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

Celebrating ESTHER’s

20th Anniversary

Anniversary events: 7/27 Classical Guitar Concert • 8/22 Summer Gathering & Cookout
• 10/5 Walk with NAMI • 10/8 Justice in Crisis Movie & Panel • 11/16 Banquet

Learn more at 20 years of ESTHER

BIPOC Community Organizer

 

WELCOME to our additional Organizer

We are excited to announce the latest addition to our team, Miracle Wheeler. She joined us in mid-February. We have the privilege of having the funds to offer this as a 6 month opportunity. Our hopes are to find additional funding to make this a permanent position. 

 

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Climate Change From a Human and Religious Perspective

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Date: 
Tuesday, March 8, 2022 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Date: 
Tuesday, March 15, 2022 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
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Tuesday, March 22, 2022 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
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Tuesday, March 29, 2022 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
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Tuesday, April 5, 2022 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Date: 
Tuesday, April 12, 2022 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: 
Zoom Meeting

ESTHER’s Envirnomental Justice Task Force is pleased to bring this study series to your attention. St. Bernard Parish is a partner with ESTHER in social justice work.

The St. Bernard Social Justice Committee of Appleton is pleased to present a Zoom study of climate change this Lent. We will be using the book How to Avoid a Climate Disaster by Bill Gates, along with the Laudato Si encyclical and several other articles and sources. The program will be facilitated by Dr. Robert Hausserman. Meetings will be held on Tuesdays during Lent, from March 8 thru April 12 at 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Please join us in discussing this very important topic.

To register or for more information please contact Dr Robert Hausserman at rlhausserman@hotmail.com or Kathie Gribble at kathg109@aol.com.

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Transit Equity Day

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February 4 is Transit Equity Day

Each February 4th we celebrate civil rights and transportation equity icon Rosa Parks. Her birthday, recently honored as Transit Equity Day, reminds us that transportation is essential to our community. Her efforts, along with those of so many others, remind us of the need for a continued commitment to freedom of mobility for all and access to quality public transportation services.

Governor Evers and several Fox Cities mayors have each shared a proclamation declaring Feb. 4 as Transit Equity Day. See attachments.

How do we build transportation equity?

Your Community, Your Voice

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Date: 
Thursday, February 8, 2024 - 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Location: 
First Congregational United Church of Christ, 724 E. South River St. Appleton

Thursday, February 8, 2024, 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 724 E. South River Street, Appleton.
                                       Register here.

ESTHER wants to hear about what matters to YOU in our community. We value your life experiences and your voice.  

  • What have you observed or experienced that is making it difficult for you or others to thrive in our community?
  • What needs to happen? (next steps)  
  • How can we work together?

There will be a group discussion and smaller conversations. We hope you can be there for most of the meeting, but stop in when you can get here.  And come eat free pizza with us! 

Good news! We can provide free childcare if we find some of you would like to make use of it for your kids.  The registration link (above) will let us know you are coming, ask you to answer a few other questions including dietary restrictions, and if you plan to bring children with you, how many and what are their ages.

This discussion will help ESTHER with decisions about our next steps and hopefully can be helpful to other groups too!!  HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Help ESTHER Double Its Impact

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Help ESTHER Double Its Impact!

Prison Reform Vigil at Governor’s Mansion

With only a few days left in 2023, time is running out for ESTHER to claim a $5,000 challenge grant that can double new or increased contributions received before December 31.

We’re very close to claiming the entire $5,000 challenge, thanks to generous support from so many friends of ESTHER. But we’re not there yet!

Your gift today can help put us over the top. Will you consider financial support of ESTHER before midnight Sunday, December 31?

Yes, I'll Help!

In these times, when there are so many negative challenges, it’s wonderful to have this positive challenge—an opportunity to help make ESTHER stronger for the work of the future.

For 19 years, ESTHER members have been working tirelessly to tackle the challenges that face us in building a better world: challenges like racism, mass incarceration, childhood poverty, unfair immigration laws, lack of adequate public transportation … and so many more. We tackle these challenges by working WITH people who are most affected by them. We raise up, train and support leaders in their communities. We advocate for systemic changes that make our community better for everyone who lives here. We educate the public through forums, films, speakers, and other events. We educate ourselves through intensive self-study and reflection.

Will you help us do more, by responding by December 31 to this challenge grant opportunity

Yes, I'll Help!

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
Date: 
Thursday, February 10, 2022 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Date: 
Thursday, February 17, 2022 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Date: 
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

(These programs will be recorded for later viewing by registrants who cannot attend all sessions.)

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:

Building Healthy, Equitable and Sustainable Food Systems

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Date: 
Wednesday, May 31, 2023 - 7:00pm - 7:45pm

Building Healthy, Equitable and Sustainable Food Systems

ESTHER Issue Briefing and Action on the 2023 Farm Bill

May 31, 2023 - 7:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85498608717

One tap mobile: +13126266799,,85498608717# US (Chicago); +16469313860,,85498608717# US

Every 5 years, the omnibus Federal legislation known as the Farm Bill is reauthorized, offering an opportunity to make an impact on nutrition assistance, energy, the health of the environment, and more! In 2023, the Farm Bill reauthorization is viewed by many as the next best chance to impact climate change. 

Please join a short Zoom session for a briefing on the Farm Bill and to participate during our time together in taking action in support of building healthy, equitable and sustainable food systems through the reauthorization of the Farm Bill. This will be a quick, but consequential action.  

Hosted by ESTHER Leadership Board board representative from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (ELCA), Nancy Jones. RSVPs appreciated to njjones.wisconsin@gmail.com.