Milwaukee Voter Project
Do you want to make an impact on the 2024 election?
One way you can make an impact is by making sure that voters in Wisconsin are registered to vote. Join UUtheVote at UCE for a voter registration training hour. The date has been unfortunately postponed, and its reschedule is still to be determined. The training will be in-person and by zoom.
Our trainer is Laura Kushner, an Evanston activist, who works with the Milwaukee Voter Project. From February through October, you will be offered lots of clear opportunities for reaching out to voters in Wisconsin – both in person or by phone. You do not have to be a Wisconsin citizen to help register voters. This training will give you options for future engagement.
We will provide snacks to get you through a fast paced hour and give you answers to all your questions. Register ahead so we can welcome you and make the training efficient. Contact Carolyn Laughlin through the Realm Membership Directory or at admin@ucevanston.org if you have any questions.
The Milwaukee Voter Project is a grassroots group of non-partisan volunteers
who are working to ensure that all citizens, especially those in underserved communities, are registered to vote and are aware of upcoming elections. We register voters in warm, indoor offices (DMV’s) in Milwaukee disadvantaged neighborhoods and give citizens the opportunity to register to vote.
Many of our volunteers live in the north suburbs of Chicago and drive up for a few hours shift. DMV sites are about an hour’s drive. Small teams from Evanston will be carpooling to Milwaukee as soon as January, 2024.
Sign up HERE if you are interested.
ICIRR Asylum Seekers
Building a Welcoming Future: Caring for ALL
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) is hosting a special community conversation on December 7th bringing together leaders working on the ground in Black and Brown communities to discuss current tensions and how to build the solidarity we need to create a society that cares for everyone.
December 7, 2023 | 12pm
Live from University Church Chicago
on ICIRR’s Facebook and YouTube
This landmark event is recommended to you by our Immigrant Solidarity Team and our Racial Equity Action and Leadership Team.
In today’s environment of political unrest, nations at war, economic and social disparity, and unimaginable change, it would be easy to withdraw and find a safe, quiet place to get away from everything. But is that really who we are? As Unitarian Universalists we are called to continue our work for a world made whole. That means we need the strength of others and the willingness to stand with those without our privilege.
We need to stand in solidarity with all communities to create a society that cares for everyone. This includes Black communities who’ve suffered long-standing disinvestment, immigrants waiting for decades within our broken immigration system, and newly arriving migrants and asylum seekers. We hope this conversation will spark new ideas on how we can support each other not only in this moment, but in our future work building power together.
Panelists
Andrea Ortiz-Landin Director of Organizing, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council
Fasika Alem Programs Director, United African Organization
Dixon Romeo Executive Director, Not Me We
Reverend Julian DeShazier Senior Pastor, University Church Chicago
Proceeds from this event will further ICIRR’s organizing and advocacy for economic and racial justice and our long-term alliance building in Black and Brown communities. A portion of the proceeds will go to folks working on the ground to welcome new arrivals.
Through our contacts at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, (ICIRR) the UCE Immigrant Solidarity Team has learned of efforts to help those seeking asylum at our southern border. Below are some ways you could help.
In response to the of asylum seekers and requests to help from area citizens, a collective of organizations and advocates including ICIRR formed “CITA,” Chicago Immigrant Transportation Assistance. CITA aims to support asylum seekers leaving detention centers with ground transportation needs.
Detained families and individuals, mainly from Central America, with credible cases of persecution are admitted into the U.S. to await the outcome of their asylum application. DHS does not provide asylees with winter clothes, food or information on how navigate ground transportation.
CITA has supported over 60 asylum seekers traveling on Greyhound over the last three weeks. CITA has distributed food, winter clothes, provided phone calls, translation services and other immediate needs.
WHATS NEXT: We have designed a volunteer/donation program to support asylum seekers who arrive at the Harrison Greyhound Station.
- Spanish-speaking volunteers are needed at the Harrison Station to provide care and support to asylum seekers. Greatest need!
- All language speaking volunteers are needed to sort through donations, prepare comfort kits and help coordinate additional assistance to families. Donations are being collected at the ICIRR Office located at 228 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60604.
- Financial contributions to help maintain a storage unit close to the Harrison Station and have an emergency credit card on hand for other services (i.e., medication, fee for missed bus, etc.).
- We are need of savvy-tech professionals who can create a system of volunteers, donations and tracking that is efficient.
If you wish to volunteer with CITA please REGISTER AT https://bit.ly/2FSAYRA. The trainings will be held at the Red Cross located at 2200 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60612. Volunteers at the station will be asked to complete a brief background check.
