Mentoring
A Touch From Above
MATFA
United Way Building
3515 Linden Avenue
Long Beach, Ca. 90807
Guiding Our Youth
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Mentoring A Touch From Above |
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MATFA
3515 Linden Avenue |
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Guiding Our Youth |
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About US
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The Founder: Melanie L. Washington & MATFA's History |
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Advisory Board of Directors |
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Board of Directors |
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MATFA Staff |
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Melanie Washington experienced more than her share of violence. Sexually molested and raped when she was still very young, she saw gang and domestic violence tear apart her family and community. Her mother and sister, were murdered at the hands of her stepfather when she was 10 years old. Her husband was murdered three years after their marriage. Then on December 26, 1995, her son was killed by a young gang member he had befriended, taken into his home and tried to help. |
Melanie Washington surrounded by the S.O.C.A.R. girls |
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MATFA's Inspiration: Damon Dowell |
MATFA's inspiration: Damon Dowell - Melanie's Son. He was born on July 13, 1976, and died on December 26, 1995.
In examining the backgrounds of the offenders who had murdered her family members, Melanie learned that they had each spent time in the California juvenile justice system. She resolved to help save others from experiencing the tragedy and grief she had known, and founded Mentoring - A Touch From Above (MATFA) (formerly Melanie's A Touch From Above), to work with jailed youth, helping them take responsibility for their actions and then re-enter the community as responsible young men.
After counseling and meeting Melanie, many who showed no remorse at first have faced their crimes, gained understanding of the people they have hurt, and asked their victims for forgiveness.
It is a testament to Melanie's remarkable spirit of forgiveness that she is currently mentoring the young man who killed her son more than 10 years ago. She is living her faith and helping make our communities a better place for all.
Melanie Washington has helped build up MATFA so that many young lives have been turned around. Graduates of the program are working at stable jobs and attending college. They have become an asset rather than a threat to their communities.
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The Points of Light 2001 Presidential Community Service Award
December 13, 2002 - Ms. Melanie Washington, founder of MATFA, received The Points of Light 2001 Presidential Community Service Award, the highest honor for volunteering. This award was presented by President Bush on December 13th at the White House.
"This is the day the Lord has made and I am rejoicing in it...I couldn't believe it when I heard it but it is true," said Ms. Washington. She continues, "I do believe the youth that have decided to change their life because of this program deserve this great honor much more. I will rejoice with and for them."
President George W. Bush and Melanie Washington Melanie is also featured the The Points of Light book now sold at stores near you. |
Melanie was the William Allen Award winner for the year 2000.
She is seen here at a dinner honoring the Mayor of Long Beach, with Steve Chesser of Boeing Community Relations and
Senator Alan Lowenthal of the Twenty Seventh district of Long Beach.
October 20th, 1914 - January 24th, 2006
Fayard Nicholas world renown dancer / entertainer and Melanie Washington CEO of MATFA at his 89th birthday celebration.
Fayard was a supporter of MATFA and in 2004 he was a keynote Speaker at MATFA's Annual Youth Festival held at
the Fred C. Nelles California Youth Authority. Fayard was not only a great Entertainer but a wonderful role model for the youth.
He will be greatly missed.
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Honorable Don Knabe - Los Angeles County Supervisor, 4th District |
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Doris Topsy-Elvord - Retired Vice Mayor of Long Beach |
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Mayor Roosevelt Dorn - Mayor of Inglewood |
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David Bowman - The Boeing Company |
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Bonnie Lowenthal - Long Beach Councilmember, 1st District |
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Pastor Cecil Murray - Senior Pastor First A. M. E. Church of Los Angeles. |
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Steve Aguliar - Regional Administrator State of California Parole |
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Steve Chesser - Communications Senior Manager of the Boeing Company |
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Tommy Dunehew Jr. - The Boeing Company |
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Jerry Ski - President of Quality Forming |
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Val Lerch - Long Beach Councilmember, 9th District |
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Robert Kinkle - Attorney At Law |
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Major Hazel - Chief of Security of CYA |
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Reggie Harrison - Deputy City Manager City of Long Beach |
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CEO / Founder: Melanie Washington - The Boeing Corporation |
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Treasurer: Lisa Plata |
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Director of Fundraising: Denise Smith - The Boeing Corporation |
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Media: Robert Barnett - UPS |
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Fundraising Coordinator : Joyce McDevitt - Conservation Corp Long Beach |
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Funding & Grant Writer: Eve Reid - Pricewaterhouse Coopers |
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Mentor for Hudson Elementary: Krystal Edwards - College Graduate |
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Board Member : James Washington - UPS |
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Melanie Washington - CEO / Founder |
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Lisa Plata -Office Manager |
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Cecil Gray - Chief Financial Officer (retired) |
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Kensington Research - Program Development |
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Melvin Brown - House Manager of MATFA Our House (OH) |
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