10/16/2026
Matthew was introduced to Peckham’s Pass the Mic program through his youth career coach as part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). He has also been involved in Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) programming and continues to seek every chance to grow both educationally and professionally.
Matthew recently stood in Washington, D.C. and shared his powerful story with Senator Elissa Slotkin. He spoke openly about the barriers he has faced, the opportunities that helped him move forward, and what young people truly need to succeed.
Moments like this remind us why we do this work—amplifying the voices of young people and connecting them with the support and opportunities they deserve.