Equity Creative Gives Back by Building a Digital Home for the Extraordinary Adults of Matthias.
Matthias is a nonprofit community of adults in Benet Lake, Wisconsin, serving adults with mild to severe disabilities, specialized medical needs, behavioral challenges, and mild to profound autism. By supporting adults who have aged out of traditional systems, Matthias fills a critical gap—creating meaningful opportunities for learning, independence, and community connection.
As Matthias continued to grow, their existing website no longer reflected the scope or spirit of their work. Multiple programs lived separately online, and the brand lacked a cohesive voice. In early 2025, Equity Creative was introduced to Matthias and committed to reimagining the website as a pro bono project. After an in-depth review of the existing site, the Matthias brand was segmented into two distinct yet connected entities: Matthias Academy and Matthias Living.
Matthias Academy represents the adult day service, where students learn, work, socialize, and build confidence in an empowering, campus-style environment. Matthias Living focuses on “supportive independence,” providing care through Adult Family Homes located in neighborhood communities close to campus.
Beyond unifying the brand, the new website needed to tell the full Matthias story. Key objectives included honoring the organization’s beginnings, highlighting student giving and community service programs, featuring staff and student spotlights, communicating opportunities for future growth, and inspiring visitors to get involved.
Two areas required especially intensive development: the Matthias calendar and e-commerce store. Equity Creative expanded calendar functionality to better support daily events and reconfigured the online store to make products easier to browse and purchase.
Visually, the site was refreshed with a contemporary design, bold color palette, and collegiate-inspired typography to reflect the academic energy of the program. Using Matthias’ extensive photography and video library, the site brings students front and center—capturing authentic moments and reinforcing a strong human connection. Streamlined content and thoughtful messaging define the Matthias mission: to provide endless opportunities for extraordinary adults.
According to the Matthias team, the reimagined website is more than a redesign—it’s a true reflection of who they are, what they believe, and the community they’re building together. Every program, every personal achievement, and every smiling face now lives as part of one cohesive story.
For Dean Helmke, Partner at Equity Creative, the project was deeply personal. “Once you see Matthias in person, it changes your perspective,” Helmke says. “Your eyes are opened to the possibilities available to these extraordinary adults.”
We invite you to explore the new website, connect with the Matthias community, and become part of the journey at matthiascommunity.org.
