Social Justice

Awareness. Education. Action.

In the tradition of Unitarian Universalism, our church and its members live our principles by participating in many social and human concerns endeavors. Social action is the lifeblood of our congregation. It nourishes us spiritually and enriches our community. Join our Social Justice Yahoo group.

Our church offers members and friends many hands-on opportunities to create social justice:

• The Economic Justice Committee promotes actions, information and advocacy on economic justice issues, locally and globally.
• Our Earth Justice Ministry promotes the responsible use of resources to take care of air, earth, water and ourselves. Join our Yahoo group.

Outside Faith-Based Organizations

• Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee:  An organization through which the regional leaders and adherents of 13 member denominations and faiths meet to build relationships, conduct educational programs, and work together on social justice issues. Several non-member faiths also participate in the planning and running of many of our events and activities.  Some of the events Interfaith initiates and supports include the CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Walk, Amazing Faith Dinners, Ground for Hope-Wisconsin, Interfaith Annual Luncheon, Interfaith Day at Miller Park, March Speaker Series, and a variety of educational presentations and lectures.  Contact person: diannainnerwell [dot] com (subject: Interfaith) (Dianna Dentino)
• Interchange Food Pantry:  Each month the Interchange Food Pantry provides nearly 1,000 guests with healthy and nutritious food at no cost, and First Church is proud to be a part of this worthy effort. First Unitarian Church has been a member of the Interchange Food Pantry since 1971, the year of its creation in response to the economic and social displacement of the 1960s — 41 years! Thousands of people — seniors, children, families, our neighbors — depend on Interchange each year for food and personal care needs they otherwise could not meet. Contact Person:  sldepueaol [dot] com (subject: Interchange) (Sharon DePue )
• Milwaukee Innercity Congregations Allied for Hope (MICAH) is a multi-faith social justice 
organizing group that works through its member congregations. MICAH is part of the statewide interdenominational “WISDOM”organization. MICAH works on WISDOM initiatives and through its Task Forces.
  • Treatment Alternative and Diversion
works against poverty-based jailing 
and discriminatory “mass incarceration,”
 emphasizing community development 
and initiatives and treatment for 
addiction and mental health issues.
  • Jobs and Economic Development
 current work includes enforcing 
minority hiring promises and demanding community-enhancing land-use and 
development policy.
  • Immigration Task Force 
works on local and state policies 
affecting immigrant communities including the Dream Act, resisting discriminatory law enforcement policies, and “Hands Across the Viaduct” cooperation campaign.
  • Education 
has played a key role in statewide initiatives. Recent work has included working with MPS to explore the Community Schools model.Contact Person:  
pkonezameritech [dot] net (subject: MICAH) (Pete Koneazny)
• Common Ground is a non-partisan organization comprised of small businesses, congregations, non-profits, colleges and labor unions. We live and work in four counties in Southeast Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee).  Common Ground believes in growing its leadership base and, along with mentoring, offers Common Ground University— a Leadership training course to teach volunteers the basics of organizing.