Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
Center for Changing Lives: This past month, we exceeded our canvassing goal by engaging an additional 34 individuals, bringing our total to 340 canvassed members. This extended reach not only amplified awareness but allowed us to gather valuable insights from community members about their perceptions of worker cooperatives. Each interaction provided opportunities for in-depth discussions, clarifying the cooperative model, and addressing concerns around the practical steps of forming a cooperative. We also have completed our agency events that were tasked for the year and have secured a collaboration with Centro de Trabajadores Unidos which will allow us to complete our collaborations for the year. We have now completed 3 out of our 7 goals with an additional goal to be completed on 11/4/24 and are on track to complete the remaining goals before end of year. Co-Op Ed. Center: Community Outreach: Implement one to one meetings with community leaders: Specifically, this month we met with 7 leaders individually. Community leaders continue to participate in our ongoing training. Material Development: Update and Improve curriculum for training: We have updated our curriculum twice this month. Training program: Implement the second six sessions (Restorative Economy). We implemented 2 training sessions this month. Program evaluation: implement first set of surveys: There were no surveys this month.
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
Center for Changing Lives: Although canvassing has generated enthusiasm and initial interest, we have not yet seen a consistent conversion of canvassed individuals into coaching sessions specifically focused on worker cooperatives. Many individuals expressed curiosity but hesitated to commit further, often citing a need for more in-depth information or concerns about cooperative viability. This trend suggests a possible gap in resources or understanding and points to a need for refining our coaching outreach methods. To deepen engagement and facilitate a smoother transition from initial interest to active participation in coaching, we recognize the need to invest further in educational resources tailored to address the specific concerns and questions of our audience. Additionally, more one-on-one follow-ups and case studies may help demystify the cooperative model and foster greater confidence among interested participants
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
We took the opportunity to table at the BACP’s final Small Business Expo at Malcolm X college and also attended the Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow (BWTT) expo hosted by the City Treasurer's Office. Participation in these local outreach events helped us significantly boost visibility around our work with cooperatives. These events allowed us to share success stories, highlight the community and economic benefits of cooperative ownership, and network with other organizations interested in collaborative ventures.
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 |
|---|---|
| Near West Side | 24 |
| Irving Park | 1 |
| East Garfield Park | 1 |
| Lower West Side | 1 |
| Logan Square | 1 |
| Garfield Ridge | 1 |
| Beverly | 1 |
| Dunning | 1 |
| Near South Side | 1 |
| Calumet Heights | 1 |
| Douglas | 1 |
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)?
0
How many group workshops for Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you conduct this reporting period? (e.g. convenings, workshops, events, etc.)
1
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?
0
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.
Other organization (please specify):
N/A
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?
N/A
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
N/A
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.
Did your organization provide any additional TA support this reporting period that was NOT covered in the previous tabs?
Yes
Please describe the type(s) of organizations you supported (i.e. nonprofits, business service orgs, etc.)
We provided 1-1 coaching to newly created LLCs and exisitng business owners.
How many total organizations or entities did you support (that were not covered in the previous tabs)?
9
How many total hours of support did you provide to these organizations?
3
Please share any other relevant details about the support you provided these organizations:
Individuals coached worked through a newly created worker cooperative assessment to determine their willingness to further pursue the cooperative model.
