2023 Impact President and UUCville member Kelsey Cowger at the 2023 IMPACT Nehemiah Action
Our UU Congregation of Charlottesville (UUCville) has been a part of the inter-denominational organization IMPACT from its’ beginning in 2006.
The name “IMPACT” stands for “Interfaith Movement Promoting Action by Congregations Together.”
Consisting of over 30 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.
The group believes that tackling problems that have become rooted at the systemic level still requires bringing large numbers of people together, so that we can engage those in local positions of power to make changes. They call their events “Nehemiah Assemblies” because in the Book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem to help rebuild the ruined city walls, and he finds that the people are being taken advantage of by lenders who are charging heavy interest and who are making them sell their sons and daughters into slavery to make debt payments. In response, Nehemiah calls together a large public assembly to call the moneylenders to account and to demand that they change their ways. In response to Nehemiah’s challenge, the moneylenders do change their ways.
Consisting of over 30 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.
The 2025 social justice priorities are affordable housing and public transportation.
IMPACT Nehemiah April 8, 2025, 6:30
at MLK, Jr. Performing Arts Center @ Charlottesville High School
UVa Seeks Input on Affordable Housing — April 29th
Are you in the fight for affordable housing for so many who work locally but are priced out of our community? UVa has set a goal to support development of up to 1500 affordable housing units on land owned by UVa or the UVa Foundation, and they’re seeking input from...
Come Represent UUs at Nehemiah Action: The Biggest Grassroots Gathering in Central Va. MARCH 25
IMPACT's Nehemiah Action is on March 25th from 6:30 to 8pm. Online, we’ll gather with over 1000 people from 25 congregations to press local leaders for COMMITMENTS to change.
Luminarias for IMPACT on March 21st
As excitement builds for the March 25th Nehemiah Action, here’s how even our children can help our neighbors and families who struggle to find or keep an affordable place to live. LUMINARIAS! The IMPACT research committee recommends that on Sunday March 21, we light hundreds of luminarias around the community...
IMPACT invites you to the Board of Supervisors meeting Wed Mar 17
Calling all County Residents! The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors will be voting on the updated Housing Policy on Wednesday, March 17, at their 6 p.m. meeting. This policy establishes a Housing Trust Fund and creates a Housing Advisory Committee that can help to identify housing priorities to be addressed...
RALLY AROUND IMPACT!
The most important IMPACT event before the Action on March 25th is TUESDAY IMPACT’s annual RALLY* is Tuesday, March 2nd, from 6:30 to 8pm, via Zoom. All 25 IMPACT congregations will gather to hear updates on our housing and education work, and a majority of city councilors will be there...
An IMPACT Issues Update!
Our UU community has been a vital part of IMPACT for years, and struggling local individuals and families need us more than ever now. Here’s an update on the two justice crises we’re tackling this year.
IMPACT House Meetings Sept 20 & Oct 11
September 2020 IMPACT House Meetings: Want to help fight for social justice in Charlottesville? Participate in one of the house meetings we will be hosting where you can add your voice to what problems we’ll be addressing and learn more about how you can be a part of working for...
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