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Jennifer Ernst named partnerships coordinator for Sudan
The appointment was made by Sudan Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul and former Northern Indiana Bishop Francis C. Gray, who has served as the ECS commissary to the U.S. for the past 18 months.
The purpose of the coordinator's role "is to increase the number of partners working to strengthen the ECS and to bridge the lines of communication between the ECS and its partners, both present and future," according to a news release.
A lifelong Episcopalian, Ernst began volunteering with the Sudanese refugee community in 1999. In 2002, she traveled to Kakuma Refugee Camp in northwestern Kenya and became deeply invested in education. In 2004, she launched the "Walk for Sudan" in Richmond, Virginia, which raises up to $35,000 annually. She founded Hope for Humanity, Inc. and raised $700,000 to support a variety of education projects, including a 10-classroom, 2-building school in Atiaba, Sudan. Ernst received the 2008 Harriet Happy Pullman Award and the 2009 Honored Woman Triennial Award from the Diocese of Virginia for her work in Sudan.
In her new role, Ernst will be an initial point of U.S. contact for the ECS provincial office and Deng's requests and concerns. Working together with other organizations involved with the ECS, Ernst will help to develop plans on how best to respond to those concerns. In addition, she will communicate the pressing needs of the ECS to dioceses, NGOs and other organizations that have the ability to help address those issues.
A database will be organized and made available which outlines existing ECS partners, both in the U.S. and abroad, and their level of involvement. A website, www.ecspartners.org, will be maintained with pertinent information regarding the ECS.
"The ECS is pleased to have Jennifer fill this important role ... of developing additional partnerships for the ECS and enhancing communication and coordination among the various partners of the ECS," said Deng. "I have known Jennifer for many years and have been impressed with her professionalism and her dedication to Sudan. We look forward to working with her."
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