The history of your civil rights leaders
The start of UACT
UACT grew out of a project called “Good Jobs!” which brought about local hiring of lower income and minority workers on construction projects in Waterbury, Hartford and other cities from 1997-2002.
The coalition's initial goal was the enactment, by the City of Waterbury, of a local hiring ordinance for work being done on the development of the Brass City Mall. When the ordinance drafted by the City Council was vetoed by the Mayor, Good Jobs Partnership rallied its members and supporters to pack the next Council meeting, successfully encouraging it to override the Mayor's veto.
Following this initial success the leadership of Good Jobs were approached by a number of clergy from Southeastern Connecticut for help in organizing similar groups in their communities. To more accurately reflect the broader range of issues facing their regions in 2002, Good Jobs! Partnership changed its name to United Action Connecticut with the intent of sanctioning Chapters in varous parts of the State
Based upon the interest of the clergy in Southeastern Connecticut that region was targeted to be the first Chapter. In April 2003, 18 congregations came together, covenanting as United Action of Southeastern Connecticut. In July of 2003 the Chapter's members held their first Issues Assembly with more than 400 people in attendance voting to work on Discrimination, Affordable Housig and Tax Reform.
Southeastern Action
In May of 2004, UACT of Southeastern Conneticut held their first Public Meeting with more than 800 people and 25 elected and appointed officials in attendance, voicing their support of Southeastern's goals. In October of that year, Southeastern brought the issue of housing to the forefront by staging a Housing Summit where David Rusk was the keynote speaker. Southeastern followed up on the Summit by staging an action at the East Lyme Zoning Commision that resulted in the approval of 30 units of affordable housing in the 110 unit Sea Spray condominium project in East Lyme.
Central Chapter
Meanwhile, some of the churches that were initially involved in Good Jobs! Partnership began to explore faith based community organizing in the central part of the state during the 2002-2004 period. The churches raised seed money, hired an organizer and began laying the groundwork for a long-term statewide organizing effort. After many visitations, presentations, training sessions and meetings, a "Covenanting Service" was held in Plainville on April 2, 2005. UACT in Central Connecticut was officially formed and launched.
On June 22, 2005 in Wallingford, UACT Central held its first "Issues Convention" and several issues were voted upon to be their primary concerns in 2005-2006 by 250 voting delegates from 13 congregations and groups. On October 16, 2005 in New Britain, 460 leaders from 16 congregations gathered to take action on three of their top issues and to lay the groundwork for further actions during 2006 to advance these issues and build the base. UACT also resolved to seek allies from across the state.
