United Interfaith Action (UIA), a faith-based organization founded in 1996, promotes social and economic justice and improves the quality of life of all residents in Southeastern Massachusetts, focusing on New Bedford and Fall River. We recruit and train lay leaders and clergy to act on issues of greatest concern, founding social action on the teachings of our different faith traditions.
UIA currently works on Housing, Education, Voter Engagement, Public Safety, and Immigration.
Housing
Local community listening sessions throughout 2020 - 2021 identified housing as a new issue area for UIA’s work.
A Housing Team of volunteer community leaders began to conduct research with service providers and stakeholders to identify and refine policy proposals and commitments to bring to elected officials.
UIA held public meetings with community members and elected officials in New Bedford and Fall River.
Local Representatives Commit to Fighting for Affordable Housing
Education
Members of the Vocational Education Justice Coalition: Lew Finfer, Rep. Antonio Cabral (New Bedford), Mirian Albert, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights; Andrea Sheppard Lomba, MCAN and UIA, Barbara Fields, Black Educators Alliance of MA; Senator John Cronin (Fitchburg)
Source: South Coast Today
UIA has remained committed to myriad community concerns surrounding education.
Leadership as a part of the Vocational Education Justice Coalition’s work to provide more equitable access to vocational schools.
Engaged New Bedford Public School staff, students, teachers, and community members surrounding CARES Act funds: Read more
And presented those priorities to Superintendent Thomas Anderson
Voter Engagement
Voter Engagement has continued to grow as a priority for our work to bring more education and access to our communities so that they have a greater say in state and local elections.
Our commitment to nonpartisan efforts includes voter pledges, education, and providing resources so that community members cast their votes in a way that voices their values for the community.
Read about last year’s work: Fair Share Amendment and Sheriff Forum
Fill out your name and address below to pledge to vote in your local elections and be a part of UIA’s work to promote voter turnout in local elections!
Contact Us:
Andrea Sheppard Lomba, Executive Director andrea.uia@mcan.us
Jesse Newman, Community Organizer jesse.uia@mcan.us