Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Queen Village resident Evan Husted is one of the driving forces behind Mutual Aid Philly.

Center City and South Philly neighbors organize to support their community during the COVID pandemic—and beyond.

by Taryn Goldsmith Arthur

The emergence of the COVID-19 Pandemic forced the entire nation into quarantine without much notice. Businesses closed, schools went to virtual instruction, and wearing masks in public spaces was mandated as our new normal. While many of us were grappling with the idea of being closed in our homes for the unforeseen future, some of our neighbors could only focus on the day-to-day challenges that a stay-athome order forced upon them. Hardships became commonplace as families struggled to stretch their finances to survive.

In Philadelphia, many organizations and individuals have banded together to help fill in the gaps for their vulnerable neighbors and families. Mutual Aid Philly (MAP) is a group of neighbors from Center City and South Philly who organized their resources to match aid, education and support to those with a specific need. On the MAP website, visitors can access a link to a Google form that asks them to enter information about the aid they need or support they are able to offer. In its first three months alone, MAP helped to connect 285 families and distribute over $26,000 in aid.

“It’s encouraging,” MAP Organizer and Queen Village resident Evan Husted says, reflecting on the outpouring of support that came in via donation. “It’s exciting and reassuring to see the best come out of people.” According to Evan, one of the most popular requests was for emotional support. In these cases, MAP connected people who requested conversation and wellness check calls to volunteers ready to make those calls. While Mutual Aid’s efforts were primarily focused on Center City and South Philadelphia, they did the best they could to accommodate requests that came in from other areas.

“I am so thankful for Mutual Aid,” says recipient Elisabeth Lopez of South Philadelphia. Lopez used MAP for assistance with picking up medication and transporting her disabled son to and from medical appointments. “I do not know how I would have managed without them. They are doing great work.”

A MAP volunteer makes a grocery delivery.

Similar to other spontaneous, charitable efforts, Mutual Aid Philly was formed in the midst of a crisis. And while the intention was just to provide crisis aid, it’s growing into much more than that. The window it provided into how truly horrible this crisis has been for some individuals has inspired a new wave of neighbors helping neighbors. In the true spirit of Brotherly Love, the acts of compassion and kindness helped not only to relay a message of empathy but also to provide opportunities for community building. As we work to overcome this global health crisis, we must also work to sustain the unexpected bridges it helped to build—and the good will that has come out of it. ■

For more information about how to give or receive aid via Mutual Aid Philly, visit mutualaidphilly.com.