OUR SOCIAL JUSTICE EFFORTS
We Act on our Beliefs
For over 100 years, Unitarians and Universalists have been engaged in working for justice believing that all people deserve to live freely, assured of their safety, with options to make their own lives and this world better. We continue this legacy with a deep congregational commitment to justice, equity and compassion.
​The mission and work of the Social Justice Committee
​The SJC is committed to developing opportunities for our Congregation to live out our Unitarian Universalist values in the broader community. We strive to do these things in a way that is mindful and respectful of our diverse UUCHV community, in a way that increases awareness and sensitivity to a wide variety of social and environmental justice issues, and in a way that promotes personal responsibility to become the change we want to see in the world. Our work includes efforts to strengthen our democracy, to foster rights and dignity for all people and pursuit of racial justice, to advance socioeconomic equity, to safeguard our natural world, to foster inclusivity for all genders and orientations, and much more.
Join in these many ongoing efforts or propose and get involved in new initiatives. The co-chairs welcome you to reach out to discuss your interests!
STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY​​​
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This effort is a Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) nonpartisan civic engagement initiative focused on inviting people of faith to deepen their commitment to democracy by organizing in their communities, supporting voter engagement, and strengthening the civic culture that sustains a healthy democracy. For many years UUCHV has conducted Get-Out-the-Vote campaigns and letter writing campaigns to support voting in states with historic voter suppression laws. Recently, we are focusing on sparking engagement among young voters locally.
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Democracy Advocacy
Our Democracy Action group was formed in 2025 to address the recent upswing in support for policies and behaviors that undermine the democratic process and, by extension, pose a threat to our democracy. It is modeled after a denomination-wide initiative developed by UUSJ to assess and prioritize areas of legislative focus. Our team works closely with neighboring Unitarian Universalist congregations in Westchester county to build community and expand our reach. They utilize the weekly e-Newsletter to keep the congregation apprised of specific actions that can be taken regarding a variety of timely issues related to things such as the SAVE Act, Medicaid cuts, and issues of immigration and deportation. ​
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Action of Immediate Witness​​​
The pressing issues of our time galvanize the congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association to take immediate action through a process known as Action of Immediate Witness. For example, in February 2026, our congregation unanimously voted to join other congregations across the country in endorsing a resolution to act in solidarity with those defending democratic norms, institutions and rights, which have recently come under threat. The resolution outlines the adverse affects and lists ways we commit to defend inclusive democracy and our freedoms.
​​FOSTERING RIGHTS AND DIGNITY FOR ALL
Advocates for Racial Equity
ARE is a group that meets weekly via Zoom to share presentations and workshops and listen to guests in an effort to move forward in our anti-racist work. The ARE mission statement is: 'We are building an antiracist movement of Unitarian Universalists working to (1) Understand whiteness and privilege, (2) Unlearn and challenge white supremacy, and (3) Confront racism in ways that are accountable to communities of color. Our hope is that this ministry will lead all who participate to spiritual growth and wholeness.' The group brings opportunities for local connection and participation, as well as advocacy at the local and national level, to the attention of the congregation.
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UUCHV has partnered with the dynamic Lorraine Hansberry Coalition to host events including panel discussions, art exhibits, and film screenings related to racial justice and local history here in Westchester county.
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Immigration initiatives
In 2025 and 2026 we hosted educational events that focused on understanding immigration and what we can do to help. We donate to local groups such as Neighbors Link and Open Arms for Refugees which provide legal services, English language classes, and many other critical support services for recent refugees and immigrants in our local communities. One of our youth organized a letter writing campaign to political representatives in support of changing cruel and unfair practices related to detention and deportation of resident immigrants.
​ADVANCING SOCIOECONOMIC JUSTICE
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Emergency Shelter program
In conjunction with Briarcliff Ossining Ministerial Association (BOMA), our congregation provides several days of meals for un-housed individuals who are given shelter during the coldest months of the year. Congregants form teams who shop, prepare and deliver the meals for to Ossining Churches where they were staying. We also make an annual monetary donation to the project to defray costs and are a recognized partner of the Emergency Shelter Partnership.
Food Pantry
For nearly 30 years, the UUCHV has supported the Croton-Cortlandt Food Pantry. Recently relocated to Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, it has become a choice pantry serving those in the Croton-Cortlandt area. For many of our congregants, bringing an offering to the Food Pantry basket is part of their Sunday morning routine.
Midnight Run
Each Winter, our youth participate in a Midnight Run, taking warm clothes and food to unhoused persons in New York City. Midnight Run is a volunteer organization dedicated to establishing a foundation of sharing and caring between housed and homeless people from which solutions may evolve. Through this program our youth interact with people, grow in compassion and understanding, and practice ways of helping. ​
Holiday Gifting
Every holiday season, UUCHV members and friends brighten the holidays for neighbors in need. We 'adopt' several families from Peekskill as well as several client families at Hope‘s Door domestic violence shelter, who supply us with their holiday wish lists. We provide new, wrapped gifts. We also donate sweatpants, sweatshirts and socks to the Jan Peek homeless shelter as well as mittens collected at our annual Mitten Tree Day in December run by our youth religious education program.
Soles4Souls
Twice a year, the Social Justice committee conducts a collection of shoes in any condition to support Soles4Souls, an organization which distributes lightly worn shoes of any kind and size, and in any condition to underprivileged people throughout the world. Shoes in excellent to good condition are given directly to those in need all over the world, while shoes is poorer conditions are sent to third world countries to support micro businesses that manufacture new shoes from the old, creating both income and employment opportunities as well as shoes to wear.
SAFEGUARDING OUR NATURAL WORLD
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Green Policies and Practices
Unitarian Universalists recognize climate change and issues of environmental justice as some of the central concerns of our times. This recognition is grounded in our belief that all living things are interdependent. We have developed many policies and practices to support sustainability, spearheading efforts to affect change in environmental policy on a personal, congregational and community level. UUCHV undertook the process of becoming certified by the UUA as a Green Sanctuary Congregation, undertaking the work of education and change to be recognized as a congregation committed to environmental justice.
Our ongoing efforts include: reducing and recycling waste, switching to renewable energy in our homes and in our building, collaborating with Croton 100 and offering programs on sustainability including reducing single plastics. We continue our journey by further educating ourselves and the public, integrating environmental justice concerns into worship, and introducing ever more green policies within our congregation.
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​​Adopt a Highway
The UUCHV has adopted a one mile stretch of Route 9A north and south of our building. The Social Justice Committee organizes a cleanup session after Sunday services several times a year to pick up litter. Permits are renewed every two years through the Westchester County Department of Public Works.
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SPCA
For over ten years, the Social Justice and Religious Exploration programs have worked jointly to provide an educational opportunity for families to raise awareness about the plight of homeless animals. Located in Briarcliff Manor, the Westchester SPCA is the only humane society in Westchester County empowered to enforce laws relating to animal cruelty. The SPCA relies solely on the support of people who care about animal welfare. Each spring we collect and donate pet food from our Easter Egg (pet food) Hunt and share our collection plate with the Westchester SPCA.
FOSTERING LGBTQIA+ INCLUSIVITY​
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​​​​​'Welcoming Congregation' Certification
For decades the Unitarian Universalist Association and its member congregations have been at the forefront of the fight for justice and equal rights for people in the LGBTQIA+ community. UUCHV was first certified as a Welcoming Congregation by the Unitarian Universalist Association in 2003. In 2025, the UUA recertified the congregation following a unanimous congregational vote to renew that commitment.
At UUCHV, welcoming is a fundamental spiritual practice. We recognize the importance of creating a space where everyone can find belonging and connection, and be their true, authentic selves. As a Welcoming Congregation, we are committed to fostering an environment where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual, two-spirit, genderqueer, and non-binary folx feel fully welcomed, centered, and embraced. UUCHV is wholly committed to the Five Pillars of Welcome Renewal.
LGBTQIA+ Advocacy
We are actively involved in local efforts and in activism in support of our LGBTQIA+ community. Over many years we have shared our sunday offering plate proceeds with The Loft and other local organizations, joined in regional parades and rallies, supported Pride Works at Pace University, and more. We host speakers and regularly incorporate relevant themes into our services and religious exploration programming.
Our programming for young people teaches that all children and youth are inherently beautiful just as they are and we offer a safe and supportive space for the development and flourishing of all.
Recently, we partnered with Peekskill Pride to create a monthly, non-sectarian, social group run by trained volunteers where students in grades 9-12 and their allies can meet to relax, have dinner, enjoy games and activities, and make friends in a safe and supportive space. Learn more about Fourth Fridays.
​​SUPPORT FOR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
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Share the Plate
Each month we give a significant portion of the proceeds from the collection at Sunday services to a specific local, regional or national not-for-profit organization. The Social Justice Committee carefully researches organizations to ensure that those selected use donations wisely and effectively and we occasionally invite someone from the organization to speak about their work during a Sunday service.
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Community Collaborations
We also support and collaborate with other organizations locally that share with us the vision of building a more just world including: The League of Women Voters, NAACP, Center for Common Ground, Briarcliff Ossining Ministerial Association (BOMA), Lorraine Hansberry Coalition, Neighbor's Link, Open Arms for Refugees, and Croton 100. On a regional level, we collaborate with other UU congregations and on a national level with Unitarian Universalist Association teams focusing on social justice, such as Side with Love, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ), and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC).
​Past Programs and Initiatives​
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Annual Riverkeeper Sweep
UUCHV participated in Riverkeeper Sweep, the Hudson River's largest yearly clean-up event. Many tons of garbage are pulled from the Hudson and its banks at this event each year.
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Blood Drives
We acknowledge the lifesaving need for blood and scheduled blood drives in our church several times a year during the period when the Blood Center had resources to staff such local drives.
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Croton Interfaith Group, “Women Empowering Women”
We were active in the Croton interfaith group, ‘Women Empowering Women’ which sponsored an annual educational program and project to support women and children suffering from human rights injustices globally.
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Croton Lay Interfaith Council (CLIC)
The Croton Lay Interfaith Council, active from 2016 to 2019, was made up of lay people from houses of worship (churches, congregations, synagogues and a Muslim Center). We collaborated by working together on programs and promoted the justice initiatives in each congregation
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Local Banking
In 2017, after research by and at the request of the Social Justice Committee, the UUCHV Board moved the UUCHV's bank accounts to a smaller bank that invests in the local community.
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Lunchtime Meals Program
For more than a decade, our Congregation volunteered to provide a meal once a month for about 80-100 food insecure people living in Peekskill.
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UUA Declaration of Conscience
In January 2017, the UUA and UUSC together issued a Declaration of Conscience denouncing the first Executive Orders from the Trump administration. UUCHV's Board signed the declaration and we joined over 13,000 other Unitarian Universalists in commitment to translating our values into action in resistance to hate, fear, and bigotry.
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UU United Nations Office (UU-UNO)
Our congregation was active for many years with the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU-UNO) which provided strong leadership at the UN on human rights issues. This mission has now been incorporated into that of the UU Service Committee (UUSC) with which we continue to be active.
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Westchester Refugee Resettlement Task Force
We were an active member of a coalition of local faith-based organizations in Westchester planning to resettle Syrian refugee families in 2017, until federal immigration policies changed.
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​This video is about how we can show up for others with love. It was made during the COVID pandemic and includes members of the UUCHV choir.