Our UUCT CAJM is off to a good start this fall! This is the time of the year when each member congregation has ‘house’ meetings to identify the local problems that CAJM should address. At UUCT we have had three house meetings that involved 26 people. Twenty-one people committed to being Network Members.

 Here are some concerns lifted up at the house meetings:

• There is a lack of access to mental health support, especially for young people and the homeless.

• The methods used by ICE violate human rights.

• The reduction in federal funding of social services transfers problems to local governments that do not have the resources to fill in the gap.

• Access to health care is limited because of Medicaid reductions and the lack of healthcare professionals.

• People are concerned about gun laws, especially the new open carry laws.

• Our dependence on electronic communication allows easy manipulation of the public.

• Access to affordable housing remains an issue, especially for those on the verge of homelessness.

• Many elderly people do not have family and friend support. Fewer people are volunteering to help this population.

• People are concerned about barriers to voting.

• Food insecurity is a problem for many in our community.

• The current political divide prevents productive discussions between groups that disagree.

By the time this newsletter is published, CAJM will have had its Network Assembly on October 28th, where a new issue for CAJM to address will be selected from the concerns raised by the congregations.

If you would like to get involved, please contact CAJM@uutallahassee.org.