Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
In November, we spent multiple meetings culling lessons from the ChiFresh start-up process in preparation to launch another cooperative owned by Black women oppressed by the criminal injustice system. Specifically, we focused on the approach to leadership/management, pre-launch training, and determining the business model. We also continued the work of building a stronger, more intentional culture at ChiFresh through use of the Anti-racist toolkit for cooperative development. In addition to our incubation work, we partnered with the stakeholders of the compost cooperative being developed by UGC to prepare a pro forma and a draft a governance structure. We will meet on December 12th to go over these draft materials and set the stage for the cooperative to launch early next year. We also designed and facilitated a training meeting for UGC's Urban Grower's Apprenticeship program, where we co-designed what next year's co-op training will look like.
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
This reporting period included Thanksgiving week, which slowed us down. Other than that, we were full speed ahead!
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
We introduced cooperative and community wealth building ideas to the City of Chicago's Food Equity Council at their day-long retreat and met with Scottish government officials who are promoting community wealth building in their local communities.
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?
Urban Growers Collective
Please share on behalf of whom / which projects you collaborated with the TA providers above:
UGC Compost Cooperative
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 |
|---|---|
| South Chicago | 15 |
| Greater Grand Crossing | 9 |
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)?
36
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?
352
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)
1
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?
A formal business and financial literacy training program that understands both cooperatives and the needs of folks who have not had a lot of formal education.
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
More mature worker cooperatives providing quality jobs to visit and learn from.
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.
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)?
4
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?
20
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?
Affordable insurance costs, grant sources to replace our short-term debt, culturally grounded training program
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
Culturally grounded training resources
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.
