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 in a new tab, click here
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 - 3:00pm - 4:30pm
 ESTHER Finance Committee Meeting Zoom Meeting
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
 ESTHER Immigration Task Force Meeting Zoom Meeting
Thursday, December 18, 2025 - 2:30pm - 4:00pm
 Oshkosh Housing Task Force Zoom + Trinity Episcopal Parish Hall, 311 Division Street, Oshkosh
Tuesday, December 23, 2025 - 3:00pm - 4:30pm
 ESTHER Communications Committee Meeting Zoom Meeting
Wednesday, December 24, 2025 - 3:30pm - 5:00pm
 ESTHER Executive Committee Zoom Meeting
  • Share this

Help ESTHER Double Its Impact

Posted in

Facing Challenges Together

ESTHER Table at an event

At ESTHER, we believe that lasting change begins when people of faith and conscience work together for justice. Every day our volunteers and staff work together to build a more compassionate and equitable community.

Amanda MartinezNow, we have an exciting opportunity. Generous supporters have offered a challenge grant. Every “new” dollar (details below) given in 2025 will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000.

Your gift will help strengthen our volunteer network, as we welcome our new colleague Amanda Martinez, who is working with ESTHER’s lead organizer Katie Olson to connect and inspire our growing community of justice seekers.

Yes, I'll Help!

With this expanded capacity, ESTHER will be able to:

  • Support volunteers in building stronger teams
  • Take meaningful local action to support your rights
  • Train leaders to advocate effectively for equity, sustainability, and inclusion
  • Equip and support new staff like Amanda


In these times, when there are so many negative challenges, it’s wonderful to have this positive challenge—an opportunity to help make ESTHER stronger for today and for the future.

For 21 years, ESTHER members have been working tirelessly to tackle the challenges that face us in building a better world: challenges like racism, mass incarceration, childhood poverty, unfair immigration laws, lack of adequate public transportation … and so many more. We tackle these challenges by working WITH people who are most affected by them. We raise up, train and support leaders in their communities. We advocate for systemic changes that make our community better for everyone who lives here. We educate the public through forums, films, speakers, and other events. We educate ourselves through intensive self-study and reflection.

Will you help us do more, by responding by December 31 to this challenge grant opportunity?

Yes, I'll Help!

Support ESTHER through Alternative Gifts

Posted in

package with red bowAre you a person who’s “hard to buy for” at holiday time or on birthdays or other special occasions? You already have all the shirts, ties, scarves, slippers, motorized shoe polishers or battery-powered wine openers you need. And you hate fruitcake.

More and more, people are turning to “alternative gifts” in situations like these.

ESTHER would love to be the recipient of alternative gifts made in your honor.

Please suggest to your friends and family that they visit esther-foxvalley.org/altgifts

Understanding Your Mental Health

Posted in
Date: 
Monday, September 15, 2025 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Date: 
Monday, September 22, 2025 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Date: 
Monday, September 29, 2025 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Date: 
Monday, October 6, 2025 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: 
First Congregational United Church of Christ, 724 E. South River St.. Appleton

Hopefest: A Celebration of Mental Health

Posted in
Date: 
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 - 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Location: 
First Congregational United Church of Christ, 724 E. South River St, Appleton

Join us on October 1 for an uplifting evening dedicated to honoring mental health, building community, and spreading hope.

NAMI speakers will share their personal stories to help break the stigma that surrounds mental health conditions and instill hope in others. This is an opportunity to hear first-hand about the experience of navigating a mental health condition.

Free event!  Please register by September 29 by calling 920-733-7393 or send email to info@uccappleton.org.

  • 6:00 PM-7:00 PM
    • Free Dinner
    • Resource Tables
  • 7:15 PM-8:15 PM
    • Presentations

Help spread the word! Download and share the attached flier.

Life After Incarceration: A Reentry Simulation

Date: 
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 - 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: 
Tarlton Theater, 405-409 W. Walnut Street, Green Bay WI

Join us for a Reentry Simulation!

Hosted by JOSHUA, ESTHER, RUTH, and FREE

Could you survive life after incarceration? In this powerful, eye-opening simulation, step into the shoes of someone returning to society after incarceration. Over the course of four simulated weeks, you’ll face the real-life challenges of securing housing, finding employment, accessing social services, and avoiding violations all while trying to rebuild your life. This immersive experience offers a rare glimpse into the systemic barriers formerly incarcerated individuals encounter daily. It’s emotional, humbling, and sure to change the way you think about reentry and second chances.

Free of Charge; Registration required.

Register

You will be asked to choose a role to play in the simulation:

- If you have lived experience and would like to speak in a talk-back panel afterwards or volunteer to host a reentry table (housing, employment, human services, etc.), please check speaker, panelist, or volunteer.

- Otherwise, please check attendee to experience the simulation as a participant. 

Note: The simulation occurs on day 1 of the visit of the Solitary Conditions of Confinement Replica Cell to Green Bay.

See map for location of the Tarlton on 405-409 W. Walnut Street, Green Bay.

Immigration Prayer Vigil

Join us to pray for all immigrants.

Houdini Plaza

September 16th

6:00pm

  • Share this

World Peace Festival

Posted in
Date: 
Saturday, September 13, 2025 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: 
Pierce Park, 1035 W Prospect Ave, Appleton

Free, Fun and Family-Friendly

Live music from Appleton Boychoir and Synchronicity

Peace pole painting, face painting, kids’ crafts

Group Circle songs for Peace with Savi and Mark of Being Collective

Speakers from local peace organizations

Sandwiches, brats, vegan/vegetarian food from Sabee Culinary Services

Fox Pops gourmet frozen fruit pops

Co-sponsored by Unity of Appleton, Appleton Boychoir and Being Collective

More info at facebook.com/events/1382179092893529

 

  • Share this

In Memoriam: Christopher Blake

Posted in

 

Christopher Blake Madison Action Day 10 April 2025

Announcing a Community Conversation in Memory of Christopher Blake

Wednesday June 4, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2600 Philip Lane, Appleton

This gathering will be a space to reflect, share stories, and celebrate Christopher's commitment to justice, compassion, and community.  Whether you knew him personally or were impacted by his work, your presence is welcome and valued. 

Click here if you would like to donate to the Christopher Blake Legacy fund.

Former announcement from ESTHER posted on May 19th

It is with heavy hearts that we write to share the devastating news about our beloved friend, advocate, and fellow board member Christopher Blake. 

Late in the second week of May, Christopher suffered a medical emergency due to his chronic lung disease. Although paramedics were able to restart his heart, there was a significant period during which he was not breathing. Tragically, this resulted in a complete loss of brain activity incompatible with life. 

Christopher was transferred to the ICU at Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh, where he died on May 19, 2025. In keeping with the generosity and selflessness that defined his life, Christopher was an organ donor, a final act of selflessness and love. During an Honor Walk just before his passing, family, friends, and hospital staff lined the halls of the hospital to honor his life and his gift of donation, and to say goodbye as he made his final journey.

A memorial fund has been established on GoFundMe to support the costs of his final arrangements and to help his fiancée Michelle remain in the home they shared and built together.

Latino Fest 2025

Posted in
Date: 
Saturday, September 6, 2025 - 11:00am - 5:00pm
Location: 
Pierce Park, 1035 W Prospect Ave, Appleton

Casa Hispana Latino Fest 2025

  • Everyone is welcome!
  • Come celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with music, food and a variety of vendors
  • Free family event!
  • Sponsored by Casa Hispana
  • Live music, cultural expressions representing the diversity of the Latino/Hispanic heritage, zumba, food
  • More information at facebook.com/events/1680816549157158
  • Share this