Our Year-End Appeal

Dear friends,
What do you say when “thank you” seems inadequate? What words truly express our appreciation for your prayers, volunteer hours, and financial support? Because the truth is, without you, Jericho Partnership’s ministry to Danbury’s at-risk community wouldn’t exist. So, it’s with deep gratitude that we thank you for locking arms with us as we answer God’s call to serve.

Jericho’s fiscal year ends on August 31, 2018, and what a year we’ve had! We’ve experienced a significant leadership transition and laid the groundwork for what we believe will be an exciting time of growth for our ministry.

Through it all, we’ve been good stewards of the resources God has brought to us, but today, with just a few weeks left, we’re asking for your help to close a gap. We need to raise approximately $150,000 by fiscal year-end to keep moving forward today, and to build on our firm foundation for all God has called us to tomorrow.  

Please take a moment to read Kolby’s story (below), testimony to how God is using Jericho to transform lives. We’re encouraged every day by stories like this; at the same time, we sense God calling us to invest even more of ourselves into our at-risk youth. It’s our hearts’ desire to match 100 boys and girls with one-to-one mentors, tutor another 300 students through our programs, and show hundreds more the hope of Christ through our ministry!

We’ve already done so much, but we yearn to do so much more. Our dreams are big; YOU can breathe life into them.  

Your support was so vital this past year. In 2017-18; we:

• Engaged with 4,000 children and adults, offering practical, material, and spiritual resources
• Expanded of our Reading Buddy program into our second public school, Great Plain Elementary
• Distributed 57,000+ meals, held 1,600+ clinic appointments, mentored 45 and tutored 175+ students
• Received of a grant to increase our case management services to Danbury’s aging population
• Established of the “Building on a Legacy Fund,” honoring retired Founder Bill & Kathie Beattie; donations are reserved for the most strategic ways to increase Jericho’s impact
• Reassessed Ministry Partners, refocusing some to best meet the spiritual, social, educational and material needs of clients, and setting the stage for greater life-transformation

Imagine, for a moment, if Jericho DIDN’T exist. Imagine if God didn’t equip us to serve the poor and needy. Or combat the epidemic of fatherlessness. Or feed the hungry. Imagine if children couldn’t receive health care. Or if homeless people didn’t have a way to improve their lives. Imagine if boys and girls weren’t mentored. Imagine if peoples’ circumstances didn’t undercut their potential.

Thanks to you, though, Jericho Partnership DOES exist and we ARE transforming a city, one life at a time. Today, we’re humbly asking you to support our mission to serve even MORE people … to replicate the life-change we see in Kolby, and to foster a hope for the future we see in our clients every day.

More great news: there’s a group of generous Gift Partners, including members of the Jericho Board of Directors, ready to match the first $100,000 in contributions we receive. Make your gift today to double its impact! Giving is simple: Click HERE; then click on any gold box, and follow the prompts.

We can’t do what we do without you. Your gift means the world to us, and a world of opportunities to students like Kolby.

With every blessing,

Carrie L. Amos, President

KOLBY's STORY

Kolby Sinclair, 17

2018 Danbury High School Graduate, GPA: 3.34

Will attend Quinnipiac College, International Business Major

“At one point in my life, I was a loud-mouth, always getting in trouble. My S.A.Y. Yes! tutor and my mentor helped me realize that acting out wasn’t cool, that I wasn’t going to anywhere in life with that attitude. He taught me the importance of knowledge. If I didn’t have a mentor, I wouldn’t be doing as well in school, and going to college. Instead of studying for tests, I’d probably be out partying. My mentor definitely changed the direction of my life.”

Kolby’s story is representative of the nearly 50 at-risk boys and girls whose lives are being transformed through Jericho’s one-to-one mentoring programs; our vision is to have 100 as we grow. 

Want to Get Fewer Emails from Us?

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Here's a super short survey to help us determine how to send you fewer, but more meaningful, emails!

CLICK HERE  to take the survey!

Join us in Prayer

The prayer lifted up at our annual Greater Danbury Prayer Breakfast - for our community leaders - is the centerpiece of our event every year.  Watch now to join us in prayer for our clergy, government officials, healthcare providers, first-responders, educators, not-for-profit organizations, business sector, and more. 

Volunteer Appreciation: Sally Chow

April 16-22 is National Volunteer Appreciation Week. So we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight five of our many hundreds of amazing Jericho volunteers. 

Sally Chow, receptionist, Hopeline pregnancy resource center

How long have you been volunteering at Hopeline? For at least 3 years...maybe 4. Time flies when you are having fun!

How often to you serve/what do you do? I staff the Hopeline front desk every Wednesday morning from 10:00 am to noon: I answer the phone, check in clients, prepare material resources (diapers and wipes) and do any projects that are needed.    

Why did you choose Hopeline as the ministry where you volunteer? It began when someone from Hopeline came to our church and talked about what they do.  I have always been opposed to abortions, and the spiritual element of Hopeline drew my interest. Hopeline has a Bible study and I thought that would be a place I could offer my ministry. As it turned out, they needed someone to welcome clients as they came in for appointments. So that is where I happily serve.

What about serving here touches your heart the most? Knowing that these women are getting good news about having a baby.  I have also made friends with the staff and the ladies that sit at the desk for Jericho!

Volunteer Appreciation: Dewey Strohmeyer

April 16-22 is National Volunteer Appreciation Week. So we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight five of our many hundreds of amazing Jericho volunteers. 

Dewey Strohmeyer, Tutor, S.A.Y. Yes! After-school Center

How long have you been a tutor at Jericho? I’ve been tutoring students in math since November 2014, after retiring from many years of service as a math teacher (mostly high school, some middle school). I also began to volunteer at about that same time at another after-school tutoring program, and I am still involved in both.

How often to you serve?  I serve at S.A.Y. Yes! on Mondays and Tuesdays. After my first year, I also helped as a tutor during the summer of 2015, but haven’t continued with the summer tutoring.

Why did you choose Pathways Danbury Youth Ministries/S.A.Y. Yes! as the ministry where you volunteer? Because S.A.Y. Yes is a Christ-centered ministry – motivated by the love of God in Christ for each individual.  “Transforming a city – one life at a time” is an ambitious goal (it should be!), and one that fits someone like me, who prefers to work one-on-one with those I might be able to help. S.A.Y. Yes seeks to reach “at risk” kids, helping them achieve the goal of graduation. This involvement in the lives of so many kids can make a real difference for them, and I am glad to be a part of it.

What about serving here touches your heart the most?  Seeing kids succeed and knowing that, along with many others, I may have played a part, is very rewarding.

Volunteer Appreciation: Joyce Sarver

April 16-22 is National Volunteer Appreciation Week. So we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight five of our many hundreds of amazing Jericho volunteers. 

Joyce Sarver, Nurse, Samaritan Health Center

How long have you been volunteering at SHC? 5 years

How often to you serve? One afternoon a week  (Note: The health center staff says Joyce is so dedicated and reliable that they feel like she is a member of staff!)

Why did you choose Samaritan Health Center as the ministry where you volunteer?  I had been telling God that I wish I could have a “do over” at my last job (as a school nurse) so I could be more patient with the students.  Shortly after that, I was reading the church newsletter and in that edition was a list of volunteer opportunities at Jericho.  Listed, among others, was Registered Nurses.  I immediately inquired and began volunteering the very next week.  God answered my prayer.

What about serving here touches your heart the most? It is an uplifting experience to see the love and kindness shown by the staff to all the patients and their families. The atmosphere at Samaritan is one of joy and caring.  The families served seem very appreciative of the care given.  It is truly a blessing to volunteer at Samaritan Health Center.

Volunteer Appreciation: Jessica Farmer

April 16-22 is National Volunteer Appreciation Week. So we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight five of our many hundreds of amazing Jericho volunteers. 

Jessica Farmer, Mentor, Naomi Mentoring

How long have you been with Naomi? Since its inception. I taught a weekly Bible study when last year’s graduating seniors (the inaugural graduating class of Naomi) were still in middle school. I’ve worked closely with the girls since that time through other avenues, but have had an official mentee for about 6 months.

How often to you serve? I meet with my mentee 2-3 times a week: for a one-on-one; at YoungLife (another teenage outreach ministry I work with); and I pick her up for church most Sundays. I also teach weekly Bible study for the girls in the program. 

Why did you choose Naomi as the ministry where you volunteer? Michelle Ross, Naomi’s director, has been a mentor – a constant presence and support - to me since I was the same age as these girls. When she said she was starting the mentoring program and asked if I would help, I was all in. She had done so much for me and I saw the passion and gifting she poured into us, and I absolutely wanted to be a part of doing the same for other young ladies.

What about serving here touches your heart the most? I had great role models growing up, which gave me a leg-up in many areas of my life. The fact that there are so many girls without that is a tragedy to me. Knowing that I can be that for someone, just by being present and consistent in their lives, is just a piece of what makes this worth it. To see these girls grow and transform into barrier-breaking young women is the icing on the cake. God truly gets the glory here!