From couples that participated in the Program for Strong African American Marriages (ProSAAM):

• “I look forward to finishing up the book we were given in hopes of having a strong marriage. No only for us, but to mirror for my daughters what a strong marriage looks like.” (Married, African American woman)
  
  
• “My only concern about enrolling in ProSAAM was that the information would be beneficial to women more than men… Boy was I wrong!” (Married, African American man)
  
  
• “Our ProSAAM experience has been wonderful. We have gained much insight into our relationship with each other. We have re-discovered and gained the courage to address areas where improvement is needed… The staff has been both professional and efficient at each home visit. We always have a happy time before and after chatting with them at a home visit. We look forward to our input being used to help other couples realize that marriage is a wonderful thing but it will talk all you have inside and then some to make it all it can be. Choices have been to made at every juncture to rise about the pettiness and the mundane to have a quality marriage. Thanks ProSAAM for being a part of our journey to a happier and more fulfilling marriage relationship!” (Married, African American woman)
  
  
• “It really helped me to broaden my listening skills and it gave me useful information on how to keep an argument from escalating. I would suggest that all African American couples (especially men) take part in this program. I think it would be particularly beneficial to couples who are engaged. It could teach them how to start off with good listening skills and how to give non-critical advice. The program not only helps you be a better husband, it also helps you be a better father and a better man in general.” (Married, African American male)
  
  
• The Rev. Dr. Jerry Alexander, pastor of Springfield Baptist Church in Athens, speaks from personal experience when he endorses ProSAAM. He has taken part in the educational program with his wife and is a consultant to the program rather than a participant. “I recommend ProSAAM wherever I go,” he said. “I believe the program has much to offer and that it makes a difference in the quality of a relationship.” In particular, Alexander said he encourages men to participate in the program. “It is crucial that more African-American men become involved in ProSAAM,” he said. “Our involvement is ‘mission critical’ to the success of the African American family.” Alexander said he understands that some men fear being viewed as unable to “handle their business” if they participate in forums with other couples, but that he has seen the benefits of ProSAAM in his own marriage. “Because I am a part of the program, I tend to focus more on the need for open and transparent communication in our marriage,” he said. “Through my connection to ProSAAM I find that I am less inclined to withdraw from situations that require intentional participation.”
  
  
• Elder Terris Thomas of Timothy Baptist Church in Athens, Georgia said, “At Timothy, we are serious about how to enrich the lives of our members through community efforts and programs. We believe ProSAAM helps to strengthen the message that is preached from the pulpit and view involvement in community programs such as ProSAAM as a benefit to our members. This program is not only for couples who are having problems, but the information received in ProSAAM serves as a support to ALL couples. Some of the individuals in this program have been married decades and have spoken of the tremendous impact ProSAAM has had on them as a couple. They are quick to admit that having been together as long as they have, they are still learning.”

From participants in the Strong African American Families (SAAF) Program:

• A single mother of an adolescent son and daughter noted, “I learned never to give up on my children. If I turn my back, they’ll be in the streets. I try to stay open with my heart and my mind so that they will bring me the things that they’re thinking about. Most times, if I could just talk to them, I think I could make a difference.”
  
  
• Community liaison Jacquelyn Bailey states, “Children nowadays are a new breed. Even the best of parents have a hard time. The pull of the world is so strong, and kids are learning or hearing stuff so much younger. Parents are at their wits’ end about what to do.” Because she is well known in the county, Bailey was asked to help recruit families for SAAF and to lead one of the parent groups. She was impressed by parents’ openness, their respect for each other’s opinions, and their willingness to learn from one another. “They talked about things many of them had never talked to anyone about before,” Bailey recalls. “They learned that they were not in it by themselves, and that some of what they were sweating was just normal kid behavior and that some of their punishments may be too harsh. The kids would say to us, ‘I’m glad you talked to my mama because she was killin’ us.”

Responses from parents that participated in the first phase of the Strong African American Families (SAAF) Program on what they especially liked about the program:

• Being part of something so very special. And I thank the people who started and thought of this program.
  
  
• It really helps you on how to deal with you children, and a good program on how to relate to them, and how to teach them how to deal with people that try to ask them if they want to smoke or drink. It is a good program to help parents to handle their kids.
  
  
• I have learned a lot in the program and it has made me and my kid get alone better. I enjoyed all the classes.
  
  
• The program was very informative.
  
  
• The discussions were very good and I learned a lot about my child.
  
  
• I learned how to get along better with my child and how to handle problems when they occur.
  
  
• I learned ways to be a better listener and not to jump to conclusions too quickly.
  
  
• I felt more open with my daughter when it came to tough topics.
  
  
• This class was very educational and I really and truly enjoyed it.
  
  
• We are closer to our children.
  
  
• This program really helped me to understand my child, and some of his physical and emotional changes.
  
  
• The program was helpful in many ways, but it most helped me to learn about teen problems and what they may face later in life. The instructors were very nice.
  
  
• The program was very informative. Important issues were discussed. Allowing young African American children to have pride in themselves and their culture is very important. We need more programs like this on in our communities. Thanks for the opportunity!
  
  
• It helped me find different ways other than whipping my children for discipline. I learned to be an askable parent and take pride in my heritage.
  
  
• What I really liked about the program is the way my children and I talk more about what’s on our minds.
  
  
• I wish that we could keep going for the rest of the year. This is a very interesting and fantastic program! Very helpful! Thanks UGA!

Responses from parents that participated in the first phase of the Strong African American Families (SAAF) Program on what they learned at the SAAF program:

• I learned not to lose it all the time when my child comes to me for help with a problem that he is having.
  
  
• I now take into consideration that my daughter is becoming a teenager and she now has mood swings. I also know now that I must follow up with what I say.
  
  
• That my way is not always the right way just because I’m the parent.
  
  
• Listen more.
  
  
• I learned how to discuss discrimination, sex, drugs, prejudice, and alcohol with my daughter openly.
  
  
• Always listen to your child, handle problems in a consistent manner to get positive results.
  
  
• Black families are strong families.
  
  
• To be strong and proud but also set limits in situations.
  
  
• How to be a better parent to my children.
  
  
• Always give time for your children.
  
  
• How to deal with my teen as she gets older. How to sit and talk about situations more.
  
  
• African American families should take pride in whom they are and where they have come from.
  
  
• How to better understand what young adults are dealing with these days!
  
  
• I learned how to really listen to my children more and not fly off the handle as quickly as I use to.
  
  
• To be strong in anything that I do or say and never give up.
  
  
• If you are concerned about your child’s future, then try to listen and understand their wants and needs, especially if it is something to really help them reach their goals, and to always stay strong.
  
  
• “Patience really is a virtue.”