Mission Statement

Mission Statement

Montana Automotive Technologies is committed to providing mentors to young adults and educating them through hands-on training. Our objective is to provide after school and weekend opportunities that focus on restoring vintage automobiles and preserving the past. We are committed to: teaching life skills and providing vocational education; fostering partnerships between young adults and senior adult mentors; and promoting the importance of civic participation and community involvement.

Background:

In the spring of 2005, a group of Missoula area citizens emerged to address a concern within the Missoula County Public Schools (MCPS). For over two decades now, automotive vocational classes have not been part of the MPS curriculum beyond a basic small engines course. Our organization emerged out of the view that this is a serious void that leaves many Missoula teens without a long-established means to develop skills and pursue interests that is essential to maintain interest in high school academics for many students. We are interested in serving young people, in particular, those youths who are at risk of dropping out of school, at risk for drug, alcohol, and tobacco use, and delinquency. As we discussed this issue at length, all present agreed that we needed to do something to preserve automotive tradition and reintroduce the vocational opportunities that were not longer available.

Montana Automotive Technologies:

Montana Automotive Technologies (MAT) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that pairs youths with senior adult mentors who work together to organize and carry-out pre-1970 automotive restoration projects. These partnerships provide an opportunity to reconnect youth and seniors in Missoula. As they work with senior mentors the youth are exposed to positive role models who have contributed to our community through years of work and service. Our location at 1812 North Avenue West is an automotive shop and educational facility where area youth can work, after-school and on weekends in a supervised environment. As a condition of their involvement in our organization, youths agree to work in a team environment with an adult mentor. They also agree to participate in a series of instructional sessions that talk about: the importance of education and educational opportunities (vocational and traditional); the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use; and the importance of civic involvement in the community and the rights and responsibilities of community citizenship.