You can also donate through Charity Limousines. Charity "Giv 4 Joy' Limousine is partnering with Marriage Builders Family Resource Center to help reduce the divorce rate in our community. Charity Limousine is a nonprofit organization, created to help people see the fun and joys in charitable giving. You can donate by renting a limousine on an hourly basis. Your donation will go directly to Marriage Builders Family Resource Center. Call 941-746-5493 for more information.

Event Sponsorship Opportunity

  The Marriage & Family Ministry is the primary focus of Marriage Builders Family Resource Center, Inc.  Research shows that strong families are good for our businesses, communities, and our Nation. Marriage Builders Family Resource Center Inc.  was founded with the vision of preparing, strengthening, and restoring marriages in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. 

 There is no greater threat to our city, state and nation than the continued disintegration of the family through divorce and illegitimacy. The divorce rate in Sarasota and Manatee Counties has averaged an unacceptable 75% over the last four years, exceeding the national average of 47.5%.

  One-third of our children are born out-of-wedlock, and the youth crime rate and poverty levels generally rise as the divorce rate rises. The economic repercussions are felt in all areas of the community when these issues are not addressed. Stronger marriages equal stronger communities. Healthy families are an asset to our community and are more efficient and productive in the workplace.

 The goal of Marriage Builders Family Resource Center, Inc. is to reduce the divorce rate by 50% in the first three years of the establishment of the Suncoast Community Marriage Policy, which was signed in February 2006 (see video). Cities such as Modesto, CA, where a Community Marriage Policy was established in 1996, the divorce rate was effectively reduced by 57%. We also have a reason to be optimistic since Marriage Builders Family Resource Center, Inc. is patterned after the national Marriage Savers organization that has been credited with saving as many as 75,000 marriages in 193 communities in 41 states and 3 countries (according to an Independent study of “The Effectiveness of Community Marriage Policies”, The Journal of Family relations, October, 2004).

 To achieve our goals for the Suncoast, we have established a schedule for premarital and marital Mentor Couple training. Mentor Couples learn to improve communication skills in workshops such as PAIRS, REFOCCUS and FOCCUS. Mentor Couples are trained through the Marriage Savers program to come alongside struggling couples in their respective churches, thereby increasing marital success. Nationally known guest speakers are invited to speak at marriage enrichment weekends to promote sexual purity and abstinence before marriage, courtship over dating, parenting tips and skills, fidelity in marriage and suggestions on how to parent children in an increasingly secular culture.

 On the following page are the upcoming events in which you and/or your business can partner with Marriage Builders Family Resource Center, Inc. to help lower the divorce rate in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.