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Friday, October 30, 2026Oct 30

Lauren Hall

Lauren Hall is president and CEO of family advocacy nonprofit First Things First. Email her at lauren@firstthings.org.


First Things First: From fragile neighborhoods to fruitful communities

I recently had the pleasure of diving into Seth Kaplan's thought-provoking book "Fragile Neighborhoods," and it's one of those reads that has stayed with me, simmering in my mind long after I turned the last page. Kaplan's research paints a vivid picture of the state of our neighborhoods today — highlighting the fragility many of them face — and presents a compelling case for why strong, healthy families and relationships are the bedrock of thriving communities. As someone deeply invested in fostering strong family ties, I found his insights both alarming and motivating.

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First Things First: Embracing 50/50 custody is best for children

I am not an advocate for divorce on many occasions, but I do know there are some situations in which the ending of a relationship is better for everyone involved — and that's OK. When one of my closest friends called to tell me she was officially filing for a divorce, there was a sense of relief in her voice and an optimistic outlook for the future. Inevitably, her biggest concern was what to do for her children.