Presidents Message

President's Message

I hope you are as excited as I am about this message to you. I can't wait to look back at it and say, "I remember when...."

Once upon a time a small group of vintage/classic vehicle aficionados wanted to build (and still do) an automotive museum. They soon realized that our high school students no longer taught automotive mechanics and they felt the group needed to help keep the auto restoration hobby alive. Also they were aware there was a shortage of good auto related trade people and realized they might be able to come up with something good for the kids.

Those thoughts were coupled with the fact not all kids were going to college and Missoula County estimated that 627 students would drop out of school this year. The dream has led to the founding of MAT to help students complete school by providing them with vocational automotive training. Our work based programs assists students in bridging the gap between school and work by making education meaningful and relevant to their future.

We have a sign on the office door that leads into the shop which says " We Believe In You" and below it are lists of people, companies and organizations that have helped us realize our dreams. No words can describe the feeling one gets when a person sees 15 students working on vintage/classic cars and enjoying every moment of it....talk about catching the excitement.

Thanks to the support of our dedicated mentors (J, Gene, Roy, Dave, and the Missoula Police Depart. volunteers) we are able to work with many students and realize we may be leaving a lasting legacy and making the world a better place to live in than the world we came into.

Testimonials:

In reflection, we are pleased with the opportunities that our program has made possible for local teens. The following passages taken from our former students and provide a first-person account of the utility that out program is playing in the lives of our young people.

“M.A.T. has helped me personally by giving me an opportunity to interact with other kids my age. I always was sheltered and picked on when I was little, so, being here has really made me broaden my horizons. I try to get along with everyone, but at M.A.T. I actually have people to talk to that share my interests. Working on cars specifically is one of my favorite things to do. I’m not really one that anybody ever thinks would get into drugs and I know that doing such a thing is wrong. I think Alan and the other guys are doing a great job with myself and the other kids. I mean I actually have good friends here I wouldn't’t have met anywhere else. I really treasure my friends and really hope I get to have the chance to make many more ‘grease-monkey’ buds in the future.” Stephanie

“I first heard of M.A.T. from my small engine teacher Mr. Burtch at Sentinel High School and decided to see what it was about. Well, it’s like taking a step back in time. Before this year I had never heard of a Hudson, but now I have worked on the brakes and might help change the body of the one in the shop.” Adam