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!
Featuring Singer-songwriter John McCutcheon
Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Winnebago Worship Group
ESTHER
The Fox Valley Islamic Society is hosting its 18th annual Interfaith Gathering on Sunday, August 6 at 3:00 pm. All are invited to attend this year's event at no charge, which will once again be held "Under the Tent" at the mosque, and offers opportunities to learn, interact, and feast.
The event will feature presentations and discussion on the theme of “Faith and Poverty,” with a feast and fellowship to follow. RSVP to 
The Back Forty Mine project is a proposed open-pit metallic sulfide mine located on the banks of the Menominee River in Lake Township, MI, just across the river from Marinette, WI. The Menominee Nation and many allies, including local citizens, local governments, environmental organizations, and grassroots organizations, are opposed to the mine.
ESTHER Organizer Bill Van Lopik has recently started a term as a Community Columnist for the Post-Crescent. In his inaugural column, which appeared on April 1 (no fooling!), he writes with passion and conviction about some “dominant narratives” that cause fear and suspicion and can blind us to the truth about our communities and our neighbors. He testifies to the power of a different approach, in which we work
Come hear State Representative Michael Schraa present his WISGREAT plan—an intensive alcoholism treatment pilot project directed at those who are facing incarceration after a fourth or higher OWI conviction. The plan would address alcohol addiction, reduce recidivism, keep families connected, and make communities safer and healthier for all. Presenters include Rep. Michael Schraa, Winnebago County Public Health and ESTHER Treatment Instead of Prison Task Force.
“Our State, Our Budget, Our Voice”
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Following the screening of “Episode 4: Wounded Places” from the documentary The Raising of America, information will be shared about childhood poverty in the Fox Valley, and the Faithful Citizenship Campaign to reduce childhood poverty in Wisconsin will be introduced. Questions and discussion will follow. Too many American children, especially children of color living neighborhoods of concentrated poverty, have endured trauma and show symptoms that look very much like PTSD—except there is no “post.” Come to learn more about the impact of poverty on America’s children and what can be done about it.
