UUCP Social Justice Network Collaboration with JUST Pensacola
JUST Pensacola’s activities have been affected by the COVID-19 emergency, but our community’s needs and our work continue. Research committee meetings have been held virtually and the JUST Pensacola Board has pushed out the timing of the large assemblies, the Nehemiah Action and the Celebration, until later in the year.
In their place and on their scheduled dates, JUST Pensacola is holding text studies, through Zoom, which focus on reading Judeo-Christian scriptures through the lens of social justice. The final text study session will be held on Monday, May 18, at 7 p.m. If you would like to attend, please send an email to Aida Bone at aida@thedartcenter.org to RSVP and you will receive a link to the Zoom meeting and text study materials.
The Education Research team continues to research disparities in access to high-quality pre-school education and the link to low school-readiness rates in Escambia County. They will continue to meet with decision-makers to learn how the Coronavirus has magnified the already existing problems with pre-school access. The next education research meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 14 at 6 p.m. The team is also focused on defining their “ask,” which is the specific actions to be requested of decision-makers to remediate the identified issues.
The Criminal Justice Research team is focused on finding solutions to reduce the high arrest rates in Escambia County. The team recently met with Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualitieri, who has implemented a successful diversion program for adults and has been able to divert over 100 adults from being arrested.
We are seeing that the unemployment and social isolation caused by the COVID-19 emergency are amplifying community disparities and related issues. May we be ever mindful of the conditions of others and aware of our responsibility in making our community a better place for all.
If you have questions, would like to join the UUCP Justice Network or become more involved in this work, please contact Paula Montgomery or Scott Satterwhite.