1. CENTRUM PRO RODINU A SOCIÁLNÍ PÉČI o.s. www.prorodiny.cz

2. The Centre for Family The Centre for Family and Social Care was founded in 1993 in Ostrava, the Czech Republic. Its mission is to support marriage, family and other relationships on the ground of Christian values. Nowadays we have about 90 employees and about 110 volunteers. 2

3. Department FAMILY – pro-family activities Project CHALLENGE – support of families with handicapped children Club ÁMOS – interactive exhibitions for children and families 3 The Centre for Family

4. Marriage Meetings The idea of this concept was founded in Finland (Whole Marriage Ministries) MM started in the Czech Republic in 1988 Centre for Family has organized MM since1995. 70 married couples take part in our MM course every year (there are about 250 couples altogether in other MM courses in the Czech Republic) 4

5. 5 Marriage Meetings

6. Aim of the project is renewal and empowerment of the marriage and of other family relationships through educative and motivating program providing preventive and intervention tools Participants are married couples regardless of their age or length of their marriage Main summer course lasts one week Two weekend courses take place in autumn and spring 6

7. Marriage Meetings 7

8. 8 Structure of MM consists of lectures performed by married couples and are followed by discussion on the topics in groups of 3 – 4 couples Lecture issues: priorities in marriage healthy self-confidence communication differences between men and women man and woman´s needs expressing emotions etc.

9. Marriage Meetings 9

10. 10

11. Marriage Meetings The target group is approached by : web sides articles in the newspaper ads, posters and leaflets System of co-financing : 22% funds of local authorities 11% individual donors 73% own sources Budget is 897 000 Kč = 33 000 Euros 11

12. Marriage Meetings Participants of MM course Relay the gained knowledge and skills to their families, communities, parishes, working places and other relationships they live in Often become themselves the leaders of the local activities of family supporting programs Continue in education process Turn to be lecturers of other courses for e.g. fiancées, teenagers, couples, parents… Since 1995 – 1140 families = divorce rate of participants is 2,98% (divorce rate in the Czech Republic = 48%) 12

13.  Possible following care: - Counselling team (mediation, psychologistcare) - COURSES OF ACTIVE PARENTSHIP - – 9 meetings of 10 -16 parents - Topics : educative style - family constelation - why do children behave the way they do - how to encourage them effectively - what to use instead of punishments 13

14. Thank you for your attention. 14 www.prorodiny.cz