We are a 501c3 organization created in 2004 and an affiliate of First Things First of Chattanooga. Chattanooga’s leader, Julie Baumgardner, is our mentor. She is probably the foremost leader in this field in the USA.

- The divorce rate in Gaston County is higher than the statewide rate for North Carolina.

- The divorce rate in North Carolina is higher than the rate for the United States.

- The United States has the highest rate of marriages and divorce in the world.

Divorce and unwed childbearing costs local and state taxpayers in North Carolina an estimated $1.3 billion.

Chattanooga has achieved a 33.6% reduction in divorce filings. If they can, we can.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of First Things First of Gaston County is to bring better quality of life by strengthening families, specifically reducing divorce, out-of-wedlock births, and the number of absent parents.

                                   ~Renee Kimbrell,
                                     Executive Director

OUR VISION :

First Things First of Gaston County has as its vision strong, heathly, life-long marriages with mothers and fathers who are active in the lives of their children.

OUR OBJECTIVES ARE :

Our objectives to be reached by the year 2012 are as follows:

  • Reduce single parenting--------------------20%
  • Reduce out-of-wedlock births--------------10%
  • Reduce absent parents by-----------------15%
  • Reduce divorce filings-----------------------25%
  
 
 
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