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.

MATFA's inspiration: Damon Dowell - Melanie's Son.
Damon 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.

Mission Statement: Mentoring A Touch from Above (MATFA) mentors incarcerated and at risk youth to help them become positive, productive young adults by emphasizing accountability and forgiveness and providing life skills.

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."

Melanie is also featured in Chapter 5 of The Points of Light, written by Thomas Kinkade and Robert Goodwin and published in 2006.

The William Allen Award

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.

Fayard Nicholas
October 20, 1914 - January 4, 2006

Fayard Nicholas, world renowned dancer/entertainer, was an avid 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 youth, many of whom have said that Fayard helped them to realize that, as long as the had a goal in life, living is better than dying on the streets.