Our Unitarian Universalist Society devotes each month to a new Dedicated Offering (DO) recipient whose representative speaks to us on the first Sunday. We split every Sunday’s offering plate 50/50 with the recipient organization. This move symbolizes the solidarity we feel with the organizations we choose to support, and it gives us all more opportunities to contribute. As always, please specify whether the funds you send to the office or by PayPal are for the Plate, your pledge, or some other purpose.

The New England Learning Center for Women in Transition (NELCWIT), a multi-cultural anti-racism organization, is located in Greenfield with a satellite office in Orange.  From a conversation among four women around a kitchen table in 1975, NELCWIT has become the sexual and domestic violence crises center for Franklin County and North Quabbin. With a mission to work within the community to build safety, justice and dignity for all, it offers counseling, advocacy, and resources to individuals whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence or sexual abuse, and assists in prevention and education work to decrease violence in the community.  Services are free and available to people of all genders, sexual orientation and abilities.  Insurance is not needed and immigration status is irrelevant. A crises line is available 24/7. Bilingual support (Spanish) and interpreters for other languages are available.  In 2011 NELCWIT opened Franklin County Children Visitation Program (FCCVP) to provide a safe and neutral place for supervised family visitation.

While NELCWIT work is focused on the individual, they understand that the causes of violence begin in the community and that the eradication of this violence requires understanding and addressing its structural and institutional forms. As an agency, NELCWIT has transformed itself from a social service agency to one involved in, and leading social justice work. Anti-racism work is a key part of this. NELCWIT is founder and leader of a 25-member coalition in Franklin County/North Quabbin that meets monthly with a focus to dismantle racism in that area. Its present focus is law enforcement and welcoming people of color in Franklin County communities.