Frequently Asked Questions

Doesn’t Forest Institute Support Friends of Operation Us?

The Friends currently borrows office space at Forest Institute. Friends of OpUs is its own separate 501(c)(3) organization.

How is Friends of Operation Us funded?

The funds from a Healthy Marriage Demonstration Grant ended at the end of September 2011. Private philanthropy supports Friends of Operation Us.

More information about charitable support go to Get Involved.

Is my gift tax-deductible?

Gifts to the Friends of Operation Us are tax-deductible under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, in accordance with IRS regulations. OMM provides written acknowledgment of all charitable donations.

What is your relationship with Operation Us? Are you the same thing?

Operation Us is a project started by Forest Institute and Ozarks Marriage Matters (OMM) to promote healthy marriages, relationships and families. Initial project efforts were funded  through a federal grant from the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance (Grant# 90FE0110).

Ozark Marriage Matters is a separate 501(c )(3) organization that is a partner in the Operation Us project. As of October 4, 2011 OMM became Friends of Operation Us.

Is the Friends of OpUs affiliated with a religious group?

The Friends of Operation Us has no official affiliation with any church or denomination.

Many of our activities are hosted by local churches, but they are not necessarily faith-based activities. For example, our Operation Us events were federally funded, and inclusion of religious content is prohibited under the contract with the Office of Family Assistance.

Does the Friends of OpUs lobby regarding marriage legislation?

Friends of OpUs is not registered as a lobbying organization [501(c)(4)]. Our focus is our mission statement, and we will not engage in activities that distract from that commitment. Our goal is to promote healthy relationships, marriages and families, in order to foster stronger communities and better outcomes for children.

What is relationship education?

Relationship education is a method for providing individuals and couples with the information they need to make informed, healthy relationship choices. Even though the topics can be personal, this is not therapy.

Facilitators do not ask participants to reveal information that would make them uncomfortable. Relationship education provides a non-threatening, non-invasive way for people to learn more about themselves and about the choices they make.

In some instances, relationship education can open the door for more intensive help from a counselor or therapist.

Our church requires premarital counseling before the wedding. Isn't that the same thing?

It may be. Different churches have different expectations of couples getting married. Premarital counseling often involves biblically based instruction on what it means to be "married" and on the roles that spouses play. Relationship education workshops that we promte focuse more on helping you get the relationship you want rather than telling you how that relationship should look.

I cannot find information on relationship workshops. Where is that information on the classes?

Friends of Operation Us is not a direct provider of relationship education at this time. Please visit the Operation Us site for information on currently available relationship classes.

How can I help?

There are many ways you can help. You can volunteer or donate. Or you can simply pass the word along that we are a resource for relationships help.

Where can I get more information about marriage in the Ozarks, including statistics?

You can find out more about marriage in the Ozarks at the Operation Us web site.

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