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
Thursday, January 27, 2022 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
 Taking on Mass Incarceration in Wisconsin Zoom Meeting
Tuesday, February 1, 2022 - 4:30pm - 6:00pm
 Oshkosh ESTHER Task Force Meeting B‘Nai Israel Congregation, 1121 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh
Thursday, February 3, 2022 - 10:45am - 12:00pm
 Equity Network Member Meeting Zoom Meeting
Thursday, February 3, 2022 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
 Taking on Mass Incarceration in Wisconsin Zoom Meeting
Monday, February 7, 2022 - 6:00pm - 7:30pm
 ESTHER Prison Reform Task Force St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 140 South Green Bay Road, Neenah
more
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ESTHER February 6 Banquet Cancelled

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WHAT?! IT’S NOT HAPPENING?

Our concern for the health and safety of our community along with the year-end sale of Liberty Hall (our venue) brought an end to plans for ESTHER’s Annual Banquet planned for February 6!

ESTHER’s Work Continues

Please support our continuing efforts to build community, share hope and stand for justice by making a financial contribution. Contributions in any amount are appreciated. Donations of $50 or more by Febuary 28 will receive a copy of The Gift of Our Wounds, by Pardeep Kaleka (our intended keynote speaker) and co-author Arno Michaelis, along with a printed copy of ESTHER’s 2022 Yearbook.

Contribute Now

We are planning a fall gathering, to be held outdoors on September 15, featuring Pardeep Kaleka. Stay tuned for details.

Thank you for your patience during these changing times and for your steadfast support of ESTHER.

 

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Taking on Mass Incarceration in Wisconsin

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Date: 
Thursday, January 27, 2022 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Date: 
Thursday, February 3, 2022 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
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Thursday, February 10, 2022 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
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Thursday, February 17, 2022 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
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Thursday, February 24, 2022 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: 
Zoom Meeting

Join the Transformational Justice Campaign leaders of EXPO and WISDOM for a 5-part Zoom series on mass incarceration in Wisconsin.

When: Thursday evenings, 6:30-8:00 p.m., January 27, February 3, 10, 17, 24

Register here: Taking on Mass Incarceration - Jan 27-Feb 24

In the series, we will learn from experts, including people directly impacted by Wisconsin’s criminal legal system. We will learn about many aspects of the system, including:

Standing Together, Speaking Out for MMIWG2S, Land & Water

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Date: 
Monday, February 14, 2022 - 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Location: 
Houdini Plaza, 111 W College Ave, Appleton + Facebook Livestream

Save the Date for This Powerful Event

Live at Houdini Plaza in downtown Appleton, and live-streamed on Facebook at @wakingwomenhealing.

Co-sponsored by ESTHER and Waking Women Healing Institute.

More information at wakingwomenhealingint.org

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2021 Challenge Campaign Goes Over the Top - Thank You!

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Challenge Succeeds--Thank You!Wow! THANK YOU to all those who contributed to the 2021 ESTHER challenge match campaign, which ended on December 31.

When everything was counted, during the last quarter of 2021, 50 people either made new contributions or increased their support 2019 ESTHER Challenge results bar graph: Goal $5,000; Received: $7,028during 2021 over 2020, for a total of $5,115 in response to the $5,000 challenge pool!

We are so grateful for such a wonderful response to this campaign during these challenging times. Your support helps ensure we can have even greater impact as we work to share hope, build community, and stand for justice.

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EXPO Starting a New Chapter in Oshkosh

Submitted by knessmann on Mon, 12/20/2021 - 12:55pm

EX-incarcerated People Organizing (EXPO), an affiliated partner of WISDOM and ESTHER, will be starting up a new chapter in Oshkosh. Marianne Oleson will be leading this startup and can see firsthand the kind of support the community needs.

EXPO is focused on ending mass incarceration and providing support to those re-entering the community. Oshkosh in particular has a need for this program as it has 5 prisons, which is very rare for a community of that population size.

Part of EXPO’s mission is not only to support those people as they come back to the community but to help them find resources and opportunities. Oleson states that “Temporary living placement for people re-entering the community was closed in October. Anyone coming out of prison right now in Winnebago county will be homeless.” Part of creating an equitable system is providing access to housing, education, healthcare, etc. so that individuals can successfully be rehabilitated and rejoin the community.

With the startup of this new chapter, Oleson wants to “show the community that we are more than our worst mistakes.” People who come out of prison become our friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Organizations like EXPO help change the stigma around incarcerated people and make the surrounding communities more accepting and understanding.

We are so excited to see the positive changes EXPO will make in Oshkosh and we will be helping and supporting them along the way.

EXPO will be holding their first meeting at the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 449 High Avenue, Oshkosh, on Tuesday, February 1 at 6:30 PM.

If you have any questions regarding the Oshkosh EXPO chapter, please contact Marianne Oleson at marianne@expowisconsin.org.

ESTHER’s 2022 Yearbook Available for Viewing/Download

ESTHER 2022 Yearbook CoverESTHER’s 2022 Yearbook is now available for online viewing or download, along with a limited number of printed copies. The book was produced under the editorial leadership of ESTHER member Jill Smith with significant contributions from other ESTHER volunteers and ESTHER communications coordinator Kayla Nessmann.

Inside you’ll find…

  • descriptions of ESTHER’s goals, values and accomplishments, including the work of each of its task forces and work groups
  • many photographs
  • profiles of our annual award winners
  • feature essays about ESTHER people making a difference in the Fox Valley and beyond.

The yearbook also contains notices and ads sponsored by almost 100 friends of ESTHER in business, non-profit, and government circles.

As a special bonus, donors of $50 or more to ESTHER’s work before February 28, 2022 will receive a printed copy in the mail.

The 2022 yearbook is also available online now for you to review, or to download and read at your leisure (PDF). Click on the cover image (to the left), or use the button below to check it out.

View ESTHER Yearbook

We are enormously grateful to our financial sponsors, who are listed in the book. Please show your appreciation for their support of ESTHER by patronizing them or participating in events they sponsor.

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Volunteer Drivers Needed - Winnebago Catch-A-Ride

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ESTHER’s Transportation Task Force is happy to bring this volunteer opportunity to your attention.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Become a volunteer driver for Winnebago Catch-A-Ride and help those in need find transportation to their place of employment. By driving with us you can help someone not only get to their place of work but also regain confidence in their daily schedule. With your help, a single mother can worry less about traveling to and from her 9-5 job, a young man will be able to attend his interview on time, and a grandmother will be able to work her part-time job at a local store.

Climate Justice Community Webinar

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Date: 
Wednesday, December 15, 2021 - 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/s/84840000619

Local Action. Real Power. Fighting for Climate Justice

Become part of the fight for climate justice in your community!

Join us for this webinar on December 15 to hear about work at the local policy level to bring about climate justice and how you can help. Recommendations of the Climate Change Task Force will be shared, local elected officials will share information on recent policy wins, and information will be provided on statewide efforts.

Please Register

Co-sponsored by Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Conservation Voters, and ESTHER.

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Charter For Compassion

Submitted by knessmann on Fri, 12/10/2021 - 5:14pm
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ESTHER and the Charter for Compassion have recently joined in a partnership. The Charter for Compassion is a nonprofit organization founded in 2009, with a local chapter in Appleton. This organization has chapters in over 50 countries and continues to be an integral part in building community and human connection.

The Charter resonates closely with our values at ESTHER. We both have an interest in bringing communities together and promoting equity and justice. With these similar values, we know we will have a successful partnership into the future.

We are excited to continue expanding our community partnerships and learning from the leaders and members in those organizations.