matfa.org

	Mentoring A Touch From Above
		MATFA United Way Building 3515 Linden Avenue Long Beach, Ca. 90807
	Guiding Our Youth

Please pick up a copy of the Points of Light book by Robert Goodwin & Thomas Kinkade today!

(This book features Melanie Washington.)

Mission

Thousands of young men and women are incarcerated each year into the California Juvenile Justice System. Each one needs help and mentoring to turn their lives around to prevent them from reentering the same bad environment they came from. The California youth recidivism rate is 55%

Reclaimed for Purpose (RFP)

MATFA trains and supports mentors to help youth in the program acquire skills needed for re-entry into society. Our mentors counsel all individuals in the program to help them understand that they are "at risk" of being incarcerated again if they do not change their lives. Mentors help transition incarcerated youth back into society as productive citizens. MATFA's curriculum has helped young people succeed by looking at the choices they make on a daily basis.

MATFA provides post release support programs for both the youth and their families. Training includes:

	Mentoring for up to one year after release
	Training for social and behavioral skills
	Support to complete their education
	Vocational training while gainfully employed
	Help working with parole and probation officers to provide safe, disciplined housing and school re-entry.

MATFA graduates are working stable jobs, attending college and leading productive lives.

Program participant who graduated from high school (Class of 2003)

Saving Our Children At Risk (SOCAR)

SOCAR Program with Mentors 2003

SOCAR is a intervention Program now in its fourth year at Long Beach Unified School District. MATFA's aim is to educate children in grades sixth through eight on their choices in life and serious crime. The program began in April of 2002 and is designed for 100 students per year. The program includes:

	Mentoring on premises
	Student life skills
	Guest speakers
	Gang awareness
	Drug and Alcohol effects
	Music and arts
	Field trips
	Graduation

Our House (OH) - Transitional Home

MATFA's transition house are for the youth being released out of the California Youth Authority. Our House (OH) is located in North Long Beach, California and MATFA is currently in the processes of setting up 3 other homes in Los Angeles County. Our hope is that this structured learning environment will create and build upon the values taught in the RFP Program. This home provides another step in the process to further enhance a released youth's chance for productivity after release from jail. The program includes,

	Housing for 20+ youth
	Life skills training
	Family style environment
	Family counseling
	Counseling to family members
	Moral study
	Sober living skills
	Job Placement
	College assistance
	Financial Planning

OH Open House January 2007

If you would like to take a tour or visit MATFA's transitional home, please call and make an appointment with the House Manager, Melvin Brown.