The Episcopal Counseling Center of Central Florida has served the counseling needs of the Diocese of Central Florida and the people of Central Florida for the past 35 years. During that time, we have been privileged to offer mental health counseling, marriage and family counseling, pre-marital counseling, retreats, seminars, supervision, resource information, testing for those seeking Holy Orders, event speakers, Employee Assistance Plan counseling, consultation to clergy and a number of other services. All that we do is based on our corporate and individual faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We are not part of the Diocese but a separate not-for-profit corporation whose only member of the corporation is the Bishop of Central Florida by position. As such, we are not included in the line-item budget of the Diocese. We can and do apply for grants from the Diocese each year. The generally accepted standard for not-for-profit (501C3) corporations is that administrative costs be paid through fund raising efforts. Since there has been minimal fundraising for the Episcopal Counseling Center in recent years, we have suffered financially. The business plan we developed to respond to the lack of fundraising is beginning to “turn the corner” but we need additional support.

The purpose of this letter is not only to give you information but to ask that you be part of this effort so that this ministry to the Diocese and the community of Central Florida can survive and thrive. We find that $20,000 annually will provide administrative coverage we cannot provide through services. That figure comes to about $250 per parish each year. At this time of year, budgets for next year are being written. We ask that you consider our request.

As always, we stand ready to respond to the needs of the clergy and parishioners of our Diocese in any way we can. If you would like more information, please contact our main office in Orlando at 407-423-3327 and ask that I return your call.

Yours in Christ,                                                              Yours in Christ,
The Reverend Jim Sorvillo                                             Sharon Jones, Ph.D.
President, ECC Board                                                     Interim Executive Director

1021East Robinson Street • Orlando, Florida 32801 • (407) 423-3327
(800) 544-1817 • www.eccflorida.org