Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
July has been a productive month for our outreach efforts, there have been meaningful engagements that helped contribute to our goal of promoting worker cooperatives as a viable business model.
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
A bit of a slow-down in aspiring entrepreneurs and established businesses interested in exploring worker cooperatives for their business model. For those who engaged in one on one coaching, there was communicated lack of interest and/or value alignment.
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
July brought much success in our outreach efforts. In early July, CCL Small Business Coaches facilitated a webinar in collaboration with ChiCommons Cooperative LWCA. Small Business Coaches also seized the opportunity to speak with entrepreneurs at the CCL Digital Skills Graduation Luncheon. Both events were well attended and created opportunities for CCL Small Business Coaches to introduce worker cooperatives as a viable business model and how digital skills can be leveraged to enhance cooperative development and build community wealth.
Did you establish new CWB relationships/partnerships in the last reporting period?
Yes
Please describe the relationships you established pertaining to your CWB work.
We hosted a successful webinar in collaboration with ChiCommons Cooperative LWCA. There was high participation during the webinar, with many attendees asking questions and seeking further information on cooperative development. This event has been beneficial in raising awareness about the practicalities of worker cooperatives.
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)
5 extremely useful
Optional Space
Community Area(s) (select all that apply)
| Community Area | Participants Served in this Community Area |
|---|---|
| West Town | 2 |
| Near North Side | 1 |
| South Chicago | 3 |
| Rogers Park | 1 |
| North Center | 1 |
| Lower West Side | 1 |
| Roseland | 1 |
| South Lawndale | 1 |
Race / Ethnicity of Participants (select all that apply)
Other Race/Ethnicity (please specify)
n/a
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.)
2
How many hours of support to CWB Pre-Development Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you provide this reporting period?
1.5
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):
ChiCommons Cooperative LWCA
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?
2
How many hours of popular education/outreach did you provide last month?
4.5
Number of curriculum material(s) created last month
2
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?
Access to legal, financial, and educational resources specific to worker cooperative development
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:
n/a
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?
Yes
Please describe the type(s) of organizations you supported (i.e. nonprofits, business service orgs, etc.)
Corporation, Non-for profit Corporation, Sole proprietorship
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?
3
Please share any other relevant details about the support you provided these organizations:
Personalized 1:1 coaching to support businesses’ goals and development. Activities included entrepreneurial development, navigating government, business planning, and connections to resources.
