2017 - Recipients
Delaware Valley Children’s Charity - December
Delaware Valley Children’s Charity (DVCC) is located in West Chester, PA. This organization is dedicated to bringing relief and assistance to children and families in need throughout the Delaware Valley. DVCC started with a holiday program thirty-one years ago, providing warm clothing, food, and gifts to a small number of children. In 1991, it was formally made into a nonprofit organization, and activities were extended to provide for emergency needs throughout the calendar year. Staffed by volunteers only, DVCC has responded to requests for heating oil, food, clothing, housing, utilities, hearing aids, furniture, camp, daycare, preschool costs, and other needs for children and their families. They continue to have a large holiday program where sponsors provide a huge volume of warm clothing, food, and toys to underprivileged children and families.
POWER Interfaith - November
Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower and Rebuild (POWER) is an organization of more than forty religious congregations around Philadelphia and southeast and central Pennsylvania. POWER uses their belief in God’s goodness and compassion to organize and empower people to work together and transform the conditions of their neighborhoods so that life flourishes for all. POWER focuses on jobs, education, safety, housing, and health. They make the connection between economic and environmental justice to include advocacy for green jobs in the solar power industry. In October, they convened two days of workshops on building a climate justice movement that is multi-racial, across classes, and includes urban, suburban, and rural coalitions. POWER published, Black Work Matters: Green Jobs Report, which identifies how green jobs can be a gateway to a just and moral economy, one in which children’s health, living-wage jobs, and a life-sustaining planet are prioritized.
Women’s Law Project - October
The Women’s Law Project (WLP) is the only public interest law center in Pennsylvania that is devoted to the rights of women and girls. Established in 1974, WLP works across a spectrum of issues that affect women’s legal status, health, and economic security. WLP does this through high-impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community education with a particular focus on reproductive rights, improving the institutional response to violence against women, challenging sex and gender discrimination, and advocating for workplace equality. WLP offers a telephone counseling service which provides information and referrals to thousands of women every year, on issues such as restraining orders, child custody, divorce, sexual harassment, and discrimination.
Main Line Mentoring - September
Located in the Mt. Pleasant section of Wayne, Main Line Mentoring provides activities for children and youth that encourage academic, social, and cultural growth. The Mt. Pleasant Chapel/Carr School is open four nights each week for children to work on homework and school projects, to read, and to pursue other educational interests. Two retired school teachers and volunteers from local universities and the community provide individual and small group assistance and instruction. Computer and internet access is available. Social and cultural opportunities are offered to include college tours, art classes, sporting events, and trips to museums and theaters.
New Day’s New Home - July/August
The Salvation Army has been a leader in fighting the horrors of human trafficking. They opened the New Day Drop-In Center in Kensington in 2014 and have now opened a home for young women, ages 18-26 at an undisclosed location (for safety and anonymity). The home serves women who were trafficked for sex as minors and are aging out of child protective services. The home helps survivors transition from a life of bondage and exploitation to one of freedom and self-sufficiency in an environment of dignity. The program provides comprehensive, holistic services including medical/psychological treatment, education, vocational training, and more.
Mount Zion AME Church - June
Our neighbor, Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church is the first recorded African American congregation of any denomination and the oldest AME church on the Main Line. The church is in desperate need of a new roof and has made progress in saving funds for this purpose but is still short of the required amount. Our collection for June will go toward helping them reach their goal. Mt. Zion was founded in 1849 and has a rich history. By assisting them with roof replacement funds, we help ensure that their church thrives for years to come.
UUH Client Assistance Fund - May
Since 1999, UUH Outreach has assisted adults ages 60+ in Northwest Philadelphia in remaining independent in their own homes. They take time to fully understand the situation and concerns of each individual, responding with tailored information and access to community resources. The organization formed when the Unitarian Universalist House, founded by member congregations of the Joseph Priestly District, closed in 2010 and merged with Lycoming House. The UUH Outreach office was moved to a nearby senior citizen apartment building, where it is staffed by a nurse, social workers, a case aide, and an executive director, who serve 300 adults throughout Germantown, Mt Airy, West Oak Lane, and part of East Falls. Their Client Assistance Fund makes small grants to address a variety of needs such as utility bills, prescription co-pays, emergency food, and minor home repairs.
The Neighborhood Gardens Trust - April
The Neighborhood Gardens Trust (NGT) acquires and preserves community gardens and shared open space to enhance the quality of life in Philadelphia neighborhoods. With more than thirty gardens, NGT is a leader in sustaining local green space and advancing community gardening. The organization empowers individuals within communities to turn vacant lots into productive gardens. The gardens are maintained by local residents and serve the needs of the local community.
Feeding Thousands - March
Our March recipient was the Feeding Thousands project. Money collected in March will be used to purchase food for this event. Volunteers from MLUC, St Luke’s, and others in the community will meet at St. Luke’s to prepare food packages on March 25. This is MLUC’s second time participating in Feeding Thousands.
Chester County Futures - February
Chester County Futures provides comprehensive academic support, mentoring, and scholarships for motivated, economically disadvantaged youth to help them succeed in school, higher education, and life. CCF provides services to 450 middle school through post-secondary school students in Coatsville, Kennett, Oxford, and Phoenixville. All funds donated to CCF via Offering Outreach will be used toward the purchase of new Chromebook computers for seniors from the class of 2017 who are participants in the CCF program. A computer is an absolute necessity in post secondary education, yet many of these students would be heading to college without a personal computer if not for CCF. During the past fiscal year, 100% of high school seniors served by CCF graduated on time and 94% enrolled in post secondary education. The provision of computers, an essential academic tool, will assist this year’s seniors in achieving success.
Hurricane Matthew Relief Fund - January
In response to the devastation of Hurricane Matthew in October 2016, the UUSC is partnering with a respected Haitian relief organization, GARR (Groupe d’ Appui au Repatries et Refugie’s), to provide humanitarian assistance for marginalized groups overlooked by other relief efforts. This includes cholera awareness and prevention, livelihood support, and human rights training for repatriated and stateless refugees living in camps in Anse-a-Pitres, Haiti. Learn more via the mluc.org homepage.
Delaware Valley Children’s Charity (DVCC) is located in West Chester, PA. This organization is dedicated to bringing relief and assistance to children and families in need throughout the Delaware Valley. DVCC started with a holiday program thirty-one years ago, providing warm clothing, food, and gifts to a small number of children. In 1991, it was formally made into a nonprofit organization, and activities were extended to provide for emergency needs throughout the calendar year. Staffed by volunteers only, DVCC has responded to requests for heating oil, food, clothing, housing, utilities, hearing aids, furniture, camp, daycare, preschool costs, and other needs for children and their families. They continue to have a large holiday program where sponsors provide a huge volume of warm clothing, food, and toys to underprivileged children and families.
POWER Interfaith - November
Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower and Rebuild (POWER) is an organization of more than forty religious congregations around Philadelphia and southeast and central Pennsylvania. POWER uses their belief in God’s goodness and compassion to organize and empower people to work together and transform the conditions of their neighborhoods so that life flourishes for all. POWER focuses on jobs, education, safety, housing, and health. They make the connection between economic and environmental justice to include advocacy for green jobs in the solar power industry. In October, they convened two days of workshops on building a climate justice movement that is multi-racial, across classes, and includes urban, suburban, and rural coalitions. POWER published, Black Work Matters: Green Jobs Report, which identifies how green jobs can be a gateway to a just and moral economy, one in which children’s health, living-wage jobs, and a life-sustaining planet are prioritized.
Women’s Law Project - October
The Women’s Law Project (WLP) is the only public interest law center in Pennsylvania that is devoted to the rights of women and girls. Established in 1974, WLP works across a spectrum of issues that affect women’s legal status, health, and economic security. WLP does this through high-impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community education with a particular focus on reproductive rights, improving the institutional response to violence against women, challenging sex and gender discrimination, and advocating for workplace equality. WLP offers a telephone counseling service which provides information and referrals to thousands of women every year, on issues such as restraining orders, child custody, divorce, sexual harassment, and discrimination.
Main Line Mentoring - September
Located in the Mt. Pleasant section of Wayne, Main Line Mentoring provides activities for children and youth that encourage academic, social, and cultural growth. The Mt. Pleasant Chapel/Carr School is open four nights each week for children to work on homework and school projects, to read, and to pursue other educational interests. Two retired school teachers and volunteers from local universities and the community provide individual and small group assistance and instruction. Computer and internet access is available. Social and cultural opportunities are offered to include college tours, art classes, sporting events, and trips to museums and theaters.
New Day’s New Home - July/August
The Salvation Army has been a leader in fighting the horrors of human trafficking. They opened the New Day Drop-In Center in Kensington in 2014 and have now opened a home for young women, ages 18-26 at an undisclosed location (for safety and anonymity). The home serves women who were trafficked for sex as minors and are aging out of child protective services. The home helps survivors transition from a life of bondage and exploitation to one of freedom and self-sufficiency in an environment of dignity. The program provides comprehensive, holistic services including medical/psychological treatment, education, vocational training, and more.
Mount Zion AME Church - June
Our neighbor, Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church is the first recorded African American congregation of any denomination and the oldest AME church on the Main Line. The church is in desperate need of a new roof and has made progress in saving funds for this purpose but is still short of the required amount. Our collection for June will go toward helping them reach their goal. Mt. Zion was founded in 1849 and has a rich history. By assisting them with roof replacement funds, we help ensure that their church thrives for years to come.
UUH Client Assistance Fund - May
Since 1999, UUH Outreach has assisted adults ages 60+ in Northwest Philadelphia in remaining independent in their own homes. They take time to fully understand the situation and concerns of each individual, responding with tailored information and access to community resources. The organization formed when the Unitarian Universalist House, founded by member congregations of the Joseph Priestly District, closed in 2010 and merged with Lycoming House. The UUH Outreach office was moved to a nearby senior citizen apartment building, where it is staffed by a nurse, social workers, a case aide, and an executive director, who serve 300 adults throughout Germantown, Mt Airy, West Oak Lane, and part of East Falls. Their Client Assistance Fund makes small grants to address a variety of needs such as utility bills, prescription co-pays, emergency food, and minor home repairs.
The Neighborhood Gardens Trust - April
The Neighborhood Gardens Trust (NGT) acquires and preserves community gardens and shared open space to enhance the quality of life in Philadelphia neighborhoods. With more than thirty gardens, NGT is a leader in sustaining local green space and advancing community gardening. The organization empowers individuals within communities to turn vacant lots into productive gardens. The gardens are maintained by local residents and serve the needs of the local community.
Feeding Thousands - March
Our March recipient was the Feeding Thousands project. Money collected in March will be used to purchase food for this event. Volunteers from MLUC, St Luke’s, and others in the community will meet at St. Luke’s to prepare food packages on March 25. This is MLUC’s second time participating in Feeding Thousands.
Chester County Futures - February
Chester County Futures provides comprehensive academic support, mentoring, and scholarships for motivated, economically disadvantaged youth to help them succeed in school, higher education, and life. CCF provides services to 450 middle school through post-secondary school students in Coatsville, Kennett, Oxford, and Phoenixville. All funds donated to CCF via Offering Outreach will be used toward the purchase of new Chromebook computers for seniors from the class of 2017 who are participants in the CCF program. A computer is an absolute necessity in post secondary education, yet many of these students would be heading to college without a personal computer if not for CCF. During the past fiscal year, 100% of high school seniors served by CCF graduated on time and 94% enrolled in post secondary education. The provision of computers, an essential academic tool, will assist this year’s seniors in achieving success.
Hurricane Matthew Relief Fund - January
In response to the devastation of Hurricane Matthew in October 2016, the UUSC is partnering with a respected Haitian relief organization, GARR (Groupe d’ Appui au Repatries et Refugie’s), to provide humanitarian assistance for marginalized groups overlooked by other relief efforts. This includes cholera awareness and prevention, livelihood support, and human rights training for repatriated and stateless refugees living in camps in Anse-a-Pitres, Haiti. Learn more via the mluc.org homepage.