The Wyoming Healthy Marriage Initiative (WHMI) believes that strong and healthy families are our state’s most important assets. Our goal is to provide you the opportunity, the tools and information you need to strengthen your marriage and family. The WHMI wants to help you build a strong and happier relationship! Just keep reading, check out Upcoming Classes in your neighborhood, Borrow a Book or DVD from our Lending Library, download Brochures filled with tips and tools to help you succeed, or just browse the site for helpful tips, links, and information. If you have any questions or want to Register for a Class or two, please Contact Us! Together we can create healthy Wyoming marriages, families and communities for generations to come.
The Wyoming Healthy Marriage Initiative, For Ever After!
“Our emphasis is on healthy marriage – not for the sake of marriage, not marriage at any cost – but healthy marriages that provide a strong and stable environment for raising children. It is about helping couples who choose marriage for themselves gain access to the skills and knowledge necessary to form and sustain healthy marriage.”
-Wade F. Horn, PhD., Former Director, Administration for Children and Families,
US Department of Health and Human Services |
Benefits of Marriage
Study after study has shown that all aspects of our society benefit from strong healthy marriages and families. The Wyoming Healthy Marriage Initiative strives to strengthen communities across our state by forming regional healthy marriage coalitions and regional lending libraries; offering classes, trainings and resources aimed at increasing the number of strong healthy marriages; promoting the family unit; teaching teens the value of healthy relationships; encouraging pre-marital education for engaged couples and those seriously considering marriage; providing marriage enrichment courses for already married couples; and teaching the skills necessary for strong relationships!
Benefits for Children and Youth
- More likely to have academic success and attend college
- Emotionally and physically healthier
- Less likely to attempt or commit suicide
- Less likely to be a victim of physical or sexual abuse
- Less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol
- Less likely to have delinquent or behavioral problems
- Have better relationships with parents
- Less likely to divorce when they get married
- Less likely to be a teen parent
- Less likely to be sexually active or contract an STD
- Less likely to live in poverty
Benefits for Men and Women
- More satisfying intimate relationship with spouse
- Emotionally and physically healthier
- Wealthier, less likely to remain or end up in poverty
- Less likely to commit or be victims of domestic violence, sexual
- sault, or other violent crimes
- Less likely to attempt or commit suicide
- Decreased risk of drug and/or alcohol abuse
- Less likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease
- Have better relationships with their children
Benefits for Communities and Society
- Higher rates of emotionally and physically healthy citizens
- Lower domestic violence and crime rates
- Lower teen pregnancy and STD rates
- Lower rates of juvenile delinquency
- More educated citizens
- Decreased need for social services
- Lower rates for poverty and welfare dependency
Back to Top
About Our Staff
Kathleen Kelley, Executive Director, has been involved in the grass-roots movement for marriage and families for over 10 years. She knows what it’s like to be part of a struggling and then successful stepfamily. She and her husband have been married for more than 20 years, and together they have raised three sons from previous marriages. It wasn’t an easy start, but with time, dedication, an open mind, and a lot of love, they created a stepfamily full of love and mutual respect. Kathleen holds an MBA from Nova University; BS in Sociology from Belmont University; and a secondary teaching certificate from Florida Atlantic University. As the projects Executive Director she handles the day-to-day operation of The Wyoming Healthy Marriage Initiative.
Jim Elias, Training Director, has such a great love and respect for the union of marriage and has also been involved in the grass-roots movement for marriage and families for over 10 years. As the project’s Director of Training, he helps other marriage education providers and also teaches marriage enrichment courses around the state, provides pre-marital education to engaged couples, and enjoys sharing the skills, tips and tools needed to make a marriage work. Jim holds a Master of Education and a BS in Biology. Jim is also the Associate Pastor of First Christian Church in Cheyenne.
Stephanie Bennett, PR and Marketing, has been involved in the marriage and family movement for over 5 years. She is our point person and go-to gal for developing our billboards, radio ads, and other media pieces. Her main goal is to help marriages and families succeed and to reduce the divorce rate by promoting the benefits of marriage. Stephanie enjoys working with teens and helping them acquire the dating and relationship skills needed to develop healthy marriages in their future. Stephanie holds a BA in Public Relations and a BS in Statistics, both from Montana State University Billings. She is also certified to teach many of our curricula. She has two wonderful boys that keep her busy when she isn’t working.
Vickie Eledge, Administrative Assistant, keeps the home office humming. She is likely to answer your call or handle your class registration. She manages the project’s lending library and the more than 100 Points of Contact sites across the state!
Patricia Kelley, Bookkeeper/Clerical support, is the newest addition to the WHMI staff. Working part-time and attending college, she still finds time to help our office run efficiently.
Back to Top
Contact Us
The Wyoming Healthy Marriage Initiative
PO Box 884
Cheyenne, WY 82003
(307) 514-4450
(866) WYO-FAMS
To contact individual staff, give comments or suggestions, or ask questions, please email your request to: info@wyofams.org
Back to Top
|
|
