Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth 
The Distributive Justice Work Group: Helping People in Poverty
The Distributive Justice Work Group was formed by Reverend Karen Gustafson with the goal of inventorying and mobilizing the skills of Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth congregation members to address poverty in the Twin Ports area and beyond. After much consideration, the Distributive Justice Work Group formed two subcommittees to focus future efforts on two area groups, Churches United in Ministry (CHUM), and the Life House Teen Drop-In Center/Spirit Valley Young Mothers Program. Contacts for each group are Tim Stratton for CHUM, tstratto@d.umn.edu and Carol Michealson for Spirit Valley, cmicheal@d.umn.edu.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth has been an active CHUM member congregation for a number of years. The CHUM Subcommittee seeks to lead our congregation in becoming more active in CHUM's programs and advocacy efforts on behalf of the poor. The CHUM Center provides a drop-in center, free meals and crisis housing. CHUM also lobbies local, state and national elected officials on behalf of the poor. First Unitarian members can assist in advocacy activities, serve a meal, help renovate CHUM facilities, or simply hang out at the drop-in center and visit with clients.
Teenagers make up one of the most impoverished age groups in the Twin Ports area. Life House provides services for homeless teens in the Duluth area while YWCA's Spirit Valley Young Mothers Program provides services for homeless teenage moms. The Youth Subcommittee has already identified a Wish List for donations for Spirit Valley moms and kids. All of the girls are in school or vocational training and exist on food stamps and very small personal allowances; any of the following items would be very welcome! A collection box will be set up in the foyer of the church. Committee members will see to it that anything left in the collection boxes on Sundays are delivered the next day.
- Baby layettes are given to each new mother for her baby consisting of: receiving blankets, sleepers, onesies or t-shirts, diapers, large baby blanket, wash cloth and towels, one or two outfits, and pacifiers.
- Furnishings: The girls have only a bed and crib supplied; they badly need bureaus, dressers, etc. to hold clothing and personal items. Car seats and baby equipment such as swings are very welcome also.
- Personal hygiene items: For the moms, everything from shampoos, soaps, tampons, lotions. To the babies: shampoos, soaps, lotions.
- Videos of parenting topics would be wonderful; books on parenting and children's books welcome also.
- Cleaning equipment and supplies: Everything from brooms, mops and dustpans to carryall buckets, sponges, Windex, Formula 409, dust cloths, bathroom cleaners.
- Tools for household tasks: hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, nails, screws, picture hangers.
- Fabric and notions to make quilts or fleece-tied blankets. (We're hoping a quiltmaker will help the girls make baby quilts for their kids.)
To keep informed or become involved with the Distributive Justice Work Group, please e-mail Tim Stratton at tstratto@d.umn.edu.