DeMateo, originally from northern Indiana, has been committed to making change in the Chicago community since moving to the city at age 18. At the helm of New Life Centers since 2013, he has helped turn the once small volunteer-led initiative into a widely-known trusted resource and presence throughout Chicago, which supports over 10,000 youth and families annually by providing a variety of programs including mentoring, academic supports, sports-based youth development, street outreach, restorative justice programming and trauma-informed family support.
Never did he think the work he has done at New Life Centers would lead him to being invited to a Bears game, let alone standing on the sideline.
“After an amazing year, a hard year, a really hard year out in the neighborhood where our team worked to really love our neighbor, walk with our neighbors, it’s amazing to see the Bears winning and leading in the community,” DeMateo said. “So, this is incredible. An opportunity of a lifetime and my first ever regular season Bears game, and to be against Green Bay, while we’re winning, is completely incredible.”