Our UU Congregation of Charlottesville (UUCville) has been a part of the inter-denominal organization IMPACT from its’ beginning in 2006. The name “IMPACT” stands for “Interfaith Movement Promoting Action by Congregations Together”. Consisting of 26 congregations in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, IMPACT members identify important community problems and pursue solutions based on analysis of problems and solutions, to promote justice for all members of our community, particularly the underserved.

During this past fall 2022, ‘house meetings’ were held by Network Members of 26 congregations to solicit concerns and community needs. On Oct.27, Network Members from congregations held a large meeting to decide which problems would be addressed in 2023. The 3 problem areas chosen are:

(1) Affordable Housing,
(2) Preschool Childcare,
(3) Transportation to Care for Creation.

Research teams were assembled to study each problem and propose solutions.

The next step is to refine proposed solutions and make recommendations to elected officials from the City Council and County Board of Supervisors. The proposals will be formally submitted at a large meeting with all 26 congregations to obtain commitments by elected officials to take needed actions. The ACTION Meeting, (called the Nehemiah Action), will be held the evening of March 21, 2023. SAVE THIS DATE and plan to attend! Our UU Congregation has 13 Network members who will invite our congregation members to attend the Nehemiah Action Meeting (March 21!). Network members are currently helping research the 3 problems by attending meetings, interviewing, and using data sets to analyze the problems and identify solutions.

Our congregation leaders are Kelsey Cowger (also the newly elected President of IMPACT Congregations!), and Hayley Owens (member of the UUCville Board).

Each of the problems have the following goals:

1. Affordable Housing: housing for all! Anyone should be able to find a safe, clean, affordable and accessible home anywhere in our community.
2. Preschool Childcare: to ensure that all qualifying families can send their child to preschool and have afterschool care if they need it;
3. Transportation to Care for Creation: To lower wait times and make our transit system cleaner for the environment.

If you care about these problem areas and want to work on solutions for Justice, contact IMPACT leaders & join our UU Congregation as a Network Member &/or attend the Action Meeting (March 21),

Contact our IMPACT team at IMPACT@uucharlottesville.org