Matthew Ellison has joined United Way of Southeast Missouri as the AmeriCorps Planning Grant Director.  His role is to research obstacles to employment in the region that UWSEMO is tackling, specifically, childcare and transportation. Matthew will work closely with community members and established coalitions throughout 2024, gathering data, assessing economic mobility barriers, and conducting research to develop a viable 2025 AmeriCorps Operational program that addresses our community’s childcare and transportation needs. This includes supporting and expanding the United We Work transportation initiative already serving Cape Girardeau and Jackson. Matthew holds an MBA from Southeast Missouri State University. He is a proud girl-dad, musician, and amateur photographer who can be found watching Baby Shark on repeat at the request of his toddler.