Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
In October, 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 6 group reunions with CCTC. During these meetings, the cooperative members agreed on the rental price of the shared kitchen, which will have different prices depending on whether they are members of CCTC, members of SVAC or individuals with independent businesses. They also established the prices for the letters of interest for the commercial kitchen with the same criteria as the kitchen rental. A meeting was held with SVAC to explain to CCTC members the role of their cooperative in the red light to green light project. 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. The business costs were explained and what the break-even point would be. 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. (Falta el reporte de reunión de mesa directiva del viernes 25 de oct) Street Vendors Kitchen (SVK) Our organization had 4 group reunions and 2 one-on-one reunions in October with the Street Vendors Kitchen cooperative. SVK members broke down the numbers for the food delivery contract for the USFWC. They also established the price of payment for future projects for members and workers and set a deadline for payment of initiation and membership. At this meeting the cooperators discussed meal reporting, participants and profit sharing, members and workers, decision making and responsibilities, membership and account status bylaws. Bees Cooperative (Driving Cooperative) CCWR had 2 group reunions and 2 one-on-one meetings with the Bees Cooperative. In these meetings, we talked about starting with a work plan and realistic short, medium and long term goals. We also discussed hiring a grant writer for the legal needs of the cooperative.
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
One of the limitations experienced by cooperative members this month is that the Street Vendors Kitchen (SVK) is struggling to find a location to build a shared kitchen, which can halt the production of street vendors. And we continue with the same problem with the bees cooperative.They need legal support, as well as financial resources that can help pay those legal fees.
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
We have established relationships with The California Drivers Cooperative in San Francisco and The Drivers Coop in NY, which will help us in a big way to promote the Bees Cooperative in Chicago.
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?
Pathlight Law, UIC
Please share on behalf of whom / which projects you collaborated with the TA providers above:
Street Vendors Kitchen, Cocina Compartida de Trabajadores Unidos
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 |
---|---|
Lower West Side | 5 |
North Lawndale | 8 |
South Lawndale | 10 |
South Chicago | 8 |
Edgewater | 2 |
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)?
16
How many group workshops for Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you conduct this reporting period? (e.g. convenings, workshops, events, etc.)
5
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.
Other organization (please specify):
Proyecto Avance, Bees Cooperative, IDEAL.
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:
Chicago IL Octubre 28 2024 Mi nombre es Miguel A Gonzalez actualmente estoy realizando mi labor de tesorero como parte de Bees Drivers Cooperative y por medio de este manifiesto quiero agradecer la ayuda y el asesoramiento que hemos y estamos actualmente recibiendo por parte de Chicago Community and Workers Rights a través de los compañeros Abraham Uriel y el Compañero Martin Unzueta, los cuales nos dan educacion, contactos y sobre todo la ayuda hacia nuestra cooperativa. Sin más por ahora y agradeciendo la atención a este manifiesto. Atentamente Miguel A Gonzalez
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: