Resources to support Mutual Aid groups to get started and manage ongoing operations

Goals:

• To provide a directory of resources to support Mutual Aid groups to get up and running quickly

Description

This GitHub lists resources for mutual aid groups that want to set up quickly, using the practices and models that other groups have used. Over time, it is hoped this list can help identify common data models that groups are using to categorise:

• support offered
• support needed
• local support groups. (These seem to be the three common groupings needed for data models).

Best practices are also shared, for example, MutualAid.NYC has put its mapping code online so that if other groups are using mapbox and airtable for showing where local support is available, they can copy this code and adapt it to their area.)

Contribute

Feel free to send a pull request, or contact me directly to add resources to this list. I chose GitHub because it allows anyone to edit and add to the directory. There is also a version of this on my own website that I will keep aligned with this repo, for those who would prefer to read it in a blog post format. Any other ideas for using a platform where people can contribute and even comment on resources would be useful (for example, i am happy to create a DocuWiki if people prefer that format).

Acknowledgements

The bulk of this resource list was collected by Hannah Brown for the Mutual Aid US group.

Warning

The resources shared here have not been validated as best practices. Join the mutual aid US slack group or contact the resource creators directly if you are unsure if they could apply to your area. It may be helpful to always seek out an existing user before adopting any of these resources so you know their limitations or where you may need to customise your implementation.

Setting up a group

• One of the best maintained databases of resources for mutual aid groups can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HEdNpLB5p-sieHVK-CtS8_N7SIUhlMpY6q1e8Je0ToY/edit#gid=832179775 It was created by Database by Shadia Fayne Wood. While the below lists repeat many of these resources organised into the categories below, keep an eye on this resource as it is being added to regularly.

• Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville have a great set of resources for a non-tech volunteer group to get up and running: https://mutualaidmamas.com/

• Another awesome resource is Bree Gaddy’s Drive of resources: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1rJhGg9OZ4tFFGYRuvXnNaCTkWSCQP5I1

• How to set up a neighborhood pod: https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1j8ADhLEuKNDZ1a_opmzudywJPKMXcNKu01V1xY2MiIA/mobilebasic

• simple tips for neighborhood pods/groups from NYC Uptown Coronavirus Group: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zFaOuHZDsgxKcgKnWa51WgC-CHI3XJiLmkQfHEnFh-g/edit

• AARP suggestions: https://aarpcommunityconnections.org/starting-a-mutual-aid-group/

• This list looks like it is from the UK and has a table of resources and templates, but the link was broken when i tried: http://www.covid-19list.com/

• Mutual Aid starter pack: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RMz_3arhWBaKAFEOeppscX64U6ta-QuF0RQNif1r608/edit#heading=h.p0p1zd2hwadi

• Organizing steps list from Vermont Mutual Aid: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hcXK-LN5kB2l8tu6dWGzr9PPffOH5J_5hBUbBgzwy6Y/edit

• Draft toolkit from Vermont: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UUyYMst2xJqq_EPCigc6Bph_vihIZ5Ml7mmq6f6UDPs/edit Draft community response kit from Vermont: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dA-Zl59sZkxd1MV2XTRC5ewnUDNEF06sZdUPwoD-Zfs/edit

• Organising suggestions from DC: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PINVWIZ-GVfqYM1pUPuzEL4j_9HrGMXBCeGUxL5tRbk/edit

• Templates for setting up community delivery services from Brookline: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/176wAEFYr_RjIib8mU2U0wxAtOB0CQufw

• Mutual Aid delivery safety practices: https://mutualaiddisasterrelief.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-SupplyDistro-MASafetyPracticesZine-WEB.pdf

• Movement NetAid suggestions for organising in a crisis: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15JNZwMjB9h9ufYRTrCg2jfCcDZXOsyuanW7b-pJk8HY/edit

(After reading these suggestions, if you decide you do not want to create a mutual aid group or there already is one you can join, and you still want to help out in other ways, consider looking up the Help with Covid site: https://helpwithcovid.com/)

Ongoing management of your group

• Get support from other Mutual Aid organisers: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSec5f4MHWMJ68wKfrRW7qhAvmo1F7vcbnSBIbZhAezaGAL8kQ/viewform?fbclid=IwAR3YeWILV84Z83HeI6cDjTvDSTnNgH7ZDIjEksPYFm1iSxCu-XpJd6gtNgs (Join this slack if you are a part of local mutual aid efforts and want to be connected to a large network of folks across the country learning how to do this together.)

• How to set up a slack group for your mutual aid group or neighborhood pod: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GHZ0fWeV1UIVV027wy96n-WUf_wvGrK1WuG_R5icZ7c/edit

• Create a whatsapp group easily: http://joingroupchat.com, a completely free-to-use website that makes it easier to connect people through WhatsApp. The website lets group admins create custom and password protected (optional) WhatsApp group chat links. Contact: olivier@joingroupchat.com.

• The NextDoor app may have some useful features: https://lifehacker.com/help-your-neighbors-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic-wit-1842494646

• Action Network has made their tools available to mutual aid groups: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-up-to-use-action-builder-for-mutual-aid-work/

• Mobilize Us has also offered their apps for free for Mutual Aid organizers: https://join.mobilize.us/free-access-for-covid-19

Linking to available services:

This is not an exhaustive list as it is not the focus of these resources, but if a local group is looking for what services are available, they could try:

• This database created by Bree G: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1wYgRSXKwP8ry7t5KPpi5e2vwrA0hStebkwbO75ahyvw/htmlview#

• This document lists some resources as well as ideas about setting up groups and a wide range of other links: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Rcan4C_e6OBFBI5bUn7MtYK74Ab-WarxyJmDvZUI_YA/preview#

• National resources: https://www.gigworkerscollective.org/covid-19-resources

Linking to regional and national advocacy efforts:

• Links to efforts focused on advocating for those at greatest risk of being left behind in covid responses: https://bigdoorbrigade.wordpress.com/

Mapping tools to create maps based off information on available resources:

• See MutualAidNYC mapping repo. The code and details for building a map in mapbox that draws on data from an airtable is explained: https://github.com/MutualAidNYC/mapping You can see it in action on the http://mutualaid.nyc

• Medford and Somerville Mutual Aid has a straightforward resource thaht explains how to use google forms and google docs to create a map. They provide all queries to cut and paste so non-c oders can replicate a map that matches volunteers with needs and shows available groups in the area: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ca-sz4DRNvUg8ezcrfd6awH-ahxBDJwnbdzxm4_qDVs/edit

Using standard data models to collect and share information:

Using open referral standards with airtable: https://openreferral.org/delivering-open-referral-solutions-with-airtable/

Using information and privacy standards to keep your data on people secure

EFF recommendations: https://www.eff.org/issues/covid-19

Publicising your group

• Add to the US mutual aid map: https://www.mutualaidhub.org/ (Direct link to the form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuqQtCdKsDzvTzaA2PMyVHX7xcOqbOW7N7l_0YJASV4wMBVQ/viewform)

• Add to the AARP Community Connections listing of mutual aid groups: https://aarpcommunityconnections.org/ (Direct link to the form: https://aarpcommunityconnections.org/add-listing/?listing_type=gd_place

• Crowdsourced spreadsheet with form that is collecting available groups: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1M9Y46lhZSVIRyE1Qh74Tj5uu91VKs5nhFCUudnFOqOg/edit#gid=776187552 (Direct link to form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gFNrqRcV3WTQ5c5rgSFV8Pk1W1FLXaRqrwkFp2KVUjo)

• This list includes some general resources for creating Mutual Aid groups and a list of known mutual aid groups around the US: https://docs.google.com/document/u/1/d/1uP49OQGhosfBN4BOYQvyy_Mu3mpCSOYzip13LksC-S8/mobilebasic#

Invitation letters and flyers:

• AARP: Neighborly invitation Multi-lingual flyer template Flyer template

• Lincoln Sudbury template/flyer: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cn5btAM7rxJoVR1pu8een13cno45FrFtjZvkIEWIKfQ/edit