All members & friends are welcome to join the efforts of the Social Justice Outreach Team
The next Social Justice Outreach Team meeting is Wednesday, June 2nd at 1:00 pm. All are welcome to attend; contact Charlotte Corrigan hcorrigan@nullmsn.com for more information and the virtual link if you would like to participate.
ARE (Allies for Racial Equity) Updates:
The next ARE meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18 at 3 pm. Contact Judy Bonner judybonner1@nulloutlook.com for more information and the meeting link. New members are welcome
JUSTICE WORKERS EMAIL LIST
We’ve created a new merged list “Justice Workers”. The decision to unite was recommended by the leaders of the various groups (SJOT, ARE, Voter Justice, and Climate Justice) and approved by our UUFH Social Justice Team; our debut message was issued on Monday, April 12. The more that we work together, the greater impact we have. To join the Justice Workers list, contact Charlotte Corrigan hcorrigan@nullmsn.com with your request to OPT IN.
OUTREACH COLLECTION:
SJOT will conduct our last Outreach Collection for the year SUNDAY, MAY 16 to support Affordable Housing needs. Collection recipients will be Habitat for Humanity ( habitat-hvl.org ) and Housing Assistance Corporation ( housing-assistance.com ).
RACIAL JUSTICE FORUM: REGISTER NOW
At their March meeting, ARE approved the formation of a monthly UUFH Racial Justice Forum; Helen Bishop conducted the first forum on Monday, April 26 and facilitated our discussion about the 2018 Ware lecture by Brittany Packnett. The next Forum has been scheduled Monday, May 24, since the last Mon is Memorial Day). We will continue the Ware Lecture discussion. Contact Judy Bonner judybonner1@nulloutlook.com to register and receive the Zoom link.
***Watch this video prior to the Forum at https://www.uua.org/ga/past/2018/ware. This Ware Lecture offers much for us to reflect upon as we examine the impacts of racism and white supremacy culture within our faith.
GROW OUR OWN FUND Launch
A new initiative has started in our county to promote diversity of our staff members in our public school system. GROW OUR OWN is an informal coalition of community groups and citizens coming together to raise awareness of the needs of BIPOC (black, Indigenous and people of color) in Henderson County NC and to encourage private donations to the ‘Grow Our Own’ Fund at the Henderson County Education Foundation. The Fund has been established to support diversification of Henderson County teachers. Research is clear that children who have teachers who reflect their ethnicity do better in school, are more likely to graduate from high school, are more likely to continue their education and are more likely to become contributing members of their community, benefiting everyone.
Visit the group’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2850939068493291; there you’ll find an informative flyer outlining the need and the path forward:
“This is an investment in our community – a community that we love and want to see grow and develop as a place in which all children/students have the best education possible. It is up to all of us to help provide such an environment.”
At UUFH, the Social Justice and Allies for Racial Equity teams have been anticipating the official launch for several months and are planning to support for this effort through a donation from UUFH.
UUJMNC: OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION
Subscribe to UUJMNC to receive the monthly newsletter and action alerts at www.uuforwardtogether.org
Action(s) of the Week –
from Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson, Executive Director Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of NC
On Monday, May3, Andrew Brown Jr. was laid to rest in Elizabeth City. This week, we continue to push for accountability for his family and a change in NC law to make body and dashboard camera footage public record. Tell your State Legislators to Vote YES on SB510 and HB698. Click here to take action.
Support Elizabeth City
In the wake of Andrew Brown Jr’s death, please consider supporting Blueprint NC’s fundraiser for the Elizabeth City community. 100% of funds will go directly to trusted on-the-ground organizations in Elizabeth City and Pasquotank County with the goal of investing in the long-lasting change needed for safety, equity, accountability, and transparency. You can donate here.
FRIDAY ACTION HOUR – May7, ONE YEAR ANNIVERSAY
Join UU Forward Together every Friday at 11:00am for Friday Action Hour. Gather in community to recap the week and take action on issues impacting our state and country. Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/91029655107
THIS FRIDAY, May 7th, you’re invited to our 1Year Anniversary Celebration of Friday Action
Does the Friday session not work for you? You can still act; the link below will give you the talking points, addressee contacts and actions for this week’s Action Hour session.
Migrant Worker Gift Bags
Migrant workers are arriving now to work in the orchards, fields and produce operations in Henderson County. The Heart of Hendersonville Immigration Task Force has worked for several months coordinating a “Let’s Get Started” drive to provide some key necessities. The participating groups include members from UUFH, First Congregational Church, St. John in the Wilderness, St. James Episcopal, Calvary Episcopal, Progressive AllianceOf Henderson County, True Ridge, Heartwood Refuge and Migrant Education program, Blue Ridge Health, The League Of Women Voters, Senior Democrats and many citizens of Henderson County.
We have amassed goods for at least 300 Welcome Bags, 300 air mattresses, sheets for air mattresses, a collection of blankets for the colder months, $4300 in cash and checks, and boxes of many items to be given to those in most need.
The migrant men said they would like a soccer league so the coalition bought soccer balls and ordered team shirts for them. Eighty men donated $5 each to help pay for the shirts even though we said we could pay for all of them which runs $800 total. Land for them to use has been donated in Mills River.
Students in high school Spanish classes plan to work with the migrant children on art projects and will grow vegetables for the workers tables.
For more information contact Anne Backer, member – Heart of Hendersonville Immigration Task Force and member – UUFH Social Justice Outreach Team (acbacker@nullcopper.net or 828 697 0641). Collection sites are at UUFH (Office porch) or Heartwood Refuge. Anne has been very busy picking up items daily from the UUFH donation box as well as storing and delivering donations from across the community.