UCE Mitten Tree 2021: November 12, 2021
Happy Everything! Mitten Tree is BACK with some “fleece linings” of lessons learned and skills gained courtesy of our mostly contactless efforts last year.
This winter holiday tradition of gift giving is a wonderful way to connect with organizations and neighbors outside the walls of UCE.
Beginning this weekend, you will have the opportunity to sign up (HERE) to fulfill gift requests. This year we are leaning into our SHARED MINISTRY all around. There will be opportunities for everyone to lend a hand and fill a mitten that speaks to them.
This longstanding tradition is an overwhelmingly beautiful snapshot of our community’s shared values and a privilege to help organize. Read on below about where your gifts will go this year, AND MAY WHAT YOU GIVE BRING YOU JOY!
Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, located in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, works to restore human dignity through hospitality, hope, and healing. Their work includes: building relationships among youth and families impacted by violence and/or conflict; creating safe spaces where people can experience radical hospitality, hope, and healing; and promoting a restorative justice approach to resolve conflict and build a sense of community.
Mitten tree gifts will go to members of the monthly mothers’ circles, which support women healing from trauma and striving to move forward. By coming together in circle, they create a safe space to share stories of loved ones, laugh and cry, and journey together toward healing. This is not a path that should be walked alone; participants find strength being in relationship with one another. UCE will be assembling gift bags with $25 Visa Giftcards, hand lotions and candles for 40 women. To learn more about this amazing work, ask Alice Swan!
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 again be matched with 12 children to fulfill their holiday wish list. UCE has supported residents of the center for a number of years as our own Mitten Tree founder, Carol Nielsen is a long-committed volunteer. We aim to fill 6 gifts per child, balancing needed items such as clothing and shoes with therapeutic toys and games and, of course, something purely and simply for the joy of it.
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 again looking to fulfill requests from 50 of their deserving clients around the $50 price point.
The Ghufran Bakir Family arrived to the Chicagoland area in early September 2021, sponsored as Syrian refugees. As they make a new home, arrange countless appointments, and navigate new systems, Jane Kenamore and Jeanne Kerl have helped them generate a list of comfort items we can provide to make Ryaan, Hatty, Talib, and Ghufran feel welcome and cared for this winter. While our congregational relationship with this family and their extended family has a rich history and will continue beyond the holiday season, we are thrilled that Mitten Tree is an opportunity to infuse a large dose of joy and well-being.