Social Justice
Social Justice Report 11 March 2012
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The Social Justice Report is part of the worship service once a month at the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater, FL. Its purpose is to inform the congregation and the public about social justice concerns.
To view older Social Justice Reports, click on YouTube in the above viewer, and then after you are taken to YouTube, click on UUClearwaterFL in the upper left hand corner.
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BLANKET DISTRIBUTION IN PLANT CITY, DECEMBER 2011
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Photos of the Blanket Distribution to Farm Workers in Plant City, in December 2011, organized by the UUC Economic Justice Committee.
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BE THE CHANGE TOWARD A GREENER SANCTUARY
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Be an example to others in our effort to attain UUA Green Sanctuary status. We have volunteered to wash, dry and put away the china and flatware; eliminate expenditure and remove paper plastics and styrofoam from the waste stream; to compost, reuse and recycle wherever possible and hopefully to raise the consciousness in keeping with our 7th UU Principle, "respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part."
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Thanks go to all of you who made a child’s wish come true by participating in our annual Mitten Tree Project. This year we provided 133 children with gifts from three different organizations; the Homeless Emergency Project or HEP, The Shepherd Center and Metro Wellness & Community Centers. I know the children and their families deeply appreciate all you have done. Special thanks go to Debbie Bachtell, Allison Snell and Marlene Calderone who organized this event.
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CIW Protest at Publix Headquarters
on September 6, 2011
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A group of farmworkers biked approximately 250 miles from Immokalee to Lakeland to invite Ed Crenshaw, CEO of Publix, to come to Immokalee and see the farmworkers' living and working conditions. Supporters of the farmworkers met outside the headquarters to sing, pray and chant. We also took part in a traditional Mayan water ceremony. The workers were turned away at the gate.Publix still refuses to pay a penny a pound more for tomatoes to improve farmworkes' wages and working conditions. We were disappointed but we are determined to continue the struggle!
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Protesters Face Trial on One-Year Anniversary of Arizona’s Anti-Immigrant Law, SB 1070
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The Rev. Peter Morales, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), recently stood trial after being arrested last summer for an act of peaceful civil disobedience. In an interview with Democracy Now! he declared, "My own faith is founded on a principle of the inherent worth and dignity of all people, of compassion and equity and democracy. We are called as religious people to stand with those that are marginalized in our society."
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Ann Myers, Chair of our Ways and Means Committee, along with Sheila Knaust and Bill Dishongh presented a check for $1200 to Sandra Lyth, CEO of InterCultural Advocacy Institute, of which the Hispanic Outreach Center is a part, and board members Ramon Carrion and Lordes Mayorga. The donation was from the proceeds from the UUC 2011 Auction.
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Farmworkers Traveling Slavery Musuem at UUC on March 27, 2010
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UUC members protesting along with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) at a Clearwater Publix on November 14, 2009, in support of farmworkers receiving 1 cent more for every pound of tomatos picked.
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Florida tomato pickers are among this country's most exploited woekers: they earn sub-poverty wages, lack most standard rights and benefits and have not received a significant raise in 30 years.
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UUC said goodbye to our Anti-Torture Banner on March 1, 2009
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Social Justice Council
The purpose of the Social Justice Council is to inform and educate the congregation and the public about social concerns, to find ways and means to rectify social injustices and to take action for social change in accordance with Unitarian Universalist Principles.
The many projects of the council provide opportunities for members and friends of the UUC to put our Unitarian Universalist principles into action. In addition to the programs outlined below additional projects are initiated as needed. The council meets the first Saturday of each month at 9:30 A.M. in the Westwood Room in the Octagon.
Social Justice Programs
Religious Community Services The UUC is a member of the Council of Congregations who supports the projects of Religious Community Services. The Social Justice council coordinates fund raising and volunteering for RCS. RCS projects include a domestic violence shelter, a food bank and a transitional housing program.
Adopt A School in Khasi Hills, India Members of the UUC sponsor a Unitarian school in the Khasi Hills of India. Individuals and families have adopted students in the school by contributing funds to pay for books, uniforms and other educational expenses. Twice a year letters are exchanged and friendships are built across the ocean.
The Mitten Tree Each December requested presents are purchased for children whose lives have been impacted by AIDS. Children's wishes are fulfilled through this program.
Guest At Your Table The UUC actively supports this fund raising project for the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee from Thanksgiving to the end of December. Money is collected in small "Guest At Your Table" boxes. This project reminds us of the needs of people all over the world. The UUSC is actively involved in economic development projects world wide.
Fair Trade Coffee Project Fair Trade Coffee is served during social hour after services, and, is for sale monthly. The Fair Trade Coffee Project supports the coffee farmers, who are working in farm collectives, in South America and Africa. By reducing the middleman costs more money is returned back to the farmers, thus insuring them a fair price for their coffee.
Share The Plate Once a month the Sunday offering is share between UUC and a charity chosen by the Social Justice Council. If you know of a deserving charity, please contact a member of the council or mail your suggestion to the UUC office for consideration.
Better World Fund This fund was established to assist people in need in our community and throughout the world. We currently give a grant to the Pinellas County Economic Opportunity Council enabling them to distribute funds to people in our community who are falling through the "cracks" of our social service system. This fund is also used to send emergency monies to other countries. Most recently emergency funds were sent to Niger for famine relief. Although contributions to the Better World Fund are accepted at any time, many members choose to make memorial contributions or bequests.
Donations to this worthy fund can be sent to UUC. Checks should be made payable to UUC with Better World Fund notated in the memo section.
