Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
Applications for the Chicago Worker Cooperative Developer cohort were submitted and our team reviewed and selected our cohort participants for 2024. The cohort includes: Julian Arroyo, Center for Changing Lives Maricela Estrada, Centro de Trabajadores Unidos Abraham Uriel Ramirez, Chicago Community and Workers Rights Jenna Pollack, UIC Chicago Community Wealth Building Ecosystem Nurul Eusufzai, ChiCommons LWCA Mary Albarran, Co-Op Ed Center Saleem Hue Penny, Cooperation Racine Taryn Randle, Earthseed Native Landscaping & Edible Gardens LWCA Michael Strode, Kola Community Solutions G Sequane Lawrence, Revolution Institute Christyn Freemon, The K Three candidates are tentative due to schedule conflicts or program fit: Stacey Sutton, Deandra Cadet, and Dannie Ransom. We plan to confirm their level of participation in January. We also met with several coop developers and advocates to further inform our program design to ensure the content and examples speaks to local history and practice. We met with Upside Down Consulting, Kola Nut Collaborative, and UIC. Finally, we shared our program vision for ecosystem education with UIC and Nneka Onwuzurike at City of Chicago to get their input.
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
None
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
Our local partners suggested that we meet as a group instead of via 1:1s to discuss the coop developer cohort. This was a great way to hear everyone's priorities.
Did you establish new CWB relationships/partnerships in the last reporting period?
Yes
Please describe the relationships you established pertaining to your CWB work.
Through our Worker Cooperative Developer Cohort, we are now connected to several organizations we weren't previously: Cooperation Racine Earthseed Native Landscaping & Edible Gardens LWCA Kola Community Solutions Revolution Institute The K
Did you collaborate with other TA providers in the last reporting period?
Yes
Which TA provider(s) did you work with?
Coop Ed Center, Centro Trabajadores Unidos, Chicago Community and Workers' Rights, UIC, Upside Down Consulting, and Kola Nut Collaborative
Please share on behalf of whom / which projects you collaborated with the TA providers above:
On behalf of our Chicago Worker Cooperative Developer Cohort
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 |
|---|---|
| Logan Square | 2 |
| Lower West Side | 1 |
| South Deering | 1 |
| South Chicago | 1 |
| Woodlawn | 1 |
| Near West Side | 2 |
| Uptown | 1 |
| West Garfield Park | 1 |
| Austin | 1 |
| Englewood | 2 |
Race / Ethnicity of Participants (select all that apply)
Other Race/Ethnicity (please specify)
2 Hispanic that preferred not to state race or chose Other, 1 American Indian or Alaskan Native
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)?
4
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?
2
How many hours of support to existing Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you provide this reporting period?
4
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):
UIC, Upside Down Consulting, Kola Nut Collaborative, South Shore Chamber
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?
Coop development skills to both strengthen their existing businesses while also developing skillsets necessary for developing or advising future cooperative development projects
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
Cooperative fluent accountants and bookkeepers; cooperative fluent business service providers (e.g. business planning)
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?
No
Please describe the type(s) of organizations you supported (i.e. nonprofits, business service orgs, etc.)
How many total organizations or entities did you support (that were not covered in the previous tabs)?
How many total hours of support did you provide to these organizations?
Please share any other relevant details about the support you provided these organizations:
