Service and Justice

Service and Justice Opportunities

At First Unitarian Church, we are committed to justice and service and to offering our community opportunities to volunteer in the service of justice and equity.

Each year we have volunteer opportunities. These opportunities may change as congregation members have the interest and energy for different projects. These are the opportunities we offer now.

To get in touch with the leaders of any of these projects, please email and tell us about your interest. We’ll get back to you soon!

Hart-Wood Medical Program

The Hart-Wood Free Medical Program, formerly known as the Epworth Medical Program, offers free walk-in health care to the community on Monday nights from 6-8 p.m. Those seeking care can enter the church at the lower State Street entrance, which is wheelchair accessible. Medical care is provided by medical, nursing and pharmacy students, under the clinical supervision of licensed practitioners. 

Volunteers through First Unitarian Church are needed to set up on Monday afternoons and clean up on Monday evenings. Volunteers also serve as hosts, helping to register and assist patients during program hours. Orientation and training is required. 

Family Support Circle

The Family Support Circle assists two single-parent refugee families from the Central African Republic in their resettlement journey in Worcester. The program provides crucial support to these families who are now U.S. Permanent Residents or citizens, with mothers in steady employment and children thriving in school.

Volunteers are needed for transportation assistance helping children get home from school when their mothers are at work. This commitment can be as little as one hour per week or on an as-needed basis. The program also offers guidance on navigating the immigration process and American cultural norms. Training and a CORI check are required.

College Behind Bars Mentoring

The College Behind Bars mentoring team works under the umbrella of the Partakers Project. First Unitarian Church supports incarcerated men at MCI Shirley and MCI Norfolk who are enrolled in Boston College and Emerson College programs. Volunteers form teams of 2-4 mentors, providing support through monthly emails and bi-monthly visits to their assigned student. This program aims to reduce recidivism by supporting higher education for incarcerated individuals, with studies showing the significant value of education in this context.

Volunteers commit to mentoring for the duration of the student's college experience or until the end of their sentence.
New teams will be formed and trained as volunteers become available.

Sister to Sister Cycle Connection

Sister to Sister Cycle Connection provides monthly supplies of feminine sanitary pads to refugee women and girls currently residing in Worcester. The project uses a monthly subscription service through Amazon for bulk purchases of supplies. The project is now benefiting approximately 250 families per month. This initiative aligns with existing family refugee support efforts.

Volunteers are needed once a month on a Wednesday morning to deliver products and financial contributions are always welcome.

Donations can be made by donating to the church to support this ministry.

Holiday giving projects

During the holiday months there are opportunities to provide gifts to the community. We partner with the Department of Children and Families, which provides profiles of children who need gifts. Our youth groups choose an organization to support with shoeboxes full of items for youth living in Worcester.

To volunteer, look for announcements in November and December.

LGBTQ+ Justice

First Unitarian Church is a Welcoming Congregation. We support the LGBTQ Asylum Task Force through meals and fundraisers. We host a table at Pride Worcester's annual Pride Festival.

Volunteer opportunities include providing food, attending dinner with Task Force individuals, and sitting at the information table during the Pride Festival.