FUUSN and the UU Urban Ministry

The UU Urban Ministry is a non-sectarian, non-profit, social justice organization based in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston.

The UU Urban Ministry is supported by, and is accountable to member congregations, including FUUSN, which make financial contributions and participate in the social justice work of the UU Urban Ministry. Each year FUUSN elects three delegates who serve as the congregation’s representatives to the UU Urban Ministry. Delegates for the 2023-2024 church year are Alta Hodges, Kevan Hartshorn and Pat Rohan. FUUSN supports the UU Urban Ministry in various ways, including preparing a community breakfast on Patriots Day, donating any funds raised in the annual FUUSN Musicians Concert, and direct contributions from FUUSN’s annual social action budget. The UU Urban Ministry is always looking for volunteers willing to help them achieve their goals.

Our Mission:  We work across race and place to dismantle racism and white supremacy culture and to advance racial, social, and economic justice.

Our Vision:  We envision a Greater Boston where all people live with freedom and dignity, and have equitable access to resources and opportunity to shape the present
and the future. Today our work focuses in three areas:

  • Safer shelter and workforce development programming for survivors of domestic violence​
  • Academic enrichment for Boston-area youth of color
  • Arts and Humanities programming grounded in a social justice message that amplifies artists and historians of color in our neighborhood

With support from foundations and generous individuals, the UU Urban Ministry has raised and expended $2 million on restoring and painting the exterior and improving the surrounding landscaping of the First Church in Roxbury. As one of Roxbury’s largest gathering spaces, the rehabilitated First Church in Roxbury Meetinghouse will serve to amplify the artistry and cultural vibrancy of our neighborhood by hosting cross-cultural dialogue and celebration, concerts, lectures and political forums.