Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
New Co-op 1: We hosted additional training sessions this month: (1) a second financial training structured as a role-playing game, (2) a session to narrow the industry focus, which the members chose snack products, and (3) the first of two sessions to go from industry (snacks) to deciding on the first product offering(s). We also began to make connections with industry experts who will serve as advisors once the first product is chosen. ChiFresh: UDC supported ChiFresh to win a $150,000 grant to build long term infrastructure for meeting community needs. This grant will accelerate ChiFresh’s growth through the purchase of equipment and technical assistance from industry experts. We continued to practice our committee structure, with members leading multiple committees. Earthseed: We hosted a beautiful meeting with the Earthseed members to move forward on two core topics: financial planning and roles and responsibilities. We also formed two committees that would follow up on each of these topics.
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
Fundraising for the housing work is still a challenge.
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
We presented on the "Future of the Employee Ownership Sector" at an event hosted by Rutgers University in California. We also presented the tools and training series we have developed with our partners at Solidarity Resource, which is creating open-source resources for co-op developers
Did you establish new CWB relationships/partnerships in the last reporting period?
No
Please describe the relationships you established pertaining to your CWB work.
Did you collaborate with other TA providers in the last reporting period?
No
Which TA provider(s) did you work with?
Please share on behalf of whom / which projects you collaborated with the TA providers above:
Did you attend the Working Group meeting last month?
Yes
How would you rate the usefulness of the working group to your project last month? (on a scale of 1-5)
4
Optional Space
Community Area(s) (select all that apply)
Community Area | Participants Served in this Community Area |
---|---|
Greater Grand Crossing | 11 |
Grand Boulevard | 3 |
Austin | 4 |
Englewood | 5 |
Race / Ethnicity of Participants (select all that apply)
Gender identity of Participants (select all that apply)
Age Range of Participants (select all that apply)
How many sessions of one-on-one consulting to Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you conduct this reporting period? (e.g. one group or individual with one training provider)?
65
How many group workshops for Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you conduct this reporting period? (e.g. convenings, workshops, events, etc.)
0
How many hours of support to CWB Pre-Development Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you provide this reporting period?
0
How many hours of support to existing Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you provide this reporting period?
410
How many co-op businesses did you develop last reporting period? (It's okay if the answer is 0)
0
How many jobs were created overall last reporting period? (It's okay if the answer is 0)
0
Please list the Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers Organizations you worked with this reporting period.
What type(s) of Technical Assistance did you provide to Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers this reporting period? Select all that apply.
Did you provide education to any Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers this reporting period?
No
What are the greatest needs that your WC clients/partners expressed in this reporting period?
Leadership development support
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
Business support services that have deep business knowledge as well as strong cooperative / solidarity economy alignment
Please share any direct testimonials from Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers clients or storytelling about the impact of your work this period:
Please upload media (document with testimonials, photos, or video links) from WC workshops or events held.
How many sessions of one-on-one consulting to Limited Equity Housing Cooperatives (LEHCs) did you conduct this reporting period? (e.g. one group or individual with one training provider)?
5
How many group workshops for Limited Equity Housing Cooperatives did you conduct this reporting period? (e.g. convenings, workshops, events, etc.) 
0
How many hours of support to CWB Pre-Development Limited Equity Housing Cooperatives did you provide this reporting period?
21
How many hours of support to existing Limited Equity Housing Cooperatives did you provide this reporting period?
0
Please list the LEHCs you worked with this reporting period.
What type(s) of Technical Assistance did you provide to LEHCs this reporting period? Select all that apply.
Number of AFFORDABLE housing units preserved or developed this period
0
Number of AFFORDABLE housing units added to the pipeline this period
0
Did you provide education to any LEHCs this reporting period?
No
What are the greatest needs that your LEHC clients/partners expressed in this reporting period?
Affordable insurance costs, grant sources to replace our short-term debt
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
Affordable insurance costs, grant sources to replace our short-term debt
Please share any direct testimonials from LEHC clients or storytelling about the impact of your work this period:
Please upload media (document with testimonials, photos, or video links) from LEHC workshops or events held.
Did your organization provide any additional TA support this reporting period that was NOT covered in the previous tabs?
No