September/October 2025

Organization: The Innocence Project        Host: Steph G.

The Innocence Project of Florida (IPF) is an IRS-certified 501(c)(3), non-profit organization founded in January 2003 to help innocent prisoners in Florida obtain their freedom and rebuild their lives. Often those helped have spent decades behind bars in Florida. 

Our mission is to:

• Screen and investigate cases in which meritorious innocence claims are identified; 

• Secure DNA testing when biological evidence exists; 

• Advocate for the release and/or exoneration of individuals whose cases present meritorious innocence claims based on evidence of actual innocence;

• Provide transitional and aftercare services to exonerees; and

• Advocate for necessary criminal justice reform to avoid wrongful incarcerations in the future.

​IPF actively participates as a member of the Innocence Network, a coalition of organizations dedicated to providing pro bono legal and investigative services to individuals seeking to prove their innocence in wrongful conviction cases. Several members of the IPF staff have been invited to speak at the annual Innocence Network conferences, and IPF’s executive director served on the Innocence Network Advisory Board for many years.

November/December 2025

Organization:   New Image Youth Center        Host: Steph G.

NIYC’s mission is to provide a safe place to dream that fosters the academic, social, physical, and mental well-being of K–12 students in Parramore and surrounding areas through after-school and summer camp programs. Friends of the New Image Youth Center Team coordinates projects with NIYC.

Nominations for 2026 Share the Plate recipients will be requested in October or November 2025. Perhaps you are involved with a 501(C)(3) organization in our community that shares our UU values in their work. Consider hosting them as a Share a Plate recipient!

5th Sunday Partner 

Our 5^th Sunday Share the Plate Partner Is BLUU (Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism)
BLUU is committed to expanding the power and capacity of Black UUs within Unitarian Universalism; providing support, information, and resources for Black Unitarian Universalists; and justice-making and liberation for Black people through our faith.

For more info, click here.

Every 5th Sunday throughout the year (Jun 29, Aug 31, and Nov 30 remain in 2025) BLUU receives all that is collected on Sunday. 

January/February 2025

Organization: IDignity     Host: Craig A.

Expect to hear from a speaker from IDignity Orlando on Sunday, Jan. 5. Look forward to hearing from the pulpit about the IDignity volunteer experience from a few 1U volunteers during February. 

IDignity Orlando offers identification services where U.S. citizens and legal residents can get a birth certificate (from any U.S. state or territory), a Florida ID (or license renewal), and a Social Security card or verification information. We accomplish this mission through governmental partnership and the support of hundreds of dedicated volunteers.

The documents IDignity obtains for its clients give them the freedom to apply for work or school, gain access to shelters, seek help from social service programs, open a bank account or cash a check, secure permanent housing, or overcome many other obstacles to being self-sufficient.

Thank you for your continued involvement. The need is great. Consider volunteering. 

March/April 2025

Organization:  Zebra Youth           Host: 1U Youth Group, facilitated by Richard C.

Zebra Coalition® is a network of organizations that provide services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and all youth (LGBTQ+) ages 13 – 24.

Zebra Youth serves LGBTQ+ youth ages 13–24 facing homelessness, bullying, isolation from their families, and physical, sexual, and drug abuse, guiding them to recovery and stability. Just recently, the organization was able to expand so they can shelter more youth. 

A member of 1U’s Youth Group spoke on Sunday about how important Zebra Youth can be for young people who are searching for their paths in life, often with limited family support or assistance. 

May/June 2025

Organization:  One Heart for Women and Children Host: Charlotte K.

One Heart for Women and Children is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity organization located in Orlando, Florida. One Heart helps individuals who are homeless or in times of transition by helping them meet their most essential needs. They help provide access to food, clothing, school supplies, personal hygiene items, household items, and more. The goal each and every day is that each and every person that interacts with One Heart not only receives the resources they need but also feels a sense of hope.

One Heart feeds an average of 20,000 people per month in Central Florida through stationary and mobile food banks.

Organization:  Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida  Charlotte K.

Planned Parenthood  provides affordable access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care and accurate health information through patient care, education, and advocacy.

The Alliance will match up to $2,000 of the Share-the-Plate donation to Planned Parenthood for the months of July and August.  Please give generously to this important group protecting women’s reproductive rights in Central Florida. The need is great. 

The Planned Parenthood website states the following as of July 1, 2025:

Congress has “defunded” Planned Parenthood.

Congress just passed a bill to “defund” Planned Parenthood. President Trump will sign it — and when he does, we’re suing.

The impact will be immediate and devastating. As many as 200 Planned Parenthood health centers are at risk of shutting down. The health and lives of 1.1 million patients across the country are at risk.
We’re working to ensure that this disastrous law does not limit access to care for millions of people, but we urgently need your help. 

The Planned Parenthood website also announced the following:

Client Information on website on July 5, 2025

IMPORTANT MEDICAID UPDATE

As of July 4, 2025, a new law signed by President Trump now blocks Medicaid patients from using their coverage at Planned Parenthood.  

We are doing everything we can to ensure that Planned Parenthood continues to show up for communities who rely on Planned Parenthood health centers, as we have for over 100 years. 

1U Website: Click HERE or click on DONATE in the upper right-hand section of the 1U website’s home page and follow the directions. Type “Share the Plate” in the space to the right of the donation amount.

1. Check: Write a check made out to First Unitarian Church of Orlando; on the memo line write “Share the Plate” and mail it to 1901 E. Robinson St. Orlando, FL 32803.
2. Text: Send a text to 407-456-7082 and type into the message line: [the dollar amount you’d like to contribute] followed by sharedplate (no spaces) [Example: $50 sharedplate]. NOTE: Please include a dollar sign before the amount;  HOWEVER, do not put a space between the dollar sign and dollar amount). The first time you contribute via text, you will follow prompts to enter your payment information. Each subsequent time, you’ll just text the same number with the message: $[amount] sharedplate You will receive a text verification and a receipt via email.
3. Direct Donation:  Donate directly using this link. After you make your donation, please send an email to Serving the Community to help us keep track of donations made by us! 

1U Share the Plate 2024 Donations