Open Collective
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Introducing: Bushwick Ayuda Mutua
Published on May 29, 2020 by Kay Ablamsky

Hi Everyone,

We want to first thank you all for your generous donations these past two months. We recognize that this is a very difficult time for many of you, so it means a lot to have the support of more than 400 contributors. We would not have been able to make this big of an impact in the Bushwick community without the support of each one of you. 

We want to remind you all that 100% of the funds have gone and will continue to be allocated to buying groceries, medicine and other PPE for our neighbors. Additionally, all of our work continues to be driven 100% by unpaid volunteers. Expenses can be found here. The current roster of BAM administrators includes Bushwick Residents - (me) Fernando Ramos, Maria Herron, Samy Nemir Olivares, Sara Rodas, and Kristen Ablamsky. 

We have some big news as we adjust to the rapidly changing times. We have been assessing the needs of our neighbor (vecinx) in need and speaking at length with community partners in the Bushwick Area. Today we announce our transition to our new name, Bushwick Ayuda Mutua (BAM). We have decided to work under this new name because we believe this is the best way to support and be more accessible for our community.

Our main priority is supporting our community and families in need coming from a space of solidarity, empowerment, and compassion. 

Moving forward we can be reached at [email protected]. All of our processes are open source and are documented here. We have created new social media pages under Bushwick Ayuda Mutua: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. Our updated form links are as follows: sign up to volunteer, request assistance, donate.

Lastly, two weeks ago, we had an open call and together we created our guiding principles which we will like to share with you all. They are: 

  • Democratically-run - Decentralized, horizontal model where decision-making is collective.
  • Inclusion, diversity and anti-discrimination - We are anti-racist, anti-ableist, anti-sexist, anti-homophobic, anti-transphobic, anti-xenophobic, anti-ageist, anti-classist, and anti-fatphobic. Our efforts are towards autonomy and accessibility, and our priority is providing accessibility to those left furthest from it.
  • Culturally- sensitive - We believe that no one is illegal on stolen land. This is a space where all languages, sexual orientation, genders, and races should have a voice.
  • Equity - We believe in not just equality, but EQUITY. We thoughtfully uplift the voices that need to be heard, in place of the ones often and only heard.

Thank you again for all your support. Please reach out if you have any questions. 

With Love and In Solidarity,

Fernando, Maria, Samy, Sara, Kristen