"How can we leverage our skills to most help communities in need?"
This question, asked 13 years ago by Unitarian Universalists in Concord, led to the creation of the Jericho Road Project. First Parish in Concord, like many Unitarian Universalist churches, had been involved in social justice work and in promoting volunteerism among its members. But members were often not offering their most specialized skills to the non-profits they helped. A CPA might serve dinner at a soup kitchen, but how could she also donate her skills in budgeting to a non-profit that needed them? An HR expert might collect clothing for a needy family, but how could he also volunteer to help a non-profit hire a new director? How could the specialized skills of educated people be put to the best use?
The Jericho Road Project was the answer to these questions. Its name recalls a speech by the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., in which he retold Jesus' story of the man left by the side of the Jericho Road-the man ignored by his countrymen-the man ultimately helped by a stranger. King pointed out that the Jericho road is dangerous and that people had reason to be suspicious of any unusual situation. He said that we needed not only to become like the helpful Samaritan, the "good neighbor" of the story-he said, "One day, the whole Jericho Road must be transformed .... True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it understands that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring."
As one piece of that transformation, the Jericho Road project sought to connect skilled volunteers in Concord with organizations serving poorer communities in Lowell. Soon Jericho Road programs began in other locations. There is a site in Dallas and one in San Diego; there are several in Massachusetts.
Here in Worcester, First Unitarian Church and First Baptist Church co-founded Jericho Road Worcester in 2009. Jericho Road Worcester was unique among other Jericho Road sites: here in Worcester, the volunteers and the sites receiving help were all located in the same place. There is no geographical divide. Skilled volunteers live and work in Worcester city and Worcester County, as do the communities we help. Over the years we have connected hundreds of skilled volunteers to the small non-profits of Worcester County who serve our neighbors in need. Soon after its founding, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester became a partner in this important work.
Now Jericho Road Worcester is at its own crossroads. Recently Jericho Road Worcester has struggled to find and retain a capable Executive Director to help move our mission forward. The connection to the Jericho Road Project is changing as we have moved to become an independent non-profit organization. As First Baptist Church has gone through a period of interim ministry, they have been less involved. UU Church of Worcester has continued involvement, and community members without church affiliation have joined the board as well. Through all these transitions and challenges, Jericho Road Worcester has continued to match skilled volunteers with non-profits, and continues to receive requests for volunteers. Jericho Road Worcester clearly meets a need in Worcester County with its unique mission.
If Jericho Road Worcester is to remain a ministry of First Unitarian Church, and if it is to succeed and grow in the future, we need volunteers from our church to be involved. We need to fulfill the mission of Jericho Road Worcester: to match the particular skills and talents of our own members to the needs of one of our social justice projects.
If you would like to learn more about Jericho Road Worcester, and to see how you might be able to volunteer with this organization, I invite you to a meeting at 11:30 on Sunday June 12 in the Chapel to learn more. This is an opportunity to ask me questions (I have been serving on the board for two years), to ask questions of past First Unitarian board members, and to consider volunteering yourself. It is an opportunity not only to be a good neighbor in our community, but to use that "true compassion" which seeks justice in our society.
In faith,
Rev. Sarah Stewart
