Justice & Community Service Groups

Social Justice Steering Committee

The Social Justice Steering Committee (SJSC) supports and guides the church’s various social justice ministries. SJSC serves as a sounding board to the the Rev. Victoria Poling, and attends to congregational interests and broader community developments related to social justice. SJSC creates space for justice group leaders to learn and share ideas with each other, and may help to catalyze new efforts when an urgent call to action arises.

Acting for Racial Justice

As individuals of faith, we find meaning in learning more about systemic causes of racism and seek to understand our places in our racist society, both historically and in the present moment. As a group, we are moved to bear witness in our community, to stand in solidarity with communities of color as they work for change, and to be anti-racist agents in our interactions with the people and institutions in our lives. Our goals are fourfold: to educate UUC members, friends, and allies about racism; recognize and act upon the intersectionality between race and other social justice issues; support the local Black Lives Matter movement; and respond rapidly to racial incidents or other events calling for our witness. We believe there is power in understanding the intersection between race and other social justice movements. We hope to explore and strengthen the connections between our anti-racism work and other social justice initiatives at UUC.

Climate Action Team

The Climate Action Team’s mission is to seek reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. In the spirit of the second UUC principle – justice, equity and compassion in human relations – the team advocates policies to begin to redress injustices already set in motion by past and present emissions. 

Pink Haven Coalition

As many of you know, our trans and gender expansive Beloveds are under attack and being criminalized in many US states right now. This is so serious that they fit the criteria to be designated as internally displaced people (IDPs) by the United Nations. The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) are partnering directly with frontline trans-led organizing to create networks of safety and direct support for Beloveds who need to relocate, access healthcare across state lines, or stay as safe as possible where they are. This network has come to be known as the Pink Haven Coalition. Come join us!

Homelessness and Hunger Ministries

UUC’s Homelessness and Hunger Ministry includes 4 components: Direct Service, Education, Advocacy, and Financial Support. Church volunteers work with non-profit organizations in the community to alleviate the pain and suffering experienced by people without a place to call home and those with food insecurity; to advocate for changes that will reduce homelessness, housing insecurity, and hunger; to educate our congregation; and to support community programs which serve people in need of food and those on the pathway from homelessness to permanent housing. Our major ministries at present include Teen Feed Dinners, Lack City Partners Sack Lunches, support for Tent City 3 & 4, Community Loaves, University District Food Bank Team, UUC Community Garden, and legislative advocacy.

UU the Vote

UU the Vote is a nonpartisan civic engagement initiative focused on strengthening democracy, ensuring free and fair elections, particularly for the currently and historically disenfranchised, in support of a more just world in which all voices are heard.  With our UU Values as our guide, we organize on the state and local levels, often through partner organizations, and in collaboration with other members and congregations across the UUA. The work is ongoing - we hope you will join us. For more about the national context, read more at uuthevote.org

UU's for Justice in the Middle East

To work within the Unitarian Universalist community to educate and mobilize individuals, congregations and denominational leaders to recognize and counter inequality and injustice in Palestine-Israel and to support our allies in the global justice and anti-oppression movements.

Eckstein Community Cupboard Team

UUC volunteers are collaborating with Eckstein Middle School to provide an added day of household supply distribution to Eckstein families who can use additional material support. More than a dozen Eckstein families from nearby subsidized housing rely on food and household supply distribution, led by Eckstein’s on-site social worker, to enable their children to succeed in school. With additional support from UUC, some of the social workers allotted funds can be freed up to assist families with critical rent and utility assistance and other support. 

University District Food Bank Team

We are building an intergenerational team to provide consistent volunteer hours for the University District Food Bank (UDFB). We want to partner and build a relationship with UDFB where we support them with hands and hearts, as well as financial donations. Volunteering opportunities, generally 2–3 hours, will include onsite activities at UDFB and at UUC. Youth (12+) are welcomed and those under 16 would require parental/adult supervision. Some tasks require lifting boxes, cleaning bins or repackaging foods. Depending on the size of our team, each volunteer commitment might be once per quarter or month (more is always welcomed).