Who We Are

The Coalition for Healthy African American Relationships and Marriages - (CHAARM) St. Louis - was formed in November 2003 by three human service professionals who, after being introduced to the African American Healthy Marriage Initiative (AAHMI) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, recognized benefits of a representative organization for the St. Louis community.  Through their efforts, the St. Louis African American Healthy Marriage Initiative was formed as a small ad-hoc committee. 

In the years since 2003, we have grown into a Missouri not for profit corporation with federal 501( c ) 3 designation comprised of several affiliated individuals and organizations who are committed to promoting healthy relationships and marriages among African Americans.  We enjoy collaborative and partner relationships with a number of organizations, agencies, faith institutions and individuals.

CHAARM is dedicated to educating the African American community about healthy lifestyle issues, including marriage, relationships, parenting, personal development and communication.

We actively promote healthy relationships and marriages as a key to building strong families and communities in which individuals thrive and children are safe, loved and nurtured.

CHAARM is a member of the St. Louis Healthy Marriage Coalition and is a recognized African American Healthy Marriage Initiative organization. 

Our Goals and Objectives

• To promote healthy relationships and marriages that lead to the development and maintenance of strong individuals, families and communities.

• To inform, train and educate youth and adults about the benefits of healthy relationships and marriages.

• To offer technical assistance, resource development, and program design and implementation services related to healthy relationships and marriage to institutions, corporations, agencies, organizations and groups in the St. Louis area.

• To foster collaboration in resource development, programming and service provision among churches, faith and community based organizations, human services agencies, businesses and community members.

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Our Vision

We respect and value the historic strength of the African American family and its ability to persevere and even thrive through adversity.  At the same time, we are concerned about and desire to reverse the negative impact of broken families in African American communities, particularly in St. Louis City and County. 

We envision a safe and healthy environment in which families can learn about, develop and sustain healthy relationships and marriages, and thereby contribute to strong, healthy communities that are economically, socially and spiritually viable, in the spirit of our historical legacy as African Americans.