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

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

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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


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Bread for the World Offering of Letters

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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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Fight Efforts to Roll Back Racial Equity Gains

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Date: 
Monday, July 19, 2021 - 6:30pm
Location: 
Zoom Meeting

Taking a Faithful Stance for Equity July 19 2021 Training in Local Civic EngagementWISDOM, MICAH, the Wisconsin Council of Churches and Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice are collaborating to host an event titled “Taking a Faithful Stance for Equity.” The virtual event will take place on July 19th at 6:30 pm on Zoom.

Many people are alarmed and dismayed by efforts to prohibit the teaching of “Critical Race Theory” in schools. In fact, those efforts are an attempt to prohibit teaching the truth to our children. Racism and white supremacy can only flourish if people of goodwill stay silent. This event is about how we can fight back – not just to stop these efforts to silence the truth, but also to start building a plan to promote equity and anti-racism proactively in every community in our state.

Register here:  Taking a Faithful Stance for Equity

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Water Celebration at Stephenson Island

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Date: 
Friday, July 16, 2021 - 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: 
Stephenson Island, Marinette, WI

Water Celebration and Bridge Walk

Friday, July 16

Stop the Back 40 Mine

  • 12:00 pm: Event Opening - Bring Your Lawn Chairs
  • 1:30 pm: Special Guest Speaker: Dr. Al Gedicks
  • 1:50 pm: Western Mining Action Network (WMAN) Speech
  • 2:10 pm: Menominee Nation Speech
  • 2:30 pm: BLESSING OF THE WATERS CEREMONY
  • 3:30 pm: “River’s Edge Trio” Performance & Raffle Drawing - Custom-Built Guitars appraised at $4,500.00
  • 4:00 pm: Bridge Walk w/ Signs to the demonstration site
  • 6:00 pm: Return to Stephenson Island to adjourn, with our thanks!!

Car-pooling from the Fox Valley is being arranged. Leave a message at https://esther-foxvalley.org/ejtf if you are interested.

Sponsored By: Coalition to SAVE the Menominee River, Inc.

Website: https://jointherivercoalition.org

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Community and ESTHER Connections

Submitted by wvanlopik on Sat, 03/06/2021 - 5:49pm
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Contributed by Kathy Weinhold

When I initially joined Esther it was at the recommendation of someone who attended my church. My initial interest was in the prison justice reform group, and I eventually became aware of the Oshkosh ESTHER group. As I live in Oshkosh, I decided to check it out, and I’m so glad I did!

At the first Oshkosh ESTHER group meeting I attended I was warmly welcomed. Compared to the large prison reform group, this smaller-sized group appealed to me. Each person in the group was able to share their ideas, comments and concerns all along the way in the process of working through issues.  At subsequent meetings I found it’s always that way.  The folks recognize that everyone brings something different to the table.  We all know it’s often who you know, and among them they have great connections.  Everyone’s input is greatly encouraged.

Global Developments in the Rights of Nature: Tribal Nations

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Date: 
Tuesday, April 27, 2021 - 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Location: 
Zoom Meeting

Hosted by the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights.

Join in this fantastic free webinar with Frank Bibeau, Attorney for the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and with Honor the Earth, and Guy Reiter, Executive Director of Menīkānaehkem and Menominee Indian Organizer, both of whom have worked with the center for CDER.

Frank and Guy are advancing the rights of nature in tribal law and governance – including Frank’s work with the White Earth Band’s “Rights of Manoomin” law, and Guy with the “Rights of the Menominee River” resolution. Both may be found in CDER’s law library.

The webinar will be held on Zoom. All are welcome. No charge. Register here.

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ESTHER Applauds Governor’s Budget for Prison Reform

Submitted by wvanlopik on Fri, 02/26/2021 - 11:01am
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Contributed by Bill Van Lopik.

On February 14, Governor Evers released his proposed state budget for the next two years. This biennium budget actually contains significant funding increases for prison reform programs that ESTHER and WISDOM have been fighting for over the years. We know that the Joint Finance Committee can amend the budget and make changes, but we are pleased with what we see so far. We also know that on average across the nation that 85% of what a governor proposes actually stays in the budget.

What we are pleased about:

  • An expansion of the Earned Release Program, which allows inmates early release from prison when they complete assigned programming. This could potentially allow 900-1000 individuals to be released early.
  • An increase in funding of almost $8 million in the Transitional Jobs Program over the next 2 years. This program provides employment opportunities for recently released individuals so they can begin developing their employment portfolio and integrate back into the community.
  • An increase from $7 million to $15 million to fund Treatment and Diversion programs to help keep people out of jails and prisons and have them enrolled in community-based treatment programs.
  • An expansion of ATR (Alternatives to Revocations) programs that are designed to not send people back to prison (a revocation) without committing a new crime. Another way of “decarcerating” our prison system.

Madison Action Day

Madison Action Day is coming up on April 15 and will be the perfect time to let your legislators know that we want the funding for these programs to remain in the state budget.

 

Vigil: Taking a Stand for Our Land and Bodies

Posted in
Date: 
Sunday, February 14, 2021 - 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Location: 
Zoom Event with Livestream

MMIWG2S: TAKING A STAND FOR OUR LAND AND BODIES

Missing Murdered Indigenous WomenFacebook Video ThumbnailA Virtual Rally and Webinar

With Live Rally Participation from Appleton and Madison

If you were unable to participate in the rally, you can now watch the recording on Facebook here. 

 

Partners: ESTHER, Waking Women Healing Institute, Native Justice Coalition, WCASA, Menominee County HSD Family Advocacy Center, Lorraine Shooter-M.A.D., Native Lives Matter Coalition

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The Woman’s Hour

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Date: 
Thursday, August 26, 2021 - 4:30pm
Location: 
UW Fox Cities, Perry Hall, 1478 Midway Rd, Menasha

You’re Invited to the Woman’s Hour

Thursday, August 26

4:30 PM

The Fox Valley 19th Amendment Centennial Coalition invites us to attend The Woman’s Hour on Women’s Equality Day, August 26. The event starts at 4:30 PM at Perry Hall on the University of Wisconsin-Fox Cities Campus and features award-winning author, journalist and speaker Elaine Weiss.

In her book, The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote, Weiss provides a gripping account of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Steven Spielberg’s Amblin TV is currently developing The Woman’s Hour for television, with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton serving as executive producer.

A wine and hors d’oeuvre reception will precede the program, which starts at 5:45 PM. Elaine Weiss will sign copies of her book following the program.

Tickets are $5 and are required in advance. No tickets will be sold at the door. Registration deadline is August 15, 2021. Register now.

This event is presented by the Fox Valley 19th Amendment Centennial Coalition.

Sponsor Spotlight: The Cozzy Corner

Submitted by jsmith on Tue, 03/02/2021 - 12:04pm
Posted in

The Cozzy Corner 2021 Yearbook AdInterview with Phillip Bennett: Co-owner of The Cozzy Corner

ESTHER wishes to recognize Phillip Bennett and his wife, Heidi, proprietors of The Cozzy Corner, a soul food restaurant in downtown Appleton. 

Phillip and Heidi purchased The Cozzy Corner about a year ago from their friend Tasha. It is one of many businesses that they own and manage. They also own a clothing store in the Fox River Mall, a barber shop and multiple properties in Appleton.

Phillip has a long and accomplished history in the Fox Valley. After his early release from prison in 2008, he moved to Appleton, obtained a machining degree from Fox Valley Technical College and began work at Neenah Foundry. During his ten years of employment there,  Phillip was promoted to supervisor, making him the first Black man hired as a supervisor at the foundry.