Mutual Aid: Solidarity Isn’t Charity
What is Mutual Aid?
“Mutual aid involves neighbors helping neighbors, supporting one another in meeting basic needs. It also involves a reimagining of the social fabric where we see ourselves in solidarity with others—where meeting someone’s needs is meeting our collective needs.”
Kimberly Bender
University of Denver- Graduate School of Social Work- Winn Professor for Children & Youth
How Do I Get Involved with Mutual Aid ?
Food distribution: This includes projects like community fridges stocked with free food, meal delivery programs, and food-sharing networks like Food Not Bombs.
Delivery services: Neighbors delivering groceries, prescriptions, or other necessities to those who are elderly, immuno-compromised, or unable to leave their homes.
Childcare co-ops: Groups of parents who take turns caring for each other's children, or organizing support for families.
Errand assistance: Helping people with tasks such as getting to appointments or running other errands.
Monetary support: Community bail funds or funds set up to help people with rent, medical bills, or other essential expenses.
Disability justice: Providing support for people with disabilities, such as assistance with transportation or other needs
Bail funds and legal support: Creating funds to pay bail for people in the community or providing other forms of legal assistance.
Public education: Sharing information and providing education on social issues or systems of oppression.
Disaster relief: Neighbors coming together to help each other after a natural disaster, as seen with groups like Mutual Aid Disaster Relief
