Marriage
“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
- Ecclesiastes 4:12
Couples from the Shelter Foundation attend the Weekend to Remember marriage retreat in Estes Park.
Great marriages don’t just happen on their own. We believe the happiest and most successful marriages happen when couples invest time, effort, intentionality and a shared commitment to biblical principles within the marriage. However, the responsibilities and day-to-day routines of first responders can bring additional stress, separation and difficulties into the marriage through the ups and downs of police, firefighter, dispatch or EMS life. Holidays spent alone, rotating shift schedules or the stress of an intense day on the job can eat away at the intimacy, fun and purpose for marriage.
Unfortunately, a recent stat shows that approximately 75% of first responder marriages end in divorce. We exist not only to help change this heartbreaking statistic, but to fully embrace the callings of first responder life, build healthier relationships and to glorify God’s design for marriage. We do this by facilitating first responder couples to attend marriage getaways, take part in marriage counseling and to attend events with the goal of transforming their marriages with practical roadmaps leading to healthier marriages.
Scroll below to read more about these offerings, get resources for your marriage and to learn how you can be involved.
Interesting in applying for a scholarship from The Shelter Foundation for marriage counseling or a retreat?
Weekend to Remember
Marriage Getaway by FamilyLife
The happiest couples are those who commit to learning skills that help them weather difficult seasons and deal confidently with relationship challenges. We know that first responder marriages need consistent commitment, effort and adventure.
FamilyLife’s goal is to help you understand God’s blueprint for marriage so you can create a legacy of greatness and over 1.5 million couples have attended to date. On average they say their marriage has gone from a “4” to an “8” in one weekend. The Shelter Foundation is proud to partner with this retreat with scholarships and discount codes available.
Learn more at familylife.com/weekend-to-remember
Marriage Counseling
We believe that counseling provides innumerable benefits for husbands and wives, especially needed in first responder marriages. Counseling not only helps to restore marriages in times of conflict, but proactively strengthens marriages of all types. Couples counseling can help improve communication skills, create a better understanding of your spouses emotional, physical and spiritual needs and foster a healthier environment for raising a family. Additionally, Gospel-centered counsel can apply God’s word and biblical principles to all situations a couple can endure.
The Shelter Foundation proudly partners with local, Christian counselors to provide sessions to first responder couples throughout the Denver Metro area and beyond. A portion of the financial gifts we receive is used to provide up to 10 complimentary and discounted sessions to first responder couples.
The Marriage Hub
Founded in 2004 by Dr. Bruce McCracken, “The Marriage Hub” seeks to provide Biblically based marriage building experiences for couples of all ages and stages. Our bold vision is to see divorce and the pain and suffering it causes eradicated from our society and The Shelter Foundation is proud to partner with them!
Their “Marriage Intensives” are more than a couples’ weekend retreat. They are intimate, personalized coaching sessions designed to help you identify the personal and relational issues confronting your marriage. Trained marriage coaching couples will spend over 20+ hours with you and two other struggling couples to work through marriage building exercises to grow the intimacy in your marriage. Research says this marriage Intensive format is three times more effective than traditional pastoral or marital counseling. That’s because they’re done in a small group setting, over a concentrated period of time, led by a husband and wife coaching couple using a Bible-based marriage curriculum that leads you through the process of repairing your marriage.
Shelter Foundation Events
We are currently dreaming up our next events for the first responder community, designed to help strengthen marriages and foster community where first responder marriages feel supported with godly resources and encouragement throughout the Denver area.
Subscribe to our mailing list to be notified of upcoming events
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10 Date Ideas
We believe the happiest and most successful marriages happen when couples invest time, intentionality and a shared commitment to biblical principles.
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Stories of Hope
We have a vision that no first responder widow should ever have to face this life alone. Read stories from The Shelter Foundation community.
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Support Us
We can’t do what we do without your generous help. Learn more about how we steward your financial gifts to impact first responder families.