March Compassion Offering: JustDane
Just Dane (formerly Madison-area Urban Ministry), is a non-profit organization that offers an array of direct supportive initiatives for:
- people being released from incarceration through our reentry programs, including the Journey Home, Circles of Support and Peer Support,
- children and families impacted by the justice system,
- justice-involved youth,
- employment training for people with barriers to employment through Just Bakery,
- recuperative medical respite for families experiencing homelessness at Healing House.
In 2023 over 750 individuals received support through JustDane’s initiatives.
This year JustDane celebrates 50 years of social justice work in our community. Throughout our 50 years JustDane has, and continues to engage in the community advocating for State and local justice system reforms, fair and affordable housing, an end to homelessness and racial and economic justice. Rev. William Sloane Coffin once said, “charity yes, always, but never as a substitute for justice.” His words reflect the importance of our work at JustDane offering support to individuals and families in our community, alleviating suffering while working to eliminate the causes of the suffering. If you’d like to know more about JustDane’s work, there are two members of ORUCC on JustDane’s Board: Julie Horst and Phil Haslanger. They would be happy to share more about JustDane’s work in our community. We also invite you to join us on Thursday, April 11th as we celebrate 50 years. Our keynote speaker for the event will be Father Boyle, Founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles.