Social Justice Team Supported Multiple Fundraisers and Looks Forward to Future Plans

Submitted by Sally Hartman

Last Month: Gratitude for Support

November is the month of giving thanks, so the UUS Social Justice Team extends a hearty “Thank You” to all of you who made October such a successful month for social justice.  From the great turnout and lively dancing at the Cuban dinner fundraiser for our sponsorship couple, to the warm coats and other winter clothing collected for local school children, we did much for others.  

We supported community fundraisers by attending two Galas, one for the Immigrant Welcome House and the other for the Center for Worker Justice.  Sunday morning offering has benefitted many agencies this year!  October’s recipient, the Domestic Violence Intervention Program, was grateful for your generosity. 

The Present: Yoel and Carmen

Yoel and Carmen, the Cuban couple that UUS is sponsoring, celebrate a milestone the first of November.  They are moving into an apartment!  They have been saving up from Yoel’s job at Oaknoll and received support from UUS fundraisers.  With the help of Peg Bouska, Yoel and Carmen rented an apartment several blocks from Oaknoll.  

Thanks to the generosity of UUS as well as other community members, Yoel and Carmen are settling into life in the United States.  Carmen still is looking for a job and Yoel is learning to drive.  They will continue their friendship with Fanny and Tom Carver, who have generously hosted them since April.  They are grateful for that support and for the on-going work of the Immigrant Support Team members, including Sue Otto, Peg Bouska, and Sally Hartman.

Social Justice in the Future:

The Social Justice Team sprouted a new idea to enable UUS members to volunteer and become familiar with community agencies.  A Day of Service used to be a feature of Social Justice at UUS, when on a designated Saturday, UUS members would volunteer at one of five or six agencies, such as CommUnity or ReStore.  The new idea for Day of Service is to provide a volunteer opportunity once a month.  

What will that look like?  In December, the Social Justice Day of Service will be Sunday, December 22 after coffee hour.  The two weeks before, UUS members can join in our Circle of Friends Holiday Gift giving.  They can pick up a gift wish card for a child or adult and shop for them.  On December 22, UUS volunteers will gather to sort the gifts, wrap them, and fill baskets with fruit and treats.  Several folks will deliver the baskets and gifts.  

Looking ahead to 2025, each month will have a Day of Service, to be scheduled, although February’s Valentine’s party is already scheduled for the afternoon of Sunday, February 16.  We will be inviting immigrant children and their families for games and snacks.  These monthly social justice opportunities give us a way to live our principles.