Vol. 4, Issue 19

The Unitarian Universalist Society of Fairhaven is happy to bring to you our latest compendium of social justice and service information! We don't pretend to capture the universe of events and organizations committed to important local justice work, just those within our orbit.

Find out more about our social justice efforts by visiting our website at https://uufairhaven.org/programs/social-justice/.

If you'd like to see an item included in our April 15, 2024 edition, email us by April 12 with the words 'Social Justice Newsletter' in the Subject line, and we'll try to accommodate your request.

If you'd like to see an item included in our May 1, 2024 edition, email us by April 26 with the words 'Social Justice Newsletter' in the Subject line, and we'll try to accommodate your request.

If you received this newsletter from a friend or colleague and would like to subscribe to future issues, click here.

Until Justice Just Is

Want to learn more about social and racial justice? Join us for our Until Justice Just Is challenge! For 21 days, you'll receive an email with bite-sized resources to help you learn more, find ways to make a difference in your community, and join us in our mission to eliminate racism and empower women.

Join the challenge here!

Register here.

For more information, contact the Fairhaven Belonging Committee.

The MA Food System Collaborative is facilitating an online briefing on April 5^th, at 10 am, on the fiscal year 2025 budget priorities. They will cover the basics of the budget process, review the campaigns and what they advocate for this year, and answer any questions folks may have. 

Please register for the Zoom link here. 

April Bike & Brew: Coastal Connection

Saturday, April 6, 1-3 pm

Sponsored by the Fairhaven Livable Streets Committee

Starting at the Fairhaven Recreation Center

227 Huddleston Avenue, Fairhaven

Join us for a casual ride from the Fairhaven Rec Center to Mattapoisett's Inn on Shipyard Park! We've had our eye on this route since we first started Bike & Brew, and now that the weather is warming and the Inn is reopening for spring, we're excited to make it happen.

We'll meet on Saturday April 6 at 1pm at the Rec Center, then ride down the Phoenix Bike Trail, over Mattapoisett's recently-completed Shining Tides extension, and to the Inn on Shipyard Park for drinks & snacks. It should be half an hour of easy riding each way.

Please invite friends, family, neighbors, and feel free to post this event in any community groups that you're a part of! We welcome riders of all ages, abilities, and addresses (you don't have to live in Fairhaven to join us).

Reminders: Riders under 17 must wear a helmet. At each stop, riders are responsible for their own bikes.

Round the Bend Farm

92 Allen Neck Rd, South Dartmouth, MA 

4 pm, Saturday, April 6

Get tickets here.

Contact your legislators about the FY 25 budget

Please ask your legislators to include raising cash assistance grants by 20% as a top priority in their budget requests to the Committee on Ways and Means.  

Click here to send an e-mail.  

The maximum cash assistance grant for a family of 3 is only $783/month, while the Deep Poverty level (half of the federal poverty level) is $1076/month. Elders and individuals with disabilities can only get a maximum of $401/month. This is not enough to make ends meet in our high-cost state.

Contact the Governor about her cash assistance cuts

Also, if you haven't already, please urge the Governor to rescind the cash assistance cuts that eliminated the 10% grant increases slated to take effect in April.  It is devastating that the Governor would choose to balance the budget on the backs of our lowest-income children and families, elders, and people with disabilities. It is important that she hears our message that these cuts were unacceptable!

Call and/or e-mail Governor Healey to urge her to reverse the cuts to cash assistance.

Suggested script: "This is [name] from [city/town]. I'm calling to urge the Governor to rescind the 9C cuts to the TAFDC and EAEDC cash assistance programs. The grant amounts are still far below even half of the federal poverty level. It is unconscionable for Massachusetts to fill gaps in the budget by cutting cash assistance for our lowest income families with children, elders, and people with disabilities."

Narrows Center for the Arts

Friday, April 12, 8:00 pm

$27 Advance | $30 Day of Show

Get tickets here.

Register here.

Climate Reality is hitting NYC!

Join the movement and become a Climate Reality Leader. Strengthen your climate advocacy skills, connect with like-minded leaders, and be part of the global solution. Don't miss out!

Apply today!

Download the Climate Action Now App today! 

Download the Climate Action Now app to your phone/computer.

Take meaningful climate actions in just seconds or minutes. Most actions you take earn points towards trees planted and lives saved on your behalf. Gain access to lots of resources and quizzes, and challenge other players. 

Your invitation code for Climate Reality Massachusetts Southcoast Chapter is 122

 The PACE Community Food Center urgently needs your support!

As we continue to serve over 3,000 individuals each month, we are facing unprecedented challenges in meeting the growing demand for food assistance in our community.

Every single donation, no matter how big or small, has a direct impact on the lives of those in need. By lending a helping hand, you are ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry.

Donations may be dropped off at 477 Park Street, New Bedford

For more information, please call 508-939-3908.

Together, let's make a difference and alleviate hunger in our community. Your support matters!

Register here.

Register here.

Do you have photos from a justice or service event that you'd like to share? Email us with the words 'Photos for Justice and Service Newsletter' in the Subject line.

Would you like to learn more about the Unitarian Universalist Society of Fairhaven? Check out our webpage and Facebook page or contact us via email.