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CONECT AWARDED $25,000 GRANT FROM FAIRFIELD COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

FCCF Supports Work of “Congregations Organized for a New Connecticut” To Advocate Policies for Social and Economic Justice

    Bridgeport, Conn. — CONECT, Congregations Organized for a New Connecticut, a multi-faith, multi-ethnic, urban and suburban member organization of 27 widely diverse congregations and lay leaders in Fairfield and New Haven Counties, has received a competitive grant of $25,000 from the Fairfield County Community Foundation (FCCF). The grant will be used to support leadership development, training and capacity building by the non-profit and non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting social and economic justice in Connecticut.

The organization began five years ago when a group of founding pastors and rabbis first began to gather monthly to explore the vitality of their congregations and the struggles of their members. They quickly realized that, in addition to their individual congregations’ programs to serve the needs of their own communities, they could create greater impact by combining these efforts to work at a higher level of policy change.

Soon lay leaders and other congregants joined with their clergy in leadership training programs and meetings with ever-larger numbers of congregants to “tell their stories” and identify issues impacting individuals and families to distill areas of common concern.

The organization’s historic Founding Assembly held last fall was attended by 1500 people, including Governor Malloy and other key government, civic and business leaders. There, the platform of current issues that were found to concern so many families and individuals — health care and long-term care insurance, protection from predatory lending practices, equity in education, job training, and drivers’ licenses for the undocumented – was introduced. It has been moving forward since then with growing success.

“CONECT plays a vital role in bringing together community leaders of all faiths to serve as a united voice for their congregants,” said Nancy von Euler, FCCF Program Director. “We are pleased to help these leaders raise awareness of and address the major challenges facing their community.”

CONECT Founder and Co-Chairperson, Rev. Dr. Anthony Bennett, Pastor of Mount Aery Baptist Church in Bridgeport was instrumental in obtaining the grant from FCCF. As Co-Chair with Father Jim Manship, of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Parish in New Haven they, along with so many others, are building a power organization to engage in public life in Connecticut.

In response to receiving the FCCF grant, Pastor Anthony said, “We are tremendously grateful to the Fairfield County Community Foundation for its support as CONECT moves ahead to build its active membership to work together for the benefit of all Connecticut citizens.”

The Fairfield County Community Foundation promotes the growth of community and regional philanthropy to improve the quality of life throughout Fairfield County. Individuals, families, corporations and organizations can establish charitable funds and contribute to existing funds. The Foundation provides philanthropic advisory services. It is in compliance with the Council on Foundations; national standards for community foundations. The Foundation has awarded over $135 million in grants to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond. For more information, visit www.fccfoundation.org.

For more CONECT information, visit www.WeConect.org or contact WeConectnow@gmail.com.

 

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