COVID-19 Mutual Aid
SOLIDARITY + COMMUNITY CARE = MUTUAL AID
(Based in Los Angeles, but sharing is happening across North America)
It is imperative to immediately address the needs of the most vulnerable folks currently impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Trying to prepare in the face of such uncertainty is challenging for everyone, AND those challenges are dire for the most vulnerable folks in our community. BIPOC folks, LGBTQI folks, disabled folks, chronically ill folks, unhoused folks, older folks, poor/working-class folks, and folks without access to healthcare are particularly vulnerable at this moment, and it is time to come together to make sure we are taking care of one another.
- If you are struggling to meet your basic needs, please fill out this form and tell us what you need.
- If your ability to meet your basic needs is not being impacted by this crisis and you have resources to share, please fill out this form and tell us what you have to offer/share.
BE BRAVE and ask for what you need!!
GIVE GENEROUSLY without creating a hardship for yourself!!
Here is a link to the spreadsheet with all of the offers and requests for support that have been submitted so far.
- If you are able to fulfill a request, you can reach out or send money directly to the person who made the request.
- If you see an offer of resources to share that would meet your needs, you can reach out directly to the person who made the offer.
- We encourage direct communication and sharing, AND admins are willing to act as a go-between if folks prefer a more anonymous request or offer. Email admins at shebay79@gmail.com.
Additionally, we invite you to contribute through GoFundMe. Not everyone has access to the internet or payment apps, so the money raised on GoFundMe will allow us to share resources with folks who can't access this direct sharing network (like unhoused and older folks).
About The Organizers
Christine, Rosie, and Alex are community organizers with AWARE-LA / White People 4 Black Lives in Los Angeles County. Christine also co-founded the Claremont Mutual Aid Project, and works closely with the unhoused folks in her community. She has shared this campaign with organizers from all over the country who she knows through the Anne Braden Program and the Showing Up for Racial Justice national network. We also have a couple folks from Resource Generation Los Angeles on the admin team.
How will GoFundMe money get to folks who need it?
Funds from this campaign will be withdrawn by Christine, and distributed directly to folks in the community who need support in this time of crisis. One of the primary motivators for starting the GoFundMe campaign was to be able to get money to unhoused folks who don't have access to the internet or payment apps. The plan is to hand cash directly to unhoused folks that Christine is in relationship with, so they can get a motel room and practice social distancing as has been recommended by public health officials.
We also plan to distribute funds to other trusted organizers who have relationships with unhoused folks, so that they can work on getting those folks sheltered. Funds that are given directly to unhoused folks may also be used for food or medicine.
Additionally, this money will be used to meet urgent requests for support submitted through the direct sharing network. While we may not know exactly who the money is going to at this very moment, we know it will go to folks who need it. We are working as a team to remain as accountable as possible, and recognize that we are asking folks to trust us without perhaps knowing us personally. However, you likely didn't find this campaign out of the blue. It is likely that the person who shared it with you knows one of the organzizers or knows someone who knows one of the organizers. Lean into trust, and PLEASE feel free to reach out with any questions.