Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

Cause of the Month

UUCPA CAUSES OF THE MONTH: FY '12 (2011-2012)

Background: Each month the Church supports a social service organization by donating 10% of non-pledge offerings at the Sunday services. Each year the UUCPA Action Council reviews the program and considers current and new Causes advocated by members. The following slate for fiscal 2012 is recommended by the Action Council to be voted on at the Annual Meeting.

Factors that were given priority in making Cause recommendations for fiscal year 2012 were our relationship with the group, including whether there is a related Task Force; who they serve; what is their funding base; and balance among social service, direct action, education, community organizing and advocacy causes.

• 2011

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• Collective Roots — May (new)
  Collective Roots is a nonprofit organization founded and based in East Palo Alto. It seeks to educate and engage youth and communities in food system change through sustainable programs that impact health, education, and the environment. Collective Roots established a community/school garden and a farmers market in East Palo Alto.
• RE Purple Class Social Action Project — June
  Purple Class (middle school age) will make some Sunday lunches at Stevenson House
• South Palo Alto Food Closet — July
  The South Palo Alto Food Closet is a grocery program located at the Covenant Presbyterian Church on East Meadow Drive in Palo Alto. This food program is designed to help needy families with children or disabilities by assisting them in their weekly food needs.
• Palo Alto Housing Corp. (Resident Services Program) — August
  The Resident Services Program is an important component of Palo Alto Housing Corporation, a private non-profit agency providing low- to moderate-income housing. It assists resident households in accessing community resources so that health, financial or emotional issues get focus before they affect the obligations of tenancy.
• Hotel de Zink — September
  Hotel de Zink, a rotating church shelter program run by InnVision, Hotel de Zink is hosted by UUCPA during September. We offer breakfast, dinner, and a place to sleep for 10 - 15 homeless community members. We need volunteers to provide dinner each night as well as funds to cover miscellaneous costs for food and supplies.
• East Palo Alto Kids Foundation — October
  East Palo Alto Kids Foundation (EPAK) is a community-based, all-volunteer organization whose mission is to promote academic success for students in East Palo Alto and eastern Menlo Park by providing grants directly to classroom teachers and other frontline educators. The majority of grants enrich basic literacy, math, science and technology curricula.
• Opportunity Center (via InnVision) — November
  The Palo Alto Opportunity Center offers studio and 1-2 bedroom family apartments. The Center also provides light meals, clothing, a mail address, bus passes, case management and emergency rent assistance--to homeless and at-risk
• South Bay Sanctuary Covenant — December
  South Bay Sanctuary Covenant (SBSC) is an interfaith, non-partisan organization of churches and individuals in the Bay Area from San Francisco to Santa Cruz. The group is concerned with peace, justice and liberation for the people of Central America and for the refugees who have fled these areas.

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  2012

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• Outlet — January
  Outlet is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQQ) Youth organization based in Mountain View, California. As the Peninsula's only comprehensive LGBTQQ youth organization, it has provided services to LGBTQQ youth and adults who work with youth in the Bay Area. Bilingual Spanish services are also provided.
• Stevenson House — February
  Stevenson House’s mission is to provide affordable housing where older, independent adults enjoy a safe and caring community. Stevenson House opened its doors in 1968. Built under the sponsorship of Palo Alto Senior Housing Project, Inc., Stevenson House has received ongoing support from the UUCPA and also from the greater community.
• UU Legislative Ministry-California — March
  UULM works to build a statewide education and advocacy network that shares information and policy expertise, particularly from member UUs; to train new leadership, with special attention to involvement of youth and young adults; and to raise the visibility of Unitarian Universalism and its values to policy makers and the larger community.
• **Green Sanctuary Committee Choice — April (new)
  The Green Sanctuary Committee of UUCPA pursues environmental causes relevant to the church and community. For 2012 they nominate Sierra Club Inner City Outings, a community outreach program that provides opportunities for urban youth and adults to explore enjoy and protect the natural world.

The following organizations supported in FY ’11 were removed from the recommended Causes list and replaced by two new organizations (see May and April recommended causes):

• Track Watch Suicide Prevention Plan: is supported by City of Palo Alto.
• UU Ministry for the Earth: we do not have any personal or specific knowledge of this organization, and chose to recommend that the UUCPA Green Sanctuary Committee choose a cause for April.