Do you want to make the world a better place, but don’t know where to start?  Want to promote human rights, fight for LGBTQ equality, advocate for women’s rights, help refugees and immigrants, solve racial injustice, encourage sustainability within your community, and more? There is an all-inclusive, progressive organization in Wilmington where activism is a core tenant: The First Unitarian Church of Wilmington. At this church there are three main activist groups that are always looking for new members.

1. Want Human Rights? Join the Human Rights Task Force.  

Though our congregation has been focused on racial justice for years, the Human Rights Task Force  was formed recently to work in solidarity with larger groups to increase our knowledge of human rights tragedies in our world, country, and right here in Delaware.  These include LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, the rights of refugees and immigrants, religious freedom, support for Black Lives Matter and the Coalition to Dismantle the New Jim Crow, economic justice, and other human rights challenges.  In just the two years, we’ve had numerous speakers come discuss a variety of different issues, organized buses to a rally downtown against gun violence, and organized a Peace Week event with Sarah McBride, a national transgender activist.  

2. Want to Help Our Environment?  Join our Environmental Justice Task Force.

The First U believes in climate change and wants to make a difference!  This team has had several events on how to reduce your energy imprint, including hosting events for the Sierra Club and have a Vegan Subcommittee to educate our congregation on the environmental aspects of one’s diet.  We focus on South Bridge, in Wilmington, Delaware, a struggling local community that is already being directly affected by the consequences of climate change.

3. Want to help young people who are generally neglected?  Join our Independent Living for Young Adults (ILYA) team.

Did you know that youth aging out of foster care have huge needs even though they get some support from the state until they reach the age of 21?  ILYA was started at the First U in 2005 to address these needs and find ways to help these youth succeed after high school. Our members throw an annual graduation party for the students with backpack gifts filled with needed items that will be useful in a dorm room or apartment.  We also have an annual “Holiday Giving” drive, baby showers for expectant mothers, supportive grants and interest-free loans for security deposits and school books, etc. Recently we started the “New Apartment Kit” project to help get them started in their first apartment.

Interested in any of these teams?  We are a welcoming community and would love to have you join!