In a season that might feel disorienting, you can anchor to your UU values through the UCE Mitten Tree! New “mittens” will be hung as requests come in. Like most things this year, we have made a few tweaks to keep givers, receivers, and shuttlers in between safe. Please visit the Mitten Tree here, read the instructions for how each organization needs us to handle gifts, select requests you can fill, and may what you give bring you JOY!
The Mitten Tree is a tradition at UCE stretching back over 34 years, bringing a mutual sense of belonging and fulfillment for our church and broader community. We are so fortunate for the care and intention Carol Nielsen has brought to this practice of giving, and all of the gifts of friendship, inspiration, and gratitude many have received through participation.
This year, we will be partnering with 3 very special organizations to make the holiday season a little brighter:
The Rice Child & Family Center is located just down Ridge from UCE and is a safe home with wrap around services for children with post-traumatic behavioral dysregulation making traditional foster care inaccessible to them. The facility includes a medical clinic, group therapy classrooms, special education facilities, art therapy and maintains a goal of helping children return to a loving family environment. This year, we will be matched with 12 children to fulfill their holiday wish list. For security and safety, items can be purchased from an Amazon registry and sent directly to the Rice Center.
Connections for the Homeless is an organization near and dear to our UCE community. Whether through shared plate, Mitten Trees past, Our Giving House donations, or supporting affordable housing programs, Connections has and will continue to be a meaningful partnership for us. Connections supports more than 1500 people a year – preventing homelessness, sheltering those in crisis, providing advocacy services, and fostering development of job and educational skills. This year, we are looking to fulfill requests from 50 of their deserving clients.
Our third partnering organization this year is NEW. Sarah’s Circle has a proud history dating back to 1979 focused on meeting the needs of homeless women in Chicago. In December 2020, they will be opening a 38 unit Permanent Supportive Housing facility in Uptown. It is truly inspiring to see their team bring the pieces together, and we have the opportunity to make sure every new home has towels and dishes for each woman’s new home. Check out their website at https://sarahs-circle.org/ to learn more about this amazing organization.