FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

ORGANIZATIONS RESPOND TO ANTI-MARRIAGE BILLBOARD AD  

“Family Bridges” Initiative Featured on Outdoor Billboard Campaign June 11  

June 4, 2007 – Chicago, IL – In response to a recent controversial Billboard that featured an anti-marriage message to promote the services of a local firm of divorce lawyers, Meier Clinics Foundation, in collaboration with The Chicago Alliance for Latino Marriages (CALMA) and the African American Arusi Network, announced the launch of an outdoor Billboard campaign for “Family Bridges,” a non profit and family oriented collaborative effort that promotes healthy relationships.   

“Like most people in Chicago, we were extremely offended by the message that this particular billboard depicted, and we felt we needed to make a statement about the positive impact that a healthy relationship can have not only for the couple, but also for their children, and our community,” said Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Family Bridges Program Manager.   

It’s statistically proven that children living in a household led by a couple in a healthy relationship have a better chance of realizing their fullest potential, while the community can expect a decrease in drug use, crime and poverty.¹  

“Family Bridges,” part of the Healthy Marriage Initiative, is funded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, (Grant Number: 90FE0011.   The campaign, launched last February in Chicago, offers couple workshops, premarital education for singles and relationship education in high schools, as well as weekend retreats for couples and families and city-wide conferences and seminars.  For more information, people can call the public information line 1-877-41-BRIDGE (27434) or visit www.familybridgeschicago.org  

¹Source:  Why Marriage Matters, Second Edition:  Twenty-Six Conclusions from the Social Sciences, September 2005.  

PRESS CONTACT:  
For additional information about “Family Bridges” or for an interview with a “Family Bridges: spokesperson, please contact:  

Claudia Santa Cruz               
Tel. 305-220-8887                 

Disclaimer:  “Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Status Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.”