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The Co-Op Page

news and opportunities


A Special Opportunity to Give:

The Watkinson Prisoners’ Aid Society awarded CO-OP Center a matching grant of $1,350 in May, 2009. The matching dollars to receive this award must be raised by December 1, 2009. Supporters who would like to help CO-OP Center achieve this goal may send contributions in honor of one or more of the clients recognized on September 25. Checks should be made payable to:

 The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport or “CCGB” and mailed to

1100 Boston Avenue, Bldg. 5-A, Bridgeport, CT  06610

Please put CO-OP on the memo line at the bottom of the check.

 Or if you prefer to make an online gift, click on 

 


Put those Unused Gift cards to Good Work!

Individuals and/or companies who would like to support CO-OP Center’s efforts with the federal Support Court program can send unused gift cards to:

Dan Braccio,

The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport,

1100 Boston Ave., Bldg 5A,

Bridgeport, CT 06610.

Gift cards can be in any amount. Please designate the amount on a separate piece of paper in the envelope, or written plainly on the card. Gift cards to department stores, grocery stores, and restaurants are the most useful. Passes to movie theaters and other entertainment venues are also welcome.

 November 12, 2009

Dan,

On behalf of the Support Court I want to express our gratitude to you and the members of your organization for the gift cards. Thus far two participants have been awarded gift cards and it has been one of the true highlights of Support Court. Your assistance has allowed Support Court to reward its participants for working above and beyond. Since our participants have a past plagued with drug use and a criminal life style to support their use, having the ability to provide a meaningful incentive to these participants. Our participants can then, if they choose, share it with family and friends in an effort to give back to those individuals who supported them then, and continue to support them in their efforts to live a life substance free.

Yours truly,

Deborah Palmieri

Supervising U.S. Probation Officer

Bridgeport, CT

 


Click here to read about the Prodigal Project Video produced by John Santa with the help of the Fairfield University's Media Center.   Prospective employers are encouraged to watch the video and learn more about successfully hiring ex-offenders  http://www.mpvct.org/prodigal_project.html

 

 

CO-OP Center’s Annual Client Recognition Event was held Friday,

September 25, 2009 at The Council of Churches office.

Four clients were recognized for their progress in achieving their short and long term goals. The four clients honored were:

·        Jeffery Moore, a CO-OP client in residence at CT Renaissance’s Maple St. halfway house program has obtained a CDL license, secured a fork lift operator’s certificate, and is attending Housatonic Community College part-time. He has also obtained a full time job. He hopes to have his own private business someday.

·        John Moales, a CO-OP client for nine months, is currently residing at Isaiah 61:1’s halfway house and is working part-time in Bridgeport and is also enrolled at Housatonic Community College as a full-time student. He is an active church member and volunteers as a mentor to children through the Beacon Mentoring Program.  John is a great example of community collaborations and individual determination to become self-sufficient.

·        Jose Rodriguez, also a resident in the Isaiah 61:1 program, came to the CO-OP Center in June and in that time he has managed to gain full time employment and was recently promoted to supervisor.  Jose has accomplished all this without hesitation of failing, or anticipation of hand outs.  Jose’s counselor states,” From day one at the program he has appeared to be very focused; I would call him a model client, one that the others should fashion themselves after.”

·        Susan Sawyer, who resides in the Miracle House program,  is currently attending GED classes at the CO-OP Center and has been since becoming a client in the beginning of August.  She is now on her way to obtaining her driver’s license. 

Rev. Brian Bodt, Council of Churches CEO, said in a letter read at the ceremony by Board Chairperson, Carl Johnson,“It is no small thing to be ‘man’ or ‘woman’ enough to take advantage of a ‘second chance.’ Jeffery, John, Jose, and Susan have made that important step, and done it well enough that it has brought recognition to others.” 

Rosa Correa, CO-OP Center Advisory Board Chair, said in her remarks to those attending how important it is “To see these people as assets and not liabilities to the community, and to recognize the strengths that they bring to reentry programs, as well as their employers, their schools, and their neighborhoods.”

Susan Sawyer, upon accepting her award from CO-OP Case Manager, Jamila Foster-Bey, thanked everyone for their support and quoted Lao Tzu, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

Dan Braccio, CO-OP Center Program Director, has extended an invitation to those who could not attend the recognition event to support the honorees in this unique way. The Watkinson Prisoners’ Aid Society has awarded CO-OP Center a matching grant of $1,350 in May. The matching dollars to receive this award must be raised by December 1, 2009. Supporters who would like to help CO-OP Center achieve this goal may send contributions in honor of one or more of the clients recognized on September 25 to The Council of Churches. Please put CO-OP on the notation line on the bottom of the check.


Staff:

Dan Braccio   Program Director

Judy Aldahondo  

Paula Britt  

Jamilla Foster-Bey  

Nasif Muhammad  

Ana Cotto   Administrative Assistant

©2006 The Greater Bridgeport Council of Churches, Inc.Questions? Contact Us