About the Nonprofit
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First Unitarian Church is a historic Unitarian Universalist church in the heart of Worcester, Massachusetts. Since 1785, First Unitarian Church has been a home for liberal religion in Worcester. We are a vibrant and welcoming congregation committed to living out our mission to honor the sacred, connect with one another, and service justice within our community and our world.
First Unitarian Church currently supports many local social justice programs by serving people where they are at. First U is currently supporting Haitian asylum-seekers who are being temporarily sheltered in a nearby hotel. There are approximately 90 families living in the hotel waiting for permanant housing. We provide neccesary practical items, such as clothing, diapers, feminine products and children's toys. We also help with ESL classes, workshop on living in Worcester, and recreational opportunities to support good mental and physical health.
First U also supports a local family shelter called In The Hour Of Need (IHN) which is a temporary shelter supporting up to 6 families. We offer 3 weeks throughout the year by helping the shelter guests with an evening meal, help with homework, and respite for parents. Additionally, we donate 100% of our offering to IHN twice per year, one of which is our well-attended Christmas Eve service. Last year we donated approximately $8,000 to support the shelter.
We support the LGBT Task Force, a program that helps asylum-seekers from countries where being gay is illegal. We are part of a rotating schedule in providing a meal for 60 participants, as well as friendships with asylum seekers.
Also, First U has a 2-week inclusive and welcoming summer day camp called Wiogora School of Wonder and Wisdom, serving 80-100 children and youth each summer. The mission of the camp is: a Unitarian Universalist church program which accepts and teaches diversity of race, religion, class, sexual orientation and gender identity. Wiogora uses Harry Potter's story and world to say that Wiogora believes the real magic is friendship, acceptance, tolerance, searching for the truth with love and learning together.
