“No other success can compensate for failure in the home.” President David O. McKay
Look at this gathering!
Over 1600 people assembled to celebrate families in St. Louis, Missouri at the Unity Ball hosted by Better Family Life, Inc. celebrating 25 years of strengthening families. Better Family Life was started in response to the crisis in the African American family.
Pictured L to R are: Nekisha Rhodes and Dana King (members of Lindell ward) and Debbie Lancaster (member of Pagedale ward).
This year I was blessed to attend as a representative of the local congregations (wards/stakes) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The messages and spirit of the evening were familiar to me.
Malik Ahmed (pictured at the podium in above photo), President of Better Family Life, who believes families are at the core of society, said, “Better families makes a better community.”
And interestingly, alcohol is discouraged by Better Family Life and so it was not served at the dinner. How often do you see a group gathered for a party where there is no drinking involved? This is outside Utah, mind you!
I felt at home; there was no ‘us and them’, only ‘us united’ for families.
Nekisha Rhodes, a member of Lindell ward, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, participates in Better Family Life’s programs. She opened the Unity Ball this year by singing the Negro National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing. You can hear her on You Tube.
Sometimes we might feel the world is ganging-up on families, that the odds are against successful families. It is heartening to know of organizations like Better Family Life Inc. With 9 locations and over 100 staff in the St. Louis area; they are making a difference.
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