Interview With Local Hero Sam Mattia
Sam Mattia, hailing from an immigrant family of Chaldean origins, embodies the spirit of community and generosity. His journey is a testament to the strength and resilience of immigrant families who strive to make a positive impact in their adopted homeland. Sam has been an active contributor to the ABC Youth Foundation, passionately participating in community events and encouraging his family to join our boxing gym. His dedication extends beyond participation; he has also been a generous donor to ABC’s various causes, demonstrating his commitment to empowering youth and fostering a sense of belonging and support within the community. We sat down with the owner of Mazara Trattoria, and our first Champions for Life interviewee to bring you our new ABC Extended Community content!
Finding A Sense of Family in SD
Interviewer- Sam, how old were you when you met Mr. Billy Moore and his family?
Sam: I was around 33 years old when I first met Billy! We’ve been friends ever since he walked into Mazara! His personality, a warm hearted individual, and vision really inspired me! I took over Mazara, my family’s restaurant over forty years ago here in South Park San Diego.
Interviewer- Were you from somewhere else and what’s your background Sam?
Sam: Well, my journey began in Iraq. I was originally born in Iraq, and my family immigrated to the United States when he was just a child. We settled in a tough neighborhood in Detroit, where life was challenging.
He explained how the Mattia family came about to rescue the long standing Italian American gem Mazara Trattoria, and continued its locally beloved legacy of good pizza and a local family friendly eatery. Under Sam’s leadership, the restaurant flourished, not just as a place to enjoy delicious meals but as a hub of community support and engagement. One of a few locally owned and operated mom and pop businesses in San Diego.
Interviewer- That’s great to hear what a journey! Can you share how you first learned about ABC Youth Foundation or Archie Moore, and what motivated you to join the community at ABC?
Sam: Billy walked in one day and took my brothers and I to the foundation. We saw how welcoming they were and we found ourselves a whole new family at ABC! I trained on and off with my older brother. We would get a good workout and learn about becoming better people through service. They always opened their doors to us! They offered us a place to go when we wanted to meet new people and make more friends in the area. The warmth of the ABC community really kept us engaged, we were thrilled to be a part of their mission. We wanted to be a part of their family!
Sam’s contributions to the community extend far beyond his restaurant. He is a passionate sponsor of the local little league program, believing in the power of sports to teach valuable life skills and keep kids engaged in positive activities. His involvement doesn’t stop there; Sam is also a fervent supporter of fundraisers for the ABC Youth Foundation. In addition to his support for the ABC Youth Foundation, Sam has been a steadfast ally to schools in both North Park and South Park San Diego. He understands the critical role education plays in shaping the future and has made it his mission to support local schools through various fundraising efforts and community events.
Interviewer- That sounds like a transformative experience for you. How did the organization help you inside and outside the ring?
Well, we found that ABC’s mission carried on some of the same strong values my family also wanted us to hold onto. Despite the hardships, my family, staunchly rooted in our Chaldean Catholic faith, instilled in me and my brothers the values of family unity, community service, and the importance of keeping children out of trouble. It just happened to be that the importance of family, service and helping others was at the core of Anybody Can Youth Foundation! ABC provided us with an extended family. We were even more motivated and they gave us a purpose, of really doing our best to serve our community and giving back to others.
Interviewer- That’s incredible Sam. Can you tell us about a specific moment or memory from your time at ABC?
Well my favorite memory ever was meeting Archie Moore of course! Walking in for the first time was a big deal for us. We were new to the neighborhood and straight out of Detroit, it meant a lot to us to feel a sense of belonging. You don’t often see that everywhere, but ABC gave us an opportunity to meet a legend, and he was so humble. The kindness and humility was memorable. Those are the things that stay with you forever.
Interviewer- Has your experience with ABC shaped your life or career path?
I feel like ABC really helped with choosing to carry on and keep moving forward with the family business. You learn to be more persistent and you gain a lot of confidence with ABC’s community support. They’ve supported my business and growth, for that I’m also very thankful to them. They really did help us network and they encouraged me a lot.
Interviewer- What advice would give young men, boys, girls and young women who are currently a part of programs like ABC?
Be social, get connected, do not be afraid to open up! Be spiritually involved. Be kind to others, especially to your elders. Always be welcoming to others no matter where people are from, there’s always good people around from all backgrounds. Thank you ABC Youth Foundation…
Interviewer- Thank you so much, Mr. Mattia, for sharing your story. It’s a testament to the positive impact that organizations like ABC can have on young lives. We wish you continued success in all your endeavors.
Sam Mattia’s journey from a challenging childhood in Detroit to becoming a beloved figure in the San Diego community and in Anybody Can Youth Foundation’s eyes, a true Champion For Life, is a testament to his character and the values instilled in him by his family. His story is one of perseverance, community spirit, and an enduring commitment to making a difference. Through his restaurant, his sponsorships, and his unwavering support for local causes, Sam continues to embody the principles of family, community, and service that have guided him throughout his life. Drop by Mazara Trattoria, 2302 30th St, in San Diego to say hi and grab a fresh slice of pizza! Follow us on Instagram at ABC Extended Contentfor more community news!
Interview by Carol Simon, ABC Youth Foundation Social Media & Content Creation Team
