Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
We were able to accomplish and excel in many of the proposed CWB goals outlined in our work plan for the year. We successfully hosted all agency events that further advanced the education and awareness of worker cooperative models in the Chicagoland area. We completed all outlined collaboration requirements and further enriched the Community Wealth Building ecosystem in the process and ensured a strong network to continue moving the mission forward despite the program coming to its end. While our direct coaching goal was exceedingly challenging to accomplish throughout the duration of the program, we nearly doubled our annual goal in canvassing the community and created an excess of materials beyond our proposed goal that supported us in our marketing efforts, which allowed a general awareness and curiosity of worker cooperatives to be at the forefront of the Chicago entrepreneurial ecosystem.
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
The holiday season offered some challenges with a limited number of events taking place and community engagement being low as well. Despite these limitations, this offered a period to reflect on how to continue the work of the community wealth building initiative through other means upon completion of the program.
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
We remain committed to supporting worker cooperative development. Although the working group has come to an end, we are actively pursuing new avenues to provide education to entrepreneurs interested in alternative business models. Our ongoing efforts include the continued 1:1 coaching services, which have been a core part of our approach to empowering local entrepreneurs. We have also explored how we can continue providing education on worker cooperative models in future program offerings. In 2025, we will be looking to include a module in one of our cohort programs that will carry over much of the educational content we created during this program term to continue keeping the conversation of worker cooperatives in mind.
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)
3
Optional Space
Community Area(s) (select all that apply)
| Community Area | Participants Served in this Community Area |
|---|---|
| Rogers Park | 1 |
| South Chicago | 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.)
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?
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?
Education and financing
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.
https://ccwbe.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/CWB-Q4-Member-Story.docx
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.)
Aspiring entreprenuers
How many total organizations or entities did you support (that were not covered in the previous tabs)?
2
How many total hours of support did you provide to these organizations?
2
Please share any other relevant details about the support you provided these organizations:
Provided 1-1 coaching to aspiring entreprneuers that were exploring creating a business and how the cooperative model might serve their interests.
