Cornerstone Ministries Board of Directors

Strong Families Project

Build Strong Families and Strong Futures Through Relationship Education that Promotes Knowledge and Tools for Health Relationships.

Healthy marriages lead to better outcomes for children, improved health, increased social support, higher job satisfaction, fewer mental disorders and unhealthy behaviors.

The Strong Families Strong Futures Project promotes healthy marriages by accomplishing the following:

Train Regional Outreach Coordinators
Partner with community host organizations
Recruit and train Certified Family Wellness Facilitators
Plan project training and other activities
Recruit participants
Implement marriage/relationship education projects
Increase knowledge and application of healthy relationship skills

Outcomes expected:

Increase in the number of children being raised by two parents
Decrease in number broken relationships
Decrease in number of children being raised in unhealthy home environments
Decrease in domestic violence
Increase in youth seeking healthy relationships
Increase the capacity of community leaders to affect these outcomes

Curriculum:
This project will implement an evidenced-based intervention called Family Wellness which is delivered on a voluntary basis for individuals who choose marriage. This empirically developed curriculum is especially valuable in multi-cultural and economically-challenged communities where the role of families is of significant value. Developed in 1980 by George Doub, this program has been inplemented in communities across the nation including Native American, Latino, African American and refugee.

The training involves the participation of the entire family and uses humor and positive experiences to build strength in relationships. Included on the agenda are:

Communication skills
Problem solving
Conflict management
Commitment
Awareness of personal values and goals
Couple goals
Money management
Intimacy
Reinvestment in the community.

Learning about these topics will equip individuals, couples and families with the tools needed to make better marriage choices, avoid unnecessary divorce, and encourage healthy marriages and families. The project will develop new resources for healthy marriage preparation, enrichment and restoration.

Level 1 of the Family Wellness curriculum will be delivered in eight-hour classes to be presented in four two-hour sessions or on a Saturday retreat. Level 2 will provide greater depth in the subject and increase understanding and practice. Finally, an annual Strong Families Strong Futures Leadership Summit will bring together more than 65 Navajo community and religious adult and youth leaders to discuss the imperative of marriage and family strengthening education for the well-being of children.

Domestic Violence

This topic is embedded throughout the project and will promote effective conflict resolution and communication skills to mitigate domestic violence. Guille Sastre of Cresciendo Unidos in Phoenix, AZ will provide leadership of this matter. Ms. Sastre is a highly experienced domestic violence Educator with extensive knowledge of Native American situations.

Services for All. All services will be provided on a voluntary basis free of charge regardless of race, gender, age, disability, religion, or any participation barriers. Services will be offered in multiple locations at various times. Childcare will be provided and transportation vouchers are available.