Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
6ix-cess Foods, LWCA: In October, 6ix-cess vetted potential product development consultants to support the team going from product concept to having a shelf-ready product. We spoke to three potential consultants, and decided on Flashpoint Innovation, a Chicago-based company that helps both start-ups and major corporations with developing new food products. In a governance design session, we got clarity on member eligibility as well as when the members would shift to full-time work: December 1. Finally, we had a great tour with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, where we toured their former production kitchen, which is currently not being used, as a potential starting location for us. Building relationships with potential consultants and leaders at GCFD were powerful leadership development experiences for the members as well. ChiFresh Kitchen, LWCA: ChiFresh explored and deepened multiple client relationships. We formally started a partnership with Chatham Business Association and ComEd to keep residents’ power on during the winter, using free meals from ChiFresh to entice people to take preventive steps. We’re planning to launch a second pilot project with both our partners at MHN and our partners at Rush Hospital. And we hosted the leadership of the Greater Chicago Food Depository for a tour, tasting, and exploration of potential future partnership opportunities. VOLTS: In October, VOLTS conducted the due diligence on our potential office building at 1215 E 79th St., including inspections, attorney review, and valuation. We worked with Seed Commons to provide the requisite documentation for the real estate loan. We also spoke with a new philanthropic partner, who is interested in funding VOLTS starting in Q1 2025. We also submitted legal paperwork for registration and our application for 501c3 status, and started holding bi-weekly planning meetings for the new nonprofit.
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
There's an interesting timing issue in launching the cooperative. Until we have a refined product, there isn't much labor work to do (just professional tasks). The members want to get started on having full time work, but we need the product first. Luckily, we found a great consulting partner for the product development work, and we should have a ready product soon.
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
As mentioned above, we engaged in multiple opportunities to deepen both ChiFresh and 6ix-cess' relationship with the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
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)
5 extremely useful
Optional Space
Community Area(s) (select all that apply)
| Community Area | Participants Served in this Community Area |
|---|---|
| Greater Grand Crossing | 11 |
| Grand Boulevard | 3 |
| Austin | 4 |
| Englewood | 5 |
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)?
53
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?
343
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?
4
How many hours of popular education/outreach did you provide last month?
0
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?
With our TA clients, support with internal dynamics and structure was the biggest question
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
A group like Upside Down Consulting that can respond to the ecosystem's needs, not just our incubated projects.
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 Limited Equity Housing Cooperatives (LEHCs) did you conduct this reporting period? (e.g. one group or individual with one training provider)?
8
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?
15
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?
We're looking for a new building!
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
Solidarity-centered peer network of housing co-op developers
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.
Did your organization provide any additional TA support this reporting period that was NOT covered in the previous tabs?
No
