Pay It Forward with Matt!

2 years ago, I participated in the Pay It Forward Tour from the University of Minnesota, traveling across the country from Minneapolis to New Orleans, serving in different communities and building deep relationships with 42 incredible people. Little did I know that it would only be the beginning of what has become a long and rewarding personal journey of learning, self-discovery, and leadership, all y possible because of the outstanding organization Students Today Leaders Forever.

Going into that first college PIFT a couple years back, I was in a pretty rough state personally. While I had always done more than well enough in school and I had some good friends, several other life events had just dug me into this deep rut that seemed inescapable. However, on that tour I witnessed with my own eyes the real hurt some communities are in and the help that they need. 42 people, some friends and some strangers, became as close to me as family in only 9 short days and with their support and encouragement, I realized I have so much more to give to the world and to others than I had ever imagined myself capable of. My leadership potential blossomed on that trip and my life would not have been the same without it.

Since then, I've led a college Pay It Forward Tour and 3 high school Pay It Forward Tours. Now I work as Summer Staff at the STLF National office, continuing the work of revealing the leadership capability of young people from all walks of life. I've seen youth do incredible things both on PIF tours and afterwards, and I wholeheartedly believe that young people can make all the difference in the world, and hope you can see that as well and will join me in Paying It Forward to generations of future servant leaders. Yeah buddy!!