Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
The Visionarias food Co-op - We have completed the hot meals program for the period granted October 2022 to October 2023- we are now helping them update their food handler and manager certificates, as well any annual reporting. We also have met and still have a few more appointments pending with the students from Community Enterprise & Solidarity Economy Clinic to finish the bylaws. MADEN cleaning coop- We continue with the development process- We have drafted by-laws and are awaiting setting a date with Community Enterprise & Solidarity Economy Clinic to review them. We are now focusing on completing the business plan with Eric Rodriguez (Seed Commons) to request start-up capital. We have started to meet with another possible co-op- Monarcas ( Second Hand Thrift Shop) - We are doing some catch up training with two of the women- they are still deciding if they want to do this. We did two Intro to Co-ops this month on Thursday from 7:00pm -8:30pm.
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
The only constraint occurred in mid October when I went on vacation for a week and then I was summoned and chosen to serve as a juror, which lasted another week. I instructed the co-ops to meet without me to discuss the next steps which they did, however, that did slow us down a bit.
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
We have been invited to register for the 2024 Chicago Worker Cooperative Developer Cohort in Chicago with DAWI institute starting in January. Two of us will be participating.
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)
4
Optional Space
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)?
4
How many group workshops for Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you conduct this reporting period? (e.g. convenings, workshops, events, etc.)
2
How many hours of support to CWB Pre-Development Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you provide this reporting period?
4
How many hours of support to existing Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you provide this reporting period?
2
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.
Other organization (please specify):
USFWC
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?
Some of them ( Visioanarias) have health problems which can sometimes hinder their full participation in all of the trainings.
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
The slow access to capital can be a big gap and also the lack of tech knowledge to conduct their business.
Please share any direct testimonials from Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers clients or storytelling about the impact of your work this period:
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:59bedbfe-8725-4c3e-9655-dce82e4d74c8
Please upload media (document with testimonials, photos, or video links) from WC workshops or events held.
