Ending Homelessness: Recent Successes and the Next Steps

Immigration Matters:

UU Folk Concert: Come one, come all to a special Unitarian Universalist Folk Concert featuring Matt Meyer, Fred Small, Justine Sullivan, Jim Scott and Dean Arvidson. This night of amazing folk and world music will be on Friday, September 24, at 8 p.m. at First Parish in Framingham (UU), live from the folks who brought you gay marriage!

We will sleep out in tents on the Boston Common on April 21, to show our commitment for strong leadership in Massachusetts against rapid, catastrophic climate change. We sleep out because our homes are powered by dirty electricity, and we oppose its contribution to the greenhouse effect.

Mark your calendar to meet newly elected UUA President Peter Morales on Friday, May 21st, from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Newton Unitarian Church (1326 Washington St., West Newton). Elected at the 2009 General Assembly, Reverend Morales is the first Latino President of the UUA. Rev. Morales will outline ways to grow Unitarian Universalism, and his vision for the UUA. Reception to follow. $25 suggested donation to UUMassAction (sponsor of UU Advocacy Day on Wed., April 28th from 10-2 at the UUA and the State House).

Meet Peter Morales by video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNENOiJOFJM

March to the State House
Call for 100% Clean Electricity in Massachusetts by 2020! Monday morning, March 29th
All are invited to join any or all portions of this event

Sunday
2:30pm Welcome, Tent Set-Up
3:00pm Team Building Games

RALLY
4:00PM Speakers include Cambridge City Councilors, Students, and Former Seattle Mayor Greg Nickles
5:00pm Groups Break-Outs: Visioning the Leadership Campaign into Summer and Fall
6:00pm Non-Violent Civil Disobedience Training
7:00pm Potluck Dinner
8:00pm Live Music!
9:30 pm - Team Building & Discussion Forum
11:00 pm - Tent Tme

Keynote Speaker: Representative Byron Rushing
Followed by a Panel Discussion with Local Homeless Services Providers Local Legislators Have Been Invited to Share Remarks

On Wednesday, April 28th from 10-2:30, join with other Unitarian Universalists to make a difference. We will meet in Boston at the national headquarters of the UUA literally next door to the State House, and then - after being trained and having lunch together - walk to the State House and visit our state Senators and Representatives. The issues this year - chosen by survey of UUs - are homeless prevention programs, climate change, and the health disparities between rich and poor. UU Advocacy Day is sponsored by UUMassAction with the UU Urban Ministry.

The crisis in family homelessness is escalating rapidly. Every night in Massachusetts, 2,000 homeless families are in shelters and more than 1,000 stay in motels. Thousands more are doubled or tripled up in others’ apartments, moving from one location to another.

Hear the Vision for a new system, where shelters are used only for emergency transitions and everyone has a permanent place to live.

See How that Vision is being implemented despite crushing budget cuts.

Learn How Congregations & Congregants can become involved in programs to help end homelessness.

Join John Rodgers, Senior Energy Analyst and Co ManagerEnergy And Water Initiative, Union of Concerned Scientist who will speak on 'the Energy-Collision: Understanding the water implications of our energy choices, particularly in the context of climate change'.

Jamie Maughan, Ph.D, Vice President for Water Resources CH2M Hill who will speak on 'Water in Developing Nations: How can we help communities develop sustainable water supplies and wastewater management practices consistent with their local culture and natural resources?"