Seminarian Joel Weir
STOTS
FOCA
FOCA Authorizes St. Tikhon’s Married Student Housing Project
A
t what will certainly go down as a most historic Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America (FOCA) Convention, on September 3, 2007, in Nashville, TN, the visionary Married Student Housing Project for St. Tikhon’s Seminary was approved, and an estimated $1.9 million capital campaign was launched. FOCA president Michael Steffaro, noting the vital importance of the project said: “By providing this resource, we are assisting those who will become the future spiritual leaders of our Church. This project is significant and will make an enormous impact for all of Orthodoxy in America.” Mr. Steffaro sees this project as the continuation of FOCA’s growing relationship and generous support of North America’s Orthodox seminaries. FOCA already distributes nearly $20,000 in gifts each year with their “St. Nicholas Program.” Additionally, FOCA has distributed nearly $100,000 a year to seminarians and their families through their “Seminarian Adoption Program.”
The first of the four-year phased schedule is focused on advertising, educating, and securing pledges and grants. Years two through four will be marked with the building of each unit (three buildings with four condos in each is planned) upon receipt of funding.
Four suggested giving levels have been established. Benefactor level: $5,000 a year for three years, which equates to $500/month for 10 months per year. Founder level: $2,500 a year for three years, which equates to $250/month for 10 months per year. Supporter level: $1,000 a year for three years, which equates to $100/month for 10 months per year. Donor level: $500 a year for three years, which equates to $50/month for 10 months per year. Project teams are being put together. Those interested in participating should contact Michael Steffaro at michaelsteffaro@comcast.net. Pledge forms are available on the FOCA website at www.orthodoxfellowship.org. The entire St. Tikhon’s community wishes to express its deepest gratitude to FOCA for their generous and genuine love and support! May God grant you many years! 53
2007 – 2008 ACADEMIC YEAR
It was through FOCA members’ connection with and genuine care for seminarians and their families that brought the need for Married Student Housing at St. Tikhon’s to their attention. “Our members have been invited to each other’s homes; we have been in communication about seminary issues, and have built friendship and trust,” Mr. Steffaro explained, “We have also realized a significant need at St. Tikhon’s. The students at St. Tikhon’s have greater financial needs
based on the lack of housing in the surrounding areas. Our two programs helped us identify the significant need for married student housing at St. Tikhon’s.” Through the bold vision and hard work of the FOCA housing project committee (Fr. Bill Evansky, Spiritual Advisor and Seminarian Liaison; Michael Steffaro, Chairman; John Petronko, Legal Advisor; Theodore Gregory, Architect; Mrs. Polly Walker, Correspondence; John Witkowski, Treasurer; and Michael Bowan, Financial Advisor), along with the support and commitment of His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN, Very Rev. Michael Dahulich, the St. Tikhon’s Board of Trustees, and much of the FOCA and St. Tikhon’s community, the Married Student Housing Project has seen the light of day and the first phase of the capital campaign is in full swing.