Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
In June, Chicago Community and Workers’ Rights (CCWR) supported the development of the following Worker Cooperatives: Cocina Compartida de Trabajadores Cooperativistas (CCTC) and Street Vendors Kitchen (SVK). Our organization also worked with the Street Vendors Association of Chicago (SVAC). Cocina Compartida de Trabajadores Cooperativistas (CCTC) CCWR had three reunions with CCTC in the month of June. During these meetings, the cooperative discussed the updates on the shared kitchen construction, as well as talked about how they manage their money. CCWR also supported them by registering their board of directors with the state of Illinois. They established the membership percent needed to obtain a membership certificate from the cooperative. We discussed the prices of different kitchens they can possibly rent, and a city worker inspected and valued the land.They also are working on valuing the kitchen as a whole. Our organization also met with the kitchen’s administrative board and SVAC to discuss the different funding opportunities for the possible development of the Turning Red Lines Green project. Our cooperative organizer had 3 individual one-on-one meetings with members. Street Vendors Kitchen (SVK) Our organization had three reunions in June with the Street Vendors Kitchen cooperative. In these meetings, they discussed the price for the kitchen they will rent with SVAC, also established the price of capital to join the cooperative, and they came to an agreement that the general assembly meetings will be every first Tuesday of the month. It was established that couples in the cooperative can have their own membership, but can only share one vote. The members also made a change to their board based on their needs. Members also met with our organization to discuss and coordinate a future event. We accompanied the president and treasurer of SVK to the bank to open a bank account for the cooperative. Our cooperative organizer had 2 individual one-on-one meetings with members. Street Vendors Association of Chicago (SVAC) In June, CCWR had two reunions with SVAC members. Our cooperative organizer also had four one-on-one meetings with members. Members met and established a relationship with a lawyer who will support their organization. They discussed the amount of child street vendors and how to work together with the city to combat this problem. They also talked about applying for permits with the park department to be able to sell there in 2025. SVAC also discussed funding opportunities for the Turning Red Lines Green project with CCTC. During the one-on-one meetings with members, our cooperative organizer continues to give technical training and workshops. They began discussing the possibility of creating a new ordinance to support vendors in getting their permits so they can sell in the streets.
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
Some of the constraints our organization and the cooperative Street Vendors Kitchen experienced this month were due to complications faced when trying to create a bank account and issues with their cooperative registry online. When our cooperative organizer accompanied SVK members to the bank to create an account, the bank workers were not familiar with the concept of a cooperative and they had to explain what it was and how they were all the owners. There was also the issue of not being able to find their registration online. They were not able to create an account due to this inconvenience. We accompanied them to the secretary of state to get a physical copy and to fix the issue that was happening online.
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
One of the opportunities the cooperative SVK was able to take advantage of this month was that they signed their first contract with an organization and provided them food for one of their events. This created a relationship that can be sustained with that organization, as well as publicity for their cooperative.
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 |
|---|---|
| Lower West Side | 3 |
| Rogers Park | 3 |
| South Lawndale | 12 |
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)?
12
How many group workshops for Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you conduct this reporting period? (e.g. convenings, workshops, events, etc.)
6
How many hours of support to CWB Pre-Development Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you provide this reporting period?
120
How many hours of support to existing Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you provide this reporting period?
120
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?
40
How many hours of popular education/outreach did you provide last month?
20
Number of curriculum material(s) created last month
4
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?
Some of the constraints our organization and the cooperative Street Vendors Kitchen experienced this month were due to complications faced when trying to create a bank account and issues with their cooperative registry online. When our cooperative organizer accompanied SVK members to the bank to create an account, the bank workers were not familiar with the concept of a cooperative and they had to explain what it was and how they were all the owners. There was also the issue of not being able to find their registration online. They were not able to create an account due to this inconvenience. We accompanied them to the secretary of state to get a physical copy and to fix the issue that was happening online.
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
The majority of the cooperative members we work with are requesting workshops tailored to their specific cooperative needs about how to better manage the cooperatives themselves as well as their financing. As we stated before, the lack of accounting, financial and legal services for worker cooperatives is one of the greatest gaps in Chicago’s web ecosystem.
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.
How many sessions of one-on-one consulting to Community Investment Vehicles (CIVs) did you conduct this reporting period? (e.g. one group or individual with one training provider)?
0
How many group workshops for Community Investment Vehicles (CIVs) did you conduct this reporting period? (e.g. convenings, workshops, events, etc.) 
0
How many hours of support to CWB Pre-Development Community Investment Vehicles did you provide this reporting period?
0
How many hours of support to existing Community Investment Vehicles 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 total owners / founders were there in these businesses?
0
How many jobs were created overall last reporting period? (It's okay if the answer is 0)
0
Please list the Community Investment Vehicles you worked with this reporting period.
Other organization (please specify):
n/a
What type(s) of Technical Assistance did you provide to Community Investment Vehicles this reporting period? Select all that apply.
Did you provide education to any Community Investment Vehicles this reporting period?
No
What are the greatest needs that your Community Investment Vehicle clients/partners expressed in this reporting period?
n/a
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
n/a
Please share any direct testimonials from Community Investment Vehicle clients or storytelling about the impact of your work this period:
Please upload media (document with testimonials, photos, or video links) from Community Investment Vehicle workshops or events held.
Did your organization provide any additional TA support this reporting period that was NOT covered in the previous tabs?
No
Please describe the type(s) of organizations you supported (i.e. nonprofits, business service orgs, etc.)
How many total organizations or entities did you support (that were not covered in the previous tabs)?
How many total hours of support did you provide to these organizations?
Please share any other relevant details about the support you provided these organizations:
