2009-2010 (June to May 31)

Early June, 7 members went for a tour at Don Ruzicka's organic farm.

A community garden was made and rain barrels installed on the south side of the church. This is in addition to the already existing raised beds for the Food Bank and was funded by some of the Local Fix'ns revenue. This required removing 2 truckloads of gravel and adding soil. Tomatoes and zuccinis (planted in late June) were given away to the congregation. Also, two current bushes were planted.

Health Care Forum in February

In September a team of Westwood members and friends constructed a ramp to allow wheelchair accessibility to our church

2008-2009

Members bought local food baskets at a Greater Edmonton Alliance event to show their support for local farmers.

Hosted a political forum at Garneau United Church.

Organized a Local Foods Dinner (Local Fix'ns). Tickets sold fast and 95 people attended. Miguel was the chef. Speakers were Don Ruzicka and Jessie Radies. $1400 was raised.

25 members attended the hearing on the municipal development plan at at City Hall in support of GEA's inititative to include a city-wide local foods strategy.

At the June congregational meeting it was agreed that we learn more about the Greater Edmonton Alliance and consider joining next year.

2007-2008

In May 2007 the congregation committed to raising $8,000 for a Peruvian water project by June 2008. In summary, the project was initiated by Campesinos in the area, a village about an hour and a half from Cusco. The well would serve 40 families, approximately 200 people and a cultural healing centre that is already operating in the community. The total cost of the project is $30,000, with $8,000 requested from Westwood. Another partner will provide another $8,000 and then matching funds will be sought from CIDA and/or Wild Rose.

Members knitted vests and toques for the children in "our" village in Peru (Huayllacoccha) for which we raised money for the water project.

In November $1,200 for iHuman through a talent show and silent auction of iHuman paintings. Social Justice members attended 3 excellent iHuman events: a play, outdoor music show and a fashion show.

Our application to the Endowment Fund for a $250 grant for Camp Fyrefly was successful. In May 2007, $1,100 was collected towards compensating an unfairly treated migrant farm worker. The province lacks labour standards for agricultural workers and all migrant workers, and Canada-wide there is a failure to protect migrant workers.

2006-2007

The extra money raised for the Nicaraguan water project went to the following: $3,286 U.S. was spent on 62 stoves (Cocinas) in La Ceibita; 6400 trees were planted in and around Ojoche at 22 cents each for a total cost of $1,408. Installation was done in early 2007

In support of Armando, a migrant worker, & his family Westwood made a special collection on Sunday, June 17th. Contributions totalled $1,084. The money was sent to the Garcia family to support them in this difficult time. Armando Garcia is a Mexican citizen & a veterinarian. He & his wife, Janet, have two young children. Armando came to Alberta in November 2006 to work. A variety of problems resulted in Armando & his family returning to Mexico, with extra debts & expenses.

Problems that Armando Garcia faced as a farm worker were brought forward in the Alberta Legislature: 69/2007 - Tabled by: Dr. Miller, Hon. Member for Edmonton-Glenora. Report Tabled: Copies of an employment contract, work permit, pay stubs, health care invoices, and related documentation concerning Armando Garcia. Date Tabled: March 14, 2007; Alberta Legislative Assembly records

2005-2006

In May, 2005, the congregation committed to raising $9,000 for a rural community water project in northern Nicaragua. Nine months later we had raised over $13,000 for this project with an Empty Bowls dinner, "Give the Gift of Water" envelopes, and a Hot Salsa Nite. Westwood supported the well in the village of Ojoche.

Project background:

Access to potable water is still a problem for the majority of Nicaraguans living in rural areas. The government in Nicaragua is having to pay over a million dollars in debt services and interest on the national debt, while investing less than one fifth of that into projects related to the provision of potable water. As a result, alternative means of providing potable water, independent from the actions taken by the government, are being sought - particularly in rural areas where the government has taken less of an interest in satisfying the basic needs of the population. This is compounded by the fact that this area of Nicaragua is the birthplace of the Nicaraguan revolution, and the communities there consistently vote for the Sandinista Party when electing mayors, members of Congress and their National President. As a result, the "liberal" governments have largely neglected the needs of the region as it is of no political consequence to them.

The effects of natural phenomena such as hurricanes and drought are aggravated by extensive degradation of soil quality as a result of extensive deforestation, past reliance on cash crops like cotton, and overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The latter has also contributed to the contamination of the water table. In addition, as a result of deforestation, aquifers once closer to the surface of the land have disappeared. The few existing wells are contaminated or so shallow that they dry out.

The problem of access to potable water is one that especially affects women and children. The family structure in Nicaragua is such that the responsibility of guaranteeing the availability of this vital resource for day-to-day activities falls on the shoulders of the women. In order to fulfill this responsibility, women and children walk many kilometers daily to secure their water supply.

Compounding this problem is the poor quality of the water available; often the water accessed places the family's already deteriorated health at risk. In addition, the extreme poverty in these communities has resulted in elevated levels of malnutrition, causing low immune responses to many water borne illnesses.

The second international project the congregation approved and committed to support was BOB - Building on Biodiversity. BOB is devoted to urban agriculture, as many Salvadorans are now displaced from their agricultural roots and are living in cities. It is also devoted to maintaining traditional food, nutraceutical and pharmacologically important crops. It is devoted to helping producers create products for consumers from these crops, so they can produce, add value and sell products in their own communities. Fundraising for this project was limited to the offerings from the Summer and Winter Solstice services.

We also offered a Public Forum to educate ourselves and the public about Electoral Reform, specifically the various options of Proportional Representation. Fair Vote Alberta provided the speaker as well as printed information for this forum.

2004-2005

Had a second all-candidates forum for the provincial election.

Supported an individual taking legal action to press the provincial government to povide adequate transportation for people with disabilities

Westwood became a welcoming community for gays and lesbians.

A very successful Talent Showcase was held last fall. Admission was a donation of goods for WINGS or a cash donation. The total in new and used household items, furniture, clothing and cash was to a value of about $1,500.

Our commitment to the projects ended in January 2005. Currently we are researching new projects to bring to the congregation for approval.

SJC organized media interviews and an evening to celebrate and honour Hilaria's life as well as tell her story. Raised $500 for Hiliaria's healing centre in Peru and for supplies to a school which teaches Quechua history and traditions.

Rallies and Letter Writing Campaigns:

• Members of the congregation and the committee attended the Gay pride Parade in June
• Letter writing campaigns related to Ballistice Missile Defense were held after church on two Sundays. More than 50 letters were mailed.
• The congregation responded to a request from Change for Children to write to the Canadian government to protest the abolishment of CIDA funding to small Canadian NGO's
• About 35 letters were signed to send to the Canadian delegation attending the review of the International Non-Proliferation Treaty
• Presented an opposing view at an anti same-sex marriage rally and attended another pro same-sex marriage rally
• Wrote letters to the Prime Minister and MPs in support of same sex marriage

2003-04

• Provided half the funding with Change for Children to dig a well and build an elementary school in Casa Blanca Nicaragua.
• Change for Children approached us to ask if we would use the remaining funds ($6,500) to assist in building a four-room school in Comitancillo,Guatemala. Two other sponsors had been recruited, Project Hope at MacEwan College and Jones Soda.
• Held a public forum for peace with Senator Doug
• Twelve UU's went to Calgary to protest G8
• Obtained T-shirts "when deeds speak, words are nothing"
• Oscar made 2 Social Justice banners
• Had worship services on green sanctuaries

In addition, the Social Justice Committee proposed to the congregation that we

• send money to the Casa Blanca school for supplies and a cupboard for storage
• support a local Garden Institute project for El Salvadoran immigrants which would assist them in building a community garden in the Edmonton area.
• Support WINGS, an Edmonton agency providing second stage housing to women and children who are escaping domestic abuse

Once again, the congregation unanimously supported the committee's recommendations. Over the year, $2,300 was contributed to WINGS, $500 to the Garden Institute, $1,000 to Casa Blanca school and $6,500 to the school in Guatemala.

2002-03

The Social Justice committee surveyed the congregation to get direction concerning the areas of prime social justice concern to our members and friends. Subsequently the committee researched several potential projects and brought one, building a three-room primary school and a well in Casa Blanca, Nicaragua, to the congregation for consideration. It was unanimously approved. The total cost of the school was projected to be $13,000 to be shared with one other sponsor recruited by Change for Children, the local non-profit organization which funds many projects in Central America.

The campaign to raise $6,500 to build the school was hugely successful and double that amount was raised in a few short months.

2001-02

• This year we had a "Joint Social Action Committee" with the Edmonton Unitarian Church.
• All Candidates Forums for Federal Provincial and municipal elections.
• Lindsay joined SJC and started plant a row - grow a row at Westwood.
• Westwood started buying fairtrade coffee.
• Kath initiated a river valley cleanup.

1999-2000

This year our energies were primarily focussed on the "Healthcare Protection Act" Bill-11. After gathering information and debating the risk and benefits amongst ourselves, we decided to mount a campaign in opposition to the bill. A campaign of letters and attending public rallies and the Alberta legislature spanned a six month period of time from November 1999 to April 2000.

Following are some of the highlights of the year:

1. Organized petitions on behalf of the Canadian Ecumenical Jubilee Initiative to cancel debts of the poorest countries.
2. Poverty in Action Back to School Celebration. Thanks to Clarence Collins and Stella Clarke who coordinated and transferred 18 school supply requests for low income children returning to school.
3. Natural Heritage Act. Attended seminars, public rallies, shared information and encouraged letter writing in support of special places and protected ecosystems.
4. Joined with Poverty in Action in rally at City Hall against poverty.
5. Helped to organize and coordinate the Poverty in Action Christmas Party. Volunteers helped set up, prepare the meal, decorate, help serve and clean-up. In addition coordinated the giving of the Christmas gifts for low income children through the Westwood and Edmonton congregations.
6. Organized and coordinated letter writing blitz to MLAS, Premier Ralph Klein, Halver Johnson, Health Minister, Allen Rock, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons in opposition to Bill 11.
7. Partnered with Friends of Medicare, SALT, and others in opposing Bill 11. Participating in public rallys and attending the Alberta Legislature.
8. Membership in the National Unitarian "Web of Life" project in monitoring and addressing environmental issues.
9. Reviewed and made suggestions for the "Resolution on Globalization" to be submitted at the CUC AGM. JSAC agrees with the thrust of the CUC Report.
10. Encouraged congregations to become involved with the "PeaCentury 2000": A people's Human Rights Conference in early May. From baking and billeting to driving delegates to/from the Airport.
11. A survey was distributed to Westwood members to help plan for next year.