The mission of Urban Community Outreach (UCO) is “to advance the interests and promote the welfare of the economically disenfranchised and homeless people in Long Beach by offering a welcoming environment to provide respite, nutrition, opportunity, and hope.” UCO does this in several ways. On Sundays they offer a community center for homeless people and the working poor in downtown Long Beach. There is a hot meal, a computer lab, a document-scanning station, medical care once a month, consultations with outreach workers, and many needed supplies are provided. These services have been modified due to Covid, but UCO is still providing food and other services every Sunday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 241 Cedar Avenue.

UCO also runs the Temporary Shelter, a complement to L.A. County’s Winter Shelter. . The Winter Shelter runs from about December 1 to March 1, but rain and very cold nights often begin before the Winter Shelter is opened. Also, everyone must leave the premises by 7 a.m., no matter the weather conditions. The Temporary Shelter is activated under harsh weather conditions, either providing a place to sleep or a daytime break from the elements (as well as food). Families are provided motel vouchers during inclement weather and also when working closely with UCO to better their

The Social Justice collection is taken on the second Sunday of each month, but you can support the monthly Social Justice collection by donating until the last Sunday of the month and marking your check with “Social Justice Collection.” Mail your check to UUCLB, 5450 E. Atherton Street, Long Beach, CA 90815

You can also give to the Social Justice Collection using Text-to- Give. To give $20, for example, text: “22 Social Justice Collection $20” to 833-931-1845. If you would like to include paying for the church’s convenience fees for your donation, text “22 Social Justice Collection $20 cover.” (To cover any convenience fees for the church going forward, add, “Cover fees on,” and you will be paying the convenience fees on all text gifts.) For online giving go to www.uuclb.org/give.

The Social Justice Collection (formerly known as Special Collection) is taken once a month to support a local
nonprofit that we feel supports our Unitarian Universalist social justice values and is worthy of your financial support. There are a number of organizations that we have a personal connection to. There are a number of organizations that we have supported for years. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t welcome suggestions for new recipients. We all know that there are so many worthy organizations out there. If you know of a Long Beach-area 501c3 that could use our help and that you support, please contact the Social Justice Committee via Norma Edwards. To over-generalize wildly, the group should not be fabulously wealthy or about to fold. They should be locally based and focused. They should align with our priorities and values. If you have a summary or information on the organization, that will help.
Thank you for your help and support!