St. John's Family Center (SJFC) was founded in 1996 by the Rev. Ann Jensen, then Associate Rector of St. John's Parish as an unincorporated outreach program of St. John's Episcopal Church (SJEC). In 2011, it was incorporated in the State of Connecticut as a 501(c)(3) corporation, which means that all of our programs are offered at no cost to our clients. 

 

The by-laws of SJFC state its purpose as “for religious, charitable, literary, or educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”),” including [specifically] the following: “to develop and nurture programs addressing the needs of families and individuals in the Greater Bridgeport area.”  

 

What started with the assistance of the Child Guidance Center and representatives from other non-profit social service agencies has now grown to make The Family Center a focal point for children and their families. Parishioners and volunteers collaborate with a variety of services and programs to serve the community.  

 

In 2010, the St. John's Family Center moved into enlarged quarters in the renovated and historic Sanford House at St John's, where it continues expanding its mission to serve "at risk" families of Greater Bridgeport, offering Parenting classes, mother/toddler playgroups, ESOL classes, summer programs, support groups, emergency food and clothing and GAP (Generate Academic's Progress), a new afterschool program for 82 Fourth & Fifth graders from two local elementary schools.  All programs of the Family Center are free of charge.