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Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance (GHIAA)

Learn about GHIAA’s May 3rd, 2023 Lobby day at GHIAA Day Flyer and Legislative Updates

Wondering what GHIAA has been up to? 

GHIAA leadership and members having been busy lobbying and testifying at the State Capitol on GHIAAs key initiatives (see below).  The legislative session has been wild!  GHIAA leaders have turned out for every campaign and their voice and organizing is making a difference!  So far leaders from 31 different institutions have submitted 205 testimonies.

Gun Violence: 

  • Seeking $20 million over 2 years for urban prevention programs. More Info

Housing & Homelessness:

  • Rent caps died in committee, but Fair Share is moving forward. More Info

Education:

  • Upcoming committee vote to fully fund the Education cost sharing formula. More Info

Healthcare/Husky for Immigrants: 

  • Human services committee votes for expanded access but only to age 18. More Info

 Here are a few of the upcoming GHIAA events.  Be sure to save the dates!

 Fair Share and Affordable Housing Discussions

  • Wednesday 3/29, 7:00pm, Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Ave, Hartford
  • Thursday 4/6, 7:00pm, Rocky Hill Senior/Community Center, 55 Church St, Rocky Hill

 Racial Justice Training

  • Tuesday 4/25, 6-9pm
  • Tuesday 5/2, 6-9pm
  • Tuesday 5/9, 6-9pm
  • Register Here

 GHIAA Legislative Teach-in 

  • This will be an in depth teaching on GHIAA’s legislative issues on Thursday 4/27 from 6:30pm-8:30pm, location to be determined

 GHIAA Lobby Day at the Capitol

  • This event will be a full day and include orientation to the Legislative Office Building, legislative visits, interfaith prayer with GHIAA congregations, and more!
  • Wednesday 5/3, 9am-5pm

GHIAA Gathering

  • To celebrate and relax together!
  • Tuesday 6/13 evening, in person at Unitarian Society of Hartford. More info to come!

Also, read two great articles on GHIAA’s affordable housing campaign: 

Thanks,

Jim Adams and Maureen Flanagan, UUS:E Social Justice / Anti-Oppression Committee co-chairs

 

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GHIAA Offers Anti-Racism Training

The Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance (GHIAA) is offering racial justice trainings for members of all GHIAA institutions. Here’s the formal invitation:
Join Racial Justice Facilitators and GHIAA leaders to explore a framework that will help unmask and dismantle racism wherever it appears. The ‘4 I’s of Oppression & Change’, helps us see that racism–like all the ‘-isms’–is upheld and maintained through our culture (Ideological), our institutions (Institutional), our personal interactions with each other (Interpersonal), and even individually as we internalize the constant conditioning of this system (Internalized).
The training is offered in 3 sessions over 3 weeks. Fall, winter and spring trainings are available. Please click on the link below to register. (Note: spring 2023 sessions begin on April 25th.)
Block 9th

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Background on GHIAA:

The Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance, GHIAA, is an organization of more than fifty congregations in the greater Hartford area who come together across lines of race, class, faith, culture and geography to work on issues of common concern. At our congregational meeting on October 25, 2020, UUS:E voted to become a formal member of GHIAA. GHIAA operates as a program of the Center for Leadership and Justice (CLJ) in Hartford. To learn more about GHIAA and CLJ, visit the CLJ website.

GHIAA offers community organizing training to members of its member congregations on a regular basis. People who complete the training are then eligible and encouraged to join their congregation’s GHIAA core team. Contact Rev. Josh Pawelek for more information.

There is Always an Action You Can Take!

1. ENGAGE: Email an organizer at [email protected] to setup and/or participate in legislative meetings with your
state representative or senator.
2. SPEAK OUT: Let your voice be heard! Share your story with lawmakers and ask them to repeal welfare liens,
support clean slate, and address racism as a public health crisis. Email us for sample text/guidelines.
3. ACT: Work with your UUS:E core team to identify ways to engage your entire congregation in the above process. (Contact Rev. Josh Pawelek for more information.)