(MEMPHIS, TN – October 18, 2023) Local nonprofit Families Matter, Inc. is partnering with Mt. Vernon Baptist Church and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office to host its Each One Reach One Fatherhood Forum on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, located at 620 Parkrose Avenue, Memphis, TN 38109.
“Our goal of the forum is to bring the community together to promote positive fatherhood and strengthen family bonds,” said Carol Jackson, Executive Director of Families Matter, Inc. “We are thrilled to partner with the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office and Mt. Vernon Baptist Church to bring this vision to life.”
During the forum, there will be a leadership panel at noon to discuss the importance of the father’s role in strengthening family bonds and its impact on the community. Facilitated by Rev. Melvin Watkins of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, the panelists consist of the following:
• Earnest Brooks, Associate Deputy District Attorney for the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office
• Antonio Harvey, Memphis-Shelby County Schools Family and Community Engagement (FACE)
• Rev. Kenric Conway, Mt. Vernon Baptist Church
• Antwan Bohanon, Customized Veterans Group
• Tracey Driver, MAXIMUS Shelby County Child Support Services
• Patrick Batson, Program Director for Families Matter’s AFIRM program
“We are providing a platform for experts, professionals, community leaders and individuals who are passionate about the well-being of fathers and their families to come together, share insights and collaborate on strategies to support and empower fathers in their roles,” said Jackson.
Several community vendors will be on-site to provide resources for our attendees. The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office and Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk’s Office will provide expungement resources, the City of Memphis’ Office of Youth Services will provide information about their programs, Baptist Memorial Hospital will provide free health screenings, and the Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center will provide financial literacy resources. In addition, there will be on-the-spot hiring, resources from the Shelby County Community Services Agency, free haircuts, free food and more.
Representatives from Families Matter’s pilot program, A Father’s Involvement Really Matters (AFIRM), will also be in attendance to help attendees register for the program. Funded by the Tennessee Department of Human Services’ Tennessee Opportunity Act, AFIRM is designed to assist low-income fathers, ages 18–40 in Memphis and Shelby County, by connecting them to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or assistance with a recent child support order. Those interested in attending can register for free at bit.ly/AFIRMForum.
For more information or if you would like to interview someone about the forum, contact Jennifer Sharp, The Carter Malone Group, LLC, at 901.278.0881 or
jsharp@cmgpr.com. About Families Matter, Inc.
Founded in 2004, Families Matter, Inc. is a non-profit organization and resource center that serves families via schools, churches, hospitals, and a variety of community partners to educate, enhance, and encourage our clients to become their best selves. Their educational offerings include workshops for couples and single parents and offerings for youth and a parenting boot camp for new dads. They also can connect individuals and couples to counseling services around their area. To learn more about Families Matter, Inc., visit www.familiesmattermemphis.org.