RISC Partnership
Harnessing People Power for Systemic Change with RISC
First Unitarian Universalist RVA is proud to be one of the largest member congregations of Richmonders Involved to Strengthen our Communities (RISC), an interfaith, interracial grassroots organization dedicated to solving critical public crises. Through our active justice ministry network, we combine our voices with thousands of fellow Richmond area residents to hold public officials accountable and demand winnable, systemic changes. From securing historic city funding for affordable housing to championing evidence-based gun violence intervention programs and advocating for local mental health resources, we turn our faith into tangible local impact. Join us at our annual Nehemiah Action assembly and help us build a more equitable and compassionate Greater Richmond.
About RISC - Richmonders Involved to Strengthen our Communities - is a faith-based grassroots organization made up of about 600 members across 27 faith communities seeking justice throughout Greater Richmond. We use the power of large numbers of organized people and a systems change approach to address critical community problems. RISC is currently seeking more funding for affordable housing and healthy mobile homes, as well as the implementation of an evidence-based gun-violence prevention program.
First UU is one of the largest RISC congregations, and we have won several awards for the strength of our participation. Our justice ministry network, made up of about 50 First UUers plus some friends, consistently shows up to demonstrate our commitment to improving local conditions that contribute to significant struggles for many Richmonders.
On March 24, at our Nehemiah Action, RISC celebrated a victory years in the making: Richmond committed $63 million over the next five years to affordable housing. This is what persistent, organized people can accomplish — and we are grateful for the leadership of Councilwoman Ellen Robertson and our own Kenya Gibson for helping make it real.