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Ward 2 Mutual Aid

Mutual aid organization helping neighbors in need during COVID-19 in Washington DC, Ward 2

About


Newsletter



What is Mutual Aid?

Mutual aid is “cooperation for the sake of the common good.” It’s getting people to come together to meet each other’s needs, recognizing that as humans, our survival is dependent on one another. 

Mutual Aid is a practice and politics that emphasizes solidarity rather than charity. It means we recognize that our well-being, health and dignity are all bound up in each other. It means that we understand our survival depends on cooperation, not competition. In this particular moment, we see that our health is also dependent on other people’s health, and we can literally save each other’s lives. Rather than disengage and feel powerless, mutual aid allows us to plug in where we can make the most impact — locally. 

Mutual aid IS...
  • Getting people together in your community to provide material support to each other
  • Building relationships with your neighbors based on trust and common interest
  • Making decisions by consensus rather than relying on authority and hierarchy
  • Sharing things rather than hoarding things
  • Treating no one as disposable
  • Providing all kinds of support, ranging from food prep to childcare to translation to emotional support, and recognizing the value of all of them
  • A political education opportunity, where we build the relationships and analysis to understand why we are in the conditions that we're in
  • Preparation for the next disaster (natural or economic). Next time around we'll already have relationships with each other and know who is vulnerable and needs support
  • A great jumping off point for other kinds of organizing and movement work
Mutual aid IS NOT...
  • Quid pro quo transactions
  • Only for disasters or crises
  • Charity or a way to "save" people
  • A reason for a social safety net not to exist

DC Mutual Aid Network

The DC Mutual Aid Network (DCMA) is a grassroots community-led effort looking to take care of each other and keep our city as safe as possible.
  • DCMA is a decentralized, community-led effort, so there is no single group that runs the network.
  • There are autonomous groups for Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Wards 7 & 8 are served together by one group.
  • The DCMA Network is governed by the ward groups on topics of social media, website, fundraising, etc. The groups also share resources, best practices and offer referrals to other groups.

Ward 2 Efforts

Ward 2 Mutual Aid is part of the larger DCMA Network. Our concrete activities are:
  • Hotline - Volunteers staff our hotline, where Ward 2 residents can call and request assistance.
  • Groceries - We provide a biweekly grocery bag delivery to ~150 families that request it through our hotline or building captains. The bags include fresh produce, protein, dry goods, and requested household items.
  • Encampment Outreach - We organize a weekly supply drop to ~80 unhoused neighbors.
  • Building captains - We organize with local residents to utilize their leadership and relational networks. Building captains check on neighbors, relay needs, and assist with food donations and distribution.
  • Back to school - We organize with local parents to host a book and clothing swap.
  • Hot meals - For neighbors without access to a kitchen or with limited ability to cook, we connect them we other Ward 2 residents willing to drop off hot meals.
  • Support for high risk/immuno-compromised individuals - We have been partnering with local public housing buildings to drop off cleaning supplies, masks, and groceries.

Contributors


Ward 2 Mutual Aid is all of us

Our contributors 804

Thank you for supporting Ward 2 Mutual Aid.

Psi

Admin

$955 USD

Noel Schroeder

Admin

$951 USD

Niyati Shah

Admin

$495 USD

William Rodick

Admin

$240 USD

Laura Fagen

Admin

$100 USD

Jackie Giovan...

Admin

$20 USD

GW Student As...

$10,000 USD

Amalgamated C...

$10,000 USD

Schwab Charit...

$10,000 USD

Bank of Ameri...

$10,000 USD

Luther Place

$6,600 USD

Connect


Let’s get the ball rolling!

News from Ward 2 Mutual Aid

Updates on our activities and progress.

Our Annual Reporting Update

Every year Open Collective asks us to report on our activities. Here's that report! Cada año Open Collective nos pide que informemos sobre nuestras actividades. ¡Aquí está ese informe! What did you accomplish during 2023? H...
Read more
Published on December 22, 2023 by Psi

Call: Joining Ward 2 Mutual Aid Thu Apr 6 @ 6.30 pm

Contribute to Ward 2 Mutual Aid to see this Update
Published on April 3, 2023 by Psi

Invitation: How to Join Ward 2 Mutual Aid Call (Mar 9th, 6:30 pm)

Contribute to Ward 2 Mutual Aid to see this Update
Published on March 6, 2023 by Psi

Budget


Transparent and open finances.

$
Today’s balance

--.-- USD

Total raised

$207,950.01 USD

Total disbursed

$207,950.01 USD

Estimated annual budget

$13,210.26 USD

Expenses

All time

Expenses paid

426

Amount disbursed

$207,814.45

Tags# of ExpensesAmount
food distro
118$101,927.60
outreach
212$81,256.66
cash assistance
75$21,881.23
admin
21$3,147.12

View all paid expenses

Contributions

All time

Contributions received

935

Amount collected

$225,779.29

Tiers# of ContributionsAmount
one-time
699$116,352.54
recurring
236$109,426.75

View all contributions