Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry

CONTACT:

First Church in Roxbury, 10 Putnam Street
Roxbury, MA 02119
617-542-6233
www.uuum.org

Liane Crawford, Director of Development

DESCRIPTION:

UUUM is one of Boston’s oldest human services charities, founded in 1826 by the Rev. Joseph Tuckerman, who was far ahead of his time in declaring the mission to be empowerment through education, rather than just "charity." Within that framework, UUUM’s programs have multiplied, and are supported by 50 congregations. “Renewal House,” a safe shelter for women and children escaping from domestic violence, founded in 1980, has protected over 1,000 battered women and children; its family-like setting guides “guests” through legal, housing, counseling and therapy, goal-setting, and appropriate family services. UUUM has special programs for Roxbury youth: after-school elementary tutoring with the BELL Foundation (Cat ’98), a middle-school program (Crossing Bridges), an urban/suburban program (Stand High/Stand United), and mentoring for teenagers (Damien Funderburg Program), which helps youth improve testing scores, select a college and, if accepted, provides some financial assistance. UUUM also has a men’s program (United Souls) for ex-prisoners to help all the other programs, and an Asian Food Pantry called Ricesticks and Tea. So after all those years, this is still a “happening” organization — you can happen here too.

(2003: HUMAN SERVICES: Well-Being)