Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
In January we kicked off our member recruitment and training series for a new worker cooperative with 8 new potential members. The kick-off and training meetings took place at Lacuna Lofts, at Women Justice Institute's headquarters. The ChiFresh Kitchen members are co-designing and delivering the training and co-op development process with Upside Down Consulting. We also found out that our grant application to the City of Chicago for climate infrastructure was successful! ChiFresh Kitchen will now be able to purchase electric vehicles and have vehicle charging stations.
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
Our hire to support compliance at ChiFresh did not work out. Onboarding a new hire who does not end up working is a difficult drain on the team.
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
Our members met with the Mayor at the Climate Infrastructure grant launch! It was an exciting day.
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?
Yes
Which TA provider(s) did you work with?
Urban Growers Collective
Please share on behalf of whom / which projects you collaborated with the TA providers above:
Compost Cooperative
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)
2
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)?
51
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?
336
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?
Business development (sales and marketing) support to diversify our client base
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
Free business and financial literacy trainings that are rooted in solidarity economy values
Please share any direct testimonials from Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers clients or storytelling about the impact of your work this period:
I unfortunately did not rename the five pictures I just uploaded. 4 are from a training on 1/25 and the one with Mayor Johnson was from the Climate Infrastructure Grant announcement on Jan 30
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)?
7
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?
13
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
1
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?
Culturally grounded training resources
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
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: