The Weekly Pushback

Bad news comes fast and furious these days--for trans folks, for immigrants, for the disabled. But all across the country, people of goodwill are pushing back. Every week, Old South's Christian Service and Outreach Committee (CSOC) will be giving $1,000 to an organization or individual who is serving the gospel in a world of bad news.

Do you know of a local organization whose funding has been affected over the last few months of budget cuts? Tell us about them - and they may receive one of the $1000 grants over the next 6 months!

Organizations we've supported so far include:

Faith Leaders for Housing Justice

Old South Church donated $4,000 to support the work of Rev. June and Faith Leaders for Housing Justice. They are working to provide ministry and dignity to individuals struggling with homelessness and addiction. On Friday, June 13th at 11am, they are hosting a memorial service for those lost in the past year. Email Rev. June if you want to attend or get involved in other ways: junercooper@comcast.net

YW Boston

Juneteenth offers an opportunity for reflection and engagement, particularly for a country built on and continuing to perpetuate racial inequity. For our action this week, Old South is donating $1,000 to YW Boston, a nonprofit 4 blocks away with the mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Have other weekly action ideas? Email outreach@oldsouth.org

Allston-Brighton Food Pantry

With federal cuts to SNAP and food pantry supplies, demand is outstripping supply across the country. Old South is donating $1,000 this week to support our partners at Allston-Brighton UCC and their food pantry ministry, the Allston-Brighton Food Pantry. To join their volunteer list, email foodpantry@brightonallstonucc.org. 

World Gospel Mission

Old South Church is honored to donate $2,000 to support the ministry of Dr. Nathanael Wiles, a dedicated family medicine physician serving at Tenwek Hospital in Bomet County, Kenya (and the nephew of OSC member Esther Seguin)! Despite battling brain cancer during medical school, Dr. Wiles pursued his dream of becoming a missionary doctor, now providing medical care and outreach to remote communities across Kenya. Check out World Gospel Mission's website.

Revolutionary Spaces

America's history is intertwined with Old South. This week, Old South is donating $1,000 to Revolutionary Spaces, a nonprofit preserves the spaces and stories of the American struggle to create and sustain a free society, singularly evoked by Boston’s Old South Meeting House and Old State House. 

Fenway Health

Fenway Health was a pioneer in providing testing and care for individuals facing HIV in the 1980s. To this day, they have been on the cutting edge of research and care for the LGBTQ community across the world. Unfortunately, they have been targeted as a result. They have lost over $3M in federal funding since the beginning of the year and major research initiatives have had to close. As they grapple with challenges and next steps, Old South is donating $1,000 in solidarity with their continued good work. To learn more about their mission, history, and services, go to fenwayhealth.org.

Casa Venezuela

The reality of immigration detention has encroached into the daily lives of our neighbors and communities are being torn apart. With an unprecedented increase in ICE funding and loosened civil rights protections, it has never been more important for Old South to stand in solidarity with our neighbors. Old South is donating $5,000 this week to Casa Venezuela New England, a local nonprofit that Old South members have been supporting over the past several years. They are providing discounted services and support for immigrants applying for Asylum or other federal protection programs, given the expiration of TPS on September 10th. To learn more or get involved, you can email member Margaret Sablove!

Rosie's Place

Rosie's Place was founded in 1974 with the support of Old South Members as the first shelter specifically for women. Today they continue to do their essential work of providing day shelter, food, and other services to our most vulnerable community members. Old South is donating $1,000 to support their work. To learn more or get involved, go to rosiesplace.org. You can also take a moment after church today to admire the monument next to Old South on Dartmouth St honoring this faith-fueled work

Marcus Anthony Institute

With cutbacks to youth job training programs and federal grant funding for low-income schools, it has never been more important to support our community nonprofits in the Boston area. The Marcus Anthony Institute provides job training, mentorship, and community connection. Old South is donating $1,000 to support the stipend for two students in their summer cohort. Go to https://www.maheii.org/ to learn more about their work

Castle of Our Skins

With threats to free speech and expression becoming more common, it has never been more important to support local gathering spaces for expression of our full selves. Castle of Our Skins is a Black arts institution dedicated to fostering cultural curiosity and celebrating Black artistry through music. In classrooms, concert halls, and beyond, Castle of Our Skins invites Black heritage and culture exploration, spotlighting both unsung and celebrated figures of past and present. Castle of our Skins has performed at Old South recently and you can go to their website to learn more about upcoming performances or engagement opportunities: https://www.castleskins.org/

Capuchin Mobile Ministries

With reductions in support for programs that help those who are poor and homeless, Capuchin Mobile Ministries continues its work on the streets of greater Boston providing comfort, prayer and companionship. Capuchin Mobile Ministries brings the welcome of Christ to people living on the streets in Boston and Cambridge, Mass. They provide spiritual care to everyone experiencing homelessness, poverty, and loneliness. They share food and drink and other emergency supplies. They offer spiritual resources and pray together. They direct people to social services. Old South donated $1,000 to support their work. We encourage you to learn more about them at www.capuchin.org/ministries/mobile-ministries

Partnership for Public Service and American Federation of Government Employees

The American Federation of Government Employees and the Partnership for Public Service have been on the front lines, pushing back against the dismantling of our federal civil service and providing resources to support laid off federal employees. Old South is proud to donate $1,000 to their federal employee defense fund to support those who have been wrongfully terminated

FriendshipWorks

FriendshipWorks’ mission is to reduce social isolation, enhance the quality of life, and preserve the dignity of older adults in Greater Boston. What started as an inter-faith movement in the meeting space at Old South, FriendshipWorks now serves as a national model. Old South is proud to donate $1,000 to continue their great work. To volunteer or receive services, you can go to their website at https://fw4elders.org/ or email member Charlotte Simpson

Grace Church

Grace Church UCC in East Boston has been supporting their community, particularly those affected by ICE deportations or TPS revocation. Old South is donating $1,000 to their work to assist people, especially families, that have experienced income or job loss due to immigration detainment or deportation. Funds will be used to help our neighbors avoid eviction, put food on the table, and cover other basic costs of living. To contribute, you can go to: https://givebutter.com/familysupportfund

Alternatives for Community and the Environment

Alternatives for Community and Environment (ACE), based in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood, has worked since 1994 to advance environmental justice and empower residents to fight for clean air, safe housing, and equitable transit. Their community organizing has secured victories against polluting industries, expanded affordable transit access, and built leadership among youth and residents most impacted by inequities. At a time when climate change, displacement, and public health disparities are intensifying, ACE’s work is critical to ensuring that low-income and communities of color have the power and resources to shape a healthier, more just future. Old South has supported them with over $40,000 in grants over the past few years and is contributing an additional $1,000 this week in honor of the Sun Way action. To learn more or get involved, go to https://ace-ej.org/

Edgar Hernan Elias Escobar Family

In the early morning hours of September 17, Edgar Hernan Elias Escobar was violently detained outside his Malden apartment by agents from ICE, the FBI, and Homeland Security. When his vehicle was sideswiped by the agent’s car and his window was shattered, Hernan was seriously injured in the process. He was then taken to the ER, where he was then discharged directly into ICE custody—despite the fact that there was no warrant for his arrest.

Though Hernan has no criminal record and has lived in the U.S. for nearly a decade, he was held without bond. His detention not only caused daily uncertainty and hardship for his loved ones, but also cut off much of the income his family relied on. In this difficult season, the funds from Old South’s Weekly Pushback will help Hernan’s family with rent, groceries, and daily essentials, as they prepare for what could be a long, expensive legal struggle ahead. To support Hernan's loved ones directly, go to https://gofundme.com/hernans-family-fund

REACH Domestic Violence

With toxic masculinity surging again in our society, there has never been a more important time to support the work to support survivors of domestic violence. REACH is a local nonprofit that supports survivors on every step of their journey to wellbeing while working with community members to both better support survivors in their lives and change social conditions under which domestic violence thrives. The goal is to end domestic violence, so organizations like REACH no longer need to exist. In the meantime, REACH serves 6,000 people each year through community based advocacy with survivors living in their own homes, an emergency shelter for those who need it, hotline as a resource for anyone experiencing abuse, and a prevention program that helps create systemic change and eliminate abuse through public education, skill building, and engagement. Each year the Christian Service and Outreach Committee awards a special grant in honor of former minister Duane Day to an organization that helps people help themselves. This year, we are delighted to give that $3,000 award to REACH. To learn more or get involved email Lauren Knackel or go to https://reachma.org/

Dollar a Day Fund

For Indigenous people's day, Old South is donating $1,000 to the Dollar A Day fund. This fund provides grants to indigenous-led organizations that are supporting their communities and local environments. They've made grants to over 340 Indigenous organizations across the US and encourage donors to give $1 per day or $365 per year to support their work. To see their grantees or support their work, go to https://www.dollaraday.fund/

Victory Programs

In July, a new executive order defunded HUD housing first programs that are essential to supporting individuals struggling with addictions to get the resources that they need. Victory Programs was founded in 1975 as one of the first organizations in the state to provide housing and support for people living with HIV/AIDS, homelessness, and substance use disorders. Over time, it has expanded to operate more than a dozen programs across Boston, offering emergency and transitional housing, recovery and treatment services, health care navigation, and harm reduction supports. Today, Victory Programs plays a critical role in the community by helping thousands of individuals each year stabilize their lives, achieve recovery, and build long-term health and housing security. Old South is honored to give them a grant of $1,000 to continue their great work. To learn more, go to https://www.vpi.org/.

Christian Friends Mission International

Pastor Frank has spoken at Old South several times over the last decade as his ministry to provide food, education, and jobs to LGBTQ youth and other marginalized youth comes under threat from the Ugandan government. Old South is proud to support their great work, particularly as the US has taken a step back from its international support. To learn more or donate, email outreach@oldsouth.org or go to wecarewelove.org.

Greater Boston Food Bank + Eastie Farms

Since the beginning of the year, the Federal administration has cut grants to food banks and have cut SNAP benefits nationwide for the next decade. But now they have announced that until the Government shutdown ends, all SNAP funding is suspended. Over 1 million MA residents are suddenly cut off of a critical tool for their basic needs and Old South is jumping into action. 

A few weeks ago, Old South approved a $20,000 grant to the Allston-Brighton Food Pantry, and one of our Small Groups has started volunteering there several times per month. This week, we are doing even more, with these additional grants:

$5,000 for the Greater Boston Food Bank to distribute across the region, and  $5,000 to Eastie Farms to support food access in East Boston. On November 2nd, Old South's Youth Group hosted a pancake breakfast fundraiser in support of the Allston-Brighton Food Pantry and Community Fridges. The Micah Mission fund matched any donations made to the Food Pantry, up to $5,000, to further support this vital work.

If you want to get involved in any of these efforts, please email Rev. Rachel Barton at rachel@oldsouth.org

Prison Book Program

Calvin Arey, a longtime Boston resident and retired real estate professional, is the only surviving lead plaintiff from Landman v. Royster, the landmark case that desegregated Virginia’s prisons and established basic due process rights for incarcerated people. Drawing on his own experience of incarceration in the 1960s and 1970s, Calvin began sending books to prisoners in Virginia in 2022, eventually founding the Albert Woodfox Memorial Mini-Freedom Libraries. Through his nonprofit, he has mailed more than 3,000 books to prisoners in 16 Virginia prisons and recently expanded to three Massachusetts prisons. Living on Social Security, Calvin funds this work almost entirely through personal donations. Old South is proud to offer a $1,000 grant to purchase additional books for Massachusetts prisoners for the Prison Book Program.