The Detroit Free Press highlights the promise and pitfalls of the pilot project to promote marriage and communication.
Wendy Wendland-Bowyer writes (excerpt):
Earlier this year, Grand Rapids was chosen by the U.S.Administration for Children and Families to be one of three cities nationwide to pilot a program that promotes marriage and communication between parents as a way to combat child support collection problems.
Organizers hope for big impacts on children’s well-being.
“What we know from the research is that when a parent’s relationship suffers . . . that negatively affects the child,” said Mark Eastburg, executive director of Healthy Marriages Grand Rapids, the organization that will oversee the $1.5 million, 5-year program. “If we can improve and strengthen those relationships, the effects on the children will be positive.”
Eastburg envisions numerous classes aimed at strengthening marriages, urging couples to consider marriage, or at the very least, helping people who have children together get along better. The classes, which will start next year, will be offered at community centers, churches and nonprofit agencies throughout the city.
Calvin College will evaluate the program’s effectiveness, as will the federal government.