Known by some as the Muncie Smile Man, Mathew Peiffer, founder of A Voice for Kids, talks about his past and why he now advocates for foster youth.
"Read more about Peiffer and other former adoptees at brokenadoptions.usatoday.com"
RELATED: Memphis mom touches the lives of 75 foster kids
Peiffer has advocated for training police officers and neighborhood associations in identifying child abuse. He has pushed for legislation to create a stronger vetting process for prospective adoptive parents and a national database of child abusers.
Through a nonprofit he started, A Voice for Kids, Peiffer raised money to give Christmas gifts to more than 250 children in foster care. He also volunteers for All in Fostering Futures, a national nonprofit that helps create a support system for youth who were once in foster care.
Lynn Johnson, president and founder of All in Fostering Futures, said she is awed by Peiffer’s resilience and “sheer grit.” “He doesn’t want anybody else to be harmed like he was,” said Johnson, who previously served as assistant secretary of the federal Administration for Children and Families. “He is not going to let go of making sure that kids are OK.”
» Subscribe to USA TODAY:
» Watch more on this and other topics from USA TODAY:
» USA TODAY delivers current local and national news, sports, entertainment, finance, technology, and more through award-winning journalism, photos, videos and VR.
#Muncie #Foster #Adoption
First
Heartbreaking.
Bravo for this young man’s efforts to change the system.