Mike Greene, affectionately called "the man in the van" spends hours every day picking up food that is about to be discarded (before expiration or because there is overstock) from local grocery stores, and drives it to several food pantries - including Jericho's Food Pantry on Spring Street every Friday.
Now, he needs some assistance...
https://www.newstimes.com/local/article/Man-in-a-Van-delivers-fresh-food-donations-12620210.php
We're so grateful for every person, small business, or corporation that partners with us in our mission, whether by praying for us, volunteering their time, or giving gifts of support. Seriously, it fills our hearts with joy.
Recently, Target of Bethel donated five pallets of baby merchandise to Jericho; the car seats, high chairs, and other items were distributed to our neighbors in need through Samaritan Health Center and Hopeline Pregnancy Resource Center. The lives of those kiddos were improved!
If you or your workplace would like to support Jericho with in-kind donations, here are some of our current needs...
For the Jericho ministries at 13 Rose Street:
For the ministries at 44 Spring Street (Jericho Spring Street Neighborhood Center):
For the ministries at 13 and 22 Maple Avenue:
To become a gift partner, please bring items to the address mentioned, or contact us at (203) 791-1180 or at info@jerichopartnership.org . Thank you in advance for supporting our mission to love and serve Danbury's poor and needy.
Kids gotta eat! And, boy, do they like pizza!
Here's an opportunity to support a Jericho ministry by helping to feed middle and high school Young Life students.
Young Life is looking for people (or groups of people) who would sponsor dinner - pizza, chips, beverages - for about 30 students at one of their club meetings.
Dates available include:
Wyldlife (middle school)
3/13, 3/27, 4/10, 4/24, 5/8, 5/22
Young Life (high school)
2/26, 3/12, 3/26, 4/9, 4/23, 5/7
Contact volunteer@jerichopartnership.org to claim a date or learn more!
It was beginning to look like Elijah Scott’s plan to graduate high school on schedule might get derailed. But that was before the tutors at Jericho’s after-school program had anything to say about it.
After the 17-year-old failed geometry in his sophomore year and then missed one deadline that was part of his summer school make-up course, S.A.Y. Yes! Learning Center tutors kicked into high gear to help Elijah complete the intense web-based test regimen that would, hopefully, result in a “Pass” and put him back on track… and achieve one of Jericho’s main objectives: to ensure students graduate from high school.
Tutor Dewey Strohmeyer spent many hours with Elijah, a Danbury High School junior, working through geometry problem after geometry problem – and coping with frustrating website crashes that resulted in Elijah having to retake large chunks of the assignments and tests. But even with that stressor, the duo forged on – working together up to four hours a day, twice a week since October 2017 (with a holiday break) – until Elijah completed the final test a couple of weeks ago.
“Even when S.A.Y. Yes was closed, or school was closed, we still met, trying to get it all done in time,” Elijah said.
Their persistence paid off. Elijah scored a solid B in his course.
“We were all doing the happy dance when we heard he passed!” said Tutor Sue Lamb, who spent time working with Elijah on the days Dewey wasn’t at the Center. “Obviously we wanted Elijah to be successful. Everyone was very excited and proud of him for all his hard work.”
Dewey also praised Elijah’s persistence in working through a high volume of work. “I don’t know how they expected anyone to plod along without help,” he said.
Elijah, who wants to study computer science in college, said he was very grateful for the way his tutors supported him. “I appreciate them a lot,” he said. “I’m glad they were able to help me understand things I didn’t understand. Some people wouldn’t be able to take their personal time to help. They took time out and managed to make sure I succeeded.”
Dewey has been tutoring at S.A.Y. Yes! since 2014, when he retired from his job as a high school math teacher in Weston. “After I retired, I thought the Lord had continued to bless me with gifts and energy and experience,” he said. “There was an expectation that I would use what He’d given me.”
We have a fantastic new volunteer opportunity for those who have a heart for kiddos!
We've expanded our CityServe Reading Buddy program into Great Plain Elementary School in Danbury.
We're seeking volunteers to work with very small groups of students - in the classroom under the teacher's guidance - in grades K, 1, or 5, in one-hour blocks between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm, on Wednesdays or Thursdays. You choose how many hours!
Want to learn more? Read more about our CityServe initiatives HERE. Contact cityserve@jerichopartnership.org or volunteer@jerichopartnership.org or call (203) 791-1180.
There some days working at Samaritan Health Center where I receive lavish, yet simple gifts that fill me with joy. When that happens, it’s almost as if the patient makes the doctor feel better.
The other day, a six year old came in for a physical exam, equipped with his play doctor kit that he made from his "Thomas the Tank" box. He had his play stethoscope around his neck as he greeted me, and he was so excited to show me his medical items as we talked.
The blessing, of course, was that we actually had the time to talk. One of the things that makes SHC so special is that we get to spend time with our patients, forming these sweet relationships that forge a bond, and give us the opportunity, whenever needed, to pray and encourage a patient. This time, though, it was the patient that absolutely made my day.
Dear friends,
Happy New Year to you and yours!
As we begin a new calendar year of ministry, we’re planning to run the next leg of this journey full of enthusiasm! Supported by regular and focused prayer, we are expectant that, with God’s leading and provision, the Jericho Partnership will increase its impact in the city of Danbury in 2018.
Our commitment, as stressed so often by Chairman Emeritus Bill Beattie, is to “keep the mission the mission.” So, in 2018, we’ll sharpen our focus, and look at transformation through the lens of strengthened relationships – with those we serve, with our church partners, our ministry leaders & staff, our volunteers, and our gift partners - and discern how we can be even more effective together. Our role models remain, first and foremost, Jesus, who modeled love in relationship, and second, the Good Samaritan, who wouldn’t walk by anyone in need.
We’re expectant that this year will be a significant year for our Partnership, and invite you to lock arms with us in our journey!
- With every blessing, Carrie L. Amos, President