Social Action at OCUUC

The AIDS Team Ministry is a support program with the mission of preparing and delivering frozen meals to people in Orange County with HIV/AIDS and other catastrophic illnesses. When resources permit, the ATM provides other kinds of support to such people. Currently, the ATM is the only program of its kind in Orange County.

Each month volunteers plan, prepare, and freeze between 160 and 240 microwaveable meals. The ATM maintains a frozen meal inventory of more than 20 different meal menus. Every 7 or 14 days, ATM teams deliver the meals to each client. We welcome people of all ages to help prepare meals. E-Mail us for our cooking schedule

Get involved by finding out more on the AIDS Team Ministry...

The story of Círculo de Amigas (Circle of Friends) is the story of how one woman’s resolve to teach a group of rural Nicaraguan women to sew has grown to encompass much more than just clothing bodies. Today Círculo is improving health; stimulating minds; building homes; empowering communities; and even saving the rain forest!

Círculo de Amigas is the month of September's recipient of the loose plate collection program that is a part of the Community Service Committee, extending our local outreach to a worthwhile nonprofit organization begun by OCUUC church member Pat McCully. The donation from the congregation comes at a good time because Circulo de Amigas is trying to build a multipurpose room that will allow the library to be enlarged. The group will put 2 or 3 computer stations at the end of the library to permit public use, especially for the schoolteachers to learn to handle computers. The librarian Gloria will be available to help students write reports. OCUUC’s donation will also allow a half wall to be added to separate the computer area from the main library. Additionally, 2 or 3 sewing machines will be added to the facility’s front room to allow a drop in service for the women who have learned to sew with Circulo de Amigas but have no machines of their own.

More on Círculo de Amigas...

1. Mother’s Day collection in May: Mother and baby items such as diapers, bottles, receiving blankets, clothes, and used and new equipment (car seats, cribs, high chairs, etc.) This year the Sewing/Kraft group made flannel receiving blankets to donate. We usually collect items on the patio on two Sundays.

2. Back to School in August: Backpacks and school supplies such as paper, pencils, markers, dictionaries. We usually collect items on the patio on two Sundays during the year.

3. Adopt a Family for the Holidays in December: Gifts and food for a holiday dinner for families whose names are supplied by SOS. We have people sign up for the level of giving they are comfortable with: adopting a whole family, combining with others to adopt a family, or donating gifts, food, or cash to allow us to combine items for a family. This is our largest undertaking, and a good proportion of OCUUC members participate. Last year we adopted 23 families.