Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
During this recent reporting period the following progress has been made: LCDC Co-op fielded the first grant application from Lifting Lawndale Co-op. Lifting Lawndale completed a grant application that required them to submit a yearly budget, project revenue, expenses, etc. The submitted application was reviewed by LCDC Co-op staff, the executive director for LCDC, and external fundraising partners. Based on this feedback a $40,000 grant was awarded and the feedback was also provided to Lifting Lawndale. Lifting Lawndale's subsidiary Chicago Chocolate Rebellion (CCR) filed for its LWCA status with the state of Illinois. We are anticipating it becoming registered within the next month making it the second locally developed co-op. It also participated in its first pop up hosted by Lawndale Christian Community Church. CCR offer tastings for 3 products, chocolate covered marsh mellows, caramel chocolate bits, and a chocolate drink.
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
We have been constrained by the transition of some of our staff which I anticipate remaining until we are able to hire in the new year. Also, we applied and were turned down for additional grant resources for the expansion of our co-op work. We continue to pursue new funds and would welcome support in this space.
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
In this reporting period we engaged with East Freeman & Main a national company that provides consulting services that support incubators. We are partnered to amplify our ability to scale the incubated worker co-ops to enable them to become leaseholders in LCDC commercial real estate development projects within the neighborhood. We are working together to achieve the following objectives: ● Assess technical assistance needs for the existing COOP businesses. ● Identify existing providers, resources, and other strategic partners/ service delivery partners operating within the LCDC geographic area. ● Develop an implementation plan for expanding our TA ecosystem, including goals, success measurement strategies, budget, and other operational considerations. ● Develop a strategy for expanding the ecosystem to support other ( non co-op) small businesses in the North Lawndale neighborhood. ● Develop a strategy for partnering with other mission-aligned asset owners to expand the technical services ecosystem as part of the growth of LCDC’ asset management fee for service offerings.
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?
East Freeman & Main
Please share on behalf of whom / which projects you collaborated with the TA providers above:
On behalf of LCDC Co-op as we prepare to expand our TA ecosystem.
Did you attend the Working Group meeting last month?
No
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 |
|---|---|
| North Lawndale | 25 |
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)?
5
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?
15
How many hours of support to existing Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you provide this reporting period?
20
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?
7
How many jobs were created overall last reporting period? (It's okay if the answer is 0)
4
Please list the Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers Organizations you worked with this reporting period.
Other organization (please specify):
East Freeman & Main
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?
10
How many hours of popular education/outreach did you provide last month?
0
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?
Funding
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
Centralized entity that focuses on business capitalization
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/2024/12/IMG_00331-scaled.jpg
https://ccwbe.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_00541-scaled.jpg
https://ccwbe.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_00441-scaled.jpg
https://ccwbe.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_00601-scaled.jpg
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.)
cooperative businesses
How many total organizations or entities did you support (that were not covered in the previous tabs)?
0
How many total hours of support did you provide to these organizations?
0
Please share any other relevant details about the support you provided these organizations:
