The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee is a membership organization of people working for justice in the United States and around the world. Its mission affirms the worth, dignity and human rights of every person, and the interdependence of all life.
UUSC's work for justice began in 1939, when its founders helped the victims of fascism escape from Europe during and after World War II. For more that five decades, UUSC has supported projects in the U.S. and many other countries to promote health care, education, leadership development, family planning, human rights, agriculture, women's empowerment, community self-help efforts, child welfare and other initiatives that help freedom and justice to flourish.
UUSC is a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization whose support comes from more than 17,000 individual members, and from Unitarian Universalist congregations and private foundations that share our commitment to building a better, more just world.
UUSC is a leader in the struggle for peace, justice and respect for human rights. Recognizing that social change often hinges on political change, UUSC sponsors public policy and advocacy initiatives on both domestic and international issues.
UUSC's Promise the Children program addresses the crisis of childhood poverty and hunger in U.S. UUSC volunteers advocate for programs and policies on behalf of the children in their local communities and state legislatures, and Congress.
UUSC has long been at the forefront of advocating for peace and justice in Central America. UUSC has hosted members of Congress and other leaders on 19 fact-finding delegations since 1978, and helped create the political climate that led to reduced U.S. Military aid and the 1992 signing of the El Salvador Peace Accords.
UUSC's program on the Philippines has increased public awareness of the political and economic challenges in that country, and of the U.S. government's responsibility for cleanup of toxic wastes left at former U.S. military bases.
UUSC supports project partners in grassroots organizations in ten countries. Through grants in agriculture, health care, family planning and small-scale economic development projects, UUSC helps individuals and communities become more self-reliant, improve their living conditions and determine their own futures. UUSC does not place staff or volunteers to work on its overseas projects.
UUSC focuses on the needs and aspirations of women, providing skill training, leadership development, reproductive health care and family life education. During emergencies, such as the war and famine in the Horn of Africa, volcanic eruptions in the Philippines or political repression in Central America, UUSC provides immediate relief and aid and support for reconstruction efforts.
UUSC has received major funding from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation for its North-South Partnership in Action Plan. The Plan provides UUSC's overseas partners with institutional and project- specific support to build grassroots leadership and create networks among people working for social change and self- sufficiency.
UUSC members and volunteers organize activities in their own communities to promote UUSC's domestic and international priorities. To support these outreach efforts, UUSC produces fact sheets, videos, study/action guides, and other educational materials that provide background information and suggestions for advocacy and action.
Through its Volunteer Network, Congregational Partnerships and Promise the Children program, UUSC coordinates educational and social justice programs in hundreds of Unitarian Universalist congregations and community organizations. UUSC volunteers develop local service projects, study groups and special events on such issues as childhood hunger and U.S. policies abroad.
UUSC sponsors Action Alert Networks on Central America and on children at risk in the U.S. Network members receive Action Alert mailings on timely legislation and are called upon to advocate on behalf of UUSC policy priorities to their senators and representatives.
UUSC would not exist without its 17,000 members--people who share our ideals and support UUSC with their contributions. Members receive the quarterly Service Committee News and are eligible to vote in annual elections for members of the Board of Directors.
UUSC is governed by an elected Board of Directors and has a staff of 40 at its headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and its office in Washington, D.C. Hundreds of volunteers serve as local and regional UUSC representatives in congregations and communities throughout the United States.
UUSC values its independence as a voluntary, member-supported organization and does not accept funding from the U.S. Government. UUSC is an associate member of the Unitarian Universalist Association but receives no operating support from the Association.
Membership donation is $25; $10 for college students and senior citizens. Unrestricted gifts of $50 or more are matched by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, New York.
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, 130 Prospect Street, Cambridge Massachusetts 02139-1845, USA. Tel: 617-868-6600. Fax: 617-868-7102. Internet: theuusc@igc.apc.org
Last uploaded on January 9, 1996.
(c) 1996 Alan Hamilton <alan@spdcc.com>
You can also contact the Unitarian Universalist Association at
25 Beacon Street, Boston Massachsetts 02108, USA.
http://www.uua.org/ Phone:617-742-2100