Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
We had a busy month in June with our co-ops. We continue to meet with the cleaning co-op on Mondays - we had some issues that we had to work through- they were still not agreeing on the name and they finally reached an agreement in June- AmoraClean Co-op, LWCA. We will continue to work on the capital start up budget and other financial matters. We have set a tentative public Launch date of November 22, 2024. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QDpWIeOvBR6YhzYoadxnPfjotnWewSL-ATr76euPE4w/edit?usp=sharing The Visionarias Co-op - We are looking for funding to continue the hot meals program in the fall. We also have been assisting the ladies with renewing Servsafe training certifications. We also have assisted them in opening a new business bank account. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1b-cWYv1fp3wgbp8rlrkP_YOmYeI_ID-_4F_5TLIuo6g/edit?usp=sharing We held a business tax training session with Evolution Tax on June 24th with all the co-ops - we learned more about when the businesses should declare taxes and how to organize and strategize to meet the deadlines. We continue to meet with the new logistics co-op- we have meetings every week to go over goals, feasibility of business, evaluation of skills in the group, and we are getting ready to decide on a name, roles and responsibilities, finance training . https://docs.google.com/document/d/1178Gqv1jIGzMAjOetf5XLHAxJu2AiYb4e2RqsOfQVCE/edit?usp=sharing We are also looking at the feasibility of a new pet grooming co-op. We have completed the research on the requirements https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IET5X8sgZAEXik2hHjlZc0cYSgedY2AwLVYTYpFykmc/edit?usp=sharing
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
Unfortunately, I lost my helper with the co-op work - Marielle our grants reporter and writer moved on to another project and I have been left on my own until we can find her replacement.
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
We got invited to a Working w/o Authorization discussion with the Chicago Community Trust Foundation(June 4th ) in Chicago where we got a chance to meet with ICIRR, Martin Unnzueta and other organizations and funders. We were able to raise awareness on the importance of developing more cooperatives for economic growth and solidarity in black and brown communities. This discussion resulted in an invitation to apply for The Together Fund as a grants advisor. I applied and am waiting to hear back from them.
Did you establish new CWB relationships/partnerships in the last reporting period?
Yes
Please describe the relationships you established pertaining to your CWB work.
I am working with Xotchil form Co-op Ed Center to engage our local co-ops and developers with the USFWC conference in September.
Did you collaborate with other TA providers in the last reporting period?
Yes
Which TA provider(s) did you work with?
All of the CWEB grantees
Please share on behalf of whom / which projects you collaborated with the TA providers above:
On behalf of Centro de Trabajadores Unidos Cooperative Business Incubator.
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)
5 extremely useful
Optional Space
Community Area(s) (select all that apply)
| Community Area | Participants Served in this Community Area |
|---|---|
| East Side | 2 |
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)?
10
How many group workshops for Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you conduct this reporting period? (e.g. convenings, workshops, events, etc.)
10
How many hours of support to CWB Pre-Development Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you provide this reporting period?
20
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):
ICIRR, Chicago Community Trust, Co-op Ed Center
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?
20
How many hours of popular education/outreach did you provide last month?
2
Number of curriculum material(s) created last month
0
How did you market your services and conduct outreach in the last reporting period? Select all that apply.
What are the greatest needs that your WC clients/partners expressed in this reporting period?
We need to find an accountant that is experienced in Co-ops.
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
I am still in search of an account manager that is experienced in the business field.
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/2024/08/IMG_0272-1.jpg
https://ccwbe.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/IMG_0273-1.jpg
Did your organization provide any additional TA support this reporting period that was NOT covered in the previous tabs?
No
