Hi – I’m Matt!
I identify as a punk rock person, and music has been a big part of my life since I was 14. I still play in bands today, and it remains one of my tools for navigating my own mental health challenges. I think the work we do at Pathways is very punk rock, and the two communities have a lot of shared values. I also identify as a Trekkie. I’ve always found myself drawn to the culture and society in the universe of Star Trek.
I’ve been with Pathways for 11 years, working across programs including Housing First, Soteria House, and the Pathways Vermont Community Center. Currently, I serve as the Peer Support Team Lead at the Mental Health Urgent Care (MHUC) in Burlington, a collaborative project between Pathways, the Howard Center, Community Health Centers of Burlington, and UVM Medical Center.
MHUC supports individuals in navigating their self-identified mental health crises and aims to reduce reliance on the emergency department. Pathways staff are present to support guests through peer values and peer practices in our own communal space, providing a supportive, non-clinical environment where guests are met with compassion, choice, and respect. My role includes supporting staff, connecting one-on-one with guests, and collaborating with our partners on vision, training, and program development.
The people we serve and their stories inspire me daily. I’ve seen firsthand the impact peer support has on individuals. We are doing cutting-edge work that challenges the greater mental healthcare system. For me, this work isn’t just a job. It’s part of a broader movement for social change. I see a growing community of people looking for something different: work that is person-centered, promotes autonomy, and preserves dignity.
Pathways has had an immense impact on how I engage in the world. I am a better person for working here and being a part of this family, and I feel so grateful for that. There was a time I could never have seen myself taking on a leadership role and supporting other staff. Pathways really helped me find this voice and confidence within myself. I am inspired and motivated to keep showing up for work, witnessing the real and lasting change that the peer movement brings to the community.
One of my most memorable moments at Pathways was the time Katie Bourque, our Director of Innovative Mental Health Services, and I saw a moose running down the street outside our old Housing First office in 2014. We caught it on video, and it’s still in the Pathways Drive! Watch it here.
