Matt DeMateo
Matt DeMateo currently serves as Chief Executive Director at New Life Centers and Pastor of New Life Â鶹¹ú²ú Church. New Life Centers is a nonprofit that serves more than 5,000 youth and families in four neighborhoods across the city. DeMateo has been working with at-risk youth in Chicago since 2000.
His leadership is rooted in community service, with a focus on mentoring, restorative justice, violence prevention, and food security programming, such as the Pan de Vida Food Pantry in Little Village. DeMateo and his team work block by block, addressing immediate needs while building long-term pathways for safety, opportunity, and hope.
DeMateo, alongside New Life Centers, has partnered with the Chicago Bears on several initiatives over the years. This includes food pantry activations with players and staff, as well as hosting the team's 2022 rookie class for a tour of the Center to learn more about youth programs and the surrounding community. Throughout his 20 years of community service, DeMateo has shown a firm dedication to creating meaningful change through his organization.