Social Justice Team Plans March Day of Service with Houses into Homes
Post Author
Sally Hartman
The Social Justice Team invites one and all to join us to plan Days of Service and other activities for the UU Society. We meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 7. Next month we will meet by zoom, and after that, we will offer hybrid meetings. Let us know if you would like a link!
Alternatively, maybe meetings are not your thing. Please consider letting the Social Justice Team know what kind of social justice activities would be interesting to you! What is your passion? Are we leaving out some aspect of social justice? We would like some feedback! Contact Sally Hartman ([email protected]) with your comments and suggestions, and also to the meeting link!
Houses into Homes: Day of Service
The UUS Day of Service propels folks out of their comfort zone and into the world of nonprofits that change lives. Houses into Homes is one such nonprofit. They will host UUs for a Day of Service on March 22 from 9 to 12. This hands-on opportunity includes selecting and packing household items for families, some light furniture upcycling, and warehouse organization. Depending on the volunteers, there might be the possibility of a home delivery.
Houses into Homes provides furniture and household goods for families in crisis. They first assess the family’s needs then find the requisite items, which are in a warehouse located at 401 6th Avenue in Coralville. For additional information, Ian Cawley, Executive Director of Houses into Homes, suggests you check out their website: www.housesintohomes.org/
Look for a sign-up genius in the coming weeks to volunteer. Each volunteer needs to complete a volunteer application online, which includes a waiver, and is required to volunteer. Complete it now even if you aren’t sure if you will be available on the 22nd. Put “UU Society with Ian” in the box for group. Here is the volunteer application:
Volunteer application & waiver — Houses into Homes, Iowa City, IA
In addition, Houses into Homes offers a program for youth in grades 10-12, called Change Your World: Youth Volunteer Academy. This volunteer program offers opportunities to gain experience and learn about the recipients receiving household goods and furniture. For more information: [email protected]
Immigrant Action Team
A bright spot in the depressing news cycle for the Immigrant Action Team was the Valentine’s Party for immigrant children and their families. This was February’s fun Day of Service. We played games, created cards, blew bubbles, frosted cookies, and had snacks. The best part was watching all the friendships and caring that blossomed! To learn more about our efforts with individual families and the Circle of Friends, contact Deb Schoelerman ([email protected]).
The Immigrant Action Team includes a subgroup supporting Yoel and Carmen, who our church is sponsoring through the UU Service Committee’s CAPAS program. This support includes completing many required forms, helping with job searches, finding resources, and giving rides for medical appointments. The hardest part of this support is having a front row seat to the challenges and worry experienced by immigrants. Thank you to all who have been supportive of this, and especially Peg Bouska, Fanny Carver, Sue Otto and Frank Wildensee!
In addition to assisting Yoel and Carmen, we have also assisted Carmen’s son Lázaro and his significant other, Yeneys, also from Cuba. They have all they need to work here, so please let us know if you have jobs for them or know of a place of employment. Lázaro has experience being a mechanic and truck driver, and Yeneys was a dentist. John Cunningham, thank you for hosting our newest Cuban couple! Frank Wildensee, you are a whiz at completing complicated forms!
The latest Circle of Friends arrivals are the Nekushyn family from Ukraine. They arrived a month ago. Unfortunately, one after another they experienced an Iowa virus. They are through with that, and now both parents are job hunting. Alona has a masters degree in child development and another degree in art. Volodymyr, a handy-man sort, worked in the energy sector and has experience with maintenance. The children are: Katya, an artistic 16 year old, attending City High, Bohdan, an aspiring guitarist in middle school, and then there is Viktoriia, a kindergartener at Grant Wood Elementary. Thank you Deb Schoelerman and David Kramer for your dedication to this new family! Should anyone want to be involved with helping the above families with rides, enrichment activities or tutoring, contact Sally Hartman ([email protected]).
