About The David Mathews Center
The David Mathews Center for Civic Life is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan, tax-exempt corporation. We build skills, habits, and capacities for more effective civic engagement and innovative decision making.
We aim to strengthen Alabama’s civic life by increasing active citizenship, community collaboration, and effective decision making.
All of our programs are designed to get Alabamians talking to each other about the issues that matter most to them.
We engage communities all across Alabama—find an event near you now!
Signature Programs
Alabama Issues Forums
AIF is designed to help communities talk to each other and through issues, rather than at each other and about issues.
Coaching Community Innovation
These local workshops equip citizens with the deliberative tools necessary for engaging their communities.
The Jean O’Connor-Snyder Internship Program
This internship provides experiential learning opportunities to develop the next generation of Alabama’s civic leaders.
Students’ Institute
We believe that young people learn to be civically engaged by being civically engaged—this program gives them that opportunity.
Teachers’ Institute
This two-day workshop equips teachers from all across Alabama with the tools necessary to bring deliberation into the classroom.
“Changing the way people talk can change the way they relate to each other and their problems – and that can eventually change the community.”
– David Mathews
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31 May
Today and every day, we want to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of freedom. Have a safe an… https://t.co/sQpkXo33qp
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26 May
Your ongoing support of our work enables us to equip them with the vital civic skills that turn communities’ dream… https://t.co/ExDZYofNLW
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26 May
Visit https://t.co/VOSKtU2DIs to view the entire resource list.
Thanks to CivX Now and the Illinois Civics Hub fo… https://t.co/vjnn80DQvj
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26 May
Our education director, Zara Greene, recently attended the CivX now State Policy Task Force meeting where several r… https://t.co/XuVc1w5tw0
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26 May
We share the emotions of so many this week and realize that times of tragedy, loss, and violence can make it diffic… https://t.co/0oKG6d8Rx0
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26 May
One of our board members Hollie Cost wrote this article and specifically highlighted the benefits of deliberative d… https://t.co/zpKy123I6v
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23 May
Our 7th Annual Civic Institute will be held in person at the American Village on 9/9/22! This year's theme is "Publ… https://t.co/OGRkmdP5XA
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22 May
RT @NIForums: Join us for an introduction to creating issue guides for deliberating about historic decisions! This workshop is based on wha…
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18 May
RT @CivXNow: The @NAESP is hosting a webinar about reclaiming the civic mission of schooling through the @EADRoadmap as part of #CivicsAdvo…
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16 May
Your gift today will enable more students to take advantage of this life-transforming opportunity.
All gifts recei… https://t.co/ANh9fJwiIKDMCforCivicLife
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16 May
We're gearing up for another year of JOIP Interns engaging with local communities in impactful ways! This program,… https://t.co/O7zeqpRmdf
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10 May
For 17 years, we have sought to put citizens back in the center of our democracy. Help us continue this work by par… https://t.co/Gzl7wQFBQv
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4 May
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all educators! Each of you contributes to the future every single day. Thank you… https://t.co/ZUAN8l8mIQ
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2 May
Applications for the 2022-23 McKenzie Civic Fellowship are due at the end of May. This position will take place ove… https://t.co/P7wJQmgx0E
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28 April
By donating to the DMC, you enable us to help more people in more small towns across the state take ownership of th… https://t.co/6ApIrvmv8k
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28 April
Maura Casey at the Kettering Foundation wrote a compelling article about the role of newspapers in strengthening an… https://t.co/w07IIk2Vi2
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26 April
The National Council for Social Studies released the latest Educating for American Democracy resource. Check it out… https://t.co/Mj9UF99bGc
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18 April
The DMC Innovators in Civic Education Fellowship provides classroom and community-based educators with the resource… https://t.co/YDquVH1V8s
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14 April
We help equip citizens with the tools and skills necessary for addressing challenges and opportunities in their own… https://t.co/SPIBx3gOT9
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14 April
JOIP Call for Proposals is open! We work with faculty and students from colleges and universities across the state.… https://t.co/d8CfiPO5qz
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8 April
Apply for the 22-23 McKenzie Civic Fellowship! This 1 year paid position consists of a hybrid in-office and remote… https://t.co/CodednzXDj
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6 April
This fellowship for educators provides resources and training needed to bring civics-forward social studies educati… https://t.co/q1cNdElj4T
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4 April
These types of programs help us be stay deeply engaged with every county across Alabama. Support our work here:… https://t.co/COxy9MKV2O
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4 April
Applications are open for the 22-23 McKenzie Civic Fellowship. Recent college grads will work more effective, deli… https://t.co/96udcgn1Gx
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1 April
Happy Friday! Here's a quote from Dr. Mathews about leadership. As we enter into a month, look around for ways that… https://t.co/qRNUF7i0iQ
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31 March
We are accepting applications for our 2022-23 McKenzie Civic Fellowship! This program aims to equip recent college… https://t.co/QKkzI8A3mm
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26 March
With community engagement, teacher-training, and immersive learning programs that have touched all 67 of Alabama’s… https://t.co/k269qGhEC0
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17 March
In honor of #WomensHistoryMonth, be sure to take some time to look through the AL Hall of Fame! These women represe… https://t.co/vX0uoinlLx
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16 March
Check out this thread to better understand the early activism of women activists in Alabama! https://t.co/M0Q1fwJP19
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10 March
Spring has sprung! The tulips are back at American Village! https://t.co/YjteGfGRKT
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8 March
We recently hosted the 2nd virtual JOIP Intern Retreat! Over 20 students and faculty mentors from 5 universities ac… https://t.co/ETce7bipzE
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24 February
Mark your calendars for Be My Neighbor Day on March 5th!
This is an event geared towards children ages 2-8 years… https://t.co/Md7t5jb53B
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19 February
This week, we welcomed our new Education Director Zara Greene! She is an educator, independent living skills traine… https://t.co/ld1LERkvOb
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16 February
Check out this event happening TODAY 4-5 p.m: https://t.co/cmDA6Nwdoi https://t.co/pvF5yn35N2
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10 February
For #BlackHistoryMonth, check out these resources from the Smithsonian @amhistorymuseum. From podcasts to videos to… https://t.co/4sNXlIachr
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9 February
RT @Ctr4CHR: This Black History Month, The Center is focusing on the theme of "Truth & Transformation: Confronting the Past to Create a Mor…
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3 February
RT @Ctr4CHR: Experience Black History Month at The Center. Learn more about the U.S. Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s, and join u…
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1 February
Well, 2021 was a doozy! It was a year full of firsts and new beginnings for the DMC: a new executive director, our… https://t.co/SCJx8YFfpG
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26 January
On pg. 35 of the latest AL Municipal League journal issue, Dr. Wilson talks about the Living Democracy program. In… https://t.co/DAx7M9QGKl
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25 January
One of our board members, Natalie Adams, received an Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award from @UAAlumniAssoc!… https://t.co/VgPcfLMkkf
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17 January
Today, we join the nation in honoring the life and legacy of #MLK by inviting you to read and listen to two of his… https://t.co/HsU4kq2gZ8
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1 December
Happy #GivingTuesday!
Thank you to everyone who has supported us today and over the years. Your contributions hav… https://t.co/ovv0FhRzjr
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1 December
Happy #GivingTuesday! When you donate to the DMC, you support JOIP interns like Patrick! Check out his Civic Dispat… https://t.co/L9rZlM4lgq
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30 November
Happy #GivingTuesday! When you donate to the DMC, you support JOIP interns like Katy! Check out her Civic Dispatch… https://t.co/buVgRO718F
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30 November
Happy #GivingTuesday! When you donate to the DMC, you support projects like Alabama Talks Back! Here's a throwback… https://t.co/Xa4otXMK8W
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30 November
Happy #GivingTuesday!
When you donate to the David Mathews Center, you support JOIP interns like Lauren! Check out… https://t.co/H8BzvqO1oN
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23 November
#GivingTuesday is exactly 1 week from today! Have you made plans to participate yet? When you give to DMC, you dire… https://t.co/ajm1VklVXy
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19 November
The DMC will be participating in #GivingTuesday on 11/30 for the 1st time. Please join us in this generosity moveme… https://t.co/DpTHwACgIJ
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16 November
Happy National Recycling Day! One of the best ways to care for other community members and future generations is ca… https://t.co/KwIdvRcfag
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15 November
Another one of the ACE clubs participating in our book club to learn leaderful characteristics from Dr. Mathews is… https://t.co/vheVW6Z6jy
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