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Mathis expressed how honored he was to speak to and enter into a partnership with the club that describes itself as “people helping people in the belief that hope for tomorrow happens today.”
The topic of Mathis’ talk was “Our Enduring Legacy,” which explored the drug and alcohol epidemic and the kind of legacy that a community chooses to leave behind for its children and grandchildren.
Mathis discussed the importance of being an active participant in creating a stronger, healthier community and the choice one has to be a positive influence on children in the face of this crisis.
“The problem of addiction crosses cultural lines,” Mathis said. “It affects children at every income level. A parent struggling with alcohol and drug addiction cannot truly be there for their child no matter how much they may love that child.”
Since Mathis joined Liberation Programs in 2006, the agency has increased the number of people served by 38 percent, reduced wait times for treatment and expanded access to wrap-around social services, including a transitional employment program and increased access to primary medical services.
Working with the board of directors, the agency developed a permanent supportive housing complex in Norwalk for women and their children. Mathis is a frequent speaker in the community.
Before joining Liberation Programs, Mathis served as president and CEO at the Lower Eastside Service Center providing housing and primary medical, addiction and mental health services in New York City. He also served on New York City’s mental health and hygiene policy advisory board. He has a master’s degree in public policy and management from the University of New York at Stony Brook. He also studied public policy at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
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