ESTHER

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

Film Showing: "Sisters Rising"

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Date:

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Location:

Appleton Public Library, 200 N Oneida St, Appletone

Join the Appleton Public Library and Reach Counseling for a special screening of Sisters Rising (2020), a story of six Native American women fighting to restore personal and tribal sovereignty in the face of ongoing sexual violence against Indigenous women in the United States.

Following the film, audience members will hear from a panel of representatives from Reach Counseling and the Oneida Nation.

Film Synopsis: Native American women are 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual assault than all other American women. 1 in 3 Native women report having been raped during her lifetime, and 86% of the offenses are committed by non-Native men. These perpetrators exploit gaps in tribal jurisdictional authority and target Native women as ‘safe victims.’

May Day — A Day Without Immigrants

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Date:

Friday, May 1, 2026 - 10:00am - 7:00pm

Location:

Wisconsin State Capitol

May Day is often observed as A Day Without Immigrants, when communities across the country lift up immigrants’ contributions and demand dignity and justice. This is an opportunity to stand in solidarity with immigrant communities and advocate for policies that protect families, expand access to essential services, and uphold human rights.

ESTHER is organizing a bus for community members and advocates to attend the May Day march at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Bus seats are limited. A suggested contribution of $10 helps cover costs if you are able.

Please click here to register to reserve your seat. We will follow up with details about preparation, departure, and what to expect.
Want to support this event? Make a suggested $10 contribution by CLICKING HERE TO DONATE

Day will include marching to the State Capitol. The final route and event details are still being determined.

The bus transportation is hosted by ESTHER. The May Day event is led by Voces de la Frontera. See more information HERE.

Letter to the Editor, Palm Sunday Path Participants

Submitted by Sara Companik on Fri, 03/27/2026 - 8:16pm

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A Letter to the Fox Cities Community from
Some of the Palm Sunday Path Participants

(This letter was sent to the Appleton Post Crescent in hopes it could be published as a letter to the editor. It was, however, rejected by the Post-Crescent due to their policy of not publishing group letters. So we are sharing it here in order that the Fox Cities [and wider] community may become aware of it.)

March 25, 2026

When clergy and people of faith from across the Fox Cities gather at Houdini Plaza on March 29 (1 pm), we will continue what began at our respective congregations’ Palm Sunday celebrations. A day when Christians remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, not on a warhorse, not a conquering king, but humbly riding a donkey and filled with compassion. Together, we will lament the harms done to our immigrant neighbors, shine Christ’s light of truth and justice, and proclaim faith in Christ, who came not to be served but to serve.

This Palm Sunday is different because our neighbors have been threatened, abused, dehumanized, disappeared, and even killed by agents of our own government. Together, on the Palm Sunday Path, throughout Wisconsin and across fifteen other states, we stand in solidarity with people of faith across traditions and those who aren’t part of a faith community to support the vulnerable among us, because Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.”

No Kings March & Rally - Appleton

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Date:

Saturday, March 28, 2026 - 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Location:

Houdini Plaza, 100 W Lawrence St, Appleton

1 attachment

Palm Sunday Path

Register to attend the Fox Cities Palm Sunday Rally on March 29

Help spread the word - download and share the attached fliers.

Oshkosh City Council Candidates Forum

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Date:

Thursday, March 26, 2026 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location:

Becket's Restaurant, 2 Jackson St, Oshkosh

Hear directly from candidates on housing and community priorities

ESTHER housing advocates will be asking questions of candidates for the three open positions on the Oshkosh City Council, with a focus on

Affordability • Availability • Accessibility

Hosted by Oshkosh ESTHER Housing Advocates

Free and Open to the Public

Candidate Forum to be followed by Dessert and Discussion

Help us plan! Please register at esther-foxvalley.org/forum2026

Zoom option available; register for link.

Menasha Candidate Forum

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Forum

Date:

Thursday, March 26, 2026 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location:

Elisha D. Smith Public Library, 440 First St, Menasha

Sponsored by League of Women Voters of Winnebago County

The Spring General Election is April 7, and LWV Winnebago County has what you need to be an informed voter! Save this date for our Menasha candidate forums. Attend live or find the recordings on our FB page, our website, or YouTube. We welcome questions from voters, either submitted via email before the event (wclwvinfo@gmail.com) with the location and race in the subject line, or at the event. LWV reserves the right to choose questions and edit them for clarity and brevity. Candidates will answer questions from the audience.

Forum will be recorded.

6:00 pm: Menasha Common Council Districts 2 & 8
7:00 pm: Menasha School Referendum

More information at https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1M1wQB5pRm/

Life After Incarceration: A Reentry Simulation - Rescheduled

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Transformational Justice

Date:

Monday, March 23, 2026 - 5:30pm - 8:00pm

Location:

First Congregational United Church of Christ, 724 E. South River St, Appleton

Reentry Simulation Rescheduled Due to Weather

Due to the blizzard forecast for this weekend and concern for safe travel conditions, the organizers have decided to postpone Life After Incarceration: A Reentry Simulation by one week.

The event will now take place on:

Monday, March 23
Registration: 5:30–6:00 PM
Simulation: 6:00–7:30 PM
Panel Discussion: 7:30–8:00 PM
First Congregational UCC
724 E South River St, Appleton

This interactive experience invites participants to step into the shoes of someone returning to society after incarceration and face the real-life challenges of securing housing, finding employment, accessing social services, and rebuilding life after release.

We made this decision early so participants, volunteers, and partner organizations have clear notice and can plan safely.

Registration remains open, and both participants and volunteers are welcome.
Visit esther-foxvalley.org/reentry to learn more and register.

Thank you for your understanding, and we hope you will join us on March 23 for this important community learning experience.

Participants and volunteers needed. Learn more on the registration page. Registration Required.

Organized by ESTHER, JOSHUA, RUTH, and FREE