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Everyday Hero: How musician Matte Black went from homeless to ‘Heroes’

Click to play video: 'Everyday Hero: Matte Black goes from life on streets to supporting homeless'
Everyday Hero: Matte Black goes from life on streets to supporting homeless
WATCH: Matte Black used to be homeless, but a chance encounter changed his life and inspired him to help others. Allison Vuchnich introduces you to this week's Everyday Hero – Apr 15, 2016

Matte Black was only 15 years old when he was kicked out of his house.  He had nowhere to go. Life on the street – finding food and a safe place to sleep — was a daily challenge.

“Stairwells or parks,” Black told Global News, “[I’ve] even slept in people’s cars in the driveway, waking up in the morning before they got up for work … in the winter.  You name it.”

Then, there’s the emotional upheaval of being young and homeless.

“Thirty per cent of  the week is spent, as a youth, kind of breaking down,” said Black. “Whether you acknowledge what it is that you’re hurt about, you’re hurt.”

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The one thing that kept him going was his music.  Black said his guitar and song writing helped him get through the hard times.

Click to play video: 'The experience of being young and homeless'
The experience of being young and homeless

WATCH ABOVE: Matte Black describes what it was like to be homeless and living on the streets at 15 years old.

He admitted coping and trying to survive also meant being involved with drugs and time spent in jail.

After nine years of being homeless, Black lost 10 friends to life on the street and he had lost his hope.

He decided he would play one final gig and later that night, he would end his pain and his life.

“In my mind, I had already planned out that when I was done, I was gonna go to a hotel and do whatever it took to basically end my life,” Black said. “But, as I stepped off the stage, JB was there.”

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Black had no idea that in the audience was Adrian “JB” Homer.

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JB is a Canadian hip hop mogul and owner of GCP Recording Corp. In an instant, Black’s life changed thanks to JB, who gave Black a place to live and make music.

“Literally, within that weekend,” he said, “I had gotten an apartment and a key to a recording studio that I had 24/7 access [to].”

JB told Global News the decision to give Black a chance was an easy one.

“Sometimes when you see someone that you believe in, you don’t have to really wait or ask,” JB said.

“You just know that you see something in somebody and just gotta take that chance with people sometimes,” he added.

Matte Black (left) credits JB with changing the course of his life.

According to Black, the most important thing JB did for him was to believe in him.

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“At the time, I wouldn’t have trusted myself with  – any of that equipment. I wouldn’t have trusted myself with a lot of stuff at that time,” said Black.

Within two years, Black owned his own recording studio and home. But it wasn’t enough for Black.

He wanted to do more, so he started Heroes in Black — a non-profit organization that helps homeless youth.

“Our main goal is to rebuild, inspire and employ homeless youth,” he explained.  “And we have many different programs aimed at, you know, customizing a plan for them. You know, what do they want to do? What’s their dream? What industry do they want to get into?”

Click to play video: 'What is Heroes in Black and how is it helping homeless youth?'
What is Heroes in Black and how is it helping homeless youth?

WATCH ABOVE: Matte Black, who was once homeless, explains how the non-profit organization, Heroes  in Black changes the lives of homeless youth.

In just three years, Heroes in Black has helped 50 homeless youth find a job, through a program called Hero Training, and by connecting entrepreneurs and business professionals with homeless youth.

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The organization and its volunteers have also fed close to 3,000 people through its Hunger Heroes initiative, a partnership with Hero Certified Burgers. What started as a one-time event has turned into a monthly event; handing out food, clothing and blankets to the homeless.

“Not only does he do things that are great, he inspires other to do great things as well, and I think that is the most heroic thing you can do,” said Dante Dante Di Iulio, marketing specialist for Hero Certified Burgers.

READ MORE: Everyday Hero: Canadian-run Yangon Bakehouse changing women’s lives in Myanmar

The organization also offer homeless youth an escape from the devastation of life on the street, offering camping trips, emotional support and so much more.

Black and his co-founders hope to open a youth centre and keep expanding and doing everything they can to help young people fulfill their dreams and get off the streets.

Click to play video: 'To help homeless youth, Matte Black started Heroes in Black, to change lives'
To help homeless youth, Matte Black started Heroes in Black, to change lives

WATCH ABOVE: Matte Black has dedicated his life to helping homeless youth, he discusses if he feel like a hero.

As for Black, he’s reconciled with his family and he and JB continue to be in touch.

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Black comes a family of successful musicians and artists — and he and JB discovered they actually had a family connection.

As for the role JB played in Black’s remarkable journey, JB is proud of Black, “well, you know, Matte’s a hero. He has a big heart…What I’m seeing, I’m very impressed.”

Black still credits JB for changing the course of his life and he keeps working to change the lives of others.

“It’s kind of like a winning-the-lottery story,” he said. “And there comes great responsibility with that, I believe. [It] doesn’t happen to everyone and because it happened to me, I know that it’s…important to make sure that I leave a path for others that were in that situation to – to find the way out.”

WHAT MAKES AN EVERYDAY HERO?

There are many people trying to make a difference who rarely receive the media attention they deserve. Everyday Hero is our attempt to provide better balance in our newscast. We profile Canadians who don’t go looking for attention, but deserve it. People who through their ideas, efforts and dedication are making a difference in the lives of others.

If you know of an Everyday Hero whose story we should tell, share the information with us by emailing viewers@globalnational.com

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