In our discussion with Dr. Rahsaan Harris we learned about Citizens Committee for New York City. Dr. Harris is the current CEO of the 45+ year old agency, which helps New Yorkers help their communities. Citizens Committee NYC uses micro grants to help fund community initiatives. As usual, we want to give our readers additional information on the podcast topic. This post, Resources On Community Led Initiatives does just that.
Dr. Harris works with philanthropic investment in community led initiatives. Charities Aid Foundation provides a definition of these initiatives. “Community-led initiatives essentially do what they say on the tin. They’re projects or organizations that have grown from the belief that change is often most effective and impactful when it comes from within, so are run by the communities they work to support.” These initiatives can range in focus. For example community led initiatives can help encourage better health outcomes for a community. Here’s a list of studies about health outcomes and community led initiatives. And local communities are instrumental in developing ideas to address climate change.
The importance of community input in development work is now globally recognized. Check here for a report on six countries and their community led projects.
Mutual Aid
But there is another aspect of community driven work we want to highlight as well. There are now many mutual aid groups. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed communities to help themselves. Mutual aid happens when people get together to help themselves. They have a shared understanding that government assistance is lacking or has failed. You can read more about mutual aid here. Some mutual aid groups have even networked so they can help each other accomplish projects.
Mutual aid groups exist throughout the country. That makes sense because the goal of mutual aid is to help your own community. We can’t list all of them but here are a few examples of work neighbors are doing to help each other.
Groups:
Essential Guide to Mutual Aid Groups in Chicago
Mutual Aid Eastie (Boston)
Oakland Mutual Aid Collective (Oakland, CA)
Black Lives Matter has many mutual aid projects in local areas (Houston St. Louis, NY, DC, Iowa, etc).
You can help your own community. Look for a mutual aid group where you live. Let us all help lift each other up.