Confused about voting? Just curious? We’ve compiled an A – Z list of definitions, resources, and deep dives to demystify the voting process. Whether you’re looking for more information about absentee voting or just geeking out about electoral history, we’ve got you covered.

November is Native American Heritage Month! We want to take time to honor the histories, cultures, and stories of indigenous people groups. To learn more about Native American culture, young students can read the book The Star People: A Lakota Story. In November, we will partner with the Albert L. Scott Public Library to commemorate Native American Heritage month.

We partnered with the National Conference on Citizenship and University of Alabama to talk about a new approach to teaching history.

We are hosting a free, virtual professional development opportunity titled Teaching Difficult History: Discussing Reconstruction in the Classroom. This workshop will include two modules that can be completed at your own pace, and one live Zoom session from 4-6 p.m on October 28th. Participants who complete the workshop will be eligible for 4 clock hours of professional learning.You can register for the workshop here.

Alabama citizens have until October 31 to complete the 2020 Census and have their voices heard! By submitting your data to the Census Bureau, you help allocate funding and resources that benefit your community. Alabama-specific information can be found at https://census.alabama.gov/. Get counted today!

This month, the David Mathews Center will launch a new weekly newsletter called Homeroom! Families can use Homeroom as a guide in developing civic engagement skills, understanding history, and growing in citizenship. Families can sign up for this weekly newsletter here.

We're happy to announce that AmeriCorps member Abby Holcombe has joined our team thanks to the YWCA of Central Alabama’s "Building Communities, Bettering Lives" program.

Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Harrison Carter interviews Elba Mayor Mickey Murdoch on the ups and downs he has faced in his decade of service.

Mickey Murdock came home to Elba after four years in the military hoping to build a successful life. A long-time resident, Murdock grew to love the community as he raised his family.

What he never imagined was becoming a politician.

That changed in 2011 when he took office as Elba’s mayor after the untimely death of Mayor James Grimes.

Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Laynie Snyder emphasizes the work being done by Walker County organizations to address the opioid crisis and how they have adapted during the pandemic.

I know that it would be very difficult for most of us to find one area of our lives that COVID has not dramatically changed. Generally, I think it is fair to say that many people are doing the most they can do to address the challenges that COVID has caused. Originally that meant finishing the school year out online, restaurants serving food only via delivery or take-out, and working from home if possible – even as a civic engagement intern.

However, it's pretty easy to see that the introduction of COVID has also exacerbated some pre-existing issues in communities, and just because we are in the midst of a pandemic doesn't mean that we can overlook or stop working on these other issues. Walker County, AL, has been in the midst of an opioid epidemic for over a decade, and COVID has absolutely had an impact on the county's continued response. 

Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Thomas Chapman highlights a young leader making a difference in the Chatom community. Chatom resident Sean Atchison is a teen who works hard for the change he wants to see happen. The recent graduate of Washington County High School, where he served as student body president, is an advocate for his community.

Jessica Ross, head of Washington County Library, said, “He has a passion for civic involvement and social justice, and it makes an impact among peers for sure, but also among adults.”

Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Ariel Jones considers the new meaning of "home" through the lens of serving the Jasper community as a remote intern.“Home” means something different to everyone. For some, “home” immediately sparks a picture image of a front porch swing, or children playing in a backyard. For others, “home” may be the names of family members, or the smell of fresh baked squash casserole. In the time of Covid-19, when many Alabamians are stuck in place, I find myself reflecting on “home,” the things that keep us there, the things that bring us back, and how the pandemic has affected my perception of the word itself. 

Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Amy Clark reflects on the impact of COVID-19 on the outdoor sports industry in Alabama's Black Belt.

The outdoor sports industry in Alabama’s Black Belt continues to flourish as more and more Alabamians head outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The David Mathews Center for Civic Life is pleased to announce Dr. Mark Wilson as the recipient of the David Mathews Center for Civic Life’s 2020 Jean O’Connor-Snyder Award. Dr. Wilson is a longtime partner of the Mathews Center and the longest-serving Jean O’Connor-Snyder Internship Program faculty mentor.

The Jean O’Connor-Snyder Award annually recognizes an Alabama community leader who has empowered others in the spirit of Jean O’Connor-Snyder. Award winners are epitomized by their unique ability to uncover the potential in others. Jean O’Connor-Snyder Award recipients demonstrate a commitment to finding the worth in everyone and empowering others to use their talents to improve their communities.

The DMC hosted its second annual Innovators in Civic Education Teacher Fellows workshop on July 23 and 24. Teacher Fellows assist the DMC in educational programming by providing valuable insight on how to create the most relevant and useful resources for educators, both in the classroom and the community.

This year, our Fellows met remotely to receive training on a variety of civic education methods and programs. DMC Education Director Gabrielle Lamplugh explored the pedagogy of deliberation, former JOIP intern and Montevallo Junior City Council member Samuel Reece spoke on the role of student-led government in communities, DMC staff contributor Jessica Holdnak discussed the ins-and-outs of crafting historic and contemporary issue guides, and Dr. John Giggie shared how he incorporates place-based learning through “History of Us,” an African American History course at the University of Alabama.

The Mathews Center will host its annual Civic Institute on August 21st, 2020. The event will be held entirely online. The theme of this year's event is Common Bonds: Collective Purpose and Civic Resilience in Uncertain Times.

For the last few weeks, we’ve been focusing on different ways to use stories as a tool for civic skill-building. I hope the blogs about music and film offered a few helpful resources for using stories to encourage empathy, perspective-taking, and global awareness. Today, I will be sharing some of the DMC staff’s favorite books for civic skill building.

Like most of the world, I’ve spent a lot more time using streaming services recently. The other night I surprised myself by binging four straight hours of the Smithsonian Channels “America in Color.” It got me thinking about the often-overlooked potential of film and media in the classroom.Not only can film communicate content knowledge, but it can also be a tool for cultivating important civic skills like empathy, global awareness, and perspective-taking. 

In this first installment of Alabama Talks Back, we explore the connection between public health and social isolation. Our guests are Kristin Boggs, Executive Director of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, and Carson Klein, graduating medical student (UAB '20) and Schweitzer Fellow!

In the unconventional oasis of Montevallo, there is a broad range of educational opportunities. From Pre-K to a master’s degree, you can achieve a quality education at an affordable price. With this opportunity, the city hopes that young people in the education system would be willing to voice their opinion on how to better the city. The town receives opinions from University students, but not the youth of the city. This is where the Montevallo Students’ Institute is essential in uplifting youth voices and making an impact on the community.