We deliver hope,
help and healing.
We deliver hope,
help and healing.
Learn more about Friends of the Family Ministries, serving the Willamette Valley out of our offices in Corvallis, OR and via telehealth services.
Embracing Life's Journey Together
Life is a tapestry woven with diverse experiences, joys, and challenges. At FOFM, we believe in walking alongside you through every twist and turn. Whether you’re stepping into the promise of a new union, seeking to rekindle the flame of an enduring love, or bravely embarking on a path of healing, we are here to illuminate your way.
A Beacon of Support
Our range of programs is crafted to nurture relationships in every stage. From the excitement of premarital dreams to the complexity of marriage dynamics, and from the shadows of trauma to the brilliance of healing, we stand as a steadfast ally, offering guidance, understanding, and genuine care.
Our Signature Programs
Premarital Counseling
Your love story is unique, and so is your journey to marriage. Our premarital counseling embraces the beauty of your connection, providing you with the tools to create a resilient and thriving partnership.
Marriage Enrichment
Workshops, Retreats and Events
Even the strongest relationships deserve moments of enrichment. Our courses are designed to deepen your bond, enhance communication, and nurture the flame of love that brought you together.
Trauma-Informed
Professional Counseling
Healing is a sacred process, and you don’t have to walk it alone. Our counselors provide a safe space where growth and renewal can take root, guiding you towards a place of strength and restoration.
The Heart Behind FOFM
Behind Friends of the Family Ministries is an extraordinary team – individuals guided by compassion, experience, and a shared belief in the power of connection. Rooted in Corvallis, our reach extends far beyond physical borders through the magic of telehealth. We collaborate with local churches, joining hands to fortify marriages and uplift families, spreading the message of hope throughout the entire state.
Our Board of Directors
Our dedicated Board of Directors plays a pivotal role in guiding the strategic direction and overseeing the governance of our non-profit organization, ensuring that we fulfill our mission and serve our community effectively. Comprised of experienced professionals and passionate advocates, our Board of Directors collaborates closely to provide leadership, expertise, and support, driving the impactful initiatives that define our non-profit’s impact.
Paul Schweitzer
President
Scott Leavengood
Donna Dluehosh
Dan Schwab
Brian Smith
Jeremy Lucke
Our Executive Director
Dave Jackson: Bridging Expertise in Therapy and Pastoral Leadership
With an extensive career spanning over 35 years in pastoral ministry and healthcare, Dave Jackson is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and a credentialed pastor. Holding degrees from such respected institutions as Wheaton College, Indiana University, and George Fox University, Dave’s journey showcases a commitment to academic excellence in marriage and family therapy and pastoral leadership. His specialized training in Biblical Conflict Coaching and Mediation further emphasizes his dedication to resolution within complex relationships. Beyond his professional pursuits, Dave finds solace in family time with his wife of 33 years, Patty, and their children. Engaging in leisure activities from movies and games to exploring the beauty of the Pacific Northwest through hiking and motorcycle rides, Dave strives for a balanced approach to life.
Our Staff
Our dedicated and experienced staff is committed to providing exceptional service and support to meet your needs.
Marcia Turnbull
Development & Operations Director
Jim Saemenes
Program Director
Angela Schwindt
Event Coordinator and Family Life Educator
Brigette Myers
Administrative Assistant, Receptionist
Karyn Stanley
Operations Assistant
Emily Gigoux
Communications Specialist
Holly Berry
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Martha King
Graduate Counseling Intern
Kara Oyer
Registered Associate
Sherry Doggett
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Alicia Deal
Professional Counselor Associate
Joining Hands, Sharing Hearts
As you explore our corner of the digital world, we invite you to join us on this journey. Let’s walk together, share stories, and build connections that inspire growth and healing. Together, we are a mosaic of dreams, stories, and experiences, united by the simple truth that love and support can change lives.
Let's Connect
Whether you’re ready to take the first step or simply want to know more, we’re here to listen, guide, and uplift. Contact us today and let’s embark on a path of transformation, healing, and joyful connections.
Welcome to Friends of the Family Ministries – where you’re not just a visitor, but a cherished member of our extended family.
Our History: Strengthening Bonds, Empowering Lives
Inception and Vision
The heartfelt story of Friends of the Family Ministries (FOFM) begins in the summer of 1994, with a vision fueled by compassion and a deep desire to strengthen bonds within the mid-Willamette Valley community. Rev. Dr. Ken Himes, Founder, Pastoral Counselor, and the first Executive Director, led this transformative journey. FOFM’s genesis was marked by a commitment to provide educational and counseling services that would uplift marriage and family relationships, particularly in smaller churches that yearned for support.
Early Steps
The initial steps of FOFM centered on pioneering marriage workshops that instilled communication and conflict resolution skills within couples. Regardless of age or relationship stage, hundreds of couples engaged in these workshops, cultivating stronger connections and lasting love. FOFM took a groundbreaking initiative by uniting pastors to contribute to the reduction of Oregon’s rising divorce rate. This endeavor went beyond merely officiating weddings; it involved preparing couples for lifelong relationships. With unwavering dedication, pastors across several counties adopted Community Premarital Preparation Policies, resulting in commendable reductions in divorce rates.
A Ripple Effect of Transformation
In 1996, FOFM initiated the Healthy Relationships Education Project (HREP), bringing invaluable relationship skills to public and private schools across the mid-valley. Through prayer and dedication, doors were opened, and countless high school, middle school, and elementary school students were equipped with the tools to build healthier relationships.
Growth and Innovation
As FOFM’s reach expanded, an office was established in Albany, creating a more accessible gateway for community engagement. The commitment to bridging gaps led to pioneering workshops tailored for couples managing joint businesses and training individuals in local churches to become supportive care-givers. FOFM stepped forward to address the pressing issue of addiction to pornography, rallying Christian leaders to provide support to those affected. Parenting classes, conducted using the Parenting the Love and Logic Way™ curriculum, further exemplified FOFM’s adaptability and commitment to meeting evolving needs.
A Trusted Haven
Over the years, FOFM solidified its reputation as a trustworthy resource hub throughout the mid-Willamette Valley, consistently offering help and guidance to those seeking to nurture healthy relationships.
Facing the Future
As societal norms shifted, FOFM recognized the increasing prevalence of cohabitation before marriage and the redefinition of marriage itself. With an unwavering commitment to the well-being of individuals and relationships, FOFM pledged to navigate these challenges with grace and understanding.
Passing the Torch
In 2016, an answered prayer emerged in the form of Dave Jackson, FOFM’s current Executive Director. With the support of founder Ken Himes, Dave led the charge in addressing current and future challenges. Guided by a dedicated team of staff and board members, along with many other faithful partners, FOFM continues to be a vessel for God’s work, fostering transformation, providing solace, and empowering lives.
The journey of Friends of the Family Ministries is not just a history but a testament to the enduring power of compassion, love, and the unwavering pursuit of healthier, stronger relationships.
Counseling Internship Program
Three needs intersected in 2019 that led the FOFM leadership to respond by launching a Counseling Internship Program the next spring, despite the worldwide pandemic. The needs included:
- A rapidly growing demand for professional counseling services in the valley.
- Affordable counseling services for those who are not insured.
- Internship sites for Christian counselors-in-training who wanted to learn how to integrate their faith with their new profession.
The program has allowed FOFM to increase our professional counseling services to the community, charge as low as $30/session, and help equip and encourage the next generation of faith-filled counselors. God has used this program in powerful, life-changing ways, for both our interns and the clients they have had the privilege to serve.
Community Marriage Initiative
In 2020, the Lord began stirring the hearts of the leadership with a question: What if God could multiply the ministry’s impact by using the staff’s passion and expertise to help churches strengthen marriages and family relationships in their own congregations?
After a long series of conversations with marriage education leaders across the country – and much prayer and deliberation – FOFM applied for and was awarded a three-year “Community Marriage Initiative Grant” in late 2022. Interestingly, a central purpose of the grant was directly aligned with the direction the Lord had been leading: “to empower local churches to develop highly effective, self-sustaining ministries to marriages.” It was further evidence of God’s hand being upon FOFM!
The grant included some seed money to help fund the launching of a local Marriage Initiative, which has opened some doors of opportunity. But the greatest value of being a grant recipient has been: 1) Receiving monthly training, coaching and support from people further down the road in strategically ministering to marriages across a community; and 2) Connecting with a network of Christian marriage ministries across the country who are all called to similar purposes in their communities.
Your Next Steps
We offer programs and services for every stage of marriage and relationships that promote emotional, relational, and spiritual health.
Premarital Counseling
Build a strong foundation and prepare for your future together with the power of premarital counseling. Explore our comprehensive program.
Workshops, Retreats & Events
Strengthen your marriage and rediscover love and connection. Explore our enriching programs for couples seeking a deeper bond.
Counseling & Therapy
Enhance relationships and well-being. Expert guidance for couple and singles. Empower your journey towards hope, healing and growth.
