Matt Buttler is the Executive Director for ALIRP, the Alabama Interfaith Refugee Partnership. Matt joined ALIRP in June 2023 as Half-Time Case Manager, and started his current full-time role in January 2024. Matt was born in Houston, Texas, grew up in Birmingham, and recently returned to the area after living in Arizona for several years. He has a BA in Spanish from Auburn University, and has done graduate study in Spanish Literature at the University of North Carolina and in Social Work at Arizona State University.
During his 10 years in nonprofit social services, Matt has worked with Latinx and migrant communities in Central Alabama, Central Arizona, and along both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. He has worked in faith-based and secular nonprofits of various sizes and focus areas, and his previous roles include direct service, resource development, and political advocacy.
Matt has specific training in mental health case management, supporting survivors of domestic partner and sexual violence, and community organizing. Matt believes that all people should have access to safety and basic necessities as well as dignity and self-determination, and he draws from his diverse experiences to support people seeking relief in the U.S.
Professional Presentations:
Vines, J., Gartin, M., Ambler, A., Fuerte-Tejeda, H.M., Buttler, M., & Lukhele, B. (2025, November). Challenges Encountered When Exploring Pregnancy and Birthing Experiences among Asylum-Seekers and Refugees in Birmingham, Alabama. [Poster, in-person]. Caucus on Refugee and Immigrant Health, Session on Social Determinants of Health Among Immigrants, Refugees, and Forcibly Displaced Populations. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.
Gartin, M., Guerra, A., & Buttler, M. (2025, April). Results of a Needs Assessment with Asylum Seekers in Central Alabama: A focus on Engaging Youth. [Poster, in-person]. UAB School of Public Health 2025 Research Poster Session, Birmingham, AL.
Guerra, A., Buttler, M., & Gartin, M. (2025, April). “A bullet is in my refrigerator”: Identifying the challenges of safe and adequate housing for asylum-seekers in Alabama. [Poster, in-person]. UAB School of Public Health 2025 Research Poster Session, Birmingham, AL.
Waldie, M., Guerra, A., Buttler, M., & Gartin, M. (2025, April -postponed). Engaging Asylum-seeking Youth in a Photovoice Project to Develop a community-based Mentorship Program. [Poster, in-person]. Minority Health and Health Equity Research Center Research Symposium, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
Waldie, M., Guerra, A., Buttler, M., & Gartin, M. (2025, April). Engaging Asylum-seeking Youth in a Photovoice Project to Develop a community-based Mentorship Program. [Poster, in-person]. Healing Collective Trauma: Navigating Shared Histories and Pathways to Restoration, Institute of Human Rights Conference, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
Buttler, M. & Gartin, M. (2025, April). A Focus on Faith: Women’s coping with seeking asylum in the US during uncertain times. [Poster, in-person]. Healing Collective Trauma: Navigating Shared Histories and Pathways to Restoration, Institute of Human Rights Conference, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
Gartin, M., & Buttler, M. (2024, August) Seeking Asylum is Stressful for the Asylees and their Advocates: A case study from the Alabama Interfaith Refugee Partnership. [Panelist and Presenter, online/virtual]. Conference Faith. Refugee’s Lived Experiences: A focus on Faith and Resilience Conference.
