Pathways Academy in its third year

Pathways Academy began its third year with 28 middle-school-aged boys in September amid signs of success in several Academy goals: helping close the achievement gap between the city's upper and lower income students, helping reduce the dropout rate among at-risk students, and laying the foundation for a Christian worldview among Academy graduates.

Most of the students entering the sixth grade two years ago were below their grade reading level, said Ced Rice, principal. Now most are at or above their readng level as they enter the eighth grade. And only one of the original 11 sixth graders dropped out.

Progress isn't only in academics. "They've grown spiritual," Ced said. "They've learned more about themselves and the Lord, and they understand the simplicity and power of prayer."

The Academy is a Jericho Partnership ministry partner, and was recently awarded 501(c)(3) nonprofit status by the IRS.

"Christmas in August" clothing distribution

Jericho Partnership gave away an uncounted number of donated clothing items in mid August, with 32 volunteers helping 86 people sort through and take home clothing for all seasons.

The three-day "Christmas in August" effort, which was advertised to several social service agencies in Danbury such as Family & Children's Aid, could be a more frequent event because of the ongoing donation of clothing and household items.

"People make donations almost every day," said Crystal Perkins, Jericho's operations manager. "We're putting a better system in place to handle them."

For more information about making donations of clean, lightly-used laundered clothing, contact Crystal at volunteer@jerichopartnership.org or 203-791-1180.

227 backpacks to inner city school kids

Jericho Partnership's fourth annual back-to-school backpack event provided 227 Danbury inner city kids a free backpack filled with school supplies, compared with 180 backpacks last year.

Most were distributed Aug. 21 to the Kindergarten through sixth-grade children at an evangelistic event at the Jericho Samaritan Center on Rose Street that included games, breakfast and the Gospel account.

The bulk of the money needed to buy the backpacks and supplies came from a Vacation Bible School class at Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel, Conn., this past summer. The VBS class raised enough money to buy and fill 150 backpacks.

More than 40 volunteers collected the school supplies, filled the backpacks and helped distribute them.

June Renzulli named to Jericho executive board

June Renzulli of New Milford, Conn., has been named a community member-at-large of Jericho Partnership's executive board, concentrating on nonprofit management and leadership.

June has more than 16 years experience in metro Danbury nonprofits, and Jericho "was looking for someone who understands the nonprofit sector and the leadership challenges it brings," she said.

She is director of philanthropy and major gifts at Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut in Danbury. Before that, she was chief executive officer of the 15-community United Way of Western Connecticut in Danbury.

June and her husband, Glenn, have three children and three grandchildren.

Mark Lounsbury new mentoring program director

Mark D. Lounsbury of Southbury, Conn., has been named to the newly-created position of ministry director of Jericho Partnership's ministry partner, Pathways Danbury.

Mark is responsible for the mentoring program's mission to develop Christ-centered young men, each mentored by a male adult from metro Danbury churches.

Mark was youth pastor for ten years at Lighthouse Ministries in Danbury, where he has been asscoiate pastor for the past two years. He and his wife, Sandra, have four children.

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Nearly 50 children will have a happy birthday

Jericho Partnership's annual Birthday Make & Take event in late July was another huge success. We served 49 children and their parents with games, a meal, the Gospel and a birthday package of cake mix, toppings, favors and a gift for children whose parents don't have enough extra money for a party. Nearly 30 volunteers helped plan, organize and facilitate the event.

E-news from Jericho 

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