secure your status as a Pioneer or Eagle of Matthias Academy! You will have PRIORITY enrollment as you are ready to enroll!
The Pioneer and Eagle Parents/Guardians and Caretakers have laid down a $550,000 starting pillar for the rest of you that are now jumping in. THANK YOU!!
Waitlist
Opening in the middle of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Matthias Academy had 17 BRAVE adults enter our facility to pave the way for a new and exciting adult life.
Due to space limitations and staffing, Matthias Academy has officially opened a Waiting List for future students. As excited as we are to be able to celebrate over 100 current Matthias Academy students, having a waiting list breaks our hearts.
The approximate wait time right now from the time the fundraising requirement is met to enrollment, is 30 months.
Fundraising Requirement
Our Board of Directors has made the decision to raise the Fundraising requirement to a one time fee of $8,000 beginning June 1, 2022.
What does that mean?
After raising $8,000, you will be placed on a waiting list and given an approximate start date. Once your student is three months away from their approximate start date, they will receive an application.
What if my child is only 8 years old?
If you raise the $8,000, your child’s fundraising fee is considered complete. Thirteen years later, when your child is ready to age out of school and our fundraising fee has increased to $32,000 (for example), you will not need to worry about raising that amount. Also your child will be that much higher on the waiting list
What is the order of the Waiting List?
Pioneers of Matthias Academy have top priority on the waiting list above Eagles of Matthias Academy. After Pioneers and Eagles, the order of the list is by date the Fundraising Fee was complete. For example, if Sarah raises her $8000 now even though she is only 12 years old, and Elliot waits and raises his $20,000 fundraising fee in 2032 when they both age out of school, Sarah has priority over Elliot on the waiting list and her fee is already considered complete.
Am I able to donate my child's fundraising requirement? Or does it need to be done through a fundraiser?
You are able to donate the amount. All donations are tax deductible, therefore they are non refundable.
What is the best way to fundraise?
Matthias Academy provides potential students (and current students) with a Just Giving fundraising platform to set up your own donation page. As donors make contributions to your page, they receive the receipt they need for tax purposes and the money goes directly to Matthias Academy.
``What will the cost of tuition be?``
The cost is completely based on the needs of each student. We are an IRIS approved provider and work with your case manager to keep the cost reasonable, but still able to provide endless opportunities. Illinois students will be private pay also keeping the cost to parents/guardians as small as possible. The rates of Matthias Academy are $130 – $260 per day.
``What if we raise money and change our mind and want to go somewhere else?``
That is okay! Opportunities are everywhere and interests change! Matthias Academy is a NonProfit Organization, all donations made are tax deductible, therefore they are non-refundable.
``What if my child isn't accepted into your academy and we raised our application fee?``
Matthias Academy is committed to filling the grey area of Day Programs/Day Cares in the United States. However, we are not equipped to handle severe mental illness, psychiatric conditions or extremely violent or aggressive behavior on a continuous basis that requires more than 3 staff members at all times. We will do everything we possibly can to serve your child within reasonable accommodations and as we are safely able to do so, and help him/her achieve their best adult life possible. If there is a question if we will be able to serve your child, we might ask you pause fundraising $8,000.
Thank you for understanding that this is an effort of ALL OF US. The Board, Attorneys and I are doing our part, but this type of one-of-a-kind opportunity needs funding to make it exactly that. ONE-OF-A-KIND.
Thank you for believing in this much needed mission and understanding that quality and exceptional staff is expensive.
Liz
