Article by Tyler Wiest

For Matthew Tejuco community has always been more than a place—it has been the foundation of who he is.

Growing up between San Francisco and Daly City, Matthew was surrounded by a richly diverse neighborhood where families looked out for one another and different cultures came together. Living in public housing also gave him an early understanding of the inequities many families face and inspired a lifelong commitment to justice.

“I really appreciate the way I grew up,” Matthew shared. “It really shaped who I am today.”

That upbringing sparked a career dedicated to serving others through community work. After years of working alongside nonprofits across San Francisco, Matthew became familiar with Coleman Advocates and the organization’s long-standing reputation for organizing families, amplifying community voices, and fighting for lasting systemic change.

“I’ve always heard of the work that Coleman’s been doing,” he said. “They’ve been doing amazing work amplifying people’s voices in the Excelsior and throughout San Francisco.”

Drawn to Lasting Solutions

What ultimately drew Matthew to Coleman Advocates was the organization’s approach to advocacy. Rather than simply responding to immediate needs, Coleman works to address the systems that create inequity in the first place.

“Knowing what Coleman is about and the work that they do—not just trying to meet an immediate need but really trying to get at the root of systemic issues—that really drew me here.”

For Matthew, organizing is both a calling and an opportunity to continue learning. He hopes to bring his own experiences into the work while growing alongside longtime organizers, staff members, parents, and youth leaders.

One of the things that excites him most is joining a team that genuinely reflects the community it serves.

“I love the people that are already here,” he said. “It’s a genuine, authentic staff that really cares for the community.”

As he begins this new chapter, Matthew is especially excited to work with students and families throughout San Francisco, particularly Black, Brown, and historically underserved communities.

Bringing Unique Leadership to YMAC

While Matthew brings years of leadership experience, he doesn’t see himself as someone arriving with all the answers. Instead, he believes the strongest solutions come from communities working together.

“I love this idea of we’re together,” he explained. “We’re figuring out what the answers are together. We’re figuring out how do we change systemic problems? How do we amplify all of our voices together?”

That philosophy shapes everything he hopes to contribute at Coleman Advocates. Whether through collaboration, relationship-building, or creative problem-solving, Matthew wants to help strengthen the collective power that already exists within the community.

“I don’t have an agenda that I’m trying to bring,” he said. “My agenda is: How can we all thrive?”

The Three Cs

Matthew often describes the values that guide him as the “three Cs”: community, compassion, and creativity.

Community means recognizing that lasting change happens together. Compassion means sharing both the struggles and the victories of those around him. Creativity means imagining what a better future could look like—and working collectively to make it a reality.

“I hurt when people hurt,” he said. “I have joy when other people have joy.”

For Matthew, advocacy isn’t about individual recognition. It’s about creating opportunities where every family can thrive, every voice can be heard, and every community member has the chance to shape the future.

As he joins Coleman Advocates, he hopes to continue building alongside parents, youth, and organizers who believe that meaningful change comes from collective action.

“What would it really look like if we were all there for each other?” Matthew asked. “What would it really look like if we amplified our voices together and lived in that collective power?”

It’s a question Matthew plans to help answer—not by himself, but together with the community.

Get Involved

At Coleman Advocates, we know that lasting change happens when communities organize together. Whether you’re a parent, young person, volunteer, or supporter, there’s a place for you in this movement. Join us as we continue building collective power, advocating for equitable policies, and creating a San Francisco where every family has the opportunity to thrive.

If you would like to join any of our programs, need our support or are interested in learning more, you can scan the QR code below to fill out our interest form: