Coalition to Dismantle the New Jim Crow – Rev. Paula Maiorano attended Michelle Alexander’s recent appearance at Pendle Hill Quaker Conference Center, and a group of our local Coalition members gathered at First U to view one session that was live-streamed to a wider audience. In case you missed the opportunity, you can watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTY2duIGzxs. Michelle Alexander was interviewed by Daniel Hunter of Training for Change and J. Jondhi Harrell, Founder and Executive Director of The Center for Returning Citizens (TCRC) in Philadelphia.
The Forum Committee is seeking additional sponsors and partners for the conference Hope, Opportunity and Racism: Breaking the Poverty to Prison Connection planned for November 14 at the Chase Center in Wilmington. Please plan to attend!
Our next meeting will be June 1 at 6:00 pm at Hanover Presbyterian Church, 1801 N Jefferson St, Wilmington. Please consider joining us. You may also contact Rev. Maiorano paulamaiorano32@gmail.com or Joan Priest at 610-869-9335 orjoan@jpduua.org to learn more.
Green Sanctuary Invites First UU Members to Join our Efforts. You Can:
• Help raise awareness about the affects of climate change, the growing need for climate justice.
• Build relationships within our community and find new ways to be of service around shifting to a lower carbon future, advancing human rights locally.
• Help grow the climate justice movement as a member of our on-call volunteer network.
• What are your ideas for climate justice? Green Sanctuary welcomes all First UU members to our team.
Contact: Elizabeth Siftar, chair, esiftar@gmail.com 302-354-1809
Emmanuel Dining Room – April Highlights
We had some wonderful tweaks to the program in April, thanks to: 1) Shawn Garrison, our new early shift supervisor, and 2) the opening of The Restaurant Depot in New Castle, where we're saving money on supplies! Look for more tweaks in the future, as we continue to streamline our process and costs. Special thanks to the April First U crew: Suzie Cornell, J. Harry Feldman, Shawn Garrison, Bob & Lynn Ingersoll, Nancy Pinson, Barbara Pratt, and Bob Ullrich. Want to help on the 19th or 20th of the month? We'd love to have you! Contact Cindy Cohen at cindyscohen@comcast.net. And don't forget to help yourself to chicken stock in the First U freezers! We produce 8-10 quarts every month, and want to share the love with you!
ILYA ( Independent Living for Young Adults) – Graduates Launching into the Adult World
Peter Pan never had to grow up but this isn’t Neverland for young people aging out of foster care. While they celebrate their accomplishment of graduating under extremely challenging circumstances, they are being launched into an even bigger challenge… managing in the adult world with shrinking support and resources.
At this time of year, ILYA (Independent Living for Young Adults) celebrates by having a pizza party for these young graduates and giving backpacks stuffed with items that will be useful as they establish an independent life. But we also solicit donations of gently used furniture and household goods that help set up first apartments.
Barbara Perry is finalizing party preparations for the grads but the need doesn’t stop there. Please think about what you can donate to help set up a new apartment. Cash/check for security and utility deposits, twin or double beds, small sofas, tables, chairs, lamps, kitchen items… remember, no missing parts, nothing that needs cleaning or doesn’t work. Talk with J Harry Feldman if you need more information than the household donation form has. Betty Wier or Lois Morris can also provide more details about the ILYA program. These young people are our future so let’s help them build theirs.
Social Justice Connector – What’s happening with social action at First Unitarian? Stay current on programs, actions, and opportunities at the First Unitarian Social Justice Connector It’s a blog for you and others who want to become active in our church and community. Go to this address and “follow” the Connector. Don’t just read about it. Do it!