“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” –  Helen Keller

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” –Helen Keller

“Service Is Our Prayer”: We create, coordinate, implement, and supplement social justice activities — both within the Summit community and the greater community at large.

Recent and Ongoing Projects

What kinds of projects are we involved in?  Here’s a rundown on some recent and ongoing  Social Justice in Action activities:

●   Saving Our Democracy. Summit is committed to our 5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large. We are active with the groups UU the Vote, Indivisible.org, Borderlands for Equity, Women’s March, Transgender Rights Rally, Climate Action March, Black Lives Matter Protests, Immigrant Rights Rallies and March for the Homeless.

●   Crisis House: Summit supports Crisis House through collection drives and adopt-a-family program during the holiday season. This organization supports families and individuals affected by domestic violence, homelessness, and other challenges.

●   El Nido apartment, part of the Interfaith Shelter Network, houses 11 families fleeing domestic violence in a one-year program including psychological counseling, financial planning, housing search and life skills classes. Survivors recover from trauma, build skills and incomes and acquire permanent housing for their families. Summit assists with twice-yearly monetary donations.

●   LGBTQ+Support – Summitarians participate each May and July in the Pride Parades.

● Speak out for Justice – Summit members regularly attend events.

●   Western Service Workers Association (WSWA) -An all-volunteer unincorporated private membership association of the area’s low-income workers. Summit speaks on their behalf at San Diego City Council meetings and helps with a school supply drive in August and toys in November and December.

●   Planned Parenthood, El Cajon – We support their work for women through monetary donations.

●   Kiva – Summit supports Kiva, a non-profit organization connecting lenders and borrowers across the world using small loans to create opportunities. It expands financial access and helps ease poverty for women, entrepreneurs, students, and refugees across the world.

●   Santee Food Bank- We donate canned and dried food, which helps them service 400-450 families and senior resident each month who are experiencing food insecurities within our community.

●   Undergarments and Other Donations to Unhoused  Donations to the SJiA fund for bulk purchases of underwear help unhoused people in San Diego. Blankets, jackets/hoodies, camp sleep pads/yoga mats and backpacks/duffels in good condition are prized items to be donated. Donations are distributed weekly by Summit members with Old Farts with Hearts.

Previous Projects

●   Compassion for African Villages  

●   Working through our local women’s jail, Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility, including meditation classes, hygiene supplies, and clothing from the clothes closet at a local Methodist Church.  

●   Dismantle White Supremacy Task Force: In June 2021, we adopted the 8th principle at Summit. In living into the 8th principle, we plan to host more opportunities for learning (see anti-racist resource guide), work with the board of directors and committee groups to create change at the congregational level, and get involved with organizations supporting BIPOC in our area.  

●   Gizmos Food Drive for unhoused Grossmont College students.

What can you do?

Look for the “Social Justice in Action Corner” in the newsletter and the weekly eNews for ways you can participate in upcoming social action activities. Or even better, come to a Social Justice in Action Committee Meeting! The Social Justice in Action Committee meets at noon in the Summit library on the second Sunday of each month. All members and friends interested in taking action on enhancing justice, freedom and the environment are invited to join us. If you would like to learn more, contact summitsjia@gmail.com. Everyone is welcome!

View our Social Justice in Action Committee mission statement and goals.