 By Theresa Mabry Encompass Director of Operations As a marriage coach, I’ve seen firsthand how a healthy marriage can transform an entire family. When couples learn to communicate with empathy, manage stress as a team, and rebuild trust, their children notice—and they flourish. A secure marriage doesn’t just make life better for two people; it creates stability, confidence, and hope for the next generation.
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 By Lavern Nissley ECC Relationship Facilitator Fathers. Matter.
Recently, I completed an extensive Fatherhood Care Coordinator training at Pregnancy Resource Clinic here in Springfield, Ohio. The big idea is to come alongside fathers-to-be when their partners come in for pregnancy tests and ultrasounds. It is the time when they are most open to exploring and considering involvement with their offspring. Making this investment of time as a volunteer at PRC extends the two decades of healthy marriage education Ronda and I led at Encompass to a crucial set of participants in family stability - dads. When we talk about strengthening families and communities, one concept consistently rises to the top: Responsible Fatherhood. But what does that really mean—and why is it so vital?  By Cindee Johnson Relationship Champion and Encompass Partner Our wedding was just a couple of months away. I was a divorced, single mom of two young children. Dave had never been married and had no children of his own. My kids bonded so well with him, and he fully supported my commitment to keeping their relationship strong with their birth father.
One relaxing Friday evening in August 1989, while talking over dinner about our upcoming marriage, the subject of date nights came up. I wondered out loud, “Will we still do evenings like this once we’re married?” “Why, yes, we will.” And yes, we have. And yes, we still do--nearly 36 years later as empty nesters. At the time, we had no idea how meaningful that decision would become.  By: Kermit Rowe
Encompass Relationship Facilitator For better or worse, till death do us part, our family remains our family. We can ignore them, refuse to have a personal relationship with them, but we can’t ignore the blood connection to them given to us by God through our birth. If God is the God He claims to be – the holy, perfect one with no beginning or end, who has no evil or error in Him – then it follows that He makes no mistakes. And it follows that the family He placed us in is the family we are meant to be a part of. In His perfect, infinite wisdom. To question our family origin is therefore questioning Him. He could have sent us into any family, in any hometown, in any native country, at any point in history. But He chose to send us into the life and family we currently occupy.  The online resource guide, Children and Divorce, comes to us from Milavetz Law, P.A. in Minnesota with the following topics:
It is consistent with the research we have seen and reviewed over the past two decades. In addition, here is a Financial Guide to Divorce with Kids from Annuity.org. "If you are a parent planning your post-divorce future, it's important to remember that your children may be your biggest expense. According to the Brookings Institution, raising a child from birth to 17 years old can accumulate to more than $300,000." We are glad to help you explore alternatives to divorce. |
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HostsDr. David Marine and Theresa Mabry are Co-Directors of Encompass since June 1, 2024. TOPICS
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Funding is provided by Clark County Job and Family Services, Charles L. Shor Foundation, Nehemiah Foundation, Springfield Foundation, Turner Foundation, and private donations and fees.
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Encompass Connection Center services are provided to all eligible persons on a non-discriminatory basis. Encompass Connection Center complies with all applicable laws and regulations concerning discrimination does not discriminate on the basis of the potential participant's race, gender, gender orientation, age, disability or religion.
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Program content is the sole responsibility of Encompass Connection Center and does not necessarily represent the views of the funders.
Encompass Connection Center services are provided to all eligible persons on a non-discriminatory basis. Encompass Connection Center complies with all applicable laws and regulations concerning discrimination does not discriminate on the basis of the potential participant's race, gender, gender orientation, age, disability or religion.
Registered 501(c)(3). EIN: 37-1485217