Dontae Mathis is the Founder and Owner of Like Dat Youth Connections (LDYC) and Like Dat Apparel, a custom printing company established in 2004. He currently serves as a Recovery Services Coordinator at Oregon’s first recovery high school, where he supervises and supports Case Managers and Mentors serving youth in recovery.

With more than 25 years of experience working with youth and families, Dontae’s work spans foster care, education, advocacy, mentorship, and recovery services. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Development and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work.

As a person in recovery, Dontae brings powerful lived experience to his leadership. After experiencing multiple substance-related losses with the mother of his children in 2017, his eldest son Deontae in 2019 and Dontae Jr. in 2024 , he made a deepened commitment to ensuring young people have access to healing, opportunity, and community-based support. His work is grounded in compassion, accountability, and culturally responsive care.