First Universalist is beginning our sixth year of partnership with Augsburg Fairview Academy(AFA), one of our six faithful action Community Partners. Young adults from diverse communities who face educational barriers to achievement in traditional schools are welcomed into AFA, a charter high school that prepares them for college, career and life. The 125+ students come from diverse backgrounds including African American, Somali, and Native American. Many are homeless or marginally housed during the school year.

The Hope Food and Clothing Closets were developed by AFA students in a class on leadership and organization development; they chose this project to meet their needs and to provide hope. First Universalist is the primary contributor to the Hope Food and Clothing Closets.

Donations needed include:

• School Supplies: Backpacks (in dark colors), spiral notebooks, pens and pencils, pocket folders.
• Clothing: hoodies; t-shirts; skinny jeans for men and women; men’s and women’s underwear and socks; fall jackets. Clothing should be clean, teen appropriate and in good repair.
• Food and Toiletries: Single serving microwavable meals; fruit cups; granola bars; toothpaste and toothbrushes, men’s and women’s deodorant, lotions, condoms, and tampons and sanitary products.

Bring items to the Hub on Sundays or drop off during the week at the shelves labeled for AFA by the 34th Street entrance. Thank you for your generosity!

On Sunday, Feb. 21, we celebrated the success of our 2015 Holiday Giving project and presented a check for $64,884.38 to this year’s recipient, Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative. Redefining our relationship with the holidays allowed us to make the spiritual choice to redirect half of our holiday spending to values-based giving. Together, our gifts will have a life-changing impact on the people Beacon serves. Thank you so much to all of our members and congregants for their generosity!

PHOTO: Rev. Justin Schroeder and Rev. Jen Crow presented our congregation’s generous holiday gift to Lee Blons (Executive Director of Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative) and Michael Dahl (Advocacy Coordinator, Beacon Citizens) during services on Sunday, Feb. 21.