Be a Part of Something that Matters
January 2008
By Megan Cardinal

According to the Department of Children and Families Annual Town Pages report (available at http://www.ct.gov/dcf/lib/dcf/agency/pdf/tp_2006.pdf ) 9,977 children were substantiated as abused, neglected or uncared for during the 2006 fiscal year.  This is a scary number but Covenant to Care for Children is trying to change it.  Through partnership with DCF and area congregations and volunteers Covenant to Care for Children provides families with basic needs to alleviate some of the stressors that may cause abuse and neglect. 

The needs of many families are far more than the social service agencies can handle themselves.  Each month hundreds of volunteers throughout the state work with CCC to better the lives of children in Connecticut.  By working with volunteers in many different communities Covenant to Care for Children also has the opportunity to educate individuals about the needs of these families.  Below is a letter I received from an adopted social worker explaining how the Adopt a Social Worker Program has touch the lives of his clients as well as a whole community. 

Dear Megan:

I am happy to report that Covenant to Care has stepped up to fill in the gaps when DCF has not been able to do so in lives of numerous children from the Southeastern Connecticut Region.  Since I began with Covenant to Care six months ago, I have been able to fill family needs such as the following:

	A bicycle for a thirteen year old boy on his birthday
	A Walmart gift card for a grandmother and guardian of an eleven year old child with Pervasive Developmental Disorder for clothes and other essentials
	Clothes for an entire family who home had been burned to the ground and whose father had been injured
	School materials were gathered by the church's vacation bible school for foster children or children in need to be properly prepared for the school year
	A bed frame was requested for a family that was moving into a new apartment
	Twenty five children's Christmas wish lists are being taken care of by church members

Last Sunday's Covenant ceremony in the church was an excellent way for the church to better understand the needs of the children in the state's care, and to give Niantic Community Church the opportunity to help out.  I have had the opportunity to write letters in the church monthly newspaper and Sunday bulletins to get out the word about the process in general and of course about specific needs for specific families. 

Because I am a member of the church, I have a great relationship with the church liaison.  The Niantic Community Church is a wonderful community of givers who care that the money we offer goes in ways that would please God.   The causes we support in outreach start globally with efforts to promote world peace and continue in our community to promote the wellbeing of our neighbors through Covenant to Care.

There has been a lot of positive feedback between the Church and letters written in thanks by recipients voluntarily.  It has truly set up a positive relationship between those in need, and those at our church with means to give.  It is a win-win situation and a way for those at church to remember that those in need are not just needy, but valued.

The turn around time with our requests is very fast - sometimes just days. 

Thanks for your support.  The help you have made possible is immeasurable.

Sincerely,
Peter Heaney
Voluntary Services
Social Worker