 By Lavern Nissley Encompass Relationship Facilitator Recently, I made a list of all the employers I've had in my life, not counting seasons of self-employment and consulting. The total number of employers over about 6 decades came to 13, with the very first being corn detasseling at age 14 on a seed corn farm near Goshen, Indiana.
In addition to these 13 jobs, there have also been dozens of volunteer assignments like boards, task forces, teams, etc. All have involved interacting with people, with most of the experiences being positive. Strong teams aren’t built on talent alone--they’re built on relationships. When people feel connected, respected, and valued, collaboration becomes natural and productivity soars. Here are five essential relationship skills, plus real-world examples to show how they work in action.
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 By Dr. David Marine Mabry Encompass Executive Director The holidays have a way of lighting up both the beauty and the rough edges of our relationships. We anticipate the traditions, the good food, the laughter, and the moments with people we love. But we also carry the awareness that the season can stir up tension—old frustrations, unrealistic expectations, or the simple weight of an overloaded schedule.
The good news? With a little intentionality, you can step into this season with more peace, hope, and connection. You can choose to experience the holidays not as a battleground, but as a chance to grow closer, listen deeper, and love more fully. Here are five practical and powerful ways to resolve conflict before it steals the joy from your holidays.  By Abby Glaser Encompass Community Advocate Parenting is hard. Full stop! As a mom of five, I’ve done a lot of things well over the years—and made plenty of mistakes too. One of the hardest areas to navigate is parenting during conflict. Anger, frustration, exhaustion, and a dozen other emotions can bring out the worst in any of us. Let’s look at three common mistakes parents make in conflict—and some practical ways to fix them.
 By Cindee Johnson Relationship Champion and Encompass Partner The first time I heard the term “generational curses” in a relationship workshop, I gave it a bit of an eye roll. It sounded archaic—something that surely didn’t apply to me, my marriage, or my family.
I only half-listened. Until I heard this: “When not recognized and broken, generational curses can destroy marriages and families.” That statement got my attention—and it has kept my attention ever since  By Kermit Rowe ECC Relationship Coach Katana Wolfcomer and Brendan Myers were an engaged couple like all other engaged couples… in love and planning for a lifetime of happiness together. But they also knew they still had challenging issues of spotty communication and wavering trust, complicated by unresolved grief and childhood dysfunction, and it drove them to seek a better way before committing their lives to each other.
They found Encompass Connection Center’s foundational RINGS program, which is focused on strengthening relationship skills through practicing the truths of good communication. I, along with dozens of Clark County pastors, signed an Encompass-inspired pledge about two decades ago that I wouldn’t marry a couple unless they had some premarital counseling. AI-generated statistics support this claim with proven data that explain why: Studies show that completing premarital counseling reduces divorce rates by 31%, with couples reporting a 30% higher marital success rate. That translates into improved communication, stronger conflict resolution skills, and greater emotional well-being and satisfaction within their relationship. Katana and Brendan have even more practical and experiential reasons why:  By Theresa Mabry Encompass Director of Operations It was 8:03 AM when the mild-mannered accountant named Greg walked into the office, ready to start his day. But something was off—his favorite stapler was gone. Not missing. Moved. Just a few inches to the left on his desk. What seemed like a harmless gesture to one coworker sent Greg into a minor tailspin. “Why can’t people respect my space?” he muttered as he rearranged his desk for the third time.
We've all been there—those little moments in the workplace that spark confusion, frustration, or even conflict. But more often than not, the root of the issue isn’t the stapler or the coffee pot or even the group chat that won’t stop buzzing. It’s a misunderstanding of personalities—our own and others’.  By Theresa Mabry Encompass Director of Operations Can you feel it? The excitement, the anticipation, the thrill of stepping into a new chapter of life? For pre-marital couples, this season is truly the Gift of New Beginnings. Everything is fresh—new plans, new experiences, new families to connect with. It’s a time of endless possibility and growth as two lives come together to form something unique and beautiful. But with all this newness comes the need for intentional effort. As you step into this exciting phase, how can you build a strong foundation that will help you navigate the years ahead?
 By Cindee Johnson Encompass Partner and Relationship Champion It was a setup from the beginning. A group outing for dinner with 15 other people where two of us showed up. We waited a little while, finally sat down to eat and soon barely noticed the others never arrived. We actually closed down the place at 2am, never running out of things to talk about, making plans to see each other the next day. Within months we were engaged, planning our wedding for exactly one year to the day of that setup date.
 By Lavern Nissley Encompass Relationship Facilitator Think about where you’ve worked throughout your life. Likely, there were expectations for employees to complete certain tasks and responsibilities. As long as everyone does what they’re supposed to and stays in their lanes, everything is great, right?
Well, that’s actually half the equation of a productive and healthy workplace or team. Getting things done is super important but so is getting along. How do the two relate to each other?  By Abby Glaser Encompass Community Advocate Often in our office, we see couples who should have come to us much sooner! By the time they step through our door, their relationship is on the verge of total disaster. On average, couples in crisis wait far longer than they should to reach out for help. So how do you know when you should? Let’s look at three signs to keep an eye out for!
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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