Background

In January 2014 a major chemical spill poisoned the water supply for more than 300,000 West Virginians.  In response, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charleston (UUC) established a Clean Water Fund to support relief efforts for those directly affected by this crisis, and to work for water justice more broadly.  The appeal that went out to congregations in the UUA Central East Region brought an extraordinary response: over the next several months, more than $24,000 was contributed to the Fund by UU individuals and congregations throughout the region and beyond.

The UUC Board invited members of the congregation to suggest possible recipients of Fund monies, and to volunteer to work on this project. A “Clean Water Fund Task Force” was formed of UUC members – all of them native or long-term West Virginians, and all involved in social service or community organizing in Charleston. Rev. Patricia Hart, Interim Minister, served on the Task Force ex officio. The Task Force met regularly through late spring 2015 to consider the best possible uses of Fund monies, work with potential grant recipients, and recommend Fund grants for approval to the UUC Board.

Three major purposes for water fund grants were identified, and used to solicit grant applications from new and existing groups:

• Direct Service – getting clean water to those who need it
• Education and Research – supporting those who are learning and teaching about the effects of this spill, and spreading awareness and interest in and beyond West Virginia
• Advocacy – challenging local and federal government officials and agencies to change policies to better protect water sources now and in the future.

Between April 2014 and mid-2015, more than $22,000 was granted to nine organizations.

In 2016, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charleston, WV (UUC) expanded its existing Clean Water Fund to support ongoing relief and advocacy for those affected by West Virginia’s catastrophic floods. Thousands of people lost their homes, possessions and livelihoods, in dozens of communities — many of them low-income, with inadequate insurance or social supports.  Many of these communities struggle with uncertain access to clean water.

In addition to participating in state-wide recovery efforts already underway, UUC hoped to put our Unitarian Universalist principles to work, making sure that help reached those who need it most, as well as supporting initiatives that focused on understanding what made this disaster so devastating, and how our state might be better prepared in the future.

Clean Water Fund (CWF) contributions continued to be managed as they had been since the Fund began in 2014.  A Task Force of UUC members solicited grant applications from area 501(c)3 organizations working in the areas of Direct Relief, Education/Research, and Advocacy.  After reviewing applications and interviewing applicants, the Task Force recommended specific grants to the UUC Board for approval.

About the Fund

All CWF funds are held in a “designated fund” account, separate from UUC’s operating funds and managed by the UUC Treasurer.  All gifts will be acknowledged, and donors will receive updates on how Fund monies are being used. Responsible persons will be UUC’s Minister; Robert Beisner, UUC Treasurer; and Debra Beatty, UUC President.

Donations may be made in person or by mail to Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 520 Kanawha Blvd W, Charleston WV 25302 (304-345-5042), or at http://tinyurl.com/UUC-Clean-Water-Fund.

This below is part of the CWF- idk if it should have it’s own tab or no

Documentary: “Elk River Blues” (UUC member Mike Youngren with West Virginia Rivers Coalition) In this documentary the Elk River becomes the metaphor for the short-term political, economic, environmental, regulatory, cultural and moral decisions made each day in West Virginia. The film looks at the water crisis to examine how we West Virginians are viewed by others and how we view ourselves. 

Unitarian Universalists from around the U.S. contributed money to the Charleston UU Congregation to create a “water crisis fund” which helped support clean water advocates in their efforts to distribute bottled water, spread the word and possibly change the system.  West Virginia Rivers Coalition teamed with UUC to provide a grant so that video equipment could be upgraded – ensuring a longer “shelf life” for the finished product.  The equipment allowed interviews and other video elements to be captured in high definition.

Reverend Tricia Hart agreed to be the narrator of the documentary.  Her vocal presentation during UU Sunday Sermons was enough to convince Youngren (who also runs the church audio system) she definitely had the “chops.”  The UU audio system was used to record volunteer musicians who created variations on famed West Virginia fiddler Ernie Carpenter’s song Elk River Blues.

For more information: Mike Youngren 304-346-3622 (home) 304-767-8066 (mobile)

myoungren1941@gmail.com

A promotional trailer and the documentary are both available on VIMEO.com. The documentary (57:30) may be accessed at: https://vimeo.com/117438040 The trailer (4:00) is nearby at: https://vimeo.com/118287959 

The site provides an HD feed when the on screen player control (HD) button is selected.  The video material may be downloaded or streamed.  A “tip jar” is also located on the VIMEO.com site which may be used to contribute to UUC and the West Virginia Rivers Coalition to help continue the campaign for safe water.