Social Justice Activities
Social Justice Activities
For the most complete information about current and up coming activites, subscribe to the the SAC Flash, published online on the 1st and 3rd Fridays each month during the program year. You can subscribe by contacting sac [at] firstunitariansociety [dot] org (sac [at] firstunitariansociety [dot] org). Events and activities are also included in the Order of Service and on the Social Action table in the Lower Assembly Hall.
Passport to Social Justice - January 9 - May 31.
Pick up a Passport on the SAC table and complete 5 activities from 48 possibilities. When you have completed an activity, come back to the table and we will stamp it with an official sticker. When you have all 5 activities completed, turn in your passport at the SAC table. When 50 passports are completed FUS will donate 60 flash drives to the young adults living at Nicollet Square, allowing them to save their documents, class papers, etc. without actually owning a computer. Thank you for your help.
Food Collection for Local Food Shelves - ongoing
The FUS food collection box is in the lower level to the left side of the cabinet with the glass display windows. We alternate deliveries betweeen the food shelf in Masjid An-Nur mosque in north Minneapolis and Sabathini Food Shelf in south Minneapolis.
Other collections for the homeless/precariously housed - ongoing
Collection boxes and lists of needed items are located on the SAC table in the lower assembly hall for the Dignity Center and Avenues For Homeless Youth in north Minneapolis.
Volunteer at the Dignity Center - ongoing
The Dignity Center is a mentoring program for homeless community members. It is located in the Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. Members volunteer as one-one mentors for the clients on Monday, Wednesday or Friday mornings. Other volunteer opportunities at the Center include greeting clients, clerical work, data entry on the computer, etc. To make an appointment to see the Center in action, contact Ann Carlson, the director, at CarlsonAJ99 [at] msn [dot] com (CarlsonAJ99 [at] msn [dot] com).
Making Sandwiches For the Dignity Center - ongoing
On one Sunday a month, usually the last Sunday, after the service, you can be part of a small crew that makes sandwiches for the Dignity Center for distribution to their clients during the week.
Downtown Congregations to End Homelessness
The Downtown Congregations to End Homelessness (DCEH) mission is to work together as people of faith to end homelessness. By working together on our shared values we increase our power to end homelessness, not just manage it!
FUS is an active member of DCEH. Our members serve on the Steering Committee, the Interfaith Committee and the Advocacy Team. All FUS members and friends are given an opportunity and encouraged to attend events sponsored by DCEH and to respond to Action Alerts during the legislative session.
Volunteer for DCEH sponsored events
FUS members are invited to work with members of other downtown congregations at events sponsored by DCEH. This may be limited to the day of the event only or you may want to be part of the planning process.
Volunteer at the DCEH Take 5 Table - legislative session
Every two weeks during the legislative session materials are available to help members learn how they can take just 5 minutes of their time and learn to be advocates for ending homelessness and reducing poverty. Lively discussions are likely.
Help staff the SAC table - ongoing
Help other FUS members, friends and visitors become familiar with FUS social justice priorities. Help them connect with activites that fit their interests and time schedules - or just have fun discussing current events.
Help with soup lunches - SAC fundraisers
Several times a year SAC sponsors soup lunches to raise money for other causes/groups. Help is needed in the kitchen, for set-up, serving and clean-up.
Help with the Minnesota Visiting Nurses Agency Support-A-Family Program during the holidays.
Choose a tag from the holiday trees in the Lower Assembly Hall, make the purchase and bring it to the FUS office by Sunday, Dec. 12. They will be delivered to the MVNA office on 12-14.
Volunteer for Project Homeless Connect
The next Project Homeless Connect volunteer opportunity in Minneapolis is Monday, Dec. 13 at the Mpls. Convention Center. PHC is a one-stop-shop for community members who are homeless or precariously housed. You will join over 1,000 other volunteers assisting a client connect with an array of services. Training is required. Go to www.homelesssconnectminneapolis.org/volunteer.htm to sign up.
