Justice Network. Check us out on YouTube.
Democracy in Action
To learn more contact advocacy@unitytemple.org.
Ecojustice
Where compassion and action meet our 7th UU principle – respect for the interdependent web of all life. Our congregation helped start Faith in Place, our key partner in sustainability and advocacy for environmental justice. We are also an active member in the Oak Park Interfaith Green Network, a collaboration of 15+ local faith communities working on environmental justice and sustainability. Contact ecojustice@unitytemple.org
Food Rescue
Every Friday a team from our congregation rescues food from Trader Joe’s in Oak Park, and delivers, unpacks and sorts items to be distributed on Saturday at Beyond Hunger – helping alleviate hunger in our community, and keeping good food out of landfills. Contact foodrescue@unitytemple.org
Gun Violence Prevention
Our major community partner currently is INVC, the Institute for Non-Violence Chicago whose representatives have been guests in our pulpit. We also stay aware of Moms Demand Action and then work with Unity Temple’s Democracy in Action team and the UU Advocacy Network of Illinois (UUANI) to keep our congregation informed of relevant legislation and encourage actions such as filling out witness slips in support of common-sense gun safety legislation.
Housing Forward
Housing Forward sites provide shelter for people experiencing homelessness. Our members support Housing Forward in a variety of ways, including collection drives and volunteering at one site – First United Church (across the street from Unity Temple) – 4th Mondays, 6-10:30pm, or 5-7am the following morning. Contact housingforward@unitytemple.org
Immigration
We believe in our first UU principle – the inherent worth and dignity of every person. We organize members and friends to take actions with our community partners, including: Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), Migrant Ministries, and other local faith groups advocating for immigration justice. Contact immigration@
LBGTQ+, Gender & Reproductive Justice
Prison Ministry & Pen Pal Program
With our community partner, UUPMI (Unitarian Universalist Prison Ministry of Illinois), our pen pal program matches Unity Temple members with pen pals incarcerated in prisons and jails in Illinois. Learn the various ways to communicate with a pen pal from writing traditional snail mail letters to being a “text pal”. The UUPPI (Unitarian Universalist Pen Pals of Illinois) provides information and ongoing support to both free-world and inside pen pals. The UUPMI also recruits and supports Unity Temple members in providing group services to individuals incarcerated at Cook County Jail. Contact prisonministry@unitytemple.org.
Racial Justice
To learn more contact wideningthecircle@unitytemple.org.
Vote Love
Our team started in fall 2019 as part of the UUA’s national #UUtheVote, and statewide UUANI Vote Love campaign. Join us in #LivingOurValues with our 5th UU principle–valuing the democratic process! We organize around issues that reflect our values, and take actions to protect our democracy and the right to vote. Contact votelove@unitytemple.org