WHO WE ARE l THE PROBLEM l THE SOLUTION l OUR VISION l DIRECTORS & ADVISORS

"You need only do three things to avoid poverty in this country: finish high school, marry before having a child, and marry after the age of 20. Only 8% of families who do this are poor; 79% of those who fail to do this are poor."                                        -William Galston, former Advisor to President Bill Clinton

What is the problem?

Central Virginia is a haven for business with a vaunted history, physical beauty, and quality of life. But beneath the community’s growth, environmental health and vibrant economy lies the hidden fact that many families are in crisis. Divorce, absent fathers and out-of-wedlock births are compromising the future of Richmond’s children and our entire community!

Most residents agree that the family is the main building block of society. Still we must face these startling facts:

• More than a third of children in metropolitan Richmond are born to unmarried women
• In the city of Richmond, 61.4% of children are born to unmarried women
• In the city of Richmond, over 80% of African-American children are born to single women
• Only 41.7% of Richmond households with children under 18 are headed by a married couple according to 2000 Census figures
• Fatherlessness is growing because of divorce and reduced numbers of marriages, impacting crime rates, and social services costs dramatically 

> The Solution