Social Justice Team Notes – September 19, 2025
Franklin Community Center Volunteer Opportunity
From: Julianna Luciano /julianna@franklincommunitycenter.org
Date: Tue, Sep 2, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Subject: Volunteer Opportunity at FCC
I’m the Volunteer and Events Coordinator at Franklin Community Center – I was sent your
information from our Development Director Mary Beth, who shared that your organization has
been a consistent supporter of FCC through your Share the Plate program. Thank you so much for
your continued support!
We were curious if your group would be interested in doing a volunteer project at FCC? It could be
an adult or student group, or a mix! We have lots of opportunities available for volunteers, including
gardening, landscaping, painting, organizing, etc and would love to have you join us!
Let me know if you'd be interested and we can brainstorm a plan! Thank you!
Follow-up to our discussion:
From: Julianna Luciano
Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Subject: Re: Volunteer Opportunity
Here’s a brief overview of each potential project:
Gardening at Vanderbilt/Jefferson Terraces:
FCC has been working with the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority to revitalize the
communal gardening spaces at the Vanderbilt and Jefferson Terrace apartments. We are in need of a
group of 10+ volunteers (which will be split in 2) to assist with establishing the garden beds at the
terraces. One group will be laying out pea gravel around existing garden beds, while the other will be
adding mulch to the large metal garden beds at the other section
Landscaping at the Free Store:
Our Free Store (the clothing and household goods donation center where clients can shop for free!)
is in need of some fall clean-up. We need a group of 5-10 volunteers who would remove overgrowth
along the building, and weed the flower beds that surround it
Staining the Fence at 95 Washington Street:
Earlier the summer, a different volunteer group did a first coat of stain on the fence that goes along
FCC Washington Street administrative building. We are in need of a group of 5-10 volunteers
who would complete a second coat on the fence
Thank you!!
Julianna Luciano
Volunteer and Events Coordinator
518.587.9826 x232
95 Washington Street | Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Wednesday, 9/17/25, @ Nolan House/Presbyterian United Church of Christ:
MLK Saratoga met to plan MLK ’26 Weekend (January 16-19, 2026)
Minutes will be forthcoming soon
Discussions continue through Peace Week at Social Justice Social Hour 9/25, 6:00 – 7:30
Next meeting – October 16, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. @ Nolan House
Saratoga Peace Week, Sept. 21 – 27, 2025NEW Peace Wk Schedule 2025msl
UUCSS connections:
Tuesday, 9/23, 6-7p.m., @ Saratoga Senior Center – Zentangle for Adults
(Katie Long)
Wednesday, 9/24 10:30 a.m. @ SSPL, Dutcher Room – Civility Puppets (Marigold, Azul &
Julie): It’s Cool to be Kind
Thursday, 9/25 6:00 – 7:30 @ Frederick Allen Lodge Social Justice Social Hour/Peace Week
Pizza
Saturday, 9/27, 6:45 – 8:30 p.m., @ United Methodist Church175 Fifth Avenue – Film: Peace
by Chocolate (Syrian-Canadian chocolate will be served)
Frederick Allen Lodge, 69 Beekman Street – Upcoming Events:
09/20/25 + Walking Tour: African American History in Saratoga Springs w/ Daughter Nichola
Dutre; 10:00 a.m.
9/20/25 ~ Saturday Karaoke
09/25/25 ~ Social Justice Social Hour ; 6:00p-7:30 p.m.
09/27/25 + Walking Tour: African American History in Saratoga Springs w/ Daughter Nichola
Dutre ; 10:00 a.m.
9/27/25 ~ Saturday Karaoke
9/28/25 ~ Monthly Community Potluck ; 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
10/03/25 + Beekman St. Pool Tournament
10/05/25 + Annual Jazz BBQ Fundraiser; 2:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m.
Saratoga Book Festival October 2 – 5, 2025
Bookfest
Indivisible ADK/Saratoga:
NO KINGS 2: America Has No Kings!
We Need Your Help to Plan a Historic Day of Protest! On October 18th, Indivisibles across the country are taking to the streets again for NO
KINGS 2! This is our chance to build on the momentum of June's protests and send an
undeniable message to those in power: America has no kings.
Notes:
Our ADK/Saratoga chapter held a planning meeting at noon Friday. I couldn’t attend but
partners will share info, and other UUs may also have attended
The announcement says that teams can be formed and maybe, UUs could join wearing our
yellow “Side with Love” T-shirts?
Please let Lucy, Mark or other SJT members know of your interest, and a signup sheet will be
available on Sunday morning.
Cheers,
Mark Long
19abrican@gmail.com
Problems can become opportunities when the right people come together… Robert Redford