OUR SAFETY BELONGS TO US
Developed by:
Leilani Michelle Jones
What is Mutual Aid?
COMMUNITY ACTING IN ITS OWN BEST INTEREST
PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING
COLLECTIVE, CONSENSUS DECISION-MAKING SHARING RESOURCES
VALUING ALL PEOPLE
SHOWING UP FOR EACH OTHER IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS POLITICAL EDUCATION UNDERSTANDING HOW WE GOT TO THE CURRENT MOMENT
PREPARING FOR CRISES AND DISASTERS TOGETHER
What is not Mutual Aid?
INSTITUTIONS TELLING COMMUNITIES WHAT IS IN THEIR BEST INTEREST
ONLY COMING TOGETHER DURING A CRISIS
PHILANTHROPY, CHARITY
PEOPLE OR INSTITUTIONS ACTING AS “SAVIORS”
A REASON FOR INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO STOP DOING THEIR JOBS
REPLACEMENT FOR SOCIAL SAFETY NETS
Why Mutual Aid?
institutions continue to neglect lowincome communities
our survival, health, and well-being depends on community - not competition we can save each other’s lives
when we build relationships, we are better prepared when individual or community crises emerge
we have the most impact socially and politically locally
Why Mutual Aid?
COMMUNITIES HAVE ROBUST EXPERIENCE RESPONDING TO CRISES AND CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER WHEN INSTITUTIONS FAIL US.
MUTUAL AID IS BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF OUR COMMUNITIES TO CARE FOR EACH OTHER WHEN WE NEED IT. IT CAN BE PREPARING MEALS, DELIVERING MEDICINE, PROVIDING COMMUNITY LEGAL SUPPORT, AND MORE.
TOGETHER, OUR COMMUNITY HAS THE POWER AND CAPACITY TO PROTECT AND HEAL OURSELVES.
“BUILDING AND DISTRIBUTING OUR [COMMUNITY RESOURCES] AND ACCESS SO WE DO NOT HAVE TO DEPEND ON THE SYSTEM”
where do we start?
“WE DON’T WANT TO CONTINUE FEEDING INTO THESE SYSTEMS OF OPPRESSION JUST BECAUSE THEY EXIST TO MAKE US FEEL SAFE. WE NEED TO INVEST IN BUILDING COMMUNITIES SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY BE SAFE AND HAVE RESOURCES WITOUT HARMING ONE ANOTHER”
“Everything worthwhile is done with others”Mariame kaba
Find a friend or two to build your neighborhood network/pod!
Start small! Decide the size of your network. Ex.the people in your apartment building or the students in your class.
Establish communication channels, like a text group chat and a social media group message.
Get to know your network! (Tip:Turn the page for some conversation starters.)
Show up for each other! (Pick up medicine, share supplies, emotional support, basic health assistance)
Where do we start?
Mutual Aid Pod
Conversation Starters:
What are your hobbies?
What languages do you speak or know?
What resources or skills do you have that you could share with our pod?
How can this group show up for you?
What are you afraid of losing?
protip:Focusonrelationship-buildingbeforethe groupinitiatesrequeststhiswillhelpensurethe longevityofthegroup
Where do we start?
How to Invite Neighbors to a Mutual Aid Pod:
If you have relationships and contact information for some of your neighbors, ask them to connect you/the pod with other neighbors they have relationships with.
Put up flyers in spaces, like the laundry room in your apartment building, or on your neighbors’ doors to spread the word! protip:thebackcoverofthispamphletcanbeused asanotetoleaveinaneighbor’smailboxordoor
This is what healthcare could be!
My community shows up for me with resources, time, and care
I need resources and care, so I reach out to my mutual aid pod we
I am able to heal and show up better for myself and my neighbors
I show up for my community before, during, and after crises
Where do we start?
Taking care is easier with a friend!
Use the card on the back cover page to start a mutual aid pod in your neighborhood.
DEAR NEIGHBOR
Hey! My name is _________ and I am your neighbor at the address ___________________________________ and my number is _________________ .
I am reaching out because I know that there are significant issues in our neighborhood with access to medical care, and I want to be connected with you and our other neighbors so that we can stay in touch, share resources, and support each other with any needs that may come up.
I am going to coordinate a group text message chat so we can all stay connected. Please text me when you get this if you want to join this network. Feel free to give me a call if you want to chat!