OCTOBER 2023
Haga clic aquĆ para ver El Despacho de octubre en espaƱol.
Click here to view The October Dispatch in Spanish.
A FEW WORDS ON: THE MUTUAL PART
āIf you have come here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.ā
ā LillaĀ Watson
If youāre like me, it has taken time and practice to shift your values from charity to solidarity. What I mean is Iām continually learning what it means to be a comrade rather than a benefactor, and to seek collective wholeness because my well-being depends on the well-being of my friends and neighbors, my coworkers and fellow Angelenos.
If solidarity is what weāre seeking, and if the care really is mutual, then it makes sense that the practice of mutual aid is a way to share resources, if and when we are able, and also access resources, if and when we need them. As Iāve organized with MALAN over the last year, Iāve come to see this network of care as a net that can also catch me. And Iāve been surprised by goodness and abundance. Hereās a taste of what I meanā¦
- Making friends who share my values and will be there for me when I need them
- Dropping off food at an LA Community Fridge and finding an ingredient I needed for dinner
- Enjoying the sensory pleasure of building a huge fresh summer produce box
- Taking home chiles and cilantro from Produce in the Park for a recipe that fed my family all week
- Finding cute fabric at the Open Art Supply build
- Extending care to farm workers because their labor literally keeps me alive
- Biting into a homemade paleta at a distro on a hot summer day
- Feeling less shy about introducing myself to my neighbors
- Finding support for my union's recent strike
- Discovering new databases while doing volunteer library work for incarcerated patrons
Most of all, connecting with mutual aid groups has given me hope. I spend less time in despair because I see all the ways people in this city resist political power, divest from carceral systems and care deeply for each othersā needs. I know now that I have a place here too, and that gives me a way to turn my anger and fear into action. I get out of my head and into my body, slinging produce and building art kits and typing letters. I'm reminded that thereās a better way and that I can be part of it here and now.
I hope that you too get a taste of what it's like to root yourself in a local network of care. Read on to find ways that you can do just that this month.
Written by Katie Hensley who organizes with Mutual Aid LA Network
FEATURED EFFORT: LOPEZ URBAN FARM
Nestled in the heart of Pomona, less than a mile from downtown, is Lopez Urban Farm (LUF)āthree acres of farmland featuring rotating crops of seasonal vegetables, fruit, and flowers. In partnership with our neighbors, we seek to create a sustainable and equitable future by providing one of the cityās most food insecure communities access to locally grown food, promoting education and community engagement, and creating inclusive green spaces that are accessible to all. We believe that in a capitalist economy, which puts profit over people and allows many to go hungry, together we can feed ourselves.
At LUF, we believe in the power of community and the importance of fostering a deep connection among people, the food they eat, and the land that provides that food. Our ābeyond organicā farming practices prioritize ecological sustainability, biodiversity, and regenerative land management, while our farmers strive to create a diverse and resilient agricultural system that produces high-quality organic food and also restores and enhances the natural ecosystems that support it.
Each week, we host events and programs that bring people together to share space, knowledge, and joy together. El Puestecito on Wednesdays is a pay-what-you-can, take-what you need urban night market where neighbors can pick produce, get pantry items from the on-site community bodega, eat, play, and even learn how to crochet in Khaos Craftās Crochet Lab. On Thursdays, Evergreen Equal Access Market provides no-cost groceries and produce. And, the farm regularly hosts events like health clinics, community meals, ancestral storytelling circles, art labs, and more.
We also partner with IndigeKnowledge, an effort to preserve Indigenous culture through the study of language, art, and service to our communities. IndigeKnowledge leads an all-ages seed banking/revitalization project. Last month marked the inaugural season of their Pomona-based seed sovereignty partnership with Native Seeds/SEARCH to empower farmers to use and conserve indigenous seeds.
Our work focuses on three core issues:
FOOD SECURITY Our urban farming initiatives grow and distribute fresh produce andāthrough Bodega Comunitariaāshelf-stable food and pantry items. Access to healthy food is a basic human right, and everyone should have the opportunity to eat well and nourish their bodies.
EDUCATION Our partnership with Pomona Unified School District teaches young people about sustainable agriculture, food systems, and environmental stewardship. Through our free Junior Farmer Training, children learn to grow their own food, improve their health and wellness, contribute to community food access, and care for themselves and their neighbors.
GREEN SPACE Everyone deserves access to nature. We work with the land and our neighbors to create beautiful spaces that foster a connection between ourselves and our home.
The farm, an expression of our community, constantly grows and evolves as we come together.
How YOU can contributeā¦
- GIVE MONEY (VENMO: @communityfridgepomona; PAYPAL: Community Partners 4 Innovation) to stock the bodega + keep the wheels turning.
- DONATE THINGS like clean, wearable clothing; shelf stable foods; hygiene + harm reduction supplies; art + craft supplies; compostables; and farming tools/supplies. Drop off Mondays-Thursdays + Saturdays 5-7pm and Sundays 10am-noon.
- SPEND TIME working on the farm, staffing Bodega Comunitaria, or assisting our various programs. To volunteer, email erica@cp4ipomona.org.
- FOLLOW @lopezurbanfarm; @bodega_comunitaria_pomona_; @indigeknowledge; @khaos_crafts on IG to help us spread awareness and feed more people
Written by Bianca Ustrell-Friend, Director of Mutual Aid at Lopez Urban Farm, and founder of Bodega Comunitaria (formerly Pomona Community Fridge).
DO YOU HAVE TIME, ITEMS*, OR MONEY TO CONTRIBUTE?
DO YOU NEED ITEMS, SERVICES, OR FOOD?
*PLEASE clean, sort & fold all items you are donating. Items should be new or gently used. Socks, underwear and hygiene items should always be unused.
WHO: Color of Change
YOU HAVE: MONEY
YOU NEED: SERVICES
We are the official union for staff at Color Of Change. Proudly represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, our commitment is to organize for a world where justice for Black people has become reality. Color Of Change is a remote workplace so union members are located across the country. Most union members are also organizers committed to abolition and mutual aid efforts outside of their work.
WHERE: Remote; connect on Twitter, Instagram or on our Website
$$$: Support COC Union members illegally laid off here!
WHO: Long Beach Food Not Bombs
YOU HAVE: TIME ITEMS MONEY
YOU NEED: ITEMS FOOD
Food, clothing, and hygiene distribution every Sunday in Long Beach. Want to learn more and meet some of the folks involved in LB FNB? Join us on the first Wednesday of the month for an anarchist reading group @long_beach_anarchist_book_club at Bixby Park or Page Against the Machine Books (@patmbooks). If youāre part of a Long Beach (or nearby) mutual aid effort that could use bottled water, weād love to share with you! Message @lbfoodnotbombs or lbfnbfnb@gmail.com to arrange pickup or dropoff!
COLLECTING: winter clothes, new socks/underwear, blankets, hygiene items, sunscreen, first aid supplies, TP, flashlights, batteries, snacks, fruit, storage boxes, shelter supplies (tents + tarps), and pet food. Message us to coordinate a pick-up in Long Beach or North OC or drop with us on Sunday afternoon.
WHEN: Sundays between 1 and 3PM (for donation dropoff + distro)
WHERE: Long Beach (message us for the exact location)
$$$: Venmo: @fnb-lb. Monetary donations go toward supplies, food and water.
WHO: Tuesday Produce Pick-Ups (for LA Community Fridges)
YOU HAVE: TIME MONEY
YOU NEED: FOOD
Every Tuesday, we sort + distribute a large amount of produce donated from Food Forward. Volunteers can help organize/bag the produce, and/or help distribute it to community fridges! It's a fun way to meet + mingle w/ other volunteers in LA while ensuring fridges stay stocked w/ fresh + healthy food for our neighbors!
WHEN: Tuesdays; between 10:30AM and 12:30PM
WHERE: Sorting/pick-up spots usually within the Los Feliz/ Eaho/Elysian Park area, volunteers can drop off at any fridge of their choosing
$$$: Currently fundraising to add frozen waters to produce drops to help combat LA heatwaves! Folks can Venmo @Desirae-Embree to contribute to water funds.
WHO: Unhoused Los Feliz
YOU HAVE: TIME MONEY
YOU NEED: ITEMS FOOD
We're a small mutual aid team serving the unhoused population on Riverside Drive on the border of Los Feliz and Silver Lake by providing snacks, water, hygiene, and other supplies every weekend. We need people to help out with fundraising, shopping, building kits and occasionally doing our route with us on Sundays - especially people who have access to a car!
WHEN: Fundraising/shopping/building kits is ongoing and can be done anytime! Distro is on Sunday afternoons. DM Ellie or Kat on IG for volunteer info.
WHERE: Los Feliz
$$$: Venmo @EliseJBradley or purchase items from our wishlist. All donations go directly to the unhoused community in Los Feliz.
WHO: Hope Street Distro
YOU HAVE: TIME ITEMS MONEY
YOU NEED: ITEMS FOOD
Our small team distributes meals, water & supplies (hygiene products, OTC meds, harm reduction, pet needs) to ~100 unhoused neighbors who lately, have been getting swept 1-2 times each week. Your support is needed. Have access to a car? DM @hopestdistro to sign-up and join us for a distribution.
COLLECTING: Tents, blankets + sleeping bags (new or gently used)
WHEN: Most Sundays from 12-3pm
WHERE: South Central - route covers several blocks between S Hope to S Main
$$$: Cash donations are preferred (Venmo @melissa-moultonchurch w/ comment āhope ā¤ļøā) and help us buy tents (Walmartās are cheapest) OR shop our Amazon list.
WHO: Jail Support LA
YOU HAVE: TIME ITEMS MONEY
YOU NEED: SERVICES
Jail Support LA (@JailSupportLA) is dedicated to supporting anti-repression work by providing emergency bail for protestors and all around taking care of people experiencing arrest. JSLA serves as an info hub for those affected by arrests around a direct action, and also mobilizes supporters to call and confirm details of arrestees like the holding location, bail + demand their release. Caught a charge yourself? Or want to get further involved? Text or call the jail support line: 424-388-1230.
WHEN: TBD, shifts vary
WHERE: LA County, remote & in-person
$$$: Donations go toward paying emergency bail. Venmo/Cashapp @jailsupportLA
WHO: Palms Unhoused Mutual Aid (PUMA)
YOU HAVE: TIME ITEMS MONEY
YOU NEED: ITEMS SERVICES FOOD
We are an abolitionist network of care supporting unhoused people across Mid City, Palms and West LA, specifically involved in harm reduction efforts, sweep defense, court support, outreach and political edu. Right now we are trying to expand our Monday harm reduction team.
COLLECTING: New or gently used blankets/sleeping bags. DM us or email palmsunhousedmutualaid@gmail.com to coordinate a handoff or to sign up for outreach.
WHEN: Mondays (harm reduction), Wednesdays, 4PM (outreach)
WHERE: Palms, underneath the bridge at the 405 freeway
$$$: Donate on opencollective.com/palms-unhoused-mutual-aid. Funds help us purchase basic supplies such as hygiene items, tents, tarps and clothing.
WHO: Greater Long Beach Mutual Aid Network (GLBMAN)
YOU HAVE: TIME ITEMS MONEY
YOU NEED: ITEMS SERVICES
GLBMAN is an alliance of anti-capitalist organizations in the Greater Long Beach area providing mutual aid for and promoting solidarity within our community. Weāre currently in need of drivers to deliver food packages on Thursdays. You can sign up to volunteer here!
COLLECTING: Diapers and baby wipes for a district-wide donation drive. Text (562) 646-6605 or email glbmutualaid@gmail.com to coordinate a pick-up or drop-off.
WHEN: Thursday afternoons (Driving vols). Pick-up anytime btwn 3:30 and 6PM
WHERE: Long Beach Forward
$$$: Shop our Amazon Wish List to support the baby drive + food deliveries.
WHO: Aetna Street Solidarity
YOU HAVE: TIME ITEMS
YOU NEED: ITEMS SERVICES
Aetna Street Solidarity is building a network of care with people living unhoused on Aetna Street. We host weekly community nights where we distribute mutual aid. We also publish Street Views, a newspaper featuring stories and original reporting on housing and homelessness from unhoused contributors living in LA.
COLLECTING: Tents, tarps, blankets, sleeping bags, baby wipes, clothing (shirts, pants, sweaters, jackets), new socks and underwear, headlamps, flashlights, AA/AAA batteries and power bank chargers through September. DM us on IG to coordinate a drop-off or pick-up in the SFV.
WHEN: Tuesdays after 5pm on Aetna Street
WHERE: Van Nuys, SF Valley
$$$: Donated funds help purchase supplies. Venmo @paisthebills (note āAetna Solidarityā).
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
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