The August UUCM Social Generosity Offering will go to the Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA), and specifically their support of the UU the Vote campaign.

As our MN Secretary of State says, “You might not be into politics, but politics is into you!” Whatever you most care about is likely to be affected by laws that get made, and laws are affected by who gets to vote and who gets elected. Honoring the democratic process and encouraging full participation in a fair election are key ways to live out our UU values of interdependency, equality, inclusion, inherent worth, and respect for the Earth and all its Peoples. Continue reading →

The July UUCM Social Generosity Offering will go to Bridging.

Bridging gives hope – and for many – a leap toward stability for the first time. They provide donated furniture and household goods to families and individuals transitioning out of homelessness and poverty. Bridging has warehouses in Roseville and Bloomington and work with 148 other organizations in the metro who assist people in need. They accept donations of goods at the warehouses, along with financial support. Learn more at bridging.org.

How to Donate: You can donate online using PayPal or a credit card at bit.ly/giveuucm (note new link). You may also mail a contribution to UUCM at 2030 Wayzata Blvd E, Wayzata MN 55391. Simply make your check out to “UUCM” with “Social Generosity” in the memo line.

Are you feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about what to do? Below are specific suggestions provided by the interim ministry team and staff.

Act

• NEW: Request an absentee ballot to reduce crowding at polling locations. Sign up to be an election judge. Students 16 and 17 years-old can even be election judge trainees. The more staff available, the more polling places will be open.
• Conduct an audit of businesses you regularly frequent; replace at least one-quarter with those that are owned by people who identify as black, indigenous or people of color.
• June 20, 9 AM & 5 PM: Attend the digital justice gathering of the Poor People’s Campaign Mass Assembly & National Moral March on Washington
• Turnout for UU the Vote to fight systemic racism in the justice system, in the streets, and at the ballot box. Connect locally through MUUSJA (Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance) by emailing Karen Wills at director@muusja.org.

Learn

• NEW: The Hennepin County Library system has made available 3 important books on antiracism. Download and read or listen instantly. How to Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi; White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo; Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad.
• Commit to daily practice of becoming an active ally to the black community. Here is a list of 10-, 25- and 45-minute/day activities for each day in June. Email Rev. Terri if you’d like to be paired up with a UUCM accountability buddy.
• Read the 6/2 statement issued by the UUA to stop calling the police and start eradicating anti-blackness.

Give

• There are so many places to donate money. If you have means, please give to Avenues for Youth (June’s social generosity recipient) and one or more groups like these: Black Visions Collective, Minnesota Healing Justice Network, Northside business support
• Drop off donations to an aid location (map). In Excelsior, Golden Rule is accepting donations at their back door weekdays before 1 pm. They also need drivers to help with distribution to aid locations.

The June UUCM Social Generosity Offering will go to Avenues for Youth.

Avenues for Youth, located in the heart of Minneapolis, supports 16-24 year olds by providing a place to live, be it short or long term. Through education, support, health and stable housing, they empower youth to move to more stable lives.

Last year, 86% of youth Avenues supported identify as Black, Indigenous or People of Color. Racial, social and economic disparities are leading causes for the 6,000 youth that experience homelessness in Minnesota. Watch this video and visit www.Avenuesforyouth.org to learn more.

The May UUCM Social Generosity Offering will go to The Link.

The Link  supports nearly 3,000 youth and young families each year, offering programming in three areas:

• Housing & Supportive Services:  Twelve housing programs that provide safe and stable housing and offer supportive services that are grounded in trauma informed care, housing first and positive youth development. Programs serve youth, young families and youth who self-identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

• Juvenile Justice: Positive community-based alternative programs for youth in the juvenile justice system in Hennepin County. They work to find positive solutions to prevent the youth from dropping out of school and engaging in further criminal activity.

• Safe Harbor: Provide shelter and supportive services for sexually exploited youth, including trauma informed care, harm reduction, positive youth development, victim-survivor-leader model and culturally inclusive services.

Find more information on The Link here.

How to Donate: You can donate online using PayPal or a credit card at bit.ly/uucmsocialgen. You may also mail a contribution to UUCM at 2030 Wayzata Blvd E, Wayzata MN 55391. Simply make your check out to “UUCM” with “Social Generosity” in the memo line.