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, though we do center around shared values that help us shape how we want be together through explicit promises we make to one another called covenants. 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 Council is a 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 and 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 Council also seeks to honor UUPMI Elders with historic knowledge of PIC and UUPMI. The committee is comprised of folx who are formerly incarcerated connected with UUPMI or community organizations, organizational elders, and inside members from the CLF Ambassador of IL Pen Pal program. Our inside Advisory members include Lonnie Smith at Robinson Correctional and Patrice Lumumba Daniels caged at Dixon. We are seeking to expand the Council, so please let us know if you are interested in joining! We mainly will seek input 3-4 times a year as well as an open invitation to attend any Steering Committee meetings and retreats. Staff: Rev. Allison Farnum - Executive Director Affiliated Community Minister at Second Unitarian Church - Chicago Keith Talley- Prisoner Solidarity Specialist Steering Committee: We have a Steering Committee made up of members from involved congregations including: Pat Kocher-Cowan- Advocacy/Inside DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church- Naperville Barbara Moline- PenPals and Visits Unity Temple- Oak Park Pip Paris - At Large Second Unitarian- Chicago George Peck - Treasurer DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church - Naperville Lillian Schnitzler- Events/Education Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church Alice Swan - At-Large Unitarian Church of Evanston 
|