Neighbor News
From Trinkets & Treasures to Love & Support
First Congregational Church announces that the Jericho Partnership of Danbury was chosen to receive the funds raised from their tag sale.
When the Missions Team of The First Congregational Church of Ridgefield (FCC) decided to have a Trinkets to Treasures Tag Sale in April of 2024, they had no idea how successful it would be and how much it would help at-risk children.
Kay Schonberg, the then-chair of the FCC Missions Team, asked her committee, “What can we do to help our mission partners more this year?” With the 2024 FCC Missions budget already set, it was clear that more fundraising was in order. Kay ambitiously suggested a Tag Sale as the church had not had one in years. The team agreed and went to work!
“The goal of the Mission Team’s Trinkets to Treasures Tag Sale was to raise funds to support a major, transformative program with one of our Mission partners and fulfill our promise that every dollar raised will help those in need,” said Kay. Then, with the work of the FCC Missions team and the many FCC congregation volunteers, donations from Ridgefielders and out-of-town residents came in!
The weekend of April 20th, 2024, brought a buzz to the church, where all who helped and attended could buy anything from fine china to sporting goods to baked goods – and even gold jewelry. All said and done, FCC Missions earned over $10,000!
FCC is excited to announce that the Jericho Partnership of Danbury was chosen to receive the funds to help establish their new offsite After School Learning Program, which broadens students’ academic horizons with tutoring support and enrichment workshops, all aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty among at-risk youth. On Sunday, September 22nd, 2024, Lisa Siedlecki, Co-Executive Director of Jericho Partnership, accepted the $10,000 check.
“Jericho Partnership is a nonprofit dedicated to serving the academic, physical, social, and spiritual needs of Danbury’s at-risk youth for the glory of God,” said Lisa Siedlecki. “We serve 400 children in the city, with pick-ups from 13 city schools for after-school programs, provide extensive Summer Learning Programs, youth mentoring, food security programs, and much more. Yet, there is more we need to do to meet the needs of underserved multi-language students in the city. Our new offsite After School Learning Program, which will take place in an additional space in downtown Danbury, will serve approximately 40 more children we could not accommodate in our current facilities. We are thrilled to accept the FCC donation as we expand our program to help many more children.”
Over the past 26 years since Jericho’s mentoring program began (with the goal of improving the city’s graduation rate), 98% of students who’ve participated in both the mentoring and after-school learning program have graduated, many becoming the first in their extended family to go college. Additionally, most of Jericho’s students, within a year of being in the program, will have raised their GPA by between .5 and 1 point.
“We are very impressed with the Jericho Partnership and are proud to support them financially and with volunteers in their continuing, impactful work for our community. On a daily basis, Jericho is investing in the education of the youth, which is an investment in the children’s future, the future of our community and our country”. said Lori Peterson, FCC Missions Liaison to Jericho.
Jericho Partnership has positively impacted Danbury for over twenty-six (26) years. Visit Jericho’s website to learn more about the Jericho Partnership and how you too can make a difference: jerichopartnership.org
FCC has been welcoming families and individuals since the establishment of the town of Ridgefield. It has a rich history of Christian service to the wider community, vibrant worship of God, faithful ministry with children and youth, and supportive fellowship with one another. Learn more about the First Congregational Church of Ridgefield by visiting www.firstcongregational.com.
