Social Justice Ministry

In 2005, our congregation made the historic decision to devote a portion of our operating budget to our Social Justice Ministry. We emphasize economic justice issues: poverty, hunger and homelessness, focusing on empowerment rather than charity. Review our most recent annual report to learn about current activities. The Social Justice Committee serves as the umbrella organization for our congregation’s Social Justice Ministry. UUCP members and friends of the congregation are welcome and encouraged to attend meetings and learn more about how we work to achieve social justice. Committee meetings are usually held on the second Wednesday of each month. For information about meetings, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

UU Legislative Ministry of New Jersey

Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of New Jersey (UULMNJ) is an affiliation of 16 UU congregations in New Jersey aimed at influencing social justice issues in our state by providing education and advocacy resources. UULM works through task forces on economic justice, health care, environment, immigration and marriage equality. At UUCP, we have emphasized immigration and housing issues with programs and advocacy. For more information and to be included on our e-mail list, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Habitat for Humanity of Trenton

Since 2006, UUCP has been actively engaged with Habitat for Humanity of Trenton, whose mission is to build simple, affordable homes for low income families. UUCP members and friends spend many Saturdays in East Trenton helping with the home construction. UUCP also helps organize several neighborhood celebration parties each year, where Habitat partner families, other East Trenton residents and UUCP families gather for games, crafts and refreshments. For more information on Habitat’s construction activities, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Habitat Learning Center

UUCP designed and renovated the space that became the Habitat Learning Center which serves as a neighborhood anchor and as the site for activities that build bridges between our communities. UUCP members and friends serve as tutors and mentors for the students enrolled in the Habitat Learning Center. During the school year, this program provides after school enrichment activities for up to 25 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. For more information or if you would like to learn more about tutoring opportunities, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Social Outreach Grants

UUCP actively raises funds for Social Outreach Grants that are awarded annually to several local charities. Recipients have included the Coalition for Peace Action, Crisis Ministry, Planned Parenthood, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, ISLES, Meals on Wheels, Womanspace and other Mercer area agencies. The UUCP Spring Sale is the major fund raising event which supports these grants. The Sale is held each year in May and transforms the entire church into a huge marketplace and welcomes participation of the wider community. For more information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Crisis Ministry

UUCP is one of the 60 interfaith partners of the Crisis Ministry which is celebrating 30 years of partnering with the community to achieve stability for neighbors in need. From its Trenton and Princeton locations, it serves people from over 1,400 households each month through its hunger and homelessness prevention initiatives. UUCP has a weekly collection of nonperishable food for the Crisis Ministry. Your donations are urgently needed and greatly appreciated. For more information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Trenton Area Soup Kitchen

The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) is a private, non-sectarian, charitable organization that depends almost entirely on the help of volunteers and financial support from individuals, churches, local businesses and community organizations. UUCP has a commitment to TASK through regular assistance with serving meals once a month. TASK also provides adult education, music and art programs. Some of our members and friends serve as adult tutors. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Other Opportunities

In addition to these major economic justice ministries, UUCP members are active in many causes and local organizations, including the Coalition for Peace Action (http://www.peacecoalition.org/about.html), Meals on Wheels (http://www.meals-on-wheels.com/), Not In Our Town (http://www.niot.org/group/not-our-town-princeton) and many others.