Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
6ix-cess Foods, LWCA: In August, the 6ix-cess Foods, LWCA finalized the co-ops name, logo, and first product: an uncrustable sandwich with sun butter and preserves. In the process, the members built collective decision-making skills and navigated conflicts around differing opinions. In the end, the team is excited about the direction of 6ix-cess. ChiFresh Kitchen, LWCA: In August and July, ChiFresh had its biggest two months ever. The cooperative has more employees than ever before, and is poised for even more growth, especially in the medically tailored meal market. VOLTS: At the end of August, our network of cooperatives and co-op developers (the members of Upside Down Consulting, ChiFresh Kitchen, and Jumpstart Housing Co-op), came together for a retreat to define how we want to formalize our relationship. We rented a house near the Indiana Dunes and spent 2.5 days visioning, planning, and branding our work together. We came up with a new name for our collaborative: VOLTS - Village of Leaders Thriving in Solidarity. VOLTS will be a nonprofit umbrella organization for our cooperative development work.
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
ChiFresh Kitchen has been very busy, making it difficult for the members to participate in the meetings, mentorship, and training work. It's a good problem to have and we're figuring out how to increase capacity in the kitchen so the members can step off the floor completely!
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
In August, we participated in the Chicago Worker Cooperatives Matchmaker event in Windsor Park, which was a great opportunity to meet others interested in cooperative development.
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)
5 extremely useful
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)?
53
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?
343
How many co-op businesses did you develop last reporting period? (It's okay if the answer is 0)
1
How many total owners / founders were there in these businesses?
6
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?
Real living wage is going up and it's hard to keep up
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
People with strong professional and management skills who are aligned with solidarity economy values and practices
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_2251-scaled.jpg
https://ccwbe.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20240822-IMG_6965-Enhanced-NR_websize.jpg
https://ccwbe.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/unnamed.jpg
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)?
8
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?
18
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
0
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?
The Jumpstart team is still looking for a new building! We're looking for a good agent to support us in that process.
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
A network of solidarity economy focused housing co-op practitioners (not just more traditional players)
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
