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Opening doors through the Bishop’s Appeal
April 30, 2012
Posted in Local News Share
FAIRFIELD—As president of the Merton Center Advisory Board, Jane-Ellen Collins of Fairfield spends her time making people more aware of the downtown Bridgeport soup kitchen and the services it provides to people of all faiths in the community. As a contributor to the Annual Bishop’s Appeal, she also knows how important the Appeal is in keeping the doors open at Merton Center and in supporting so many other programs sponsored by the diocese in Fairfield County.
“Fairfield County has some of the wealthiest suburbs and poorest cities in the country. I consider it an innate responsibility to give back, and that’s what the Appeal does,” she says. “If we embrace Christianity, we must reach out to those who are in need. When people support the Appeal, the funds go to so many different programs and organizations. We just couldn’t do what we do for our guests without the resources from the Bishop’s Appeal.”
Collins began serving her two-year term as Advisory Board president last June after serving on the Merton board for nine years. She first became involved with Merton Center when a friend asked her to attend the celebrity breakfast. She liked what she heard and has worked to support the Merton programs ever since.
“I was really taken by the Merton Center and all they do for guests. What really stayed with me is that no one is ever turned away. That’s unlike many social programs, where there are criteria guests have to meet. That really is God’s way of working with people.”
Collins says that her professional social work background first attracted her to Merton Center, because she worked with abused and neglected children as a caseworker for Catholic Charities in New York before starting her own family. She now maintains a private counseling practice that specializes in children with autism and neurological disorders.
“My real passion is working with families,” says Collins who has adopted the Merton Family Center as a project close to her heart. Located behind the wellknown former St. Joseph Church building that now serves as the soup kitchen, the Merton Family Center serves families with preschool children. Many are poor and dealing with a wide range of challenges to raise their children. The Family Center provides a wide range of social, nutritional and counseling supports to help the children to succeed.
She is quick to offer praise to Merton Center board members and staff for the great work they do each day and for the willingness to go the extra mile to serve guests. She adds that demand for food pantry services has been rising steadily and she’s very excited about changes that have been made to improve the nutritional quality of the groceries and food supplies they distribute. In particular, staff and volunteers have been working to provide fresh well-balanced meals.
“The changes in the Food Pantry are so indicative of what Catholic Charities can do. Families who depend on the Food Pantry are embracing the nutrition counseling that we’ve introduced. They know the importance of fresh fruit and vegetables. Our entire culture is moving in that direction and it’s great that our guests participate in this. I think we’re providing another avenue where people can be at home and have the dignity of a good family meal.”
Jane Ellen and her husband, Joseph, have lived in Fairfield for 28 years and are the parents of three grown children. They are active members of St. Pius X Parish in Fairfield, where they serve as Eucharistic Ministers. Jane-Ellen is a former member of the parish council and served as a catechist for 15 years.
Collins is proud that “giving back” is part of the family tradition and that her children have embraced that philosophy in their own lives. “I’ve been blessed with a wonderful husband and family, and a beautiful life. I really feel that giving back is vital. It’s important as a Christian lay person.”
