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.

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>> 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.