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Our Story
The Matt Talbot Center (MTC) was founded in 1985 by Gregg Alex, Thomas Zurcher, and a group of Seattle businessmen who wanted to impact homelessness in Seattle. MTC started as a day center providing food and relief from the streets for community members in need. Over time, our founders and staff recognized the need to address the root causes of homelessness, and the Center expanded its services to offer a year-long intensive outpatient substance use disorder (SUD) recovery program and wraparound services.
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In the decades we've served the Seattle community, we have expanded our programs and evolved to implement informed, effective strategies that address the immediate and long-term needs of the individuals we serve. Today, MTC is a Washington state licensed clinical intensive outpatient substance use disorder recovery program that serves adults age 18 and up experiencing SUD, homelessness, and mental health issues. Our work continues to evolve with the needs of our community and is shaped by clinically proven best practices, industry standards, and a community-driven approach.
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Learn more about our program and services here.
Our History
1985
1987
2003
Today
The Center opened in its first location on 2nd Avenue as a drop-in day center. Also in 1985, MTC formed a relationship with Catholic Community Services that allows us to receive 501(c)3 status, administrative support, payroll and HR services, insurance, and other services we don't have the capacity to run ourselves.
MTC moved to a new location on Yale St. N after losing its lease. At this time the Center operated with just 3 paid staff and a group of loyal volunteers. The Center would eventually find its permanent home at our current location at 2313 3rd Avenue.
Traugott Terrace, the term-unlimited single occupancy sober housing located above MTC, was built. Traugott Terrace was the first LEED-certified affordable housing project in the country and the first sober housing of its kind in Seattle.
MTC has undergone many changes over the years, including significant staff and program growth; expansion to a state-licensed IOP program; the opioid, fentanyl, and housing crises; and a global pandemic. We continue to offer compassionate, effective care free of charge to anyone wanting to build themselves a brighter future.