Atlanta, March 20, 2009 - The Launch of A Village To Raise
Atlanta, March 20, 2009 - The first day of Spring seems a fitting time for the launch of www.AVillageToRaise.com. In the words of one of the site founders, Grant Garris, it "enables all family types to connect, chat, network and socialize - toward sharing information, tips and resources necessary to support all parental roles in raising a well-rounded child."
Although the site launched quietly on March 20, it will officially launch March 30. Some facets of the site are free of charge; others require a nominal membership fee.
"We know that the process of becoming a parent and then being a truly effective parent through many challenges and triumphs is not necessarily easy," Garris says, "and that's why we've established www.AVillageToRaise.com (AVTR). We hope to help families and truly be a resource for them."
Along with Garris, who has a degree in psychology and a corporate background in industrial and organizational psychology, AVTR was also founded by Paul Witmer. Witmer, who, like Garris, is an adoptive father, divides his time between working as a certified personal fitness trainer (ACE) and being a stay-at-home dad.
Witmer says they hope the online community at www.AVillageToRaise.com will be a place for parents who have found success with particular approaches and organizations to share their positive lessons. Similarly, he says, expert articles and commentary - in several forms - will be added on a regular basis. "We've created the venue and hope parents and the people who serve them will take the lead in helping shape this online community," Witmer adds.
Though it was founded by two adoptive parents, the Web site has a broader purpose - healthful parenting for all family types.
"The initial response has been affirming," Garris says. "Though we began slowly, by reaching out to parents and experts we know, we're already getting contributions from a variety of national experts and have advertisers and sponsors queued up and ready to support our efforts."
"It takes a village to raise a child" is an African Proverb that gained widespread notoriety with the release of Hillary Clinton's book, "It Takes a Village."
"We hope our Web site will reflect real life as much as possible," Garris says, "including the fact that the world is made up of a melting pot of varied families."
Media contact:
B. Andrew (Drew) Plant
404-634-7102
