Bishops Fund for Children

At Convention in October 1994 Clarence N. Coleridge, Episcopal Bishop of Connecticut, asked that Convention support the establishment of The Bishop's Fund For Children. The Bishop's Fund has three components:

1. that Episcopalians hold up in prayer children at risk in Connecticut;
   
   
2. that Episcopalians in Connecticut become involved as volunteers in their local communities working on behalf of children at risk;
   
   
3. that Episcopalians contribute financially to the Bishop's Fund which in turn materially supports organizations and agencies in Connecticut-- church and non-church-- that provide direct services to children at risk. Convention voted overwhelmingly to support this program.

Bishop Coleridge's first St. Nicholas' Day letter (December 6, 1994) launched the fund raising part of The Bishop's Fund. By March 1995, $72,000 had been received. In the spring of that year the Board of Trustees made grants to 12 applicants totalling $66,000. Each year the Fund begins its annual appeal on St. Nicholas' day.

Between January and March grant applications are solicited from organizations and agencies in Connecticut that have a discernable relationship to the Episcopal Church. Of particular interest to the Trustees are collaborative efforts between several organizations and the church, and which creatively and directly serve children.

During the years since it was initiated, hundreds of people in the Diocese of Connecticut have given of their time and talent to organizations that serve children at risk. These volunteers are answering the call to become involved in a meaningful way.

An annual St. Nicholas' Day appeal is made but the opportunity to contribute to The Bishop's Fund For Children is on-going. To make a gift in support of children at risk, send your check to: The Bishop's Fund for Children, 1335 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Donations can also be made by credit card; please call the office, 800-842-0126 (860-233-4481 in the Hartford area) and talk to Leslie Pendleton.