Join over 800 WISDOM leaders from across Wisconsin at the state capitol to advocate and educate legislators and departments about issues in the proposed state budget, including criminal justice, environmental justice, public health, education and public transit!
Thursday, March 30, 2017
9:00 am–4:00 pm. Breakfast and networking at 8:00
Bethel Lutheran Church
312 Wisconsin Ave, Madison, WI
Featuring keynote speakers:
Rev. Alex Gee, pastor of Fountain of Life Covenant Church in Madison.
Ms. Lisa Graves, Executive Director, Center for Media and Democracy (CMD), a national watchdog group, investigating and exposing the undue influence of corporations in public policy.
Cost: $25.00 - includes lunch, materials, and bus transportation. Scholarships are available.
Buses to/from Fox Cities locations the day of the event.
Due to demand exceeding the capacity of our venue, we have shut down online registration for the 2017 ESTHER Annual Banquet. Please contact us via email (office@esther-foxvalley.org) or phone (920-843-8083) to discuss options, including adding your name to a waiting list in case there are last-minute cancellations. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
Over 225 people—a full house—gathered at Liberty Hall last Sunday evening for ESTHER’s 13th annual banquet. The spirit in the room was amazing. ESTHER recognized Kris Clouthier for her exceptional, sustained efforts in sharing Latino/a stories through ESTHER’s Latino simulation, Walk in Our Shoes, as well as the “Voices of Hope” readers theatre. Bob Pedersen, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries North Central Wisconsin, was honored for his creative, energetic, and people-focused leadership of this truly transformative organization in the Fox Valley.
Keynote speaker Glenn E. Martin shared from the heart and the head in challenging America's addiction to dehumanizing punishment, not only in prisons but throughout our culture: “70 million people in the United States have a criminal record. You can't criminalize 70 million people unless you dehumanize them first.”
It was great to be joined by many who were attending an ESTHER banquet for the first time. We especially enjoyed being joined by members of ExPO (Ex‑Prisoners Organizing) from the Fox Valley and throughout the state, as well as representatives from JOSHUA, RUTH, WISDOM and others.
If you were there, you know what a great evening it was. If you missed it this year, do plan to join us in 2018!
Join us to hear elected officials, experts, and local activists discussing issues and opportunities for making transportation more equitable, accessible, and greener… in the Fox Valley and around the state.
Moderator:
Professor Laura Hartman, UW-Oshkosh Environmental Studies
Panelists:
Mayor Tim Hanna, City of Appleton
Alderman Joe Martin, Appleton Common Council
Connie Kanitz, ESTHER Transportation Task Force
Kim Biedermann, East Central WI Regional Planning Commission
How would you get to work, school, the doctor, or the store in Wisconsin if you couldn’t drive or afford a car?
Did you know that transportation alone accounts for almost one-third of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions?
New technology, aging seniors, and Millennials’ preferences are radically changing the future of transportation... is the Fox Valley ready?
Wednesday, November 29, 4 - 5:30 pm
Fox Valley Technical College, Room A158
1825 N Bluemound Dr, Appleton
FVTC is accessible by Valley Transit bus route 12. If you drive, park in the North Lot and use entrance 15. From there, room A158 is down the hall on the right side.
This event is hosted by ESTHER and WISPIRG (Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group)
The 2018 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration is sponsored by Celebrate Diversity Fox Cities, African Heritage, Inc. and the Lawrence University Diversity Center. The event is free, and the public is invited to attend. The keynote speaker for this year's event will be Aly Wane, s noted speaker, activist, and organizer originally from Senegal. Mr. Wane has worked with various human rights groups including the Syracuse Peace Council, American Friends Service Committee, and the Black Alliance for Just Immigration.
St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 140 South Green Bay Road, Neenah
Share an evening of fellowship among the Fox Valley's diverse faith communities. We will practice listening with humility and compassion, challenging the biases that limit us, and deepening our understanding of shared humanity.
Fox Valley faith and fellowship communities have participated in this global celebration since its first observance in 2011. The event is free, planned locally, and open to all.
Youth groups welcome!
Questions? Call 920-426-2920
Help spread the word - download and share the poster attached below!
Fox Valley UU Fellowship, 2600 E. Phillip Lane, Appleton
For the soul of a nation,
NO deportation
Is tearing families apart and turning away talented individuals the solution to our broken immigration system? What are we going to miss if we are not ALL here?
Join us for an interfaith community event as we come together to hear the stories of DACA recipients, discuss the future of the program, and learn now to advocate for the passage of a clean DREAM ACT. Stand in solidarity with our dreamers, friends, and neighbors.
Presented by ESTHER, Unidos Por Un Futuro Mejor, and Winnebago Worship Group Religious Society of Friends.
Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2600 E Phillip Ln, Appleton
A group of women formerly incarcerated in Illinois will share their thoughts and feelings about being incarcerated when a play called “The Power of Grace” is presented by ESTHER-Fox Valley and Fox Cities EXPO (Ex-Prisoners Organizing). The presentation is supported by a Bright Idea Fund grant from the Community Foundation and will be follow by a panel discussion.
The short theatrical piece was created from poetry written by the women. The script communicates the story of incarcerated women to the general public in order to break down stereotypes and encourage awareness regarding the U.S. criminal justice system. Presented from the prisoner’s point of view, the play is a window into the personal experience of incarceration, and represents a ritual of self-liberation.
First Congregational U.C.C., 724 E South River St, Appleton
Save the date - May 19. Save your electronics and other items for recycling.
Your recycled items brought to this event keep junk out of landfills and generate revenue for ESTHER.
Event will be held in the west parking lot of the church. Electronics, appliances, business/office equipment, “anything with a cord,” plus metal articles of all sorts (snow blowers, lawnmowers, exercise equipment, filing & storage cabinets, shelving, desk chairs, etc.). Most items free to recycle. Charge for TVs, LCD and CRT monitors, fridges/freezers (see full story for details).
All Materials are kept in USA. All hard drives shredded or destroyed. Event will go on rain or shine.
“Our State, Our Budget, Our Voice”
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Over 225 people—a full house—gathered at Liberty Hall last Sunday evening for ESTHER’s 13th annual banquet. The spirit in the room was amazing. ESTHER recognized Kris Clouthier for her exceptional, sustained efforts in sharing Latino/a stories through ESTHER’s Latino simulation, Walk in Our Shoes, as well as the “Voices of Hope” readers theatre. Bob Pedersen, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries North Central Wisconsin, was honored for his creative, energetic, and people-focused leadership of this truly transformative organization in the Fox Valley.
Join us to hear elected officials, experts, and local activists discussing issues and opportunities for making transportation more equitable, accessible, and greener… in the Fox Valley and around the state.
“Those Who Have Been Left Out”
Share an evening of fellowship among the Fox Valley's diverse faith communities. We will practice listening with humility and compassion, challenging the biases that limit us, and deepening our understanding of shared humanity.
Fox Valley faith and fellowship communities have participated in this global celebration since its first observance in 2011. The event is free, planned locally, and open to all.
Save the date - May 19.
