MATFORCE Spotlight

February 2023

Director's Corner

Erin Mabery, Executive Director

Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters

In 2009, I began attending Verde committee meetings with this new coalition that offered impactful programs that directly served the same families my agency served. It was obvious this coalition, MATFORCE, was passionate about prevention, perfectly in line with the projects we were offering in the Verde Valley.

Through the years, so many agencies and individuals have continued to benefit from the amazing programs MATFORCE has offered from parenting classes to trauma informed care programming, to recovery efforts and substance abuse awareness campaigns, reentry programs and suicide prevention, all things benefiting the families I have served throughout my career.

Currently, I am the Executive Director of Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters, one of few Yavapai County nonprofits, much like MATFORCE, that serve all of Yavapai County.

I am honored to be able to give back to this agency by providing fiduciary guidance and feedback to support the amazing staff and volunteers as a Board Member.

My favorite quote is from Walt Disney, who said, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” MATFORCE is the perfect example of doing what would seemingly be impossible, and I am beyond honored to contribute to the organization in this capacity.

Prevention Champion

Tom Benson

Community Volunteer

Lots of people wonder if they have made a difference during their lifetime. Yavapai Reentry Project (YRP) Community Coaches don’t have that problem. Their reward is seeing their participant, who often becomes their friend as well, make a successful reentry back into society. The participant is the one that deserves the most credit for the change, but as a coach we give encouragement, advice, support, and maybe even a slight push, from time to time, that helps with the change.

YRP is a major success. Since 2021, sixty individuals returning from the Department of Corrections have been matched with a coach or YRP staff. Only one of these individuals has returned to prison, giving the project a 1% recidivism rate.

However, right now we need help. There has been an increase in men returning from incarceration and we urgently need more coaches.

For more information on becoming a Community Coach or to schedule a presentation for your organization about this volunteer opportunity, contact YRP at (928) 708-0100 or info@YavapaiReentryProject.org.

Community Impact | Willard

Yavapai Reentry Project, a program of MATFORCE

I was born and raised in Nevada, and just passing through when I got in trouble and put on probation in Arizona. I honestly had no idea what I was going to do since all my family, and everything, was in Nevada. When I got out of jail, I had to go to a sober living house and had no idea how I was going to pay for this since I had no job. My roommate told me that I should call the Yavapai Reentry Project.

Within 2 days of calling, Jessica met with me. She helped me with rides to handle any appointments or to go get groceries. She also set me up with a peer coach named Steve that helped me with my finances and if I just needed to talk, he was there. Thank you Jessica, Steve and Yavapai Reentry Project.

For more information about the Yavapai Reentry Project

visit YavapaiReentryProject.org.

Calendar of Events

Visit matforce.org for more information about events and how to register.

Visit our Website

Parenting Teens in the Digital World

[virtual presentation]

Facilitators discuss navigating a digital world that is pursuing our children. Technology can be good, but it can also cause harm. As more and more children are given access to smartphones, we are seeing an increase in mental health issues, sleep problems, and learning delays. Find out what this means for our children.

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

10:00 am to 11:00 am

From Inmate to Citizen

Virtual and in person options available!

Join us if you have a loved one that is incarcerated or want to learn more about the barriers people face returning to the community after being incarcerated.

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

5:30 pm to 7:00 pm

Parenting the Love and Logic Way

Parents often wonder if it's really possible to raise well-adjusted kids while at the same time trying to manage an incredibly hectic and stressful work and family life. Discover effective ways to lessen the stress of raising great kids and help find balance in a hectic life.

Starts Saturday, February 25, 2023

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

MATFORCE is a community organization that educates and raises awareness about substance use issues. With over 300 active volunteers, MATFORCE encompasses the belief that stopping drug use before it starts through primary prevention strategies is an essential part of building healthier communities.

Programs of MATFORCE include drug prevention education in the schools, the Yavapai Reentry Project, Trauma Lens Care, public awareness and education campaigns, the Substance Abuse Leaders of Arizona and advocating for policy change at the state and local level. For more information about MATFORCE visit our family of websites:

matforce.org

MarijuanaHarmlessThinkAgain.org

YavapaiReentryProject.org

CommunityReentryProjectsAZ.org

MATFORCE | info@matforceaz.org | (928) 708-0100