FAIRFIELD - The look of hope and renewal from women who reached their lowest point remains embedded in the mind of MaryAnne Jordan and she wants to help them.

Behind the small white picket fence and flowered trellis on Ohio Street is a home called Heather House, a place that provides temporary shelter, food and case management to homeless families and single women looking to better their lives.

It is known as an emergency shelter and transitional housing program in a facility peppered with 24 beds. And for Jordan, it is a place unlike others in Fairfield.

'To my knowledge, it is the only facility that takes in women and children from bad situations and gives them a place to stay, helps with employment and assists with getting into an apartment. I don't know of any place like that,' Jordan said. 'A lot of people don't know about that.'

For this reason, Jordan, vice president of St. Mark's Lutheran Church Council, approached Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Chapter 30702, and asked for assistance to raise funds for the Heather House. It was a response from witnessing a low number of attendees at a fund-raiser concert weeks ago for the homeless shelter.

'It was a wonderful concert but poorly attended and they didn't get the funds they were hoping to raise,' she said. 'This concert was to help them and it didn't meet their needs.'

Shortly after, Jordan approached St. Mark's congregation and asked if they could do a 'matching funds' fund-raiser, which will take place on Sunday during both services.

'We are part of the faith community that supports Heather House and we believe in what they're doing. We need to support them,' said the Rev. Todd Bertani of St. Mark's Lutheran Church.

During both services, 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., Bertani will ask those attending for special offerings. Thrivent Financial will match up to $1,600. Jordan is hoping to exceed that amount and asks the community to attend.

'I feel we can't all give hands on, but we can certainly support people who do that work,' she said.

And that, Bertani said, is their mission.

'What we're doing is the kind of thing we should be doing, using our resources to give that support. And that support will ensure the sustainability of Heather House long term,' Bertani said. 'We are living out what Christ calls us out to do and that's helping those in need.'

Reach Andrea E. Garcia at 427-6953 or agarcia@dailyrepublic.net.