Social Justice Ministry

Dedicated to advancing human rights
and promoting social justice

News and Upcoming Events

Every Wednesday 4-6pm	Occupy Torrance continues every Wednesday in front of Bank of America at 21700 Hawthorne Blvd (at Carson St.) in Torrance. We are the 99%. Join us in this nonviolent solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street Movement. We hold a weekly vigil in Torrance with placards against war and corporate abuses. More information: https://www.facebook.com/OccupyTorrance or contact Dorian Tippet.

May 4	Church World Service's CROP Walk Support the fight against World Hunger by participating in Church World Service's CROP Walk in San Pedro. Sign up on the Patio after Service. Can't walk? Sponsor a PUC Walker!

May 30 Thursday 11:30am	Californians Against Fracking Demonstration in Downtown Los Angeles Join this protest against fracking. Click on these links to learn more about Fracking and this Californians Against Fracking movement.

Oct 5	Anti-Violence Workshop Develop an Anti-Violence Workshop for Oct. 2013 as a follow-up to the South Bay Anti-Violence Forum of Oct. 2012

Who We Are

The Social Justice Ministry is dedicated to advancing human rights and promoting social justice. The team is comprised of people dedicated to supporting a chosen social justice issue. The committee creates educational opportunities, activities and actions which include the greater congregation.

What We Do

In addition, the PUC Social Justice Ministry Team and UUSC representative maintain a close alliance with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC), the national voice of
social conscience for Unitarian Universalists. The UUSC addresses key international and rnational issues, enabling the Social Justice Committee members and PUC congregants to "plug into" activities and actions already underway.

What You Can Do

Church wide justice making opportunities will be announced through The View. Open meetings to discuss new ideas are held every fifth Sunday after the second service.

The Social Justice Ministry Committee meets every 3rd Friday of each month at 2 pm in Shuder Library. The committee is welcoming new members and friends of PUC to participate. At these meetings, we will discuss the process of incorporating other social justice projects that may be of interest to the congregation. If you would like to learn more about the SJ ministry committee, please contact Constance Jackson.

Contact PUC Social Justice Ministry or call the church office at
(310) 378-9449 for more information.

Articles by Sandy McNeil, UUSC Representative:

Behind the Kitchen Door:
What Every Diner Should Know About the People Who Feed Us
Written by Saru Jayaraman
Not just a book; it's an opportunity for readers and activists to change the national conversation about what a truly sustainable food system is—a system where workers are paid a living wage and treated with dignity and respect.

Our immediate goal: get the book on the bestseller lists.
Our bigger goal: bring restaurant workers' rights the national attention they deserve.

All proceeds from the book go to support the work of a UUSC partner organization to advance restaurant workers’ rights. In addition, purchases made through the Powell’s links also support UUSC, as we are a longstanding member of the Powell’s partnership program.

After you make the purchase, please take a moment more to let us know.

The first 100 people to let us know that they bought the book between now and February 23 will receive gift packets, including a tasty fair-trade treat and material about making consumer choices that advance justice.

Visiting a Detention Center | Second Visit

2013 Focus: Fighting Hunger

Our 2013 Social Justice Ministry's service objective is to fight hunger by focusing on reducing food insecurity among families and individuals that lack access to healthy foods. Food security allows fruits and vegetables to be in low-income homes on a daily basis. According to FeedingAmerica.org (2013), 1 in 6 Americans face hunger. FeedingAmerica.org also noted that good nutrition in the first three years in a child's life is critical for a child's physical and mental health that can lead to educational achievement and improved economic freedom.

By collaborating with community-based organizations to target low income families in San Pedro, Wilmington, Carson, Harbor City and Torrance, Pacific Unitarian Church, as a faith-based organization, will continue to strive to be at the forefront of change in the South Bay.

Currently, the crop from our permaculture food garden is reaching families visiting the Harbor Interfaith Shelter in San Pedro.

Food Insecurity - You Can Help

A Place at the Table - screening March 1

Homelessness

This article reports four stories of homeless youth (ages 18-24) in Long Beach, asking about their past and reasons for homelessness. The stories also focus on current obstacles they face being homeless in the streets of Long Beach.

Clean, Safe Water is Human Right - AB685 Passes

Project Gallery

PUC Marches in Long Beach's 30th PRIDE Parade

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
An Anti-Violence Forum was held in October 2012, planned by PUC member Constance Jackson. Panelists included representatives of Peace Over Violence, San Pedro's Rainbow Services, and The Center in Long Beach, and a dietician, an attorney of Employment Sexual Harassment, and artists. Discussed were how domestic violence bleeds outward to violence in our schools, communities and the world; it occurs in all walks of life and lifestyles; we can help; dispel myths.
Announcement.

Myths	Facts

Collecting signature "flags" for the California Trust Act.

PUC participated in the Peninsula-Harbor Crop HUNGER WALK in San Pedro June 2012 to feed the hungry worldwide as well as locally. We raised $1,500 for the cause. Hunger Walk website.