First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh

Casa San José, founded in 2013 by Sister Janice Vanderneck, now features a team of 35 staff and 100 active volunteers to create a welcoming space for Pittsburgh’s growing Latino population. Casa San José serves as a vital bridge for 3,500 Latinos annually in Allegheny County, connecting them to essential social services that promote their well-being and support their integration into the community. We are proud to support their mission, and CASA San Jose was voted First UU’s # 1 charity to receive our Share the Plate Support for 2025-2026. Due to the extreme circumstances of ICE interactions, CASA San Jose has established a Rapid Response Team of volunteers who respond by recording video arrests, and provide help to family members, etc. To join this team, call 412-736-7167, which is the CASA San Jose Emergency Hotline. The need is great!

Caste: the Origins of Our Discontent, written by Isabel Wilkerson, provides insights into the persistence of racism in the United States. An anti-Black caste system has predominated since before the founding of our nation, limiting our vision and our lives. While unique in many ways, anti-Black racism shares characteristics with other caste systems. In these four workshops we will develop our ability to recognize the characteristics of the anti-Black caste system, understand how and why it is perpetuated, and discuss what we must do to get ourselves and our society out of the racist caste box. Four sessions – Sundays 12 to 1:30pm – Lunch will be provided September 28, October 5, October 19, & November 2 Sponsored by the Racial Justice Task Force of First Unitarian Church. Sign up at RacialJustice@first-unitarian-pgh.org