Every year since 1970, there has been one divorce for every two marriages in Florida (source)
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In 2007 in Florida, there were 157,610 marriages and 86,367 divorces. (source)
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In 80% of the cases today, one spouse does not want the divorce. (source)
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A 2008 study estimates the annual taxpayer cost of family fragmentation at $112 billion a year nationally. (source)
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Florida's annual estimated taxpayer divorce cost is $1,953,000. (source)
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Roughly 2/3 of the poor children live in single-parent homes. Each year, government spends over $250 billion for means-tested welfare benefits for single parents. (source)
Palm Beach County boasts the highest rate of divorce in Florida at 62.4% (source) The current economic situation is further stressing marriages and relationships. The result is a deterioration of the family structure. Today's Promise goals are to lower divorce rates in Palm Beach County. We collect research on attitudes and behaviors concerning family life, and identify significant problems facing our community. We then provide credible values-based solutions to local leaders, professionals and community citizens. Our intent is to reach the entire community with skills-based educational classes, truthful, research-based messages on the significance of marriage education and to train lay couples and professionals who work with individuals and families in the latest research and best demonstrated practices. In Florida, one of the most well developed and successful Community Marriage Policies is found in Tallahassee. Through the efforts of Live the Life Ministries led by Richard Albertson, (www.livethelife.org) the divorce rate in Leon County has experienced a decrease of 27% since the beginning of the effort.
Today's Promise Executive Director is an ordained minister and has more than 10-years in couple and professional life-coaching experience. Pastor Dettman is a Certified Seminar Director for couples, clergy and professionals in pre-marriage and marriage enrichment programs such as PREPARE-ENRICH and SMART START. Additionally, he is listed as a Registered Provider for pre-marriage education for the 15th Judicial Circuit Court.
We at Today's Promise envision a bright future for our community and the families who live here. We know that by providing resources and teaching skills we can help couples, parents and singles to build strong foundations upon which their families can grow. Attitudes will not change overnight, but if we can impact the attitudes and behaviors of Palm Beach County residents, we can be a catalyst for lasting, positive change in our community for generations to come.
Please join us in our initiative by supporting Today's Promise as our ambassador to your circle of influence, sharing your commitment to strong marriages. Your support is welcomed by agreeing to help create strong, lasting and satisfying marriages either as trained mentor couple or a donation to our ministry.
Today's Promise is a qualified 501(c) (3) organization supported by donations.
We offer professional Pastoral-type counseling to individuals and groups for
· Marriage Education & Mentoring to
o Engaged couples
o Marriages in need of Enrichment
o Marriages in crisis
· Relationship education
· Marriage mentor certification for Clergy, Professional Counselors and mentor couples
