July Program Agenda

Melanie Washington experienced more than her share of violence. Sexually molested and raped when she was still very young, she saw gang, domestic violence and prejudice tear apart her family and community. Her mother, sister and husband were all murdered. Then on December 26, 1995, her 19-year-old son was killed by a young gang member he had befriended, taken into his home and tried to help.

In examining the backgrounds of the offenders who had murdered her family members, Melanie learned that they had spent time in the California juvenile justice system. She resolved to help save others from experiencing the tragedy and grief she had known, and founded Mentoring-A Touch From Above (MATFA) (formerly Melanie’s A Touch From Above), to work with jailed youth, helping them take responsibility for their actions and then re-enter the community as responsible young men.

Many young people who previously showed no remorse, after meeting with Melanie they have faced their crimes, gained understanding of the people they have hurt, and have learned to ask their victims for forgiveness through her spiritual counseling.

It is a testament to Melanie’s remarkable spirit of forgiveness that she is currently mentoring the young man who killed her son more than five years ago. She is living her faith and helping make our communities a better place for all.

Many young lives have been turned around. Graduates of the program are working at stable jobs and attending college. They have become as asset rather than a threat to their communities.

• Melanie attended Los Angeles City College in Business Management in 1974.
• Have two living sons Timothy and Dale, three grandchildren and 3 non-biological grandchildren.
• Works in Supplier Management as a Material Analyst Level 3 for the Boeing Company.
• Has appeared on Channel 2 Hometown Hero segment of the news
• Has appeared on the Channel 4 News with Beverly White Stop the Violence.
• Guest speaker on KLOS 95.5 radio station and the KWAV 109.7 radio station.
• Featured in the Press Telegram, Oakland Tribune, Los Angeles Sentinel, and The Boeing News.
• Won the William Allen Award for the Volunteer of the Year in the Southwest region for the Boeing Company in 1999.
• Won the National Conference Community Justice Award in 2001.
• Given a proclamation from The Governor of California naming July 13, 2001 Melanie Washington Day in the State of California.
• Currently writing a book about STANDIN through the mist of the storms in our lives.
• Is featured in the Chicken Soup for the Volunteers Soul, July 2002, out of 5000 submissions.
• Guest speaker for many churches and other Youth programs through out Southern and Northern California.
• Attended the Dale Carnegie class and was invited back to the advancement class at the cost of the school, to prepare her to speak at a Carnegie Conference in 2004.
• Melanie received the Points of Light Presidential Community Service Award from President George W. Bush on December 13, 2002 at the Executive Building in Washington DC.
• The finalist of the Amelia Earhart Award in November of 2002 for Woman of Achievement.
• Has received many awards from the Boeing Company for her outstanding work as their employee.
• Received The Turning Point Magazine Award in the Category of Anti-Violence in Feb. 2003.
• Received the LA County Supervisor Award as Commission on Women Woman of the Year in March 2003.
• Received the Woman of Achievement Award from the Business Women Association South Bay Division.
• Recently received the Woman of the Year Award a very prestigious award from the Rickrackers Long Beach Auxiliary Women’s League on October 10, 2003.
• Received the Job Award from Eternal Praises in April 2004.
• Graduated from Leadership Long Beach Class of 2004 on June 24, 2004.
• Melanie is currently working with youth the age of 10-14 in the Unified School District in Long Beach.
• Spends many hours bringing HOPE to all that she comes across.
• Called to Ministry a few years ago and is now taking on that challenge to continue helping lives that are hurting, oppressed and in some sort of Bondage.

Tim Dowell was born and raised in Southern California and is the eldest of three boys.

Upon graduation from high school in 1992, Tim joined the U.S. Marine Corps. Over a 13 year career, he served as a Warehouse Clerk, Supply Administration Clerk, Security Guard and Supervisor, Military Policeman and Supervisor, Dispatcher and Supervisor, Physical Security Specialist, and finally, as a Security Director. His career took him from Okinawa, Japan to Camp Pendleton, California and finally, to Pohang, South Korea until his honorable discharge in 2005.

From early 2006 until 2008, Tim worked for a well-known fitness corporation as a Fitness Counselor, Sales Manager, and Personal Trainer until he decided to try his hand at a new career, Executive Protection.

Throughout 2008, as an Executive Protection Agent, Tim worked with a number of celebrities and corporations providing personal, asset and estate security. In the latter portion of the year, Tim decided that he wanted to do more to help others and that a career change would be necessary.

Presently, Tim works in Housing Development for a charitable organization that mentors "at-risk" and incarcerated youth. The organization also provides transitional housing for young parolees who are seeking to become productive members of society.