Matthew Kingdom
Helping Kids From a Troubled Past Reach a Bright Future
story by LINDSEY LENOIR photos by JOHN WOLLWERTH
For 35 years, Associated Marine Institutes (AMI) has had a longstanding reputation as a haven of hope in the Beaufort area.
For an astonishing 50 years, the national nonprofit has been “providing kids with a troubled past the guidance and support they need to discover their potential, strengthen their community, and make a lasting impact on generations to come.” Today, as a result of Judge Frank Orlando and his good friend Bob Rosof’s original vision, over 140,000 young men and women have been given a second chance through AMIkids.
The opportunity allows them to experience a program in which they are taught life skills, behavior modification, and trade skills. They are given sound instruction and guidance by a dedicated and caring team about contributing back and becoming a productive citizen — all while providing a better future for themselves.
In 1969, a judge from Fort Lauderdale, FL, weary and frustrated about the minimal options afforded to the repeat juvenile offenders coming before him in court, decided to change the narrative. He understood something that no one else could see at the time; these boys needed more than to be locked away. They needed to be invested in: to be given a chance to make something of themselves. Judge Frank Orlando decided to turn a sentence into an opportunity. He would do so with the help of a longtime friend, Bob Rosof, who was the director of research at the Florida Atlantic Ocean Science Institute (FAOSI).
Utilizing FAOSI’s research program, the boys were allowed to work, learn a trade, and even be rewarded for their efforts. Not only were the boys receiving an opportunity to avoid time behind bars, but they were also shown compassion, a good work ethic, and possibilities they had never thought attainable.
From then on, the program grew, and other programs were added across the Southeast. What was formerly known as AMI would soon evolve into the educational, nonprofit, residential program we know today as AMIkids Beaufort. With the help of many caring and invested individuals in the Beaufort area, AMIkids Beaufort has been “highlighting the core value of putting kids first and better representing the wide range of services offered, far beyond original marine instruction,” since 1985.
Continuing the success of AMIkids Beaufort is Executive Director Matthew Kingdom. Matthew has been working with the organization for nine years now. His dedication and level of investment far surpass his job description. He speaks with the pride of a doting father. “I love working with the boys. To be able to motivate them and to mentor them has been a great thing.”
Located in Seabrook, in the community of Dale, AMIkids Beaufort is a community-based, residential program, treating kids 14-18 years of age who have come before the court system for minor offenses.
“All of the kids here are court-ordered or are on probation, and we are working hard to keep these boys from behind the fence. Some kids, it’s their first offense, and some come through the program multiple times. Regardless, if they have already come through, it’s that much more they will take away. They already know the program and are a step ahead,” Matthew says.
The program can last anywhere from 3-12 months. While there, they are taught basic life skills, chores, and financials. “The kids are also given the opportunity to earn their GED and to become proficient in a trade skill, such as the welding program. They are even given the opportunity to attend a yearly dive trip, which they really enjoy!” Matthew says, “Our motto is ‘separating a troubled past from a bright future.’ Our goal is for the kids to become productive citizens, meaning we want them to go back to school, get jobs, and give back to the community.”
The journey to AMIkids Beaufort for Matthew Kingdom — that began almost nine years ago — wasn’t something he ever planned on. He was fresh out of Newberry College where he majored in physical education. It was upon graduating that Matthew realized he just wasn’t ready to head back home. He applied for a position with AMIkids Piedmont in Clinton, SC, and the rest is history. “I found AMI right out of college, it grabbed me, and now I just can’t let it go,” expresses Matthew.
During his career with the organization, Kingdom has gone where he was needed — from his early career at Piedmont in Clinton, SC, and on to Beaufort as the Director of Operations, then AMIkids Savannah River where he was instrumental in starting a group home, to White Pines, and eventually settling back at AMIkids Beaufort as Executive Director.
Over the years, Matthew has been working tirelessly to continue the success of AMIkids, by dedicating himself to the kids in his charge and to a vision of hope for a better future for themselves. A vision that he didn’t always have.
“I knew that I was passionate about working with kids, but I always thought it might be in a parks and recreation kind of setting. I was an athlete, and I never thought I would be working with troubled kids. Now, I can’t imagine doing anything else,” he exclaims.
Having been raised in a military household, with a mother who was an educator, Matthew recalls, “I never went through what these kids have gone through. I couldn’t personally relate, but I did watch a loved one go through this. Seeing that experience and what he went through is what drives me to want to prevent these kids from going down that road.”
After working with AMIkids for a few years, Matthew would go on to complete not one but two Master’s degrees from Walden University — a degree in nonprofit management and leadership, and another in education leadership.
AMIkids wouldn’t continue to help make the difference that it does in the lives of these kids if it weren’t for the many caring and dedicated local community leaders, AMI staff members, board members, and gracious donors.
Each year the program hosts a croquet picnic. The community is invited to come and enjoy a weekend of good food and drink, a few rounds of croquet, and the opportunity to hear testimonials from those who have been through or are currently going through the program. This year has looked vastly different for AMIkids Beaufort and this fundraising event. Due to Covid-19, the tournament went virtual where they were still able to raise over $100,000 for the donation-based nonprofit. Matthew is excited for the next fundraiser. He is also pleased to announce that the organization has earned a federal grant. “We have secured a federal grant, the $1.1 million YouthBuild Grant, that allows us to take the kids who are 16 and up and put them through the welding program and get their GED. The grant gives them stipends for meeting different milestones, such as achieving different certifications and working. I mean, what kid wouldn’t like to get rewarded for the accomplishments that they have made while they are here?”
In the future, Matthew hopes to see more involvement between the community and his kids, beyond the current level of community service.
“I would like to get the community more involved here and get the kids more involved in the community, but we are rolling, and we are doing great things,” Matthew said.
If you would like to find out more about donating to AMIkids Beaufort, please visit their website at www.amikidsbeaufort.org.
