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: 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.
Civic Dispatch: Leadership and Community in Walker County
Jean O’Connor-Snyder Intern Rylen Dempsey spent the summer in Walker County, Alabama, learning about the community and its leaders. At Jasper Lumber Company, Rylen met Plant Manager Cliff Beall, whose dedication to his faith, family, and community exemplifies servant leadership. Beall’s commitment to professional excellence and uplifting others highlights the positive impact of community-focused leadership.
Civic Dispatch: Williams’ decades of dedication benefits children in Camden
Jean O’Connor-Snyder Intern Naomi Taylor spent the summer in Camden, Alabama, learning about the impactful work of Alfreda G. Williams. At nearly 80 years old, Williams continues to serve the children of Wilcox County through the Camden Community Youth Development Center, which she helped establish in 1993. Her dedication to education and community service has made a lasting positive difference in countless children's lives.
Civic Dispatch: Thursday Night Trivia — Strengthening Civic Life in Third Spaces
Jean O’Connor-Snyder Intern Raegan Harris explores Jasper, Alabama’s community revitalization through the story of Drew Gilbert, owner of Tallulah Brewing Company. Gilbert’s brewery has become a vital gathering place, fostering connections and strengthening the town’s social fabric.
Civic Dispatch: Quest to preserve Elba’s history reveals need for local museum
Jean O’Connor-Snyder Intern Elisha Oyola explores the rich history of Elba, Alabama, through the efforts of the Elba History Committee. This dedicated group has not only published the book “Elba: Then and Now, 1853-2013,” but is also striving to establish a museum to preserve and share local artifacts and stories for future generations.
Civic Dispatch: Finding a Why in Recovery — Lessons from Mr. Larry Leeth and Fellowship House
Jean O’Connor-Snyder Intern Chloe Kaplan spent the summer in Walker County, Alabama, conducting a needs assessment for Fellowship House. Through her work, Chloe discovered the unwavering dedication of the staff, especially peer support specialist Larry Leeth, who inspires clients on their recovery journeys with his own story of transformation and hope.
Civic Dispatch: Chatom to celebrate colorful new mural
This summer, Jean O’Connor-Snyder Intern Hayley Platt returns to her hometown of Chatom, Alabama, excited to give back and deepen her connection with the community that helped shape her character.
Civic Dispatch: Combatting Brain Drain in Rural Alabama
Jean O’Connor-Snyder Intern Cassie Childress explores the impact of the 'brain drain' in rural Alabama through the story of Morgan Curry, Grants Manager for the Walker Area Community Foundation. Curry's journey sheds light on the efforts to attract and retain young professionals in his hometown of Jasper, Alabama.
2024-2025 JOIP Request for Proposals
The David Mathews Center for Civic Life is pleased to announce our Jean O’Connor-Snyder Internship Call for Proposals for the 2024-2025 academic year!
Through this program, we work with faculty and students from colleges and universities across the state. These individuals dedicate time to working alongside Alabamians who are striving to improve their communities. We are equally indebted to these community partners who welcome students and faculty into their hometowns to practice immersive civic learning together. Immersive civic learning is characterized by active, continuous participation in both formal and informal civic spaces, and through personal experiences with a community and its individuals.
A Weekend of Connection: The 2024 Jean O’Connor Snyder Internship Program Retreat
To end the month of January, the David Mathews Center headed south to host the 2024 Jean O’Connor Snyder Internship Program Retreat! Joined by over 30 students and faculty mentors from six colleges and universities across the state, interns spent the weekend exploring their projects, discovering more about civil rights and small towns in Alabama, and forming connections with one another.
Civic Dispatch: Summer in hometown fuels passion for rural communities
Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Jessica Criswell recounts her summer in her hometown of Chatom, where she was able to reconnect with her community and childhood with a new perspective.
Civic Dispatch: Living democracy in Camden provides deep appreciation for hometown, role of citizens
Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Kaitlin Stabler reflects on the relationships and experiences she had reconnecting with her hometown of Camden this summer.
Civic Dispatch: Spending summer in Elba becomes ‘best decision’
Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Mikailie Caulder describes the impactful summer she had working with a wide variety of compassionate and vibrant members of the Elba community this summer, where she even rediscovered her dream of becoming a veterinarian.
A Look into Summer JOIP: Visits Across the State
During the month of July, the Mathews Center had the amazing opportunity to visit some of our Jean O’Connor-Snyder Interns from the University of Alabama, Troy University, and Auburn University. While visiting, our team got to have one-on-one time with the interns to discuss their experiences working with communities over the summer.
Civic Dispatch: A History of Fellowship
Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Madi Skinner describes how the combined efforts of a local church can overcome barriers to create a more inclusive and lasting relationship within the community.
Civic Dispatch: Making a Home – Jasper’s Recovery Den
Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Olivia Goble explains how a community member transformed her own hardships into passion and a purpose to create a safe haven in her hometown of Jasper.
Civic Dispatch: A Problem in a Hard Place Meets a Veteran’s Embrace
Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Tanner Jones describes how the passion for education in one individual can create a lasting difference for the Walker County community, especially through collaborative efforts.