Having completed construction of five houses in Bridgeport in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, the Episcopal Bridgebuilders coalition is setting its sights on Stamford for its next project. Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County broke ground July 24 on a six-unit condo project in two buildings on the corner of West Main and Spruce Street in Stamford. The Stamford project provides an opportunity for Episcopal Bridgebuilders to reformulate the coalition and focus its attention on Southern Fairfield County.
The coalition got a big boost from St. Mark’s Outreach Commission on September 18 when it unanimously and enthusiastically endorsed for vestry approval a leadership grant toward sponsorship of a three-bedroom unit in the Stamford project. Further good news was received last week when Christ Church Greenwich indicated its desire to join the coalition. Bob Stephan, St. Mark’s liaison to the coalition, said, “These leadership grants will be very helpful in recruiting other churches to join the coalition and meeting our goal of raising $100,000 by February so that we can start work early next Spring. This is an ambitious goal, but with the enthusiasm already building at St. Mark’s and Christ Church, I am confident we will get there.”
Nineteen Northern Fairfield County parishes formed the Episcopal Bridgebuilders coalition in 1999 with the common mission of “addressing the need for affordable housing in our area and the problem of racial, ethnic and socio-economic division among our people.” The program gives parishioners the opportunity to personally witness their Christian faith and fulfill their baptismal covenant “to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.”
St. Mark’s joined the coalition in 2002 and participated in the construction of the fourth and fifth houses. Last year over 25 St. Mark’s parishioners and friends participated on various levels—from raising money to hammering nails. Working side-by-side with members of other churches, Habitat for Humanity volunteers, and the families hoping to occupy the houses, parishioners feel the joy that comes from building relationships and working directly with others to improve the lives of families in our communities.
Further information on the Stamford project and the Episcopal Bridgebuilders coalition can be found on the following links on the St. Mark’s website: the October 14 presentation to St. Mark’s parishioners, Habitat for Humanity’s Stamford project description, and the Mission and Goals of the Episcopal Bridgebuilders coalition. To get on the contact list for participating in this program, please call the church office 966-4515 or Bob Stephan 972-5800 rmstephan@optonline.net.
Donations to the Episcopal Bridgebuilders/Habitat for Humanity project can be made by sending your tax deductible check, payable to “Habitat for Humanity CFC” with “Episcopal Bridgebuilders” in the memo line, to Habitat for Humanity CFC, 1470 Barnum Avenue, Bridgeport CT 06614.
