Building community, sharing hope, and standing for justice since 2004

Upcoming Events

Please join us for any of these upcoming ESTHER and related events!

  • To learn more about a particular event, click on its title
  • To see the complete ESTHER calendar, click on More at the bottom left of the listing
Saturday, May 8, 2021 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm
 John Lewis Voter Advancement Day Votercade Appleton East High School Parking Lot, 2121 E Emmers Dr, Appleton
Monday, May 10, 2021 - 3:30pm - 5:00pm
 ESTHER Communications Committee Meeting Zoom Meeting
Monday, May 10, 2021 - 6:00pm - 7:30pm
 ESTHER Mental Health Task Force Zoom Meeting
Thursday, May 13, 2021 - 4:30pm - 6:00pm
 ESTHER Leadership Board Meeting Zoom Meeting
Tuesday, May 18, 2021 - 10:00am - 11:30am
 ESTHER Finance Committee Meeting Zoom Meeting
more
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Statement on Xenophobia, Racism, and Anti-Asian Violence

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The Appleton, WI, Common Council hesitated this past Wednesday (April 21) when asked to pass a resolution condemning xenophobia, racism and anti-Asian violence and encouraging Appleton to become a more welcoming, inclusive community. ESTHER president Gary Crevier has issued this statement in response. For more background, please see this article from the Appleton Post-Crescent, published the day after the Council’s deliberations and decision. Click Read More below for the full text of the proposed resolution.

Dear ESTHER Folks,

As ESTHER president I spoke to Appleton’s common council this past week to support the resolution condemning xenophobia specifically related to our Asian & Pacific Islander community. We as ESTHER stand in solidarity with this beloved community. We are collectively disappointed in the Appleton Common Council’s action to push back the resolution to condemn xenophobia, racism, anti-Asian violence, and we are disturbed by their desire to change the AAPI narrative and lived experiences.

Thank you to Council Member Maiyoua Thao and all the sponsors of this resolution. We stand with you in calling out xenophobia, racism, sexism, and all forms of hate. We hope this resolution is not gutted from its original intent and that when it comes back to Council, the City will make a stand to support the AAPI community fully.

In these times of crisis, let’s come together and build strong communities of trust, where we all feel safe, where all workers are treated with dignity and respect, where all children feel comfortable going to school, where our elders are not shrouded in fear, and where all our loved ones have the freedom to thrive.

Please contact your Common Council representative to share your thoughts on this issue.

Gary Crevier

S/ Gary Crevier

ESTHER President

Action for Healing and Justice for MMIWG2S

Posted in
Date: 
Wednesday, May 5, 2021 (All day)

ESTHER and Waking Women Healing Institute are teaming up to help create awareness for MMIW and ask that you join us in this cause. We are petitioning agencies, towns, villages, cities, counties and tribal nations to make public proclamations declaring May 5th as Day of Awareness for Missing Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit. In addition to the proclamation, we ask that, within your area, you light up structures/bridges/buildings red as a sign of respect, healing, and awareness of the many issues of MMIW.

Please sign this petition on change.org. The petition will be used to show widespread support for MMIW, and hopefully induce urgency to create meaningful changes to bring both justice and healing.

Watch for information about a Facebook Live event in Oshkosh on May 5, sponsored by ESTHER’s Mental Health Task Force and Oshkosh ESTHER.

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May 5 Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Submitted by hirbys on Sun, 05/02/2021 - 9:05am
Posted in

https://esther-foxvalley.org/

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2021

Oshkosh Bridge Lights Turn Red on May 5th to Honor
Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Oshkosh, Wisconsin - Bridge lights across the city will turn red at dusk on Wednesday, May 5 to commemorate the Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. This local and national day of action serves to draw attention to the underreported and disproportionate rates of violence against Indigenous women and girls. All community members are invited to a vigil and lighting ceremony at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, May 5, at Riverside Park in Oshkosh. The event will also be live-streamed via the ESTHER Facebook page. 

Too long our communities have been silent about the high incidence of violence against indigenous peoples, especially women, girls, and two-spirit people. In 2016, the National Crime Information Center reported nearly 6,000 cases of missing American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls, yet the U.S. Department of Justice was tracking only about 100 cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, homicide is the third leading cause of death among American Indian and Alaska Native women between 10 and 24 years of age and the fifth leading cause of death for American Indian and Alaska Native women between 25 and 34 years of age.

John Lewis Voter Advancement Day Votercade

Posted in
Date: 
Saturday, May 8, 2021 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Location: 
Appleton East High School Parking Lot, 2121 E Emmers Dr, Appleton

On May 8th, let’s make some Good Trouble

Hands Off Our Vote!

Defeat Voter Suppression

Save the Date John Lewis Voter MobilizationThe League of Women Voters of Appleton invites you to join them in their John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Action Day “Votercade” on Saturday, May 8 at 1pm! This event is one of over 100 events across the nation to pass the For the People Act (H.R. 1), the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 4), D.C. Statehood and address the filibuster to do so.

The Appleton Votercade will be following Covid-19 pandemic precautions (outdoors, no close contact, masks) and assemble at Appleton East High School on Saturday, May 8 at 1pm.

Participants should have their cars decorated with signs, placards, streamers, etc. Some signage will be available during assembly. The Votercade will begin at 2 pm and follow a designed route through Appleton, following all traffic rules and speed limits and return to the high school. The event will end around 3:00 pm.

The parade will be strictly nonpartisan in keeping with the League’s nonpartisan status and core mission of “empowering voters and defending democracy.”

Sponsor Spotlight: Waqsecewan Indigenous Catering

Submitted by jsmith on Mon, 05/03/2021 - 9:45pm
Posted in

Lizette Bailey, of Waqsecewan Indigenous Catering, will cook you anything you want, and you will absolutely love it. Her specialty is Pre-contact Indigenous food, the foods that Native Americans prepared before everyone came over to North America. She states, “I serve vegans, vegetarians and anyone with any type of allergy.  I make any kind of food.  Italian, Asian, Pub Grub…you name it.”

Wāqsecewan (pronounced: Watah-Chee-Win) means: “Flows Bright” or “Bright Flowing Water.” A more specific description is, “How the light is so sparkly on top of flowing water.” She is Turtle Clan of the Menominee.

Wāqsecewan (Lizette) wants to reopen her catering business.  She wants to do it safely, by serving smaller parties in a socially distanced manner. She says, “I love it when I cater an event and when I share a story about the food that was prepared. When people are eating, there is a smile. It is so important.”

Wāqsecewan can be reached either by phone or email:  715-851-9501 • waqsecewancooks@gmail.com. Give her a call. Miigwech!

—Jill Smith

Read her story (and a recipe) in her own words below.

“What Happens When Your Government Stops Listening?” - Film and Webinar

Posted in
Date: 
Thursday, April 29, 2021 - 6:30pm
Location: 
Zoom Webinar

Can You Hear Us Now? film posterThe League of Women Voters of Appleton is proud to host a special screening of Can You Hear Us Now?, a new film that shows the personal impact of gerrymandering in the state of Wisconsin.

Viewers can watch the film anytime from April 25 - 29, then join a live community discussion about what’s happening to improve the nonpartisan redistricting process and obtain fair maps in Wisconsin.

Register for both the film screening and Zoom Webinar Here.

The Zoom Webinar link will be sent on April 29


ESTHER Communications Coordinator Position Announcement

ESTHER is looking for a part-time Communications Coordinator

ESTHER seeks a part-time (approximately 10 hours per week) Communications Coordinator to assist in the creation, development, and execution of ESTHER communications. The chosen candidate will have a demonstrated interest in social justice and support for ESTHER’s mission, and will possess strong skills in persuasive writing, editing, analytical thinking, creative communication, organization, and time management. High school diploma required; some coursework in English, journalism, marketing, and/or communication expected. Experience working with CRM and CMS software for web design, content creation, social media engagement, and member outreach. Ability to track, report, and analyze communications and use the data to improve future work. The ideal candidate will be open to receiving training in community organizing. Application deadline: May 14, 2021. Click ‘Read more’ for details.

ESTHER is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, disability or veteran status.  ESTHER wholeheartedly embraces diversity and inclusion in our workplace, and encourages applicants from all backgrounds.

Bread for the World Offering of Letters

Posted in
Date: 
Thursday, April 29, 2021 - 12:00pm
Location: 
Zoom Meeting

Bread for the World • Have Faith, End HungerA Special Invitation for ESTHER Faith Communities & Individual Members from

Bread for the World Midwest Regional Organizer Zach Schmidt

with Deb Martin, ESTHER-Oshkosh &

Nancy Jones, ESTHER Rep from Prince of Peace Lutheran, Appleton

2021 Offering of Letters / Ofrenda de Cartas al Congreso

We are excited to invite ESTHER faith communities and individual members to the 2nd annual Fox Valley Offering of Letters. This year’s campaign relates directly to the End Child Poverty work of WISDOM and ESTHER’s work on Equity and Racial Justice, and builds on the success of the 2019 Offering of Letters. (See this Congress Passes Global Nutrition Resolution video which features advocacy from WI’s 8th Congressional district.)

Please plan to join the webinar on Thursday, April 29, at noon for this fabulous opportunity to join with neighbors through the Fox Valley to address food insecurity and nutritional needs even as we continue to be physically distanced.

Learn more and register here.

Need more information? Learn more at these links:
What is Bread for the World?  Acerca de Pan para el Mundo
What is the Alliance to End Hunger?  - Interfaith and multi-sector
What is an Offering of Letters? Ofrenda de Cartas al Congreso
Does an Offering of Letters make a difference? Nuestro Impacto

Questions? Please leave a message for Nancy and Deb here.

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Equity Network: A New Local Collaboration

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Equity Network 

A new local collaboration - An opportunity for you

2020 brought the pervasive disparities in our country into sharp relief, leaving many of us searching for ways to deepen our commitment to equity and racial justice work. Like ESTHER, many area organizations have been on their own journeys—learning and having conversations about systemic race issues and implicit biases. The idea of the Equity Network began with such a conversation among Stronger Together Fox Valley members, facilitated by Rachel Peller of Wisconsin Partners and coupled with an awareness of myriad potential partnering organizations. How might we collaborate in addressing or avoiding disparities in Fox Valley communities?

A legal framework for nondiscrimination exists within the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including expectations for planning and community input to assist local policymakers. The Equity Network aims to help provide a vital and often missing link between the intention of the law and the realization of equitable outcomes locally. Inequities and disparities can stem from a wide range of local policies and practices. It takes active monitoring by local residents to ensure that decisions are made in ways that promote the common good.