Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
In the last reporting period, we've made significant progress towards our proposed CWB goals. For Cooperativas Visioanarias: - We've been meeting with them every Tuesday from 10-11:30 am. - Successfully updated the menu to include vegan/vegetarian options. - Currently collaborating with Real Foods Collective to create a nutrition analysis for their most popular recipes. - Had two meetings with the Community Enterprise & Solidarity Economy Clinic at UIC in September to draft by-laws. For MADEN Cleaning Co-op: - Regular meetings with Eric from Seed Commons to develop a business plan. - Completed the cooperative's vision, mission, and goals. - Currently working on bylaws. - Recruit 1 new member, bringing the total to 4. Our progress is on track and we're actively working on achieving our goals
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
We have experienced some challenges in scheduling meetings with the cooperatives we are developing. In one cooperative, a member was dealing with health issues which impacted our ability to meet and make progress towards our goals.
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
Chicago Food Policy Action Council (CFPAC) awarded Las Visionarias a micro-grant and produced a two-page write-up to promote the cooperative. Maricela Estrada, CTU’s Senior Economic Organizer, was invited to speak on a panel at ICIRR’s “People’s Congress” conference. We used this opportunity to promote our incubator and engage in conversations about the intersection between worker cooperatives and work opportunities for immigrants. We took advantage of the Good Food Vendor Fair, which connected local food producers to restaurants, colleges, hospitals, schools, and other community food access sites that are looking to support a more local, equitable, and sustainable food system. Las Cooperativas tabled at this event. We worked with Jenna Pollack from the Center for Urban Economic Development at UIC to create a promotional video for our Southeast Cooperative Business Incubator.
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?
Seed Commons
Please share on behalf of whom / which projects you collaborated with the TA providers above:
Eric from Seed Commons has been providing weekly support to one of our cooperatives.
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
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)?
26
How many group workshops for Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you conduct this reporting period? (e.g. convenings, workshops, events, etc.)
13
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.
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?
Yes
How many hours of cohort education/training did you provide last month?
4
How many hours of popular education/outreach did you provide last month?
2
Number of curriculum material(s) created last month
1
How did you market your services and conduct outreach in the last reporting period? Select all that apply.
Please enter, How did you market your services and conduct outreach in the last reporting period?
Through the ways listed above, and at an ICIRR Conference.
What are the greatest needs that your WC clients/partners expressed in this reporting period?
Finance and Accounting Support
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
Discussions about 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:
Please upload media (document with testimonials, photos, or video links) from WC workshops or events held.
