At-Risk Youth Benefit from Relationship Education
“When are you gonna come back and talk more about that sex thing?”
The question is commonly asked of Community Day High School in Santa Ana teacher Michael Gonzales. This summer, Hispanic community healthy families organization, AMOR de Orange County (AOC) has been partnering with area youth programs to educate teenagers on vital information.
The program taught, Love U2, is a series of units that help young people acquire practical skills for emotionally healthy and ethically sound relationships. Some of the seven principles are “Don’t try to change someone into someone he or she is not.” “Don’t play games, be phony, or pressure someone.” “Expect respect. Have standards for what you expect.”
While participating, students discuss a scene or social issue, then work through healthy and productive ways to handle the situation.
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, high schools, and junior high schools have all held the seminars. One of the most successful events was held at the Community Day High School in Santa Ana troubled youth were 75% of the students are adjudicated. The full school of 110 students participated in the eight-classroom program. AOC executive director, Ariel Meza, states, “The kids have been kicked out of their schools, they are on their last leg. The next stop is juvenile hall. We get a chance to reach then in the midst of their hopelessness.”
At the six week Love U2 event, Friday evening provided a night of fun with music, bands, and even a car show. There are guest speakers ranging from gang intervention specialists to reformed convicts. Then the students have break out session. The next day is when the more intensive seminar was taught.
Gonzales, who has been working with at-risk students for seven years, said,
“It was a grand, beautiful event. The students responded positive were joyous about the occasion. They students really liked the content of the lessons. They didn’t realize the different dynamics of relationships and dating and the stuff that can get them in trouble. They accepted wholeheartedly the lessons and concepts. It was addressing their needs, issues, problems, traumas, and experiences in a safe environment. In the end, after the 8 lessons, it was a progressive learning experience for them, by the last lesson they were completely silent. Getting them to listen is how know you did something good their. I have calls from parents asking us to come back.”
For more information about AMOR de Orange County, visit AMORdeOC.org or contact MichaelG@oclfl.org.
RELATED ARTICLES:
>> Statewide Survey Reveals Hispanic Marriage Paradox: Want Marriage but Don’t Marry
Hispanic Couples Flock to World Class Marriage
Connecting Marriage Education with the Hispanic community is a challenge.
“The English-speaking community is more used to going to conferences with a workbook and pen. With the Hispanic community, they want something fun and fast-paced,” says David D’Leon, minister, husband for 30 years, and Executive Director of Happy Families, a San Diego-area family strengthening organization.
After searching and researching, D’Leon has found what he thinks is the winning ticket. “I’ve read a lot of books trying to find a curriculum. With World Class Marriage, I think it covers concepts from The Five Love Languages and Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus all in one. And since World Class Marriage teaches couples 16 pillars of a healthy relationship, each one is basically like its own book.” In 2002 World Class Marriage was translated into Spanish, and has been translated in ten different languages.
Happy Families has been holding World Class Marriage/Matrimonio de Clase Mundial workshops since 2008. The brand new organization has already served more than 1,250 Hispanic couples and has no plans to slow down anytime soon. In order to accommodate the lively culture, David says, “Our workshops are very, very active. We all work together to get a better marriage for everyone. There’s examples, jokes, laughter. It’s an experience everyone remembers.”
All types of couples and families have attended the workshops: young and seniors, relationships in distress, happily married couples, dating and engaged coupples, and even singles. Alba Jose who recently completed the workshop states, “World Class Marriage changed me. I saw things in my relationship from a different perspective. It brought light to and it opened up a better understanding about my where my husband is coming from. That’s for sure.”
D’Leon seems to have overcome the challenge because the Hispanic community is attending his Marriage Education programs in droves.
RELATED ARTICLES:
>> World Class Marriage – A Program for Couples Who Want More
>> Statewide Survey Reveals Hispanic Marriage Paradox: Want Marriage but Don’t Marry
Fresno Couple Begin as ME Participants, Progress to ME Teachers, and Win $1000.
Stop the presses! How did Marriage Education (ME) teachers win the Outcome Evaluation drawing for $1,000?
Well, these teachers, John and Maryalice Pickens of Fresno, first learned about Marriage Education from the Healthy Marriage Coalition of Fresno/Madera County (HMCFMC). “My husband and I were on the verge of divorce,” said Maryalice. “We wanted to do everything possible to save our marriage. We attended a class and it was so good we wanted to go to more classes. It has worked wonders for my marriage!” After the class was over they submitted the outcome evaluation form to California Healthy Marriages Coalition (CHMC).
The first program the Pickens’ attended was a Mastering the Mysteries of Love (MML) class. “After taking MML, our relationship became much more intimate and connected. My husband and I have learned to really listen and understand each other. We made a complete turn around in our marriage.” Maryalice and her husband, John have benefited so much from Marriage Education that they thought the next logical step was to teach it to others. 
HMCFMC helped the Pickens through the process of getting the training they needed to become MML Facilitators. “First we thought this class could help other couples at our church, then we realized couples everywhere would benefit from this class so we began teaching for HMCFMC. In our last class we had a couple reconcile their marriage. It feels good when we can impact the lives of others.” said Maryalice.
The Pickens’ will be celebrating their 25th anniversary next year. They plan to use their $1,000 winnings to help fund their trip! CHMC supports many quality relationship-building classes.
To find out more information about Mastering the Mysteries of Love and other great classes taking place in California, go to CaMarriage.com.
Hey Fresno! Grow your marriage, renew your vows, and make history!
WORLD CLASS MARRIAGE WORKSHOP
[& a Guinness World Record Breaking Vow Renewal Ceremony]
Fresno Convention Center
Valdez Hall
Saturday, August 1, 2009
8:30 am to 5:30 pm
“To have World Class Marriage Workshop come to Fresno is an incredible opportunity for couples to attend a premier marriage strengthening event. I am very excited to work with other local marriage groups to bring this seminar to the Greater Fresno area.”
Ron McLain, Executive Director
Healthy Marriage Coalition of Fresno/Madera County
Create the Relationship You Always Wanted with the Partner You Already Have!
The World Class Marriage Workshop combines fun and interaction with personal privacy and safety.
Learn the 16 Pillars of World Class Marriage – how to increase behaviors that nurture a relationship and avoid those that damage it. World Class Marriage
Workshop topics include:
- Using Power Listening
- Changing Behaviors, Not Your Partner
- Giving Caring the Way It Matters
- Handling Hot Topics – Sex & Money
- Growing Together
- Forging a Bond
- Nurturing the Honeymoon
- …and much more!
The Workshop is based on the book World Class Marriage: How to Create the Relationship You Always Wanted with the Partner You Already Have by internationally acclaimed authors and relationship trainers, Patty Howell, Ed.M., and Ralph Jones. Howell and Jones have been married for 30 years.
Don’t Miss This Fantastic Day!
Grow your marriage, renew your vows, and make history!
More Information or to Register:
- Call 559.322.0533
- Go to RelationshipEvents.com
- Visit any Ticketmaster Outlet
- Convention Center Box Office
Pricing:
- Early Bird Discount (deadline July 27): $38 per couple
- Regular/Walk-in Price (after July 27): $48 per couple
- Complimentary Registration: For newly unemployed workers and spouse (go to website for details)
What to Expect:
- A day of fun activities and engaging teaching by internationally renowned marriage experts.
- Catered lunch by Pardini’s
- Receive World Class Marriage books and Participant Workbooks
- Marriage stimulus package of savings from local eateries and merchants
- and a special ceremony to renew your vows and break a world record*
*We will attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the number of married couples renewing their vows in a single meeting. Join us (with a photocopy of your actual marriage certificate)!
What Others are Saying about World Class Marriage:
“…a very fulfilling experience. I feel as though we have gained extremely valuable information and tools to nurture our relationship.”
“I was not looking forward to it, but I’m glad I went…we both grew as a couple.”
“…the skills we learned in this workshop fixed our relationship problems and gave us confidence that we can have a successful marriage.”
“Excellent workshop tailored to couples.”
“I liked that we had a lot of interaction with our spouse…and it wasn’t just listening to trainers.”
“I really enjoyed the mix of listening, individual, group and couple interactions…the combination of activities was engaging and enjoyable.“
Having a great marriage is within your reach…World Class Marriage will help you get there!
Four organizations are co-sponsoring the day-long event! (California Healthy Marriages Coalition, Healthy Marriage Coalition of Fresno/Madera County, Stanislaus County Healthy Marriage Coalition, and Saints Healthy Marriage Project)
“Couples in our area are going to really like what they will learn at World Class Marriage. Couples will love how the principles and skills help take their relationship to the next level!”
Jim Reyes, Executive Director
Central California Latino Healthy Marriage Coalition
Research Don’t Lie – Marriage Education Works!
Hitched Magazine, an online site that “entertains, educates and inspires marriages,” posted a new article, “New Research Shows Marriage Education Works” (by Julie Sallee Partin). Here’s an excerpt of the article.
“A study published in early 2009 titled, “Investigating the Effects of Marriage and Relationship Education on Couples’ Communication Skills: A Meta-Analytic Study” by the American Psychological Association, a scientific and professional organization that represents psychologists, confirms the importance of government’s roll in supporting marriage and relationship-based education. Looking at more than 100 published and unpublished studies dating back to 1975, the study found a significant positive effect on a couple’s communication skills and relationship quality when they attended marriage education courses.
According to the compiled research, “The goal of marriage and relationship education is to help couples form and sustain healthy, stable marriages and relationships, which is done by strengthening a couple’s relationship skills.” The study also showed strong favor for couples that attended moderate-dosage programs—naturally having a higher level of effectiveness and showing better success rates than those of couples who attended less frequently.”
Read the rest of the article at Hitched Magazine
Bay Area Sibs Win Big Because of OE!
Thanks to the generosity of CHMC’s newest Outcome Evaluation prize 
winner, Markus Buergi, his kids will be enjoying a very special birthday this year! Buergi said that the $1,100 Wal-Mart gift card he won through CHMC’s OE “big prize” drawing will be used to lavish his kids with exceptional gifts that they normally wouldn’t be able to buy. He will also use some of the winnings to give back to his church by purchasing supplies for the congregation.
Markus and his wife heard about Marriage Education when CHMC Master Trainer Bento Leal was promoting the course called Mastering the Mysteries of Love at his church. “We were really excited to go to the class because we consider marriage one of the most important building blocks of our society.” Buergi said the class offered so much information that it kept the couple very engaged.
“The best part of it for me was the sheer excitement that the pastoral couple who taught the class had for the material. They were so inspirational and they really helped us understand why Marriage Education is so important for our society,” said Buergi. “The teachers really kept the class unified even though it was a very diverse class. It was very exciting!”
The Buergis have been married for 14 years and have two children. Markus believes one of the most important things you can do for your children is to show them how to have a really loving and supportive marriage so they will know how to have strong relationships when they grow up.
CHMC supports many quality relationship-building classes throughout California. To find out more information about Mastering the Mysteries of Love and other great courses, go to www.CaMarriage.com.
Announcing the Marketing M.E. Click-N-Print Site
The Marketing M.E. Click-N-Print Site is a resource provided by California Healthy Marriages Coalition (CHMC).
Customize and quickly order quality program marketing materials for various Marriage Education (M.E.) programs, including
>> Mastering the Mysteries of Love (English and Spanish)
>> 10 Great Dates (English and Spanish)
>> World Class Marriage (coming soon)
>> Healthy Marriages booklet series (coming soon)
>> Download the Marketing M.E. User ID and Password Request Form.
>> Download the Marketing M.E. Mastering the Mysteries of Love Pricing Sheet.
Save time, money and resources with these professionally-designed, full-color print pieces. No designer costs to pay…no expensive stock photos to buy…no loss of time recreating the wheel…and no need to order more than you need!
The Marketing M.E. Click-N-Print Site gives you:
>> OPTIONS: Choose only what you need (brochures, posters, forms)
>> PERSONALIZATION: Brand the materials with your logo and information.
>> CONVENIENCE: Select the materials you need and the quantity you want.
The Marketing M.E. Click-N-Print Site is run by Verapax. CHMC receives no revenue from the site.
Request your User ID and Password for the Marketing M.E. Click-N-Print Site today.
Marriage Trifecta: 3 Best Bets to Start a Marriage Ministry in 2009!
MARRIAGE TRIFECTA
3 Best Bets to Launch a Marriage Ministry in 2009!
#1) Couplehood: a new, six-week program by Drs. Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt
New from Harville Hendrix, Ph.D. & Helen LaKelly Hunt, Ph.D. — Dr. Harville Hendrix will describe their latest programs – Couplehood: The Imago Path to Real Love and Couplehood as a Spiritual Path. These DVD-based Marriage Education curricula offer churches a choice between spiritual content or not, in these two high-quality Teach-Out-of-the-Box options.
>> Meet Dr. Hendrix and get a free copy of Couplehood ($20 value) and special discounted price on program pack!
#2) Secrets to Love: award-winning documentary film and resource materials
It’s causing a stir at this year’s film festivals…create a buzz in your congregation with this compelling documentary! Singles and couples take a journey to find answers to questions many ask: Does “happily ever after” exist? Why is love so complicated? What can I do to ensure my marriage lasts a lifetime? Film Director Tracie Donahue will help you launch your marriage ministry through this engaging film.
>> Receive a free Secrets to Love DVD, License, Leader’s Discussion Guide and Viewer’s Guide ($140 value).
#3) Fireproof & The Love Dare: the DVD of the theatrical blockbuster movie and best-selling book
2008’s most inspirational movie has become 2009’s greatest tool to impact marriages in your congregation and the community! Eric Garcia from the Association of Marriage and Family Ministries (a National Facilitating Partner for Fireproof) will share how to ignite hope and help for marriages using Fireproof, The Love Dare book, and more.
>> Win a Fireproof Movie Event Package or The Love Dare book! Order pre-release copies of the Fireproof DVD and specially-priced license.
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Attend the Marriage Trifecta … Every Participant Receives Valuable Free Materials (over $160 value)!
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Five locations in four days! January 12, 13, 14 and 20
Limited Space! Reserve your spot Today!
- Jan 12 (Mon. 7-9pm) – ORANGE COUNTY: Holiday Inn – Buena Park (7000 Beach Blvd – Buena Park)
RSVP: 714.484.0033 or karisp@familysaver.org
Sponsoring Organizations: Family Saver Center, Orange County Marriage Resource Center, AMOR de Orange County
- Jan 13 (Tue. 10am-12pm) – LOS ANGELES: Wilshire United Methodist Church, Lee Hall (4350 Wilshire Blvd – Los Angeles)
RSVP: 213.985.1500 x 206 or julielee@kccd3300.org
Sponsoring Organizations: Korean Churches for Community Development and HALO
- Jan 13 (Tue. 6:30-8:30pm) – SAN DIEGO: California Fiestas Banquet Hall (250 3rd Ave – Chula Vista) RSVP: 619.247.2138 or ballonsr1@cox.net
Sponsoring Organization: IMPACT South Bay
- Jan 14 (Wed. 7-9pm) – CLAREMONT: Claremont School of Theology, The Mudd Theater (1325 N College Ave – Claremont)
RSVP 909.451.3690 or jillsnodgrass@yahoo.com
Sponsoring Organization: The Clinebell Institute and the Center for the Empowerment of Families
- Jan 20 (Tue. 7-9pm) – SACRAMENTO: First United Methodist Church (2100 J St – Sacramento)
RSVP: 916.443.3434 or elizabeth@sacmarriage.org
Sponsoring Organization: Healthy Marriage Project of Greater Sacramento, Abide in Love, El Dorado Healthy Marriages Coalition, Yuba Sutter Healthy Marriage Project and Sacred Commitments
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Download the Promo Postcard (trifecta-postcard-final-front // trifecta-postcard-final-back)
Get more Marriage Trifecta info at CaMarriage.com!
Kingsburg Couple Wins $1,000 Super Date!
When Aaron Winslow of Kingsburg, CA received the phone call that he was the latest winner of the California Healthy Marriages Coalition (CHMC) Outcome Evaluation drawing, he couldn’t believe it. It took at least ten minutes to convince him that he’d actually won.
“I never win anything!” said Winslow. Aaron had filled out the simple questionnaire after his “10 Great Dates” class and that set him up to have his entry drawn as the recipient of $1,000 cash! Now, that cash is being used to gift his wife with a super date!
Aaron and his wife, Denise, heard about the Marriage Education class through Kingsburg Community Church. The Winslows thought they would give it a try because it seemed fun, it fit perfectly within their schedule and to top it off, the church provided childcare. “Childcare was huge for us, “ said Winslow. Pastor Joe also added an extra benefit by offering weekly drawings for the couples that came to class.
“The best part of the 10 Great Dates class was that it got us to talk about different issues, kids, different feelings and all kinds of stuff,” said Winslow. Another direct benefit of the class was it gave the couple an opportunity to date each other again. “When I was single, I was always trying to take her out and now that I’m married, I rarely get a date,” Winslow said with a laugh. Now Aaron knows how to fix that problem!
Aaron adds that not only has the class helped his 7-year marriage, but learning ways to talk things out has also helped him grow at his work and with his 4 year-old son, Ethan. “The more information you can get the better!” said Winslow.
Kingsburg Community Church worked with the Healthy Marriage Coalition of Fresno-Madera County (HMCFMC) to launch the “10 Great Dates” program. HMCFMC is part of the California Healthy Marriages Coalition which supports many quality relationship-building classes.
To find out more information about 10 Great Dates and other great classes, go to www.camarriage.com. For classes and activities in the Greater Fresno and Madera County area, check out www.growyourmarriage.com.
El Dorado Hills Couple Enhances Communication and Wins Family Vacation!
Desiring to enrich their marriage and enhance their communication, Roberta and Steve Kubes enrolled in a Mastering the Mysteries of Love (MML) class held at a local church in El Dorado Hills. By participating in the California Healthy Marriages Coalition’s Outcome Evaluation survey during the class, the Kubeses won the raffle drawing and received $1,000 cash, which allowed them to take a family vacation to Santa Barbara with their children!
Offered through the Healthy Marriage Project of Greater Sacramento, MML is an interactive, hands-on Marriage Education program that spotlights ten essential relationship skills that change how people listen, talk, solve problems, and relate to one another. Through live demonstrations, teaching, and skills coaching, Roberta and Steve learned skills that have helped them build trust and work as a team to enhance their relationship.
Roberta reports that the class helped them realize that they were not alone in seeking to improve their marriage. According to Roberta, “There are always other people who have the same issues,” and now the Kubeses have skills that help them work through those issues successfully.
For the Kubeses and many other graduates of Mastering the Mysteries of Love, the communication skills they learned extend benefits beyond the marriage relationship. Roberta says her improved communication skills enable her to “connect with others in a more understanding way,” and as a result, others have begun to view her differently. “The greatest parts of the course for me”, says Roberta, “were the demonstration videos. They were great!” Roberta’s only complaint? She wishes the 16-hour MML class had been longer!
Mastering the Mysteries of Love classes are occurring throughout California. Find a class near you at www.camarriage.com.
