Who We Are
![]() We equip UU's in Illinois to transform institutions, partnering with and supporting people harmed by the prison industrial complex.
Our beliefs are diverse and inclusive. We have no shared creed. Our shared covenant (our Seven Principles) supports “the free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” Though Unitarianism and Universalism were both liberal Christian traditions, this responsible search has led us to embrace diverse teachings from Eastern and Western religions and philosophies. Read more of what Unitarian Universalists believe. Our Advisory Committee is a new systemic commitment, whose formational purpose is to ensure that the mission and vision of UUPMI continues to center those with direct experience of PIC. We hold a vision that wants to encourage the spirit of Mutual aid, Long-term strategic change, with hopes to transform the dominant-culture narrative about the nature of the people who are or have been in prison or jail. The Advisory Committee also seeks to honor UUPMI Elders with historic knowledge of PIC and UUPMI. The committee is comprised of two people who are formerly incarcerated, two elders, and two inside members from the CLF Ambassador of IL Pen Pal program. We have a Steering Committee made up of members from involved congregations including: Tom Baldwin - Treasurer DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church Rev. Allison Farnum - Executive Director Second Unitarian Church - Chicago Karen Kortsch- At-Large North Shore Unitarian Church Becky Taveirne - Education/ PenPals and Visits Unitarian Church of Evanston Mary Ellen McGoey - Congregational Engagement and Finance Subcommittee Unitarian Church of Evanston Steve Serikaku - Advocacy Unitarian Church of Evanston Robert Skrocki - Inside Ministry DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church |