Families Matter spotlights family programs at Memphis gala

Families Matter marked its annual Collaborate & Celebrate Dinner Gala in Memphis with remarks, performances and participant stories focused on fatherhood, mentoring and family-strengthening programs. The event highlighted the nonprofit’s work with youth, fathers and families across the Mid-South and its push to prevent families from reaching crisis points.

Why it matters: - Families Matter is leaning on free, evidence-based programs to strengthen families in Memphis and across the Mid-South. - The nonprofit says its work helps improve healthy relationships, responsible parenting and positive youth development. - The organization frames fatherhood support and mentoring as tools to prevent families from reaching crisis situations.

What happened: - Families Matter hosted about 200 community leaders, supporters, program participants and partners at its annual Collaborate & Celebrate Dinner Gala at Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis. - The gala centered on the nonprofit’s mission of strengthening families, changing lives and transforming Memphis. - Brad Morrow, pastor to young adults at Second Presbyterian Church, opened the evening with a welcome and prayer. - Barbara Jackson Sago performed a musical selection early in the program. - Kenneth Glass, chair of the Families Matter Board of Directors, greeted guests. - Dee Henley also performed for attendees. - After dinner, attendees heard from the Connections relationship education program and the 12 Principles of Manhood initiative. - Educator Michael Hoots and students Asia Cox, Calos Watkins and Orin Butterick described how the programs helped them build healthy relationships, character and life skills. - Participants also credited program manager Patrick Batson and other program leaders for encouragement and support. - Carol Jackson, executive director of Families Matter, recognized program leaders and mentors who help run Families Matter programming throughout the Mid-South. - Barbara Jackson-Sago and Ivory Jackson, master trainer for AFIRM, delivered another musical performance. - Dr. Altha Stewart, senior associate dean for community engagement at UT Health Science Center, spoke about her commitment to improving family well-being in Memphis. - Michael Arnold, faith community relationship manager, moderated a fireside chat with AFIRM participants Quinton Brittenum and Damion Norfleet. - Brittenum and Norfleet shared how AFIRM strengthened their relationships with their children, improved co-parenting skills and supported personal growth. - Glass closed the evening with remarks, and Gordon Fykes, manager of the 12 Principles of Manhood program, gave the closing prayer.

The details: - Families Matter partners with schools, churches and community organizations to offer free educational and family-strengthening programs. - The program lineup includes the 12 Principles of Manhood, Connections, Dynamic Dads, Raising Highly Capable Kids, The Nurturing Parenting Program and AFIRM, short for A Father’s Involvement Really Matters. - The organization describes its programs as evidence-based and designed to equip youth and adults with practical skills. - Those skills are intended to strengthen families, promote healthy decision-making and keep families out of crisis. - Carol Jackson said stronger families create stronger communities. - Jackson said investing in fathers, parents, young people and healthy relationships is an investment in Memphis’s future. - Jackson said Collaborate & Celebrate recognizes the people, partners and participants who make that work possible. - For more information or to support the mission, Families Matter directs people to call (901) 260-8520 or visit the organization’s website. - The organization also listed social media pages on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and X.

Between the lines: - The gala functioned as both a fundraiser-style community gathering and a public proof point for Families Matter’s model of combining faith-based support, education and mentoring. - Participant testimony took center stage, which suggests the organization is using lived experience to show program impact rather than relying only on institutional metrics. - The emphasis on fathers and co-parenting reflects a broader push to frame family stability as a community-development issue, not just a private one.

What's next: - Families Matter is expected to keep delivering its free programs through partners across the region. - The nonprofit appears to be building momentum around father involvement, relationship education and youth development as it seeks broader community support. - Families Matter is inviting donors and supporters to contact the organization for more information or contributions.