Organizations Respond to Anti-Marriage Billboard Ad

Business Wire, June 8, 2007

"Family Bridges" Initiative Featured on Outdoor Billboard Campaign June 11

CHICAGO -- In response to a recent controversial Billboard that featured an anti-marriage message to promote the services of a local firm of divorce lawyers, Family Bridges, a coalition of faith and community-based organizations including The Chicago Alliance for Latino Marriages (CALMA), and the African American Arusi Network, announced the launch of an outdoor Billboard that promotes healthy marriages.

"Like most Chicagoans, we were extremely offended by the message that this particular billboard depicted, and wanted to promote the positive impact that a healthy marriage can have for a couple, their children, and our community as a whole," said Dr. Alicia La Hoz, Family Bridges Program Manager. The Family Bridges billboard is located on W. Grand Ave & N. La Salle in Chicago, IL 60610.

"Research shows that all things being equal, children living in a household led by a couple in a healthy marriage have a better chance of realizing their fullest potential, while the community can expect decreases in drug use, crime and poverty.1

Family Bridges is part of the Healthy Marriage Initiative, funded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, (Grant Number: 90FE0011). Family Bridges, launched last February in Chicago, offers couple workshops, premarital and relationship skills for singles and relationship education for high school youth. For more information, people can call the public information line 1-877-41-BRIDGE (27434) or visit www.familybridgeschicago.org

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

For additional information about "Family Bridges", an interview with a Family Bridges: spokesperson, or to get a picture of the billboard 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 States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families."