Adopted with his two sisters, Matthew Peiffer went through 13 years of abuse by his adoptive parents before entering foster care at 16 years old with his two sisters. After eight foster homes in two years, he found the courage, determination, and passion to speak up and use his voice to help others who went through similar experiences. After losing his younger sister to suicide in 2016, he began working on national policies to ensure no young person had to go through the abuse that he and his sisters did. He won his first national award in 2019 with T-Mobile, which provided funding to start a non-profit, A VOICE FOR KIDS INC. He has impacted more than eight pieces of legislation, worked with the Department of Justice, won Congressional awards, and been featured on the front page of USA TODAY discussing his failed adoption. Matthew loves to spread happiness and smiles everywhere he goes, and is known in his community as Muncie’s Smile Man. He has provided Christmas presents to over 350 children for the past 6 years and birthday boxes to over 40 children per month so they can celebrate their special day. Matthew sits on various boards and committees, advocating for those most vulnerable.