Indeed, why do we have the U. U. Housing Assistance Corporation, our very own claim to social justice fame? There are as many answers as there are people who have been involved, of course. It was begun as a non-profit organization by individual UUs in 1989, as a response to the opportunity to acquire federally repossessed single family homes, repair them, and sell them at cost to low-income families. My husband, the ever energetic, housing civil servant organized us as volunteers, and we acquired, repaired and sold 18 homes over a 4 year period, at an average price of $35,000, to low-income families. CUUC members who were involved in addition to my husband and myself included John Bradshaw and Bob and Catherine McKee. Others from First U U Church helped and they continue to help. In 1994, we moved into the next phase and now operate with a staff and a 2.5 M budget. And, we are CUUC are still involved. Nancy White is a valued volunteer at the office, and Jeff Ketner is our newest board member.
One the things that I marvel at about this effort is the fact that we--UUs in San Antonio, Texas--have actually carried out a mandate of our UUA General Assembly. In a 1984 Business Resolution, it was resolved that member societies would be encouraged "to participate in low-cost housing ventures on their own or in cooperation with other religious or concerned nonprofit entities." If you have been a UU for any length of time at all, you have read about, talked about, and/or written letters about hundreds of UUA resolutions. How many of these resolutions have you personally, or have our two churches together, impacted? By the end of this year, UU HAC will have repaired over 150 homes of low-income homeowners just north and east of downtown; acquired, renovated and sold 20 homes; and built 11 new homes in the inner city. This rehabilitation has encouraged the revitalization of these older neighborhoods. We should be proud of what we have done.
But, back to the question--why do we do it? Each of you will have your own response. Speaking for myself, I know that I have been most fortunate in having many of the blessings in life--a good and sustaining family and friends, a comfortable living, an education and appreciation of the arts and literature, and good health. All of these things are wonderful, but they do not make up the entirety of my life. To be a complete person, I want to relate to and do something for others who need a helping hand.
I was able to articulate this need to help others through my church experiences as I was growing up. I was told of the stories of the Social Gospel--The Exodus of the people of Israel from the oppression of slavery. It is still the foundation story today for oppressed groups.--and the Hebrew prophets (Micah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Ezekiel). I did not become a UU until college, but whether we heard the themes of these stories through another church setting or through more modern day writers and men of action, such as Dag Hammarskjold, James Luther Adams, and E. B. White, I think we all share the messages: It is up to the strong to share with the weak. Society can only thrive if we address its imbalances and ensure that all have access to what they need to live with respect and dignity.
Now, as a UU, I would phase this desire to participate in and better the world in terms of these UU Beliefs:
VIDEO PRESENTATION:
SPECIAL UU HAC OFFERING:
UU HAC was able to produce this video through the special contributions of UU church members. I'd like to especially thank Jean and Henry Halff for their willingness to offer a $1,000 match challenge toward its cost. Most of you here today have participated in that challenge. We are within $100 of meeting the goal, and this will be the opportunity to close that gap. On behalf of UU HAC, we are having a second offering today.
"The work of the world is common as mud.
Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust.
But the thing worth doing well done
Has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.
Greek amphoras for wine or oil,
Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums
But you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher cries out for water to carry
And a person for work that is real."
Poet Marge Piercy