FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2009
City Proclaims February Healthy Marriage Month
Laredo, TX - City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas welcomed representatives from TMC and the community to proclaim February as Healthy Marriage Month; celebrating the workshops offered by the organization that teach disadvantaged couples healthy relationship skills, to better enable them to raise, healthier, more productive children.
“The program is one of only four in Texas, and is leading the other cities, including Corpus Christi, Dallas and Houston, in achieving its goals of reaching the community”, stated Mayor Raul Salinas.
The Proclamation stated:
Marriage is not just another lifestyle choice but the foundation of healthy families and a healthy future for America. Marriage in every known human society creates new families, binds men and women together in a network of affection, mutual aid, and mutual obligation, commits parents to their children, and connects children to a wider network of welcoming kin. Marriage is the outward, visible sign of a man and a woman’s desire to create a lasting love, and forge a tie so strong that a child’s heart can rely upon it. Marriage as an institution deserves our special respect and concern because healthy marriages create a way for children to enjoy the full emotional, moral and financial protection of both parents; and recognize the special place of marriage in American society and in American hearts.
Background
In 2007, TMC in partnership with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission was awarded a grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Family Assistance, to deliver Healthy Marriage Development Program services in Laredo, TX. The program began on February 1, 2007 and will last for a period of five years.
The goal of the program is to increase the number of children being raised in a stable environment and reach the most disadvantaged couples whose children are at risk of a host of negative outcomes should the parents separate.
This program implements a public advertising campaign and provides marriage education to married couples, unmarried couples, and unwed expectant couples in Laredo. Through this program, individuals and couples learn and practice core communication, problem solving, anger management, parenting, budgeting and healthy lifestyle skills. TMC’s Healthy Marriage Development Program provides guidance and assists Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients who are considering marriage with the tools needed to ensure a healthy home environment.
For further information you can contact Ms. Cynthia Garcia at (956) 722-5174.
