Arpil 28, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco, under the leadership of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, has received a $100,000 grant from the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund to launch a new Family Wellness Center. In a detailed proposal submitted in October 2006 to Leadership 100, the Metropolis outlined a multi-year plan which includes the development of programs to strengthen marriages and families, provide youth development services, and will work to gain a clear understanding of the needs of the clergy and laity in the Metropolis so as to develop relevant programming for people of all ages and at all stages in life, all while incorporating Orthodox theology and teachings.
The programs offered by the Family Wellness Center will be implemented at both the Metropolis and the parish levels, and will be facilitated by a mix of trained clergy and lay professionals. These programs will be designed as retreats, seminars and other formats to be held regionally throughout the Metropolis. These programs are intended to provide tangible resources and guidance, and to enhance life skills within the context of Orthodoxy.
“Families, both
clergy and lay, should be able to turn to their parish or the wider Church,
which offers real guidance and real services,” said His Eminence Metropolitan
Gerasimos. “Throughout its history, the Orthodox Church has offered Her members
and anyone who seeks Her out, places for learning, prayer, reflection and
healing.”
Leadership 100 has offered a challenge grant of an additional $100,000 for the
2008 calendar year, if contributions can be matched for this year’s initial
grant of $100,000. All donations are tax-deductible and should be sent
to: Family Wellness Center, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco, 372
Santa Clara Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94127, 415-753-3075.
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco first shared his vision for the establishment of the Family Wellness Center at his enthronement in April 2005. In addition to his extensive theological studies at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA, Metropolitan Gerasimos also received Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Counseling and School Psychology from the prestigious Boston College.
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco oversees the western region of the United States and serves over 150,000 Greek Orthodox faithful in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.
Leadership 100 was created in 1984, under the guidance of Archbishop Iakovos, as an endowment fund of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese through which Greek Orthodox leaders were asked to commit themselves to offer $100,000 each to maintain the life-sustaining ministries of the Church. Through careful stewardship and focusing on the key ministries of the Greek Orthodox Church, Leadership 100 has grown to 675 members with assets of almost $50 million. Dedicated to supporting programs that advance Orthodoxy and Hellenism, it has provided more than $15 million in grants and gifts to the critical ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and to programs that meet human need.
4th Thursday after Pascha
