UUSD awards grants to four local nonprofits

The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware have awarded grants to four local nonprofit organizations serving Sussex County. Recipients are West Side New Beginnings, Rehoboth Beach; La Esperanza, Georgetown; Primeros Pasos Early Learning Center, Georgetown; and PFLAG, Rehoboth Beach. Grants were made possible by the Roy Parks Memorial Social Justice Fund, which is administered by UUSD. The grants to these groups ranged from $500 to $2,500.

“Roy Parks was a UUSD member with a passion for justice, and he left the congregation a generous legacy gift to fund social justice causes,” said Jan Daily, a fellow congregant and close, personal friend. “The Roy Parks Memorial Social Justice Fund was endowed posthumously through our social and environmental justice committee. I feel Roy would be thrilled to see the first four grants awarded to these wonderful local organizations.”

“Grants from the fund will be made over the next five years to non-profit community organizations whose justice work serving Sussex County, Delaware, aligns with UUSD’s mission, vision and resolution of conscience,” said Mac Goekler, UUSD social and environmental justice committee co-chair.  “Application information and forms are on the UUSD website at uussd.org."

West Side New Beginnings in Rehoboth Beach is a community center servicing children and families. La Esperanza in Georgetown is the only multiservice nonprofit focused on building family empowerment among Latinos. Primeros Pasos Early Learning Center in Georgetown is an early care and education center for children and families living and working in Sussex County. PFLAG in Rehoboth Beach assists parents, families and friends of lesbians and gays.

UUSD is a welcoming and progressive spiritual community with a faith rooted in love and justice. Its mission is to nurture spiritual growth, embrace diversity, work for justice, and strive for a loving world.