Building Community, One Story at a Time: Reflections from the Civic Champions Reading Program
This summer, the David Mathews Center piloted its Civic Champions Reading Program, engaging children of all ages in learning about good citizenship. Through fun activities, including reading What If Everybody Did That? and creating collages of their communities, students explored what it means to be active, responsible citizens. With the help of interns and library leaders, the program emphasized the importance of community and collaboration. Each participant received an activity book and a collection of books for the library that reinforce these lessons, encouraging them to continue practicing positive civic actions at home and beyond.
Civic Dispatch: Empowering Young Community Heroes
The Office of Civic Engagement at Troy University continuously creates immersive and captivating community experiences for all ages, including a fun summer experience for future civic leaders every year called Civic Heroes.
The Civic Heroes Summer Camp is led by Troy Civic Engagement staff, Coordinator Lauren Cochran, Jean O’Connor-Snyder Interns, and, a new addition this summer, middle school Junior Counselors.
Civic Dispatch: Leadership and Community in Walker County
Jean O’Connor-Snyder Intern Rylen Dempsey spent the summer in Walker County, Alabama, learning about the community and its leaders. At Jasper Lumber Company, Rylen met Plant Manager Cliff Beall, whose dedication to his faith, family, and community exemplifies servant leadership. Beall’s commitment to professional excellence and uplifting others highlights the positive impact of community-focused leadership.
Civic Dispatch: Williams’ decades of dedication benefits children in Camden
Jean O’Connor-Snyder Intern Naomi Taylor spent the summer in Camden, Alabama, learning about the impactful work of Alfreda G. Williams. At nearly 80 years old, Williams continues to serve the children of Wilcox County through the Camden Community Youth Development Center, which she helped establish in 1993. Her dedication to education and community service has made a lasting positive difference in countless children's lives.
Civic Dispatch: Thursday Night Trivia — Strengthening Civic Life in Third Spaces
Jean O’Connor-Snyder Intern Raegan Harris explores Jasper, Alabama’s community revitalization through the story of Drew Gilbert, owner of Tallulah Brewing Company. Gilbert’s brewery has become a vital gathering place, fostering connections and strengthening the town’s social fabric.
Civic Dispatch: Quest to preserve Elba’s history reveals need for local museum
Jean O’Connor-Snyder Intern Elisha Oyola explores the rich history of Elba, Alabama, through the efforts of the Elba History Committee. This dedicated group has not only published the book “Elba: Then and Now, 1853-2013,” but is also striving to establish a museum to preserve and share local artifacts and stories for future generations.
Civic Dispatch: Finding a Why in Recovery — Lessons from Mr. Larry Leeth and Fellowship House
Jean O’Connor-Snyder Intern Chloe Kaplan spent the summer in Walker County, Alabama, conducting a needs assessment for Fellowship House. Through her work, Chloe discovered the unwavering dedication of the staff, especially peer support specialist Larry Leeth, who inspires clients on their recovery journeys with his own story of transformation and hope.
Civic Dispatch: Chatom to celebrate colorful new mural
This summer, Jean O’Connor-Snyder Intern Hayley Platt returns to her hometown of Chatom, Alabama, excited to give back and deepen her connection with the community that helped shape her character.
Civic Dispatch: Combatting Brain Drain in Rural Alabama
Jean O’Connor-Snyder Intern Cassie Childress explores the impact of the 'brain drain' in rural Alabama through the story of Morgan Curry, Grants Manager for the Walker Area Community Foundation. Curry's journey sheds light on the efforts to attract and retain young professionals in his hometown of Jasper, Alabama.
Applications Open for DMC Executive Director Position
The David Mathews Center for Civic Life is seeking its next Executive Director to lead the organization into its 20th year, and beyond!
The Executive Director manages and sustains DMC operations, staff, and programming to meet the DMC’s mission of strengthening civic life in all 67 Alabama counties.
To apply, submit a resume and cover letter to search committee member Cristin Brawner at cristinfbrawner@gmail.com by September 13, 2024.
Jean O’Connor-Snyder Interns Share Their Walker County Stories
On July 26th, the Walker County community gathered at Pinnacle Bank in Jasper to hear from the University of Alabama Jean O’Connor-Snyder Interns about their summer experiences. From securing funding for literacy and early childhood development programs to uplifting historic buildings and supporting healthcare and economic development efforts, the interns showcased how their time in Walker County was shaped by the generosity, collaboration, and openness of its people. Their stories celebrated the community and the meaningful impact of civic engagement.
2024 Innovators in Civic Education Fellowship Workshop
The David Mathews Center hosted the 2024 Innovators in Civic Education Fellowship Workshop at the Rotunda at the American Village on July 11th, 2024. This workshop brought together educators from across the state to provide resources and training to guide civics-forward education in their classrooms and communities.
Cultivating Leaders and Strengthening Communities: Insights from Your Town Alabama
The Mathews Center participated in Your Town Alabama’s annual workshop from April 3rd to 5th at Camp McDowell. Your Town Alabama is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to equip participants with advanced leadership skills, supported by information and planning tools, that can be used to shape the future of Alabama. The organization has impacted over 1000 Alabamians for 26 years through these annual workshops, and the DMC team is proud to have joined this year’s cohort.
Reflections on the 2024 PARCA Annual Forum
On March 8, 2024, the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) hosted its 2024 Annual Forum, which was followed by the Governor Albert Brewer Legacy Lunch. Overall, the PARCA forum, held in the Harbert Center in Birmingham, was an outstanding program that was extremely informative. This year's topic was "Housing Alabama's Workforce". The program began with presentations followed by a forum and concluded with the Governor’s Legacy Lunch.
Reflections on Elevating Excellence: Empowering Women in Leadership & the Workplace
Alabamians showed up for a day full of conversations relating to the theme of Community Empowerment: Thriving Together at this year’s Civic Institute. One of the six panel sessions in particular was Elevating Excellence: Empowering Women in Leadership & the Workplace. This session, which took place in Independence Hall at the American Village, truly lived up to its name and was an empowering conversation not only women but for the men in attendance as well.
Reflections on the 8th Annual Civic Institute
The 8th Annual Civic Institute, themed "Community Empowerment: Thriving Together," unfolded as a resounding success, thanks to the remarkable participation of over 230 civic-minded individuals from across Alabama and the southeast. Our event aimed to shed light on stories of collective empowerment and foster community strength. We express our heartfelt gratitude to all who attended, as your presence contributed to the vibrant atmosphere and meaningful interactions of the day.
2024-2025 JOIP Request for Proposals
The David Mathews Center for Civic Life is pleased to announce our Jean O’Connor-Snyder Internship Call for Proposals for the 2024-2025 academic year!
Through this program, we work with faculty and students from colleges and universities across the state. These individuals dedicate time to working alongside Alabamians who are striving to improve their communities. We are equally indebted to these community partners who welcome students and faculty into their hometowns to practice immersive civic learning together. Immersive civic learning is characterized by active, continuous participation in both formal and informal civic spaces, and through personal experiences with a community and its individuals.
Applications Open for 2024-25 Innovators in Civic Education Fellowship
The Mathews Center is thrilled to announce that applications are now open for our 2024-2025 Innovators in Civic Education Fellowship!
This fellowship provides classroom and community-based educators with the resources and training they need to bring high-quality, civics-forward education to the classroom. Fellows will receive a $600 stipend for participating in the daylong workshop.
Applications Open for 2024-2025 McKenzie Civic Fellowship
Applications are now open for the 2024-2025 McKenzie Civic Fellowship. The last day to submit applications will be May 31st, 2024. Learn more and apply today!
This program aims to equip recent college graduates for more effective, deliberative civic engagement through a year of service. Civic Fellows engage in immersive civic learning experiences while assisting with DMC signature programming focused on strengthening civic life in all 67 Alabama counties.
Thank You to our Friends at the American Village!
The David Mathews Center for Civic Life would like to extend a sincere thank you to our friends at the American Village. The Mathews Center recently concluded our 8th Annual Civic Institute on Friday, February 2nd, 2024. The day was filled with meaningful conversations among like-minded civic leaders from across the state, and it could not have been done without our partnership with the American Village. Since our inaugural Civic Institute in 2016, the Mathews Center has hosted all eight of our institutes on the American Village campus. The support from the American Village team in lending us access to their campus has allowed our annual event to grow tremendously!