Mission:
The three-fold mission of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces (UUCLC) Social Action Committee is to:
- Provide awareness and education about social issues related to promoting the values and principles of the Unitarian Universalist faith,
- Provide opportunities to the members and friends of the UUCLC to engage in those activities that promote these values and principles, and
- Demonstrate these values and principles to the wider world, especially in our local community of Las Cruces. We envision a local community and world free from oppression and injustice, where all can realize their full human rights. Our local actions are connected to study/action issues of the national UUA Commission on Social Witness.
The Social Action Committee has a robust program of activities supporting social justice ministry:
Casa de Pereginos:
The Social Action Committee collects food and money for the local food bank for people in need. The committee formed the Casa Club, a group of church members and friends who have signed up to donate money monthly. Several members of the committee volunteer at the food bank and some are on their board of directors.
UU Friends of the J. Paul Taylor Center:
Since the summer of 2004, we have been conducting programming at the local juvenile detention center. We work to improve attitudes and reduce recidivism after the young men are released. Programs include:
- Fine Dining Experiences: Every three months we put on an elaborate home-cooked, several course dinner for twelve of the young men, eight to twelve UUs, and two or more of the staff. We use our own china, silverware, tablecloths, cloth napkins, etc.
- Our Whole Lives education: During the summer and winter school breaks, we teach a one-day health and relationship course in each of the four dormitories based on the junior and senior high OWL curricula.
- Holiday Activities: During the winter break, we put on a Christmas party for one of the dormitories (dinner, gifts, caroling). We also do a church service honoring the many religious holidays that occur in late December.
- Classes: Over the years we have conducted classes in meditation, yoga, personality types, journaling and critical thinking. Other classes are being planned.
- Projects: We built bookcases and collected books for each of the dormitories, compiled a community resource directory, registered eligible center residents to vote, and hosted an exhibit of photos taken by the center residents.
Support of Local Elementary Schools:
For several years we have collected school supplies for two of our local schools. In 2009, we initiated a mentoring program for the fifth graders at one of these schools. Twenty mentors were recruited to shepherd the entire fifth grade class through an all-day introduction to New Mexico State University.
This year we plan to do it again with the fifth graders and, in addition, to reconnect with those students who went as fifth graders last year. The latter will be invited to some specific activity at the university.
UUs Unlimited:
In June 2008, we began a program called UUs Unlimited to raise money to improve access to and involvement in the church for people with physical, cognitive and mental health disabilities. The first fundraiser was “Go For The Gold” (in reference to the summer Olympics) where collected gold jewelry was sold for cash to buy large print hymnals and help sponsor a UUA consultant.
Highway Cleanup:
For several years, we have picked up litter along a one-mile stretch of adopted highway in Mesilla, NM.
UU Service Committee:
We work on getting our Members and Friends to join the UUSC and to contribute to the special relief efforts, such as food and medicine for Haiti.
UU United Nations Office:
We regularly get a report on the UU-UNO activities. In February 2010 we initiated a scholarship for a student and adult chaperone to attend the United Nations Spring Seminar where they will learn about the workings of the UN and how to support UN peace and justice initiatives around the world.
Micro-lending:
Also in February 2010 we initiated the Kiva Klub to raise money for micro-lending in poor areas around the world.
New Mexico Legislative Watch:
We regularly watch the activities of the New Mexico Legislature.
Working With The Religious Education Committee:
We work with the RE Committee to involve our children and youth in meaningful social action projects.
