Witness

Quakers have a long history of working actively to foster peace, justice and equality in local communities and throughout the world. More recently, Quakers have felt a pull to also champion sustainability and care for the environment. Swarthmore Meeting’s Witness in the World Committee listens to the ways that a spirit of social concern moves in the Meeting, and supports and nurtures actions that arise from these leadings.
Our ongoing social concerns projects are:
  • Cooking for the Homeless: On the second Saturday of each month volunteers make hot meals and sandwiches for guests at the Life Center in Upper Darby. Learn more
  • Anne Bernstein Richan Peace Action and Social Justice  Fund: Funds individuals and groups engaged in new peacemaking and social justice initiatives with potential for growth. Learn more
  • Jon Larson Memorial Fund: Provides small grants to help disadvantaged young people participate in Outward Bound programs. Learn more
  • Other social witnesses
    The Committee addresses the Meeting’s concerns through educational forums, organizing writing to legislators, public witness, supporting progressive candidates, and publishing minutes that state the Meeting’s positions on issues. Concerns we have supported include peacekeeping in areas of conflict, seeking an end to conflict and war overseas, gun control in the U.S., lifting up the rights of women, stopping investments in fossil fuels by fund managers such as Vanguard, and advocating for renewable energy and sustainable practices.
  • Partner organizations
    Organizations with which we have coordinated include:
    • American Friends Service Committee (AFSC): Learn more
    • Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL): Learn more
    • Nonviolent Peaceforce (Unarmed peacekeepers in areas of conflict): Learn more
    • Friends Peace Teams (Alternatives to violence in troubled countries): Learn more
    • The Sierra Club: Learn more  
    • Earth Quaker Action Team (EQAT): Learn more
    • Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living (CRCQL): Learn more
    • Indivisible: Learn more