United Vision for Idaho

09/18/2026

The threats facing US democracy are taking place on multiple fronts.
And while unprecedented economic pressures may ultimately move some people to vote differently—or not at all—the price of gas is too damn high. The price of food is too damn high. The cost of housing is too damn high. The cost of healthcare is too damn high.
Those things matter. But they cannot be the only measure by which we understand this moment.
We are also confronting profound questions about the rollback of civil liberties and freedoms; the weakening and dismantling of institutions we depend upon—from education and healthcare to environmental protection; changes that will place healthcare out of reach for millions; the expansion of immigration arrests, detention and deportation, including serious disputes over due process and documented inhumane detention conditions; the use of American power abroad and its consequences for civilians; and repeated conflicts over the limits of executive and constitutional authority.
These should force us into a moral and political reckoning—not merely the price at the pump.
Because if economic pain changes how people vote without changing what we have become willing to tolerate, then an election alone will not resolve what is happening beneath the surface.
Elections may change some things. But the deeper questions about rights, institutions, democratic norms, dehumanization, and the exercise of power do not simply disappear with a different electoral outcome.
They remain. And without serious intervention, they can manifest again in different forms.
That is why mobilization alone is not enough. This moment requires organizing. These are some of the questions at the heart of my new article for Nonprofit Quarterly, “The Work of Democracy.”

Because elections may change who governs. The deeper work is building the relationships, institutions, leadership, and sense of belonging capable of sustaining democracy between elections.

I hope you'll read it, share it and join in the conversation

When communities lose the institutions that connect people to one another, they lose confidence in democracy.

07/20/2026

Looking for a way to take action? Become part of a documentary that provides a glimpse into the pro-democracy movement and the constellation of people who are driving change in small and big ways in Idaho and across the country!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BNmKPC41H/?mibextid=wwXIfr

𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟! We are looking for volunteers to participate in a step forward exercise that asks questions about political stereotypes and differences, for a local documentary. This non-paid shoot will take place in 𝗕𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗲 on 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟴𝘁𝗵 from 𝟭𝟬𝗮𝗺-𝟭𝟭𝗮𝗺. Email 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗵𝗮@𝗶𝗿𝗹𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗺𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺 for more information and to join our film.

07/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EzQ2qYQY7/?mibextid=wwXIfr

In this timely conversation, Steph Lokelani sits down with her dear friend Adrienne Evans, Executive Director of United Vision for Idaho (UVI), for a raw, wide-ranging conversation about political division, authoritarianism, and how everyday people can rebuild community across difference. From growing up in rural Idaho to a life-changing visit to Auschwitz, Adrienne shares hard-won wisdom from 17+ years leading UVI and over 107,000 conversations across 13 states. They talk rural Idaho organizing, the difference between mobilizing and organizing, why nonprofits are under real threat, Adrienne's upcoming memoir, and the new documentary "Democracy in Motion." A heartfelt, honest episode about staying human in a divided world.

📺Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/32cO3Ju_Si4
🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-n7jb2-1b031a8

07/03/2026

We invite you to read this interview published by The Othering and Belonging Institute at Berkeley and share it.

For more than 15 years, I have organized in Idaho, one of the most rural and politically conservative states in the US. Much of my work has focused on communities that are often misunderstood, overlooked, or written off entirely by national political and philanthropic institutions. Living and organi

06/25/2026

Idaho50501 is hosting a protest rally at the Idaho State Capitol for the New Civil Rights movement this Saturday, June 27th, Singing at 11:30am and speeches at 12pm!

This protest rally is part of the All of Us 250 movement across the United States.

Speakers will highlight a history of civil rights in the state of Idaho, touching on some of the darker moments in our collective understanding and guiding the audience towards a brighter potential future.

Please share this with all your people and your networks as there is concern that posts promoting this event are being suppressed on social media.

UVI will be there with a film crew to capture the event and capturing your stories of how you are taking action and showing up for democracy rain or shine!

06/19/2026

IDAHO CALL TO ACTION!
For far too long, Congress and federal administrations have interfered in DC communities by overturning our local laws, restricting our local budgets, and imposing their will on the people who have lived in DC for years and generations. Free DC is a renewed campaign to protect Home Rule and win lasting dignity for our communities. This past year, over 4,000 armed National Guard Troops arrived in DC from over 20 states, including 224 from Idaho. Everyone in DC knows that the National Guard is not keeping us safe, in fact they are a danger to our communities and a threat to our democracy.

Free DC is asking for our help to demand Governor Brad Little withdraw Idaho’s National Guard from DC. Every National Guard deployed to DC is a resource taken away from your state and its people.

Please take action here:

National Guard Out Now Updated June 11, 2026 The National Guard are not in DC for our safety. They are a danger to people here and we want them gone. A federal court has ruled that Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to DC is illegal. Analysis shows their presence is doing nothing to reduce v...

05/20/2026

Limited Opportunity!

Check out Adrienne Evans and Steph Cullen talking about UVI's work and their work together through The United Vision Project and OMG Female Filmmakers and...A special opportunity to see a limited screening of MY OMAHA at the Flicks on May 26th from 7-9pm also featuring a trailer of Democracy in Motion followed by a Q & A.

Learn more by visiting Radio Boise and Elementary Watson. Through this Friday, listeners who email UVI through our website: uvidaho(dot)org and mention Radio Boise will receive a complementary ticket to the show that will be held at will call.

05/12/2026

Have you felt alienated from people you love — your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers — because of political division?
Have you avoided conversations, distanced yourself from people you care about, or even cut people out of your life because it felt impossible to bridge the divide?

Have you watched relationships strain and communities grow more disconnected, distrustful, and fractured?
You are not alone. Millions of people across the United States are feeling the exact same thing.

For more than five years, United Vision for Idaho has been working to address this growing crisis through the UNITED VISION PROJECT www.unitedvisionproject (dot) org— a national training program connecting people across political, geographic, and social divides through real conversation, human connection, and sustained engagement.

Because the truth is: societies do not simply collapse or heal on their own. They break apart — or rebuild — through each of us. Through the relationships we maintain. Through our willingness to listen. Through our ability to stay connected even when difference feels overwhelming.

Through our Democracy 411 series, UVI creates opportunities for people to come together in conversation, reflection, learning, and community at a time when so many Americans are searching for meaning, belonging, and hope.

Join us on May 26 at 7pm at The Flicks for a special screening of MY OMAHA — a powerful film exploring family, identity, economic struggle, and the divisions shaping life in America today followed by a Q & A.

Get Your Tickets Today! https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/my-omaha Bring someone with you. Be part of rebuilding the human connections our communities — and our democracy — depend on.

🎉 Excitement is in the air! Get ready to be part of something extraordinary offered through United Vision For Idaho's Democracy 411 Series. People across the country are struggling with how political polarization has torn their families and communities apart. This is an event that provides a rare...

05/07/2026

Excited to share this piece published today in Nonprofit Quarterly. Thanks for taking a look.

Why have rural communities become so deeply disconnected from the civic institutions meant to serve them, and how can repairing relationships help?

05/07/2026

Folks, today is the last day of Idaho Gives and we know you are getting a lot of requests and times are hard, but every little bit matters and helps us to continue providing our work in Idaho and to elevate the story of Idaho's people committed to building and renewing a more just world and democracy. Please consider giving what ever you can. We deeply appreciate it and remain committed to you! A link to support is in the comments. Thank you!

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