Bill Coffin, US HHS.ACF Special Assistant for Marriage Education reported that this was the "first ever Community Coalition on Marriage with Federal, Regional and State Government Representatives attending" in Richmond, VA on July 25, 2002.  The Community Marriage Initiative Coalition was hosted by Marriage Builders Alliance of Richmond with a number of community leaders and senior clergy/ministry leaders representing primarily black churches. Others represented Abstinence & Fatherhood programs serving the Urban minority Community including the Salvation Army Commander and state and local Social Services. 

 The meeting was a significant beginning with clear spirit of cooperation throughout!  A unique representation across discipline, denomination and race with the single purpose of sharing resources to strengthen marriages in the community, this is one of the front runners in the nation, reported David Lett, US HHS.ACF Regional Director.  Since then a number of public forums have been held including the 2004 African American Healthy Marriage Initiative and others.  

Bob Ruthazer, CFLE, Executive Director for the coalition, says that they have a passion for impacting the community in practical ways in this one vital issue that keeps them in focus and out of the distracting disagreements they could have over doctrine, politics and other issues that might otherwise divide!  Everyone can agree that we want to help marriages start out and stay on a strong foundation and that we want to reduce the devastating impact of divorce and absent fathers on children!  We work with churches because they are a natural point of contact for these couples and young families.  We can effect community  change through Marriage Education & Counseling Resources, Marriage Mentors, Step Family Support Groups and public awareness.

  Marriage and Family are both  institutions created from the beginning of time and are the building blocks of our entire community and society!  We need to work together to reverse the alarming trends that began in the 60's without giving up the good that has come in these last decades... moving ahead, not backward.

  Beginning in 2003, we obtained our first public funds to train Marriage Mentor Couples in the urban African-American community.  We also identified another agency who have had phenomenal success in their community:  First Things First in Chattanooga, Tennessee spearheaded a 28 % drop in divorce filings and a 23% decrease in teen out-of-wedlock pregnancies in  a community with demographics similar to that of Richmond.

  In 2004, we affiliated with Chattanooga and became First Things First of Greater Richmond.  We have since reached out to an even wider network of concerned people from government, business, civic groups, and education.  We continue to be intentional about reaching across racial, ethnic, and religious lines.

  By establishing First Things First of Greater Richmond, using proven “best practices” , we will build marriages and strengthen families!

 

Bob Ruthazer, CFLE
Exec Director (804) 288-3431 x-13

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