Mark 16:15

As Christians, one of our responsibilities is reach out to our neighbors far and near. Each year the church school sponsors a mission project, and throughout the year, the children will learn about the project and will be raising money for it.

This year our children will be reaching out to children in Hartford. Kids in Hartford face tougher challenges than any child should. A higher percentage (42%) of Hartford’s children live below the poverty line than any other municipality in Connecticut. Fewer than half of the city’s preschool children participate in school readiness programs.

Once these children reach school age, Hartford schools are also poorly equipped to help students reach their full potential. Schools are overcrowded, and special programs like art and music are frequently discontinued due to lack of funds. Even books are in short supply, with scarce library budgets and even fewer resources for classroom book collections.

For many kids, the cumulative effect of these disadvantages begins to impact their academic success at an early age. Only 20% of Hartford’s fourth graders are able to read at their own grade level, the worst reading ranking in all of Connecticut. By the time Hartford students reach high school, nearly as many kids are reading at a fourth-grade level than at a ninth-grade level. Poor readers fall further behind in school, contributing to Hartford’s low graduation rate of 29%.

At First Church, we have the opportunity to make a difference where it is needed most. Through an exciting partnership with the Fred Wish Elementary School, our 2007 church school mission project can help Hartford kids overcome these odds and become better readers...

“Building Bridges with Books – The First Church/Wish Connection”

The money raised by the class sales, children’s offering and special gifts from congregation members will all go towards buying books at Fred Wish Elementary School on Barbour Street in Hartford. We will be adding books to the school’s library and individual class libraries. We’re hoping to adopt some classes as well and purchase books for the children to take home. Wish Elementary School has approximately 440 students ranging from PreK to grade 6. Because Hartford is such a poor city, all the students in the district receive free/reduced lunch. The school is putting great emphasis on reading for pleasure, and we’re excited to be working with them on this initiative.

First Church has been involved at Wish Elementary School for over ten years. The Board of Christian Service helps at reading events throughout the year, and we hope to get even more First Church members involved in the events and tutoring students.

Our goal is to raise $5,000 over the course of this year. $5000 will enable us to buy at least 625 books. Look for more details soon about how much money it will take to adopt one class at Wish Elementary.

We have the opportunity to make a difference with our time, talent and treasure and ensure that these children in Hartford, our neighbors, know that they are loved and valued. Won’t you join us on this journey?

Many Blessings,



Jerry Jones
Mission Project Liaison for the Board of Christian Education



Kate VanDerzee
Director of Christian Education