LOOSE CHANGE OFFERING FOR SEPTEMBER: Our Loose Change Offering was used to assist immigrants being released from an ICE detention center at a private prison in Youngstown, OH. A majority of the men released are picked up at the border & flown to the private prison in Youngstown. Anyone with a legitimate asylum case & who passed a background check is released to the bus station. Many have nothing but the clothes on their backs. Most of them are in their early to mid-twenties, some as young as 18. They are detained anywhere from 2-12 months, depending on how much their bond is & how long it takes for their families to raise the bond. Each man released is going to where their sponsor/family member lives, some have a two or three day journey. Very few of these men speak English and many have multiple bus transfers.  Many have nothing but the clothes on their backs. For the past year, volunteers have gone to the bus station 5 nights a week to help them get their ticket and give them a backpack with supplies for their trip. Each backpack has water, snacks, a change of clothes, and toiletries, hats, gloves & coats are given in the winter. Money for food is provided if they will be on the bus for more than a day.

 

Our initial plan was to donate our September Loose Change Offering and collect warm clothing (jackets, sweatshirts, gloves, hats) for the coming winter. Over the last few weeks, what began as a simple donation evolved into an incredible collaborative project. Cbus ITA donated 75-100 cloth backpacks and 260 snack bars. Westerville Progressive Alliance donated Ziploc bags, snacks, and hygiene items. The UU congregation in Youngstown planned their Sunday service around this project and on October 6th NUUC youth will be going to Youngstown to attend the service and join the UUYO congregation and youth in putting together backpacks full of supplies for the immigrants. In addition to winter clothing, our congregation donated $465 to be used to purchase supplies. Thanks to everyone who helped make this happen!

OCTOBER LOOSE CHANGE - TURNING POINT DELAWARE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER: Turning Point provides victims/survivors of domestic violence and their children with safe, secure, temporary shelter in a comfortable atmosphere. The Delaware shelter opened in February 2019 and is designed to meet the victims' physical needs by providing housing, food, clothing and personal items, as well as their emotional needs through support services. The shelter also features designated rooms for male victims. To learn more about Turning Point, visit its website at www.turningpoint6.com or visit its Facebook page.

 

INTERFAITH ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL OHIO: Reverence for Life and the Ethics of Albert Schweitzer , Sunday, October 6, 2019 2:30-5:30 p.m. at the Gloria Dei Worship Center, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, 2199 E. Main St. Columbus, OH 43209. The event will begin with a presentation by the Rev. Dr. Jim Childs, Joseph A. Sittler Professor Emeritus of Theology and Ethics at Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University. Representatives from the Jain, Sikh, Unitarian Universalist and Buddhist traditions will provide formal responses. Rev. Dr. Susan Ritchie will be representing the Unitarian Universalist tradition. Join us for a Gathering Time at 2:30 and Program Presentations and Discussion from 3:00 to 5:30 pm.

UU JUSTICE OHIO 2019 ANNUAL ASSEMBLY: Envision Justice - Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, 10 am - 4 pm at the Methodist Theological School of Ohio (MTSO), Delaware, Ohio. Featuring the Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Executive Director, Ohio Council of Churches as keynote speaker - Where There is a Vision of Love and Justice, People Flourish; workshops on Transgender Justice, Immigration, Gerrymandering, Poverty, and discussion of Those Things that Continue to Divide Us. Lunch provided by MTSO's excellent farm-to-table program and includes vegan, vegetarian and omnivore options. Business Meeting where we will elect new UUJO Board Members, approve the budget and vote on important changes to our bylaws to strengthen our work for justice in Ohio. Childcare is provided but you must register by Oct. 27. REGISTER today at   https://uujo.wufoo.com/forms/q1od8wde093cf2h/ .  

REPURPOSING PLASTIC BAGS: Sometimes we forget to bring our reusable bags to the store and end up with plastic bags. Now you can donate your plastic grocery bags to the women at the Ohio Reformatory for Women. The women use the plastic bags to make sleeping mats for the homeless. You can leave your plastic bags in the designated container next to the office in Fellowship Hall. Please note, ORW ONLY accepts plastic grocery bags.