SOCIAL JUSTICE
(The Social Justice Council is composed of representatives of the seven social justice working groups described below. The Council sponsors two events a year to feature UUSGS social justice efforts in the larger community.)
Talmadge School Partnership
Members and friends offer their services to Talmadge Elementary School in many ways, including working in the school library, tutoring individual children, reading to groups and individuals, conducting mentor projects, providing clothing and technical assistance. Contributions can be made in terms of minutes or hours per week. All assistance is welcome.
Welcoming Congregation
This group seeks to educate the congregation about bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgendered persons to make our Society more welcoming and inclusive. We meet semi-monthly, to share ideas and concerns.
Pioneer Valley Project (PVP)
This Society is a member of PVP, an inter-denominational coalition of faith communities, labor unions and other community organizations working together for major systemic social change. PVP works to relieve conditions of poverty, racism, unemployment and underemployment, discrimination and dependency. People can volunteer to help with housing, jobs, library hours and other issues.
Loaves and Fishes
Our Society prepares and serves the noon meal to homeless and hungry people on the last Sunday of every month. Three people are needed to prepare the food and wash dishes in the kitchen beginning at 10:30. The meal is served at Old First Church in downtown Springfield and requires 5-7 volunteers. Serving is completed by 1:30. You can do either task, or both, depending on how much time you have.
Open Pantry Emergency Food Service
Members and friends are asked to bring food each week (Sundays or weekdays) for those who are hungry and in need. Non-perishable food can be placed in the cupboard located in Friendship Hall. Perishable food should be labeled and put in the refrigerator. Also needed: paper grocery bags, cash donations, and clean usable clothing.
Journey Towards Wholeness (JTW)
The purpose and mandate of JTW is to transform our denomination from within to be anti-racist in its organizational structure, systems, and committees. The goal is to incorporate anti-racism into functioning systems, fiscal planning, and religious curricula, i.e., to go beyond prejudice reduction and multi-culturalism and become proactively anti-racist.
Fair Trade Coffee Project
This UU Service Committee project initiative provides an opportunity to purchase Equal Exchange’s fair-traded, organically and shade-grown coffee, which helps the farmers who grow it receive a just price for their efforts. UUSGS receives a small percentage of profit that is used for special programs that raise our consciousness to live more sustainable lives upon the earth.