YOUTHVILLE DETROIT'S SENIOR STAFF
Judith Jackson
Judith D. Jackson, President & CEO of YouthVille Detroit, holds a Master of Social Work/Policy and Planning and Community Organization from Washington University and is the Immediate Past National President of the National Association of Black Social Workers, Inc.

Formerly Executive Director of Franklin-Wright Settlements, Inc., Ms. Jackson has a wealth of human service management and program development experience as well as policy development background working for the advancement of families and neighborhoods.

She has worked with Family and Neighborhood Services of Wayne County if Michigan, Department of Mental Health in the State of New York and with former Congressman Williams Clay.
Active in civic and community affairs, she is the Vice President of Plymouth Educational Charter School, member of the Community Impact Council of United Way of Southeastern Michigan, University of Michigan Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning national board member, and Executive Board member of the Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative. Along with Dr. Gerald K. Smith, Ms. Jackson has helped establish YouthVille Detroit as an important resource for Detroit’s neighborhoods and its youth.


David R. Buckler
David R. Buckler, C.P.A. and Chief Financial Officer of YouthVille Detroit, provides leadership in finance, technology and human resources. Mr. Buckler has extensive experience working for both non-profits and for-profit organizations.

Prior to his 10 + years in non-profits, he was CFO at Dykema Gossett a multi-office law firm, Senior Vice President and CFO at Michigan National Bank of Detroit (now merged into Bank of America), and an Audit Supervisor at Deloitte & Touche CPA’s.

Mr. Buckler is an active community volunteer and currently services in boards and committees of Habitat for Humanity Detroit, Nonprofit Centers Network, First Children’s Finance and as assistant treasurer role at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church. Mr. Buckler has also taught accounting at Detroit College of Business (now Davenport University).


Anthony E. Thompson
Anthony E. Thompson, Managing Director of YouthVille Detroit, is a licensed MSW Social Worker in the State of Michigan and holds a Master of Science from the University of Louisville.

Formerly the Senior Deputy Director and COO for the District of Columbia Department of Mental Health, Mr. Thompson has been recognized as a change agent for stabilizing mental health organizations, as President and CEO of Wayne Center, CEO of the Pauline Warfield Lewis Center for the Ohio Department of Mental Health, and CEO of Woodside Hospital in Ohio.

He is also a graduate of Leadership Youngstown. With a distinguished career spanning over thirty years overseeing multi-million dollar budgets, managing and directing professional, nonprofessional and union employees and working with community agencies and civic groups, Mr. Thompson is well poised to provide leadership to YouthVille Detroit’s multi-tenant, multi-program center for youth.


Rita R. Clark
Rita R. Clark, Program Director of YouthVille Detroit, is a licensed Master of Social Worker, holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism from Wayne State University and has served in many capacities in the human services profession.

Her responsibilities include but are not limited to staff supervision, training, instruction, fostering collaborations, advocacy, grants management, youth media & technology programming, workforce skills development, leadership, prevention programs and creating positive youth development outcomes.

Professional history includes but is not limited to professional development, consultation and prevention training for youth and adults throughout metropolitan Detroit and Michigan.
Well versed on issues related to domestic, sexual and violence prevention, HIV/AIDS, GLBTQ youth, conflict resolution, life skills development, parenting and youth service learning. Ms. Clark’s 20 years of professional history extends from youth sports and recreation, collegiate instruction, grief, loss and trauma, juvenile justice, foster care, wraparound, multisystem therapy, substance abuse counseling, prison re-entry, employability training, grant writing, youth leadership development, program design, development, implementation and youth media training.

Her passion to “touch lives and make a difference” has been both her personal and professional commitment. She is sincere in her efforts to bring forth positive change to affect the lives of youth. She is committed to encouraging and promoting youth excellence through her work.


Mattalyn Love Jones
Mattalyn Love Jones, Executive Assistant to the President of YouthVille Detroit, provides leadership and executive support assistance in the areas of governance (Board of Directors, Nominating Committee, Development Committee, Strategic Planning Committee), administration, staff development and training.

Mrs. Jones was previously Director of Operations for Wayne Center, and Office Manager for Margo E. Williams & Associates Public Relations Firm. Her background also includes a 14-year history of numerous leadership positions with United Community Services, where she honed her skills as an executive support professional and manager in the areas of program, research, planning, and administration.

Mrs. Jones, a recipient of the Spirit of Detroit Award, attended Wayne State University and Shaw College at Detroit. She is a member of the National Association of Black Social Workers and The Arts League Community Council.