About Us
In 2002, Carolyn Gowen and Pat Trainum founded Aiming for Abstinence to address high teen pregnancy rates. In 2007, the A4HF Board of Directors voted to change the agency’s name to Aiming for Healthy Families to represent its holistic approach to family health better. This change recognized the important role of parents and families in addressing at-risk behaviors and promoting positive youth behaviors. The mission of A4HF is carried out by the board of directors, executive leadership, staff, over 40 volunteers, community and family support, and responsible financial management.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide character/abstinence and tobacco programs throughout the region that will enable families to have better lives. Through dissemination of information and training, we will promote healthy choices for youth and their families. We will give youth and their families the tools necessary to combat the myriad of problems associated with high-risk behaviors such as teen pregnancy, sexually-transmitted diseases, drugs, tobacco, alcohol, violence, and dropping out of school.
Board of Directors
Rita Edmondson, President
Greg Cooley, Vice President
Pat Trainum, Secretary/Treasurer
Carolyn Gowen
Robbie Coleman
Lena Mitchell
Trudy Featherston
Our goal is to EQUIP our youth to make healthy decisions
Youth R.I.S.E.
Responisbility, Integrity, Self-control, Empowerment
Services & Programs
Through Classroom & Virtual Teaching
A4HF provides and promotes programs for families and communities across Northeast Mississippi, including Alcorn, Itawamba, Lee, Prentiss, Tippah, and Tishomingo counties:
• Sex Trafficking Education
• Alcohol, Vaping and Tobacco Education
• Communication Skills
Did you know? A4HF, along with our collaborative partners, provide workshops, resources and/or referrals such as:
Want to become a partner?
No One Deserves to Be in an Unhealthy Relationship
Good communication skills are essential for healthy relationships and families
• Not losing sight of who I am
• Ability to share my feelings and needs
• Both people are equally committed
• Equality
• Joyful, happy, fun
• Acceptance of self and others
• Share basic value system
• Ability to share a relationship without jealousy.
• Having common goals and sense of direction
• Willing to compromise and set standards
