Joe Matessa – LGBT Family Advocate and PRIDE Council Member

“My United Way is committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive community.”
As a devoted dad and president of a new nonprofit for LGBT parents and prospective parents, Joe is all about making sure central Ohio is a place where everyone has opportunities to succeed.
He does his part to help make that happen by leading and participating in several United Way groups, including PRIDE Council, where he’s co-chair of the steering committee, and Pride Leadership, the 8-month training program that prepares LGBT participants for service on a nonprofit board or in a leadership position.
Through United Way’s Pride Leadership program, Joe established Family Pride Network of Central Ohio, a nonprofit that provides a community and resources to connect, support and educate LBGT families and prospective parents.
“With guidance from United Way, Pride Leadership participants built the framework of Family Pride Network,” Joe says. “It was an incredible experience to watch this idea come to life through the collaborative effort of the group and through the unique contributions each participant brought to the table.”
According to Joe, the team of participants learned a great deal about nonprofits, each other and working together as a team. They formed incredible friendships and made valuable contacts throughout the eight months.
“Because I was relatively new to Columbus, Pride Leadership was a wonderful opportunity,” he says. “The insight I gained inspired me to take greater ownership of my community involvement, and my ability to make a difference.”
He says he also learned a great deal about United Way of Central Ohio’s extensive work in the community. He particularly appreciates its relentless mission to improve the lives of our community’s children, since he and his husband, Billy Molasso, are proud parents of active twin 6-year-old boys, Eli and Ricky.
“I started giving to United Way through my previous employer, Alliance Data,” Joe says. “I encourage others to give because I know United Way ensures that donations go to programs that make our community stronger and help people succeed.”