DON & ANGIE POWER

Don and Angie have been married for 18 years. Together, they have three wonderful sons: Coltin, Dustin  and Shane. Since 1989 Don and Angie have owned an automobile company that purchases cars nationwide for export overseas. It has allowed them to assist in  funding "Marriage Works." 

(Don and Angie love to give. They also  operate "Charity Limousine". It is a non-profit organization, inviting local residents to  rent a beautiful 2003 Lincoln white stretch limo for special events and they donate 100% of the proceeds to the charity of your choice!)

Why do Don and Angie do this thing called "Marriage & Family Works"? It's only after going through a severe breakdown and near divorce in their own marriage that they began a "journey" of searching for what it takes to heal a broken marriage. 
They also wanted to find out how to create and maintain a strong , healthy, intimate and joy filled marriage. They say they had no idea that "they had no idea" how.

Since then, Don and Angie have spent the last 5 years in secular and faith based educational seminars and trainings for relationship skills and consider themselves both "heart and street smart." They've been trained in programs like Christian Pairs; Love and Respect; Soul Healing Love; 10 Great Dates; Focus/Refocus; Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage; Prepare/Enrich; Men are from Mars/Women are from Venus; Family Wellness; and many more. 

Don and Angie are also Life Coaches. 

Don and Angie's passion is to see " Marriage Works" become "your"community center: providing training, education, resources, and special events to create awareness of what else is possible for your marriage and family. They seek to help others  to prepare, protect, preserve, and restore marriages. Don and Angie have committed their lives and their finances to making a difference for you, through Marriage Works.

Porter and Joanie Shellhammer 


In the late 80's, while attending church in Sarasota, we met with someone representing "missions."  We understood from that discussion that we would eventually be in ministry together- we just didn't know what and or how God would prepare us for it.  Shortly after being married in 1985, Porter adopted Joanie's two daughters.  Both of our daughters now live in West Virginia and we have 4-grandsons: 9-years old, 3-years old, and 14-month old twins.

Porter retired after 29-years in the fire service with a BS in Executive Management.  He enjoys course development and instructing for state and national academic institutions. Joanie has a BA in Sociology and is trained as a lay-counselor, serving women in the church for 14-years.  She enjoys conference speaking, conducting seminars, and course development.  Together, they find great fulfillment training couples in good communication skills and working with couples in crisis.

We are not too dissimilar from other couples.  On the outside we looked like we were OK, when we actually were living slowly diverging, independant lives that would touch once in a while.  In January of 2005 we came to a crisis point and almost divorced.  After almost 20-years of marriage, we decided that we wanted to make our marriage work and restore our relationship.  We sought good Christian counsel and began an accelerated educational journey.

In August of 2005 we attended a REFOCCUS (marriage enrichment) seminar, led by Jeff & Jill Williams.  It was there that we met Don & Angie Power.  Shortly after that we were introduced to Dr. Rick Marks and Christian-PAIRS.  Since then, we have been trained as Christian Marriage Coaches, certified as PAIRS Trained Professionals, and facilitators for PREPARE/ENRICH, Soul Healing Love and FOCCUS/REFOCCUS, and as Video Presenters for Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage, as well as other curriculums.  We are continuing to allow God to conform us (US) into the image of Jesus through accountability, good counsel and His Word.

We are excited about being a part of Marriage and Family Works.  God has given US a passion for seeing  relationships restored, decreasing the divorce rate in our nation (especially the Florida Suncoast area), and equipping step-families to face the problems unique to their situation.


TOM & KRISTEN ROSS



Tom and Kristen Ross have been married for 20+ years. They live in Bradenton with their three children, Hannah-18, Charles-15, and Abigail-12. Tom owns an automotive shop, Select Auto Repair, and Kristen home-schools and works part time as the business manager for Wind Inspections, LLC. 

 

They have been involved with Marriage and Family Works since September of 2008, and love what it has done in their own marriage to build communication and teach better coaching skills. They really enjoy being part of a team whose goals are to see marriages and families strengthened through marriage education. 

 
 LEN & APRIL DACUS



Len & April just celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary and bring their unique perspective to Marriage & Family Works.  Having both experienced unhealthy relationships in the past, Len & April now exibit a beautiful, loving marriage.  They credit the marriage education they received through Marriage & Family Works with helping them to strengthen their communication and connectedness.

JASON & HEATHER CAPPON

Jason & Heather Cappon, of Sarasota, are Marriage Coaches-In-Training here at Marriage & Family Works.  Jason & Heather also volunteer endless hours at special events and working on the HOPE Cottage.  Thanks guys!




SANDY JAMES, Director of Marketing & Advancement
Sandy joined the Marriage & Family Works team in June 2009, as Director of Marketing and Advancement.  Sandy's background includes earning her BA in Communications from East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania and additional training in marketing, branding, reaching target markets, fundraising and Christian Education.
Sandy is thankful for her 12 years as an on-air radio personality with Life 89.1 in Sarasota.  Sandy brings over 12 years of community relationships; experience in marketing and promotions; community outreach; partnerships and donor care.  She enjoys speaking at women's events, teaching women's groups, writing for national ministries such as NEEDHIM and writing/recording voice-overs for commercials, and all animals...but most of all Sandy loves spending time with her best friend and husband, John Kilroy.  They share their home with two fluffy cats.  You can reach Sandy by calling 941-920-5173.


Doug & Beth York (Tennessee Branch)


Doug & Beth have transferred from the Sarasota/Bradenton area to our new Tennessee branch: "Because of our faith in God, and the marriage coaching at Marriage & Family Works, our relationship is stronger than ever.  We learned what it really means to love one another with Agape love, a love that is selfless and unconditional.  With God, and marriage coaching resources, relationships can be transformed and renewed.  We are living proof. We are now being called to help others to strengthen their marriages with the skills we have learned.”