As the executive director, Dr. Joseph White created the Foundation for Family Life (FFL) in 2010 to promote healthy family & individual life & to provide hope for those who want to write a better life story than the path they may have been on.
He shares his gratitude for the life-saving blessing of overcoming addiction & incarceration in the video above. He highlights the joy found in his academic journey, insights gained from studying substance abuse recovery in a professional capacity, the impact of spirituality throughout his journey, & the opportunity to “give back” in some small way.
He is passionate about the hope available for all who want to change! He has a wonderful family & attributes his blessings to faith in God, perseverance, & living true to his values. One of his great desires in life is to share the peace, love, hope, & joy he has found through his journey.
FFL Framework
FFL (501c3) is designed to help individuals & families across various phases of life. Its programs include MentorWorks (sober living support), Redwood Recovery (substance use addiction treatment), & Family Life Coaching (skills & guidance). This Framework spells out FFL’s Vision, Mission, Values, Purpose, Goals, & Objectives.
Vision
Successful individuals & families experiencing relationship harmony & growth through life’s joys & challenges.
Mission
To empower individuals & families to cultivate healthy relationships through quality programs & services.
Purpose
To create a foundation of hope through practice & commitment to healthy communication, enriched relationship skills, effective parenting, a service mindset, & sustained recovery from life’s challenges.
Values
- Family: We honor parents & believe families have an eternal impact on individual development & progress.
- Individual: We believe each soul has worth, agency, & the ability to find purpose.
- Relationships: We believe we have a stewardship in promoting love, joy, hope, & harmony in our relationships.
- Education: We believe education enhances meaning, problem solving, relationship development, & prosperity.
- Service: We believe there is purpose, belonging, growth, & healing that comes through serving others.
- Spirituality: We believe spirituality undergirds healthy families, self-worth, & individual purpose.
A Commitment to Fatherhood and Family Life
Dr. Joseph White’s journey to empowering families began in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he spearheaded a fatherhood initiative dedicated to strengthening the bonds between fathers and their children. Through this work, Dr. White witnessed the profound impact of equipping men with the tools to be present, engaged, and supportive fathers. His efforts inspired a lifelong passion for addressing the challenges that fathers face, particularly those overcoming barriers like addiction and incarceration.
After leaving South Dakota, Dr. White founded the Foundation for Family Life in Utah, where his dedication to fatherhood remains at the heart of our mission. Today, we continue his vision by supporting adult men recovering from substance use disorders, teaching essential family life skills, and helping them rebuild relationships with their children and families. By fostering resilience and accountability, we empower fathers to step into their roles as positive influences in their families and communities.
The Journey of Resilience
Relentlessly Resilient Podcast
Dr. Joseph White grew up in a difficult family environment, which fueled his determination to create a strong and supportive family of his own. His experiences inspired him to study Family Studies, focusing his career on helping others build healthy relationships and overcome challenges. In this podcast interview, Dr. White shares more of his journey and how it shaped his dedication to empowering families through resilience. He discusses the powerful ABC-X Family Stress Model and how it can help families build resilience and the ability to overcome challenges together.
Inspired Parenting Across the Life Course
Invited Podcast Discussion
Dr. White shares important perspectives that have shaped the parenting experience for his family. Listen to his conversation with Keith Denning as they walk through this life changing and family changing experience.