Goodbye, Hello: The Chauntina Story
Entering her third act at the David Mathews Center, Program & Outreach Coordinator Chauntina Whittle reflects on her past year as the Center’s McKenzie Civic Fellow, as well her hopes, goals, and ambitions in her new role supporting deliberative dialogue and communities across Alabama.
Civic Dispatch: Mental Health Stigma in Rural Communities and the Importance of HARTT
As rural communities continue to face barriers around mental health, like limited access to professionals, lingering stigma, and a lack of dialogue, organizations like HARTT in Jasper, Alabama are stepping in to make a difference. JOIP intern Sam Miller spent his summer working alongside HARTT to learn how grassroots outreach and counseling services can break down stigma and connect residents with necessary resources. His reflections highlight how HARTT has become a trusted presence in Walker County, normalizing conversations around mental health and building bridges to support where it’s needed most.
Civic Dispatch: How Jasper Main Street Revitalized Downtown Jasper, Alabama
Downtown Jasper has transformed from quiet, empty streets into a thriving hub of restaurants, shops, and community spaces thanks to the vision and persistence of Jasper Main Street. Since 2015, the organization has used a four-point approach: Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Vitality, while prioritizing relationships to spark lasting change. From repurposing long-vacant buildings to supporting local businesses, Jasper Main Street has fostered a renewed sense of pride and belonging. Zoi Moon’s blog features how this effort offers a hopeful model for other towns working to reimagine their downtowns.
Civic Dispatch: Off the Clock - Balancing Care and Code in Jasper
When JOIP intern Micah Adams sat down with Officer Robin Jackson, Jasper’s Animal Enforcement Officer, he found that her role is about far more than enforcing laws; it’s about compassion. Whether she’s rescuing animals, building kennels, delivering food, or helping neighbors find safe housing, Officer Robin approaches every challenge with empathy and persistence. Micah’s blog captures how her work shows that true community care means meeting people where they are, with dignity and respect.
Civic Dispatch: Boomeranging Back to Jasper - One Walker Countian’s Long Journey Back Home
Melaina Munson shares the story of Sydney Banks, a Jasper native whose journey took her from dreaming of leaving her hometown to finding purpose in returning. After college and a career in Birmingham, Sydney came back to Walker County, where her work with nonprofits and The Collective reshaped how she saw her community. Today, she’s passionate about showing young people that Jasper is a place full of care, connection, and opportunities to grow.
Civic Dispatch: Only in Jasper - How I Met the Secretary of Department of Workforce at Cracker Barrel
Only in Jasper can an introduction to Alabama’s Secretary of Workforce happen by chance at a Cracker Barrel on a rainy night. For intern Edward Fountain, that unexpected encounter led to a deeper conversation about Secretary Greg Reed’s journey from small-town roots to shaping statewide workforce development and economic growth. Grounded in both community and vision, Reed’s story reflects not just policy and progress, but also the personal connections that make a place like Jasper so unique.
Civic Dispatch: How a Food Truck Changed Lives in Jasper, Alabama
Rhonda and Thomas Martin never imagined their marriage would one day lead to founding Hope House, a church and food ministry in Jasper, Alabama. What began as a calling to create a welcoming space of worship has grown into a mission that serves over 1,000 meals a month, offering food, showers, laundry, counseling and, most importantly, community. Through their steadfast faith and compassion, the Martins have become a constant source of hope and love for Jasper’s homeless population and beyond.
Reflections from the 2025 Innovators in Civic Education Workshop
On July 10th, 2025, the David Mathews Center welcomed the 2025–2026 Innovators in Civic Education Fellows to the American Village for a day filled with immersive and historical experiences that can be utilized in the classroom. With a record number of applications, this year’s twenty-five fellows represent educators from Huntsville to Mobile, teaching subjects from English and Library Studies to Social Studies and Special Education. Fellows toured the Village, explored free statewide resources, and participated in a deliberative dialogue training using the 1776: What Would You Do? issue guide, leaving with tools, resources, and practices to bring civic learning to life for students across Alabama.
Welcoming 2025 Summer Intern Grace McDermitt!
The Mathews Center is happy to welcome back intern Grace McDermitt! Grace is returning to the DMC after being an intern last summer and is excited to engage with communities around the state.
The DMC Goes South
Like the summers before, the Mathews Center’s June began with a trip down south to Blakeley State Park for our annual teacher workshop, partnering with Executive Director Mike Bunn and staff. This year’s trip entailed a little more adventure, however, with a three-day trip including a stay at the state park’s cabins and excursions to both Mobile and Chatom to support other DMC programming.
DMC Board Honors Cristin Brawner on the Eve of New Position
During its May 7, 2025, meeting, the Board of Directors passed a resolution of appreciation honoring Cristin Brawner’s many contributions to the David Mathews Center for Civic Life.
Passed by unanimous acclamation, the resolution thanked Brawner for her “faithful, untiring devotion to the mission of the David Mathews Center…for her commitment to civic engagement in the State of Alabama and beyond, and for her work to strengthen the crucial, ongoing causes of public education, the deliberative and democratic exchange of ideas, and the preservation of our democracy.”
Reflections from the 2025 Board Retreat
The David Mathews Center Board of Directors gathered for their annual retreat in early May at the Rotunda at the American Village.
This in-person meeting brought together a diverse group of board members, from founding members to alumni of the Jean O’Connor-Snyder Internship Program (JOIP), to reflect on their shared experiences with Dr. Mathews and envision the future for the Mathews Center.
From Conversation to Action: Youth Mental Health in Clay County
From connection to collaboration to action. The communities of Ashland and Clay County are putting those words into practice, this time, through the lens of youth mental health.
At the beginning of the year, longtime community partner Tina Nolen reached out to spark a deeper conversation around bullying. However, one key perspective was still missing: the voices of students. A few weeks later, that missing piece walked through the library doors.
This blog follows how Camryn Humphries, a 4-H Roth Scholar and junior at Clay County High School, teamed up with Nolen and a group of local partners, including the DMC, to center student voice, start meaningful conversations, and take real steps toward change.
Reimagining Community: Innovation, Inspiration, and Connection at Your Town Alabama
McKenzie Civic Fellow Chauntina Whittle represented the DMC at this year's Your Town Alabama. This annual workshop provides community leaders with critical tools for organizing, recruiting, and strategically developing community and economic development projects while retaining the things that make a small or rural town special.
2025 - 2026 JOIP Request for Proposals
The David Mathews Center for Civic Life is pleased to announce our Jean O’Connor-Snyder Internship Request for Proposals for the 2025-2026 academic year!
Applications Open for 2025 - 2026 Innovators in Civic Education Fellowship
The Mathews Center is thrilled to announce that applications are now open for our 2025 - 2026 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.
Reflections on the 2025 JOIP Retreat
During the last weekend of January, the DMC was joined by nearly forty students and faculty in Montgomery to celebrate our 2025 Retreat for the Jean O’Connor-Snyder Internship Program.
The 2024-2025 JOIP includes seven programs from six different schools: University of Alabama, Auburn University, Troy University, University of South Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), University of Montevallo. Each program takes a unique approach to connecting students with their communities - whether through public forums, oral history projects, or hands-on initiatives. By collaborating with local partners, students apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, developing skills in deliberation, leadership, and civic engagement. Through these experiences, JOIP continues to foster meaningful connections between students and the communities they serve.
Honoring the Work of Dr. Joffre T. Whisenton, Longtime DMC Board Member
During its February 7, 2025, meeting, the DMC Board of Directors passed a resolution honoring the life and work of Dr. Joffre T. Whisenton, a longtime Board member whose term of service ended in January.
As the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Alabama, Dr. Whisenton helped pave the way for future generations. His work as an educator, administrator, community advocate, and special assistant for educational policy at the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare alongside Dr. David Mathews continues to inspire.