Falling In Love, Again
What does Valentine’s day have to do with breaking cycles of poverty? More than you might think.
Urban Ventures’ Siempre Padres program knows that healthy homes are a key component to better outcomes for children. Children in homes with a healthy parent dynamic are less likely to experience behavioral issues, less likely to drop out of high school, and more likely to continue their education after high school. This belief is highlighted through the annual couples retreats, designed to nurture the relationships at the heart of our community’s families.
“Many of our families aren’t investing in their relationship,” explains Myrna Garcia, a Family Support Specialist with the program. “What they don’t realize is that when they grow as a couple, it helps the whole family, it helps everyone.” Myrna goes on to explain that many couples put all of their focus on the roof over the head and food on the table. “But they don’t realize their children need more. Their children need to see love.”
This retreat, held twice a year, provides a vital space for couples to step away from the pressures of daily life, offering them the tools to strengthen their bond and, by extension, enhance the well-being of their children.
Facilitated by experts in family dynamics and relationship building, the retreat delves into the topics like maintaining romance, prioritizing time as a couple, and fostering open communication. These elements are crucial for cultivating love and respect within a relationship, which in turn creates a positive, nurturing environment for children. Research has consistently shown that children from stable, two-parent homes are more likely to succeed academically and socially.
Moreover, the retreat addresses the critical need for healing family trauma. Many parents carry the weight of their unmet needs from childhood, which can hinder their ability to fully support their children. By focusing on education, communication, and healthy relationships, parents are empowered to break this cycle, setting a positive example for their children to follow.
The transformative day culminates in a special evening where the program space is transformed into a date-night restaurant, allowing couples to enjoy a rare night out. “Some of the couples tell us it was the first time they had a time like this,” Myrna shares, adding, “They don’t have the time because they are working 2 or 3 jobs. Or they don’t have the money to hire a babysitter so they can go out. We are happy to give them some precious time together.”
Another highlight of the retreats is a time of sharing vows. Around 70% of participating couples are not married, and for most of them it is the first time they’ve put pen to paper to explain the promises they are making to one another. It is a beautiful moment of re-committing to each other and a shared future, often accompanied by tears of joy.
Over half the couples who attend find the experience so transformative that they commit to getting married. One of the participants, Areli, shared, “We had been living together for 17 years, raising our children together. But attending the classes helped us decide to get legally married and demonstrate to our children what a healthy, committed relationship looks like.“
At Urban Ventures, Valentine’s Day is more than a celebration of romantic love; it’s a reminder of the power of strong, healthy relationships to uplift entire communities. Through initiatives like Siempre Padres, we’re not just investing in the immediate well-being of families but planting the seeds for generational change and prosperity.
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