Unitarian congregation OKs $600K in grants

Bill San Antonio

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock will award $100,000 as part of its annual Large Grants Program to each of six non-profit organizations, including two based on Long Island, the congregation announced Tuesday.

The Family Service League of Huntington and S.T.R.O.N.G Youth of Uniondale, which support individuals with mental illnesses and at-risk youth, were approved during a May 3 vote by the congregation’s board of trustees, along with four others that seek to improve the environment and spread Unitarian Universalist ideology.

“In the spirit of generosity and commitment to action, we collectively seek to provide funding for worthy organizations that align with our vision of building a more just world for all human beings,” said Nancy Chen Baldwin, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock’s president, in a statement.

The congregation put out a request for proposal in January for organizations that match the unitarian mission, a non-denominational faith that places importance on inclusiveness and social justice initiatives.

Created in 2007, Shelter Rock’s Large Grants program received 24 proposals, which congregation leaders narrowed down to six for which to provide funding.

The Family Service League plans to use the funds toward its Assertive Community Treatment program, which offers therapeutic and rehabilitative services to people diagnosed with mental illnesses, while S.T.R.O.N.G Youth will focus its grant toward services to improve the lives of young people within the criminal justice system.

The Oakland, Calif.-based Climate Justice Alliance and the Cambridge, Mass.-based UU Service Committee will receive funds toward environmentally-friendly economic initiatives.

Two other organizations, the Boston, Mass.-based Church of the Larger Fellowship and the Sherborn, Mass.-based No Limits Media will focus their grants on promoting the Unitarian Universalist movement on social media and in the community as well as in larger media projects that seek to increase congregational awareness.  

Share this Article