Photo Courtesy of William Townley
Here comes the Judge! Judge Greg Mathis that is. When running for Michigan’s 36th District court 19 years ago, Judge Mathis found himself under attack from the media for the challenges he faced as a young adult serving time in jail. However, the negative publicity backfired, winning him a seat as the youngest judge in Michigan history and eventually attracting the attention of Hollywood.
Not only does Judge Mathis appear on our television screens weekly with his entertaining yet objective court cases, he visits The Mathis Community Center in Detroit as often as he can. Recently, Mathis along with the Detroit Parenting Network hosted a forum at the Mathis Community Center to promote parent involvement in their children’s activities, in conjunction with President Obama’s Fatherhood Initiative.
“Working with President Obama, the Detroit Parent Network and holding the event at The Mathis Community Center allows us to work with parents and youth to give them some of the skills they need to empower themselves. … The majority of households, not only African American, are headed by single parents and they need help,” explained Mathis. “These forums convey ideas to struggling single parents to help give their child the type of preparation that they need while parents go out and bring home the bacon, so to speak. We also give out materials that parents can take with them and read over in the future.”
Growing up in a single family household himself, Mathis understands the impact of being raised without a father. “No father in the house for young men causes them to be taught a twisted form of manhood that they learn from the streets,” says Mathis.
Another factor contributing to problems with children in single family homes is the lack of income or inadequate income. “ Unfortunately, Urban America households live in poverty in many instances because of one parent income”, says Mathis.
Judge Greg Mathis ended the evening by presenting five Detroit teens with the Judge Mathis”Education & Excellence Scholarship, giving $1,000 to each student to pursue their academic aspirations. Congratulations to recipient Camyrea Barnes, a Cass Technical High School senior. Barnes who tragically lost her mother and sister in a deadly house fire this fall, soldiers on to build a life that she and her family can be proud of.
The Mathis Community Center is open Mon-Sat call 313-342-8582 for hours.
“Judge Mathis” Airs Weekdays at 9:00am and 4:00pm on Detroit’s CW 50.
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