Helping Georgia's citizens avoid the devastating trend of broken or unformed families is a monumental task that requires a solid strategic plan. Georgia Family Council calls it our "Community Marriage Initiative." In several communities across the state GFC is applying this strategy to help increase the number and health of marriages, decrease the number of out-of-wedlock births and alleviate the pain caused by family breakdown.

GFC executes the plan by serving the communities as:

• A connector: GFC brings people together within local communities and unites them around the cause of reducing divorce and out-of-wedlock childbirth.

• A coordinator: GFC helps local leaders develop measurable plans and organize activities, gleaning from the best practices that have succeeded in other communities.

• A clearinghouse: GFC builds a network of nationally recognized marriage and family experts who train local leaders to pass along their life-changing curricula to others. The certified trainers continue to train the citizens of their communities, passing along the valuable resources to strengthen marriages, families and the entire community.

Click here to find out about upcoming training events.

GFC's Community Marriage Initiatives

The Columbus Community Marriage and Family Initiative
(Currently in formation)
An impressive group of advocates gathered on February 8, 2008 to launch a new initiative to reduce divorce and out-of-wedlock births in this community. Find out more.

The Clayton County Marriage and Family Initiative

A nonprofit organization formed by local business, religious and government leaders dedicate to improving marriage and families in Clayton County while reducing divorce, domestic violence and out-of-wedlock childbirth. Find out more.

Macon Marriage Network
(Bibb, Houston and surrounding Counties)

A fellowship of churches, businesses, government agencies, counseling centers and concerned citizens this network has united with the goal of alleviating family breakdown and promoting healthy marriage relationships throughout the community of Macon. Find out more.

Marriage Works, Inc.
(Henry County)

A faith-based, non-profit organization whose purpose is to assist couples in building loving, nurturing marriages and families. Their professional staff provides programs that include pre-marital education and counseling, marriage education and enrichment, crisis and divorce counseling, professional training for marriage counseling, and youth education about committed relationships. Find out more.

Northeast Metro Marriage and Family Network
(Gwinnett County including Buford, Duluth, Norcross, Suwanee and surrounding areas)

Committed to stopping divorce in several communities, this group is organizing people around the common cause of supporting healthy marriages. They are training people to meet the unique needs of couples and families by equipping them with resources that will help those interested in improve their marriages. Find out more.

Family Frameworks
(Whitfield, Murray and Walker Counties)

A non-profit healthy marriage initiative dedicated to creating healthy families in the North Georgia community by preparing engaged couples for marriage and equipping married couples with the skills to stay together and create strong marriages. The initiative also teaches teens how to form wise and stable relationships. Find out more.

Pittsburgh and Mechanicsville Communities
(Downtown Atlanta)

This healthy marriage initiative is currently in the discovery/development stage and will work with existing community organizations to strengthen marriage and families through better relationship skills and training. GFC is partnering with the African American Healthy Marriage Initiative in this area. Find out more.

Southeast Metro Marriage and Family Network
(Dekalb County including Decatur, Lithonia and Stone Mountain; also Rockdale County including Conyers and surrounding areas)

Made up of passionate community leaders from churches, government agencies and family support organizations throughout southeast metro-Atlanta area communities, this group is dedicated to saturating this area with effective marriage and family resources that will strengthen relationships, increase family stability and enhance the overall relational health of the community. Find out more.

Thomasville Family and MarriageNet, Inc.

Founded in 2004, this is Georgia Family Council's first Community Marriage Initiative and is comprised of churches, businesses, government agencies, family support organizations, counseling centers and media outlets. TFAM is engaged in an effort to prevent the suffering caused by divorce by empowering leaders with the best marriage and family resources that will meet people at their point of need. Find out more.

If you would like more information about Georgia Family Council's Community Marriage Initiative, contact Joyce Whitted at 770-242-0001 or joyce@gafam.org.