Bending the Arc: Embracing our Core Values

Local Justice Leaders to be Honored March 10 in Palm Springs

Palm Springs, California – Coachella Valley leaders of women farmworkers and black gay men will be honored for their justice work at the 14th annual Spring Fling and Silent Auction fundraiser benefiting Bloom in the Desert Ministries UCC (Bloom) of Palm Springs, March 10, 2023, starting at 5:30 pm, at the Palm Springs Pavilion. All are welcome to make paid reservations and find more information at https://bloominthedesert.org/spring-fling-14/.

The 9th annual Community Justice Award honorees include Mily Treviño-Sauceda, executive director of the National Alliance of Farmworker Women, a nonprofit organization advocating for the safety and rights of women laborers in agriculture. Also, an organization is being honored with this justice award for the first time. Brothers of the Desert, a Palm Springs non-profit community group, was selected for local advocacy supporting Black gay men and their allies.

Event chairs Elaine Wang-Meyerhoffer and Paul Gibb report, “This will be an evening of justice and joy. We are back in person after online Fling events for two years. The setting will be unlike any previous Spring Fling.” Justice award committee chair Mike Termini says, “Promoting the lives of farmworker women and Black Gay men perfectly fits our inclusive church’s mission, which includes agitating for God’s peace and justice in our communities and around the world.” The Rev. Dr. Kevin A. Johnson, Bloom’s co-founding pastor, offers: “Our ministry focus honoring community justice is unique. Previous awardees embodied community justice work for peacemaking, healthcare, marriage equality, women’s rights, LGBTQIA youth empowerment, affordable housing environmental standards, life-long justice and faith advocacy, and asylum seekers.”

Under the 2023 theme, “Bending the Arc: Embracing our Core Values,” custom designed and installed decor will transform the Pavilion into a festive bazaar featuring international foods, music, awards, raffles, and shopping. The entertainment headliner is the DC6 Singers Collective, an LA-based vocal a Capella ensemble singing dynamic and energetic gospel and Motown tunes. Emcee Darci Daniels will host the evening including Strong Words story tellers, DJ Tina Turntables, Too Tall Tomm on stilts, the silent auction, festival booths hosting various justice ministries, and food from four local vendors. More information about Bloom and this event are at bloominthedesert.org.

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