STORIES OF IMPACT | Matthew P.
A CatRock Journey: From High School Student to Alumni Leader
Date: TBD - 81920 Final
College sophomore and CatRock alum Matthew P. remembers when he first heard about the Bronx based, outdoors-oriented nonprofit. Matthew was in tenth grade and an upperclassman asked if he’d like to go kayaking. Frankly, Matthew thought he was joking. “Kayaking? No one kayaks in the Bronx,” he thought to himself.
Yet, Matthew went and was hooked. “We had to kayak up to a bridge and back on the Hudson River. I only made it halfway and had to be towed back. But I wasn’t deterred. That trip motivated me to keep going with CatRock.”
Throughout high school, CatRock provided Matthew with opportunities to learn and grow. He enjoyed CatRock’s trips and activities – everything from wilderness first aid training to snowboarding – and loved the emphasis on active learning and feeling accomplished in the outdoors.
With CatRock, Matthew developed what he terms a “leadership attitude.” Before joining, Matthew wouldn’t share his opinions. But because of CatRock, Matthew developed the confidence to leave his comfort zone and say what was on his mind. One year, Craig Meisner, the nonprofit’s co-founder, asked Matthew to address the audience at the nonprofit’s annual 5 Point Adventure Film Festival fundraiser. Matthew went on stage and discussed how the program had impacted him. “The leadership attitude kept growing. I wanted to share my opinions. I believe everyone has a voice they should express.”
“…Now I’m in a position to help. Maybe I can support a student who is not feeling very motivated. I can help them see that things can get better.”
Through CatRock, Matthew opened himself to new opportunities. Before the program, Matthew would have declined the two-day wilderness first aid course. Now, Matthew would take the class again. “There’s no limit to how much a person can know. You can never experience or know too much. If offered the opportunity, give it a shot.”
CatRock empowers students according to Matthew. He says the best part about CatRock was having a voice in the program. In fact, anytime he had an interest in pursuing something, all he had to do was go to Craig, and it would get done.
Matthew became an alum upon entering college and had his first opportunity to serve during the Covid pandemic. While Covid disrupted CatRock’s in person trips and activities, Craig and the volunteers kept the students engaged through the two-month CatRock Virtual Leadership Program featuring online workshops in physical fitness, nutrition, wellness, and adventures. “We worked out together on video calls twice a week,” explains Matthew. “It was a great way to motivate the students, keep them active, and part of the CatRock community.”
Making the shift from student to alum was profound as Matthew realized he could make a difference in the lives of CatRock students. He views his role as connecting with and supporting these young people: “If I can offer any opportunities or advice, then that is my responsibility.”
As an alum, Matthew can also provide perspective to today’s students: “I remember the CatRock team that supported, helped, and believed in me when I was in high school. Now I’m in a position to help. Maybe I can support a student who is not feeling very motivated. I can help them see that things can get better.”
From his first kayaking trip to making a difference in the lives of today’s students, Matthew’s CatRock journey underscores the impact the nonprofit has on the underserved youth of the Bronx.