Category: Volunteering

Winds of Change in Mexico: Observing the 2018 Election

July 10, 2018 | Intern | Program Leader, Volunteering
In 2006, I lived in Mexico City for several months and by the end of my time there, I had undeniably fell in love with the largest city in North America. While there, I had spent several months writing, directing, and editing a documentary film which captured the labor rights struggle of gas station attendants […]

The Nuns I Always Wanted To Meet

July 3, 2018 | Gina Collignon | Honduras, Sanctuary and Solidarity, Volunteering
“Do I call them ‘Sister?’” My co-worker and I were settling our things into our assigned room at the convent. The air was hot and muggy, something I felt acutely as I was still in that heightened state of awareness that you feel your first moments in a new land. I had technically been to Honduras before, but everything felt new. “I dunno,” my colleague answered (she had been raised Catholic as well). “It’s kinda weird one way or the other.”

On June 1st, hurricane season starts again

April 30, 2018 | Heather Vickery | Congregational Trip, Environmental Justice, Houston, Volunteering, Young Adult
“On June 1st, hurricane season starts again.” She repeated it. We were a tired, overwhelmed group of CSJ participants on a toxic tour run by t.e.j.a.s. (Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services). Our group of ten college students and four adult leaders had spent the last week volunteering with Rebuilding Together Houston with their Harvey relief […]

Post Hurricane Harvey Houston Update

January 2, 2018 | Heather Vickery | Environmental Justice, Immigration, Racial Justice, Sanctuary and Solidarity, Volunteering
In early December, our Director, Kathleen McTigue, and UUSC consultant, Syma Mirza  met with four grassroots groups in Houston, Texas: the Fe y Justicia Worker Justice Center, the Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (TEJAS), and the Living Hope Wheelchair Association, as well as the local Houston organizer for RAICES. Kathleen also met with members of four area […]

UUCSJ By The Numbers

October 27, 2017 | Heather Vickery | Economic Justice, Environmental Justice, First Nations, Florida, General Assembly, Haiti, Immigration, India, Internship, Nicaragua, Racial Justice, RAICES, Religious Professionals, Sanctuary and Solidarity, Volunteering, West Virginia, Young Adult, Youth
The UU College of Social Justice was jointly founded in the summer of 2012 by the UUA and UUSC, so this year we are celebrating a big anniversary. We are grateful for all of our alumni and supporters who have made our work possible! In honor of of all of you and our anniversary, here […]

There Has To Be A Better Way

August 30, 2017 | Heather Vickery | Immigration, RAICES, Sanctuary and Solidarity, Volunteering
In June 2017, Nancy Jacobsen volunteered with the Refugee and Immigration Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) through the UU College of Social Justice. Hear about their experiences below. If you, or someone you know, are interested in volunteering and are either fluent in Spanish or have legal expertise, learn more and sign up at https://uucsjstaging.wpengine.com/raices/ In early […]

A Mother and Daughter Helping Families at the Border

August 23, 2017 | Heather Vickery | Immigration, RAICES, Sanctuary and Solidarity, Volunteering, Young Adult
In June 2017, mother and daughter Judy and Jasmine Elliot travelled to San Antonio to volunteer with the Refugee and Immigration Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) through the UU College of Social Justice. Hear about their experiences below. If you, or someone you know, are interested in volunteering and are either fluent in Spanish […]

Volunteering at Karnes Detention Center

August 16, 2017 | Heather Vickery | Immigration, RAICES, Sanctuary and Solidarity, Volunteering
Sandra Rumbler is from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Luis Obispo in California and in June, 2017 volunteered with RAICES in San Antonio Texas through the UU College of Social Justice. If you speak Spanish or have legal expertise and would like to volunteer with RAICES through UUCSJ this Fall, go to uucsjstaging.wpengine.com/raices to learn more and […]

Meet the Activate @ GA team!

June 8, 2017 | Deva Jones | General Assembly, Program Leader, Racial Justice, Sanctuary and Solidarity, Volunteering, Young Adult, Youth
UUCSJ offers a variety of Activate Youth Justice programs, including at General Assembly. This year, for the first time, we are excited to welcome a team of awesome Activate Youth Leaders who are helping shape, facilitate, and promote our youth justice workshops in New Orleans, in collaboration with the Youth Caucus team. Get to know the Activate […]

Volunteering In A Family Detention Center

August 4, 2016 | Heather Vickery | Immigration, RAICES, Volunteering
Chris Casuccio is UUCSJ’s Senior Associate for Immersion Learning Programs. For a week in July, I had the privilege of leading a group of five dedicated volunteers to San Antonio, TX to serve as Spanish translators and legal volunteers with UUSC partner RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services). This is the […]