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COVID-19 Mutual Aid

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NPL Home / Online Resources / Web Guides / COVID-19 Mutual Aid

COVID-19 Mutual Aid

What Is Mutual Aid?

Mutual Aid is the practice of collective, interdependent care-work, literally mutually aiding each other. This often takes the form of a community or group coming together to offer what they can and ask for what they need. Mutual aid, as a concept, recognizes that our survival is collective and that it is in everyone's best interest to help each other. Instead of charity which assumes one person is in a position of power to "give" to those without, mutual aid recognizes that everyone has something of value and that everyone relies on other people to survive, regardless of ability or health. "Solidarity, Not Charity."

The Coronavirus Crisis has highlighted for many the need for mutual aid, and communities all across the world are coming together to organize mutual aid networks to meet the needs of people on a local scale.

Videos:

History and Impact of Mutual Aid

https://vimeo.com/667302454

A closer look at how and why mutual aid projects first came to be.

Introduction to Mutual Aid | Mariame Kaba

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJaeblrlW_Q

This session addresses the following questions: What is "mutual aid," and how is it different from charity, philanthropy, and state social services? How is mutual aid part of current and historical freedom, liberation, and self-determination struggles of different peoples? How are mutual aid efforts responding to the COVID-19 pandemic? How can people participate in mutual aid projects now?

A Mutual Aid Explainer

https://youtu.be/rYPgTZeF5Z0

"Freaked out by police? Pissed about ICE? Outraged at gentrification? What should we do? People are overwhelmed, pissed, and scared right now. This video is about how mutual aid projects are a way to plug into helping people and mobilizing for change. Check out the mutual aid toolkit at BigDoorBrigade.com for more inspiration and information about starting mutual aid projects where you live!"

Essex County Mutual Aid Networks

Brick City Mutual Aid

BrickCityMutualAid.org

The mutual aid group was formed in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Brick City Mutual Aid delivers free groceries and supplies to those who need them in Newark. BCMA also holds monthly food distros, provides protest support, contributes to community education efforts, and helps people with bills. They also collect book donations for Books Behind Bars, the first books-to-prisoners program in NJ.

North NJ Mutual Aid

https://www.facebook.com/groups/349149839305990/

This group is for the purposes of sharing resources, needs, and info about mutual aid work that people are doing at this time. With multiple orgs and documents working on different issues around this, this can be a place where people can consolidate information. A sign up for users (either those who need or those who can provide resources) can be found here.

SoMa SQUAD

https://www.facebook.com/groups/143617106943313/

SoMa SQUAD stands for "South Orange and Maplewood Quarantine Assistance, Delivered." Are you interested in helping your fellow SoMA residents by volunteering to deliver needed items to those who cannot get out to obtain them? Are you unable to get out but in need of basic supplies (or aware of someone else in this situation)? Let's help each other.

NJ Mutual Aid Networks

Central Jersey Mutual Aid Resources

https://www.facebook.com/groups/CNJMAR/?ref=share

Central Jersey Mutual Aid was set up by a network of groups and individuals, working together to make it easier for folks across Central Jersey to find resources and connect with each other. All are welcome to use this resource. Asks and offers can be as small as a roll of toilet paper or as large as legal assistance. We serve the Central New Jersey area, including Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Somerset counties.

Garfield Neighbors

https://www.facebook.com/groups/GarfieldNeighborNetwork/

The Garfield Neighbor Network is a grassroots collective of local residents coming together in the time of need for our neighbors. This is our community-led group to be the most up-to-date source of information regarding how you can give aid, and also receive aid.

Invisible Hands

https://www.invisiblehandsdeliver.com/

Invisible Hands is a group of volunteers from communities at the least risk for severe COVID-19 reactions working to bring groceries and supplies to those in high-risk demographics. We’re focused mostly on the elderly, disabled, and immunocompromised, but are available to help anyone in need. Currently serving the five boroughs of New York City, Jersey City, select parts of the greater NYC/NJ region.

Morris County COVID-19 Mutual Aid Chain

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesZKyRbQPcSYoAMOYSVRWd_gw0q_FVyuq1vpmvJr09QeEpmA/viewform

A platform to connect needs and available community support addressing COVID-19 in Morris County, NJ.

North Jersey Mutual Aid

Members of the community have come together to support those vulnerable and affected families affected by the #COVID19 pandemic in Paterson.
973-789-8609

Passaic County Grocery Fund

https://chuffed.org/project/passaic-county-grocery-fund

Silk City Socialists are focusing their energy and efforts to fill in the gap and provide anything the community needs in this trying time. They are mapping out areas that need help while also being transparent of funds, their own sanitation methods and updates during this campaign.

Union County Mutual Aid

https://www.facebook.com/Union-County-Mutual-Aid-102640871407828/

During this time of COVID-19, Union County Mutual Aid is working to educate and build a solidarity community to protect each other, to aid each other and try to envision a future that is more resilient and kind.

Email: unioncountymutualaid@gmail.com

National Networks

COVID-19 Support Group

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScM2EeJhgisTUdo5Op6euyx1PYu8O-aNeDVYhXuPFa_Gs9PnQ/viewform

Support Group for folks who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, have tested positive, or are survivors of the virus created by Fiona Lowenstein, the founder of the queer feminist wellness collective Body Politic.

Mutual Aid Disaster Relief: Collective Care

https://mutualaiddisasterrelief.org/collective-care/

In hopes of helping folks find and join in a mutual aid effort where they live, offering inspiration to start your own, and/or simply lifting your spirits, below is a growing directory of mutual aid pandemic disaster care. This directory was compiled and is updated daily, with love and solidarity, by Cindy Milstein.

Mutual Aid Hub

https://www.mutualaidhub.org

Find Mutual Aid Networks and other community self-support projects near you. Reach out to these groups directly via the map above to get involved, offer resources, or submit needs requests. Created by Town Hall Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Starting Your Own

Action Builder for Mutual Aid

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BzK5fEZXdZaUQnyHRTvoK01jT6S5a_n4Vo3thAXhWdE/edit

Action Builder is an organizing toolset released in 2019 and built through a close partnership with the AFL CIO by Action Squared, a mission-driven organization committed to building tech for the progressive movement using a not-for-profit, cooperative model.

Big Door Brigade

http://bigdoorbrigade.com/mutual-aid-toolbox/
A mutual aid toolbox including concrete tools for starting mutual aid projects and maintaining them, a list of projects is included.

COVID-19 Mutual Aid Slack

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSec5f4MHWMJ68wKfrRW7qhAvmo1F7vcbnSBIbZhAezaGAL8kQ/viewform

This SLACK workspace is for folks who are actively organizing or starting mutual aid networks in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. to collaborate and share best practices and information.

Database of Localized Resources

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HEdNpLB5p-sieHVK-CtS8_N7SIUhlMpY6q1e8Je0ToY/edit#gid=1604093003

Google Spreadsheet linking to best practices for different kinds of mutual aid work during COVID-19.

How to set up a Mutual Aid neighborhood group: A resource list

https://mutualaid.nyc/2020/03/29/how-to-set-up-a-mutual-aid-neighborhood-group-a-resource-list/

Resource list on starting your own mutual aid group created by Mutual Aid NYC

Mutual Aid 101 Toolkit

https://mutualaiddisasterrelief.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/NO-LOGOS-Mutual-Aid-101_-Toolkit.pdf

This toolkit includes step by step instructions for how you can build your own mutual aid network while staying safe from the spread of COVID-19. Toolkit created by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and organizer Mariame Kaba.

COVID-19 Mutual Aid