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Greetings to all Ulster Project of Greater Milwaukee families, teens, alumni and supporters.  I hope this email finds you well and safe from COVID-19 and all the troubles it brings with it.

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The worldwide pandemic and its long reaching and long lasting implications have spared few- and the Ulster Project sadly joins the growing list of the innocents adversely affected by the coronavirus.

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It is great sorrow and disappointment that I share the news that the decision has been made to cancel Ulster Project 2020 here and across the US and Northern Ireland.  Yesterday Fr. John Forsyth, a Belfast UP leader, contacted me to inform us of their decision not to send teens to the United States this June. The UP Milwaukee Board held an emergency virtual meeting following that call to collectively hear the news, digest the reality, and discuss the way forward. 

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We are deeply saddened by the announcement from Belfast, but we understand and support their decision in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and all of its ramifications.

Our volunteer Board is made up of former Host Families, so this necessary course of action hits us closely and hard.  We also consist of clergy, medical doctors, nurses, paramedics and educators, many of which are seeing the first-hand effects of this pandemic first hand.  With the clear perspective that comes from those careers, especially from our medical professionals, the decision to forego UP2020 was one we anticipated and accept as appropriate at this time.  Our families, teens and community’s well-being is of the utmost concern to us all.

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Despite this unprecedented action, we pledge that UPGM will remain strong and vibrant, a Project of peacemaking and leadership for our world.  While our current global health and economic situation appears dark, through over 40 years of experience of pairing and hosting and teaching and celebrating amazing teens we are confident in our alumni and their ability to make a difference in their communities and lead change for the better in our world.

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Your support in continuing those goals has always and will always be key and appreciated.  Thanks to you, our Project is fiscally strong and ideologically thriving.  We’ll be putting those assets to work as we join with Projects, families and teens across the United States and Northern Ireland to ensure that when this pandemic passes, our collective goals of promoting peace, justice and reconciliation will continue for years to come or, God willing, until a time when such a mission is no longer necessary and the world finds a way to accept all peoples and creeds, eliminate violence among nations and learns to live in harmony.  A tall order, but one that is at the root of our Ulster Project ethos.

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As our attention turns to doing all we can as a Project to mitigate the effects of the many challenges of COVID-19, we also look forward to UPGM2021.  Your continued support makes all the difference and permits us to continue pursuing our goals during these difficult times and well beyond.

Thank you- stay well.

Peace

Kevin F. Pulz

President, Ulster Project of Greater Milwaukee

Ginney Haas Pauly

Vice-President, Ulster Project of Greater Milwaukee

An Important Message from the UPGM Board of Directors