First UU is dedicated to social action at the local, state, national, and global levels. Through service and outreach, we live our church mission to nourish souls, transform lives and do justice. Our members support projects in the areas of hunger, homelessness, affordable housing, public health, eldercare, immigration reform, reproductive rights, economic justice, LGBTQ rights, and environmental stewardship. We address social justice issues through education, service, witnessing, community organizing, and advocacy.<\/p>\n
Whether you can commit a few hours each month or only help out once or twice a year, we have an opportunity for you! Join our ChurchCenter Group<\/b><\/a> for more information or to get involved with any of First UU\u2019s social action groups and projects.<\/p>\n You can also contact us at\u00a0socialaction@austinuu.org<\/b><\/a> or follow us on Facebook<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n Our social action work is informed by our church\u2019s mission statement: \u201cTogether we nourish souls, transform lives and do justice to build the beloved community.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n .<\/p>\n The six pillars, their current focus and contacts are:<\/span><\/p>\n Reproductive Justice<\/b><\/p>\n The Reproductive Justice team at First UU strives to be a full partner in coordinated, direct community actions to ensure reproductive freedom.\u00a0 Our mission is to provide education, financial assistance, & support for local partners to help meet the specific & immediate needs of people in the fight for reproductive justice.<\/p>\n For current activities and resources of the Reproductive Justice team\u00a0click here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n If you have questions of for more specific information contact:<\/p>\n reprojustice@austinuu.org<\/a><\/p>\n Racial Justice<\/b><\/p>\n Increase our knowledge and awareness of our own white privilege and systemic white supremacy. Our goal is to have an impact on racism.\u00a0 Activities will include a book study and participation in related events.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n racial.justice@austinuu.org<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n .<\/p>\n Environmental Justice<\/b><\/p>\n Explore and create ways to raise the consciousness of our Congregants, our community about\u00a0 Climate Justice, identify and implement ways to help our sacred Earth survive and thrive. How can we not do everything we can for the poorest, those most disproportionately affected and most vulnerable to climate?<\/span><\/p>\n Click here to access<\/a> guidance for congregations on addressing the climate crisis.<\/p>\n green@austinuu.org<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n .<\/p>\n LGBTQ+ Rights<\/b><\/p>\n Engage others in the fight against unjust and inhumane legislation geared to erase Trans people and drag performers Becoming Carbon Positive Manual (Climate Buddies-IEN 2013.04.02) copy<\/a>from the public landscape.\u00a0 We will partner with allied organizations, including PFLAG Austin, the Texas Freedom Network, and TXUUJM.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n LGBTQ.justice@austinuu.org<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n .<\/p>\n Democracy<\/b><\/p>\n We live out the fifth principle of exercising the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process in society at large. Specifically, we advocate for good and just policy at the state and local level by contacting elected representatives and promoting voting.<\/span><\/p>\n democracy@austinuu.org<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n .<\/p>\n Immigration Rights<\/b><\/p>\n We partner with local immigrant right groups like The Foundation for the Austin Sanctuary Network that works to stop deportations by opening houses of worship to immigrants needing to take sanctuary or accompanying immigrants to San Antonio for ICE appointments and court hearings to see firsthand how our laws oppress humans; Austin Tan Cerca de la Frontera to broaden awareness of runaway global capitalism caused by Free Trade vs Fair Trade, and other immigrant rights groups in the Austin area.<\/span><\/p>\n insideamigos@austinuu.org<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n **If you want to volunteer to drive residents of Casa Marianella – a home for recent immigrants and refugees – to local appointments around Austin, please email socialaction@austinuu.org.<\/a><\/p>\n .<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n Additional UU Social Action Partners:<\/p>\n Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry<\/strong><\/span><\/a>\u00a0(TXUUJM):<\/strong><\/p>\n TXUUJM educates and organizes member congregations, and partners with sympathetic organizations in order to advocate effectively for public policies that uphold UU values.<\/p>\n Contact:\u00a0 TXUUJM@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n For more information about TXUUJM\u2019s work and how you can be involved, go to\u00a0txuujm.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n Unitarian Universalist Service Committee <\/strong><\/a>(UUSC):<\/strong><\/p>\n The UU Service Committee advances human rights and social justice in the U.S. and around the world. Through a combination of advocacy, education and partnerships with grassroots organizations, UUSC promotes economic rights, advances environmental justice, defends civil liberties and preserves the rights of people in times of humanitarian crisis.<\/p>\n Contact:\u00a0 uusc@austinuu.org<\/a><\/p>\n For more information about UUSC programs and how you can be involved, go to uusc.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong> The voice of the UUA at the United Nations.<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n UUA Commission on Social Witness<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Unitarian Universalists for Alternatives to the Death Penalty<\/strong><\/a> (UUADP)<\/p>\n UU World Magazine<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations<\/strong><\/a> (UUA) <\/strong>The national association to which our congregation belongs.<\/p>\n To get involved in the struggle against inhumane immigration practices, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/span><\/p>\n Inside Books is part of our Environmental Justice work and yet it is intricately connected to Racial Justice and many other causes that are supported by our principles. Check out this video, and email green@austinuu.org to get involved.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n