Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
In November, Chicago Community and Workers’ Rights (CCWR) supported the development of the following Worker Cooperatives: Cocina Compartida de Trabajadores Cooperativistas (CCTC), Street Vendors Kitchen (SVK), and the Bees Cooperative (Driving Cooperative). Our organization also worked with the Street Vendors Association of Chicago (SVAC). Cocina Compartida de Trabajadores Cooperativistas (CCTC) CCWR had 4 group reunions with CCTC. During these meetings, the cooperative members established the prices for the letters of interest for the commercial kitchen with the same criteria as the kitchen rental. The members of the cooperative agreed to provide the interested parties with payment facilities on the condition that they receive the letter at the end of the last payment. Rosi Carrasco gave a brief talk on what it is and what it represents to be a cooperative, structure, values and management of the cooperative. They also talked about the membership dues and that the missing people will be brought up to date and the financial report will be given to the members. Street Vendors Kitchen (SVK) Our organization had 8 group reunions and 3 one-on-one reunions with the Street Vendors Kitchen cooperative. SVK members received the food delivery contract numbers for the USFWC from the board of directors. Co-op members agreed to give until Dec. 3 to be current with their memberships and down payment. It was agreed to write a letter to SVAC requesting that the food orders or contracts that SVAC receives and passes on to SVK be distributed by the co-op to its members under SVK agreements. SVK had several board meetings for proposal, direction and implementation of food for the CCWR anniversary event. The members of the board kept writing the bylaws under the guidance of attorney Sara Kaplan. Bees Cooperative (Driving Cooperative) CCWR had 2 group reunions and 2 one-on-one meetings with the Bees Cooperative. The grant writer was introduced. Also had a meeting with Eric Forman with CCWR facilitation, where Forman formally presented the CO.OP Driver transportation application and how they will collaborate with the co-op.
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
We still have the same problem with the Bees Drivers cooperative, they need legal support as well as financial resources that can help pay for these legal expenses. Also SVK and CCTC need more support in basic education and cooperativism.
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
We have established relationships with The Drivers Coop in NY, which will greatly assist us in promoting the Chicago Bee Co-op and the participation of the established driver application. Also the CCTC co-op opened their commercial kitchen which is close to closing contracts. Also the SVK co-op is receiving food contracts.
Did you establish new CWB relationships/partnerships in the last reporting period?
Yes
Please describe the relationships you established pertaining to your CWB work.
The Drivers Coop (New York, NY)
Did you collaborate with other TA providers in the last reporting period?
Yes
Which TA provider(s) did you work with?
Pathlight Law, UIC
Please share on behalf of whom / which projects you collaborated with the TA providers above:
Street Vendors Kitchen
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)
4
Optional Space
Community Area(s) (select all that apply)
Community Area | Participants Served in this Community Area |
---|---|
Lower West Side | 8 |
South Lawndale | 10 |
Edgewater | 2 |
North Lawndale | 12 |
Race / Ethnicity of Participants (select all that apply)
Other Race/Ethnicity (please specify)
multi-racial
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)?
19
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?
30
How many hours of popular education/outreach did you provide last month?
10
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?
One of the greatest needs that our organization has seen that these emerging cooperatives need is access to legal support and financing. In addition to basic education at different levels.
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
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: