SHARE:  
Helping to Strengthen and Educate Fathers
in Our Community
At Families Matter – Our Families Matter.
The staff members of Families Matter are accustomed to sharing their hearts with men and boys from Memphis, Shelby County and Jackson, Tennessee. Mr. Taylor, Mr. Batson, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Fykes and Mr. Jackson all give participants a secure outlet where transparency occurs and transformation begins. Their educational expertise in breaking down barriers involve them with individuals where tears are shed and barriers are broken. These men, every Monday evening and throughout the week, create safe spaces where men are able to share openly and honestly.

At Families Matter, we are intentional to support the family through education and advocacy - and that involves helping to shape men for the journey of manhood and fatherhood. I have heard these men share with sincerity the steps of becoming a man: 1) Boy, 2) Man, 3) Husband, 4) Father. With sincere intention, they are assisting men in understanding their role within the family structure. The educators enjoy sharing their lives in communities where our associates consider the educational efforts a calling from God rather than just work for pay. The men mentioned above have families and they will tell you “they are not perfect.” However, they have learned from their mistakes and now they choose to share their lives with others, hoping to eliminate unnecessary pain for their families and children. This month, I am dedicating this newsletter to the men who serve boys and men in our class sessions – the men of Families Matter.

May is a month when many families come together to celebrate high school and college graduations. Families Matter fathers, grandfathers and uncles smiled big as they celebrated with their graduates. For that reason, and to say Happy Father’s Day, highlighted below are their special graduates. 

Thank you, men of Families Matter, for your participation and wonderful gifting of teaching others from your toolbox of knowledge. Each of you brings something special to the organization and together you are an awesome team. I celebrate and salute you all. 

Carol A. Jackson
Executive Director
Congratulations to Class of 2021 Graduates!
Patrick Batson, Jr.
Son to Patrick Batson, Facilitator and Training Coordinator
DeAnna Ellis
Daughter to Gordon Fykes, Facilitator and Principles of Manhood Coordinator
Mia Gallegos
Grand Daughter to Herman Jackson, Fatherhood Director
Alivia Jackson
Grand Daughter to Herman Jackson, Fatherhood Director
Taylor Jackson
Grand Daughter to Ivory Jackson, Facilitator and Pastoral Coordinator
Darah Rogers
Niece to Herman Jackson, Fatherhood Director
Dynamic Dads
On June 12 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Families Matter will host a virtual Dynamic Dads class for new fathers and fathers-to-be. This curriculum inspires men to become engaged with their infants, support their mates, and personally navigate their transformation into becoming fathers. The class is offered in partnership with Methodist Germantown, Baptist East, Regional One, and St. Francis Hospital. For additional information on how to be a part of this class, contact Kheli Pearson at 901.260.8521 or kheli@fmmemphis.org.
Fiscal Year-End Giving
As we wrap up Fiscal Year 2020, we invite you to consider making a special donation to Families Matter in support of providing education and mentoring to men, boys, teens, and parents in Memphis and beyond. Your gift of any amount will be appreciated and can be given on our website or you can mail your gift to Families Matter, 2595 Central Ave, Memphis, TN 38104.
Families Matter to Receive Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Foundation Living Award
Each year, the Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare Foundation celebrates individuals and organizations who exemplify their healing, faith-based mission by impacting the community's health and well-being. We are excited that Families Matter was selected to be one of the 2020 Living Awards recipients. The awards benefit dinner honoring 2020 recipients will take place August 26, 2021 at the Peabody Hotel. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the awards dinner begins at 7:00 p.m. Please join us as we celebrate this honor with staff, supporters, friends, and collaborative partners.
Families Matter's Classes Are FREE!
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Did you know that all classes offered by Families Matter are FREE? We offer classes for men, women, and youth to help them develop parenting skills, relationship skills, and healthy character traits. Below is a list of the FREE classes we offer:

  • Dynamic Dads
  • Nurturing Parents
  • Connections: Relationships and Marriage for teens
  • SCS Family Forum
  • Lifeline to Success Healthy Relationships

Visit our website at FamiliesMatterMemphis.org for more information about our classes or contact Kheli Pearson at 901.260.8520 or kheli@fmmemphis.org for class dates and information on how to sign up.

“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” 
Aristotle, Greek
Address:
2595 Central Ave.
Memphis, TN, 38104
(901) 260-8520