Starting a new job in a time of pandemic and social distancing is quite a unique experience. Particularly when that job revolves around working with people on various justice issues! I wish I could say that injustice is also being quarantined, but that is not the case. Indeed, there are a lot of people and organizations who are using this time to double-down on oppression, and a lot of vulnerable people who are in harm’s way.

With in-person rallies and events being impossible, I’ve heard a number of folks ask what they can do during this time of COVID-19 to continue to work for justice. I’ve broken this down into a list by topic area for your quick reference. These are some of the same topic areas the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is using in their organizing strategy, which also has some great ways we can continue this important work even while social distancing. I also highly recommend you check out Love Resist’s resources and webinar on this topic. Due to the UUA and Love Resists resources being national in scope, here are a few ways you can work for justice locally.

Electoral justice (including voting, voting rights, and democracy)

One of the most active organizations on this right now is Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. They have whole slew of online events and opportunities available at https://tinyurl.com/ybq2uz42

Pick a local candidate for political office and volunteer with them – all the candidates running now could use volunteers to do phone and text banking. They will have a great, easy to follow system set up and will walk you through the process even if you’ve never done it before! Don’t be intimidated – it is really rather fun!

Call/write or email Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams and tell him you support voting by mail in the upcoming elections. While it sounds like an expansion of absentee voting is in the works for the June primary, there is no guarantee that this will be extended to the November election, which it needs to be.

Gender & Sexuality justice (including LGTBQ equity and reproductive justice)

This pandemic is disproportionately impacting women in terms of rising domestic violence, higher likelihood to become unemployed, less recognition for unpaid labor, and much more. Decisions about what is “essential healthcare” are negatively impacting pregnant people seeking abortion services as well as trans people seeking life- saving gender-affirming care.

Donate to The Center for Women and Families and check out their volunteer opportunities.

Stand with Planned Parenthood has several ways to support our local PP chapter.

Donate to Kentucky Health Justice Network, which provides support for contraceptive care, abortion access, and trans health advocacy.

Addressing Gaps in Services

In addition to the above, there are numerous organizations doing good, important social services work that we can be supporting with our time and other resources.

Donate money to Eastern Area Community Ministries (EACM), which provides emergency food assistance to the meet the 30% increase in requests in recent weeks, as well as addressing the increased needs in housing and utility assistance. EACM is also looking for donations of: size 6 diapers, jelly, pancake mix and syrup, dried beans and ramen. Call (502) 426-2824 to arrange a drop-off.

Central Louisville Community Ministries (CLCM) is housed and supported by our friends at First Unitarian Church. They report that the current crisis has hit the low-income residents of First U’s neighborhood particularly hard, as evidenced by a large increase in users of the CLCM Food Pantry. You can donate online, or send a check to: CLCM, 809 S. 4th St., Louisville, KY 40203

Louisville Central Community Center (LCCC) is a non-profit community-based organization that offers a variety of programs and service in support of families. LCCC has expressed an urgent need for financial donations. You can donate online or send a check to: LCCC, 1300 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY 40203

La Casita Center is asking supporters to create a food basket, and a volunteer will pick it up from your home (following social distancing rules). Please go to https://tinyurl.com/LaCasitaFood for specific information about this project.

Next month, I’ll cover ways you can work against Criminalization (including racial justice, immigrant justice, and the criminalization of poverty), for Climate justice (including environmental justice and climate resilience) and for Disability Justice!

Whew! That is a lot of stuff we can be doing during this “down time”. I hope you find it helpful, and I look forward to working with you.

The Rev. Dawn Cooley

TJUC Justice Center Coordinator