Our work is guided by the First, Second and Sixth Principles of Unitarian Universalists- To affirm and promote: the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity and compassion in human relations; and the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all.
VUU lives the seven principles through our work with those seeking to start anew in our country. Our focus is direct support of families and individuals seeking refugee status, going through the asylum process, or living here as undocumented guests.
We are currently assisting 10 people from Colombia and Afghanistan by providing them with a safe and welcoming support system to help them meet their financial, legal, and social needs.
We are the Border Support component of VUU’s Immigration Action Team and also work under the immigration direction of Refugee Aid, an organization that serves the four Latino Church Asylum Shelters and IRC Welcome Center. VUU provides materials and manpower to further their work.
At VUU, we maintain the Refugee Aid supply bin and sponsor clothing and other kinds of drive for items that are then delivered to Refugee Aid to disburse where needed. In addition, we have members from our church who volunteer at IRC and Latino Shelters in various capacities.
We coordinate drivers picking up ready-to-eat food on Saturday and Sunday from a retail store’s excess. During the Arizona/California border growing season, we deploy drivers to local Saturday markets sponsored by Borderland Produce on Wheels With-out Waste where we are able to purchase 70lbs of produce and fruit for a minimal fee. All collections are distributed to shelter(s) and/or Homeless Outreach. An added benefit of this effort is keeping food waste out of burgeoning landfills.
If you have a couple of hours a month to assist with driving, we’d love to have you join and volunteer. It’s a really great feeling to feed and clothe people who are weary from their long Journeys! Please contact Sharon Kopina.
VUU promotes social actions and policies that will hopefully lead to a better environment for those seeking entrance to our country. We are proud of our covenant to “serve Humankind in friendship.”