Newsletter

What is Mutual Aid?

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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.