Mutual Aid is a form of public and political participation for neighborhoods, organizations and groups of all sizes. They provide an avenue for looking after and tending to each other’s health and well-being to create more livable, sustainable environments. The process and goal of mutual aid is to create accessible and collective care by accepting and sharing mutual responsibility within one’s community space. Mutual aid networks across the city have mobilized to fill the gaps at our police stations.

• Community Care Collective 33
  • Community Care Collective is made up of engaged community members, grassroots organizations, faith-based organizations, and elected officials working together to build a community based on mutual aid and collective care.  They formed around supporting the needs of new arrivals staying at the 17th precinct. To donate directly, see here.

• PSRT
  • The Chicago Police Station Response Team is a network of volunteers meeting the needs of recently arrived asylum seekers sheltering in police stations. PSRT has organized to meet needs for food, bedding, and supplies as well as connecting new arrivals  to medical services and showers .  PSRT is in every police station across the city, with more than 150 volunteers. To donate directly, see here.

• The Mobile Migrant Health Team 
  
  • Throughout the summer, MMHT's responsibilities have grown and their teams have been entrusted by the City of Chicago to address a few emergent situations: They are the first and only medical team to have provided care to the hundreds of migrants currently living at O'Hare airport. To donate directly, see here. 

• Home Away From Home Center
  • Led by Pastor Kenneth Phelps, the mission of the Home Away From Home Center is to welcome people in the Woodlawn community fleeing the effects of war, violence, persecution, and political disruption – whether they are displaced within their country of origin or across a border into a neighboring country, to integrate into our society. To learn more about their efforts, see here.

•  19th Ward Mutual Aid - Neighbors Helping Neighbors
  • 19Aid supports new arrivals at the 22nd precinct. The 19th Ward Mutual Aid group began in May 2020 to address the needs of neighbors that were left behind in the pandemic. Volunteers reached out food sources to establish a food pantry at Morgan Park Presbyterian Church. To learn more about their efforts and donate directly, see here. 

• Turpin Cares
  • Turpin Cares supports new arrivals at the 22nd precinct. It was founded by Olive Rogers and Greg Owen-Boger, friends and neighbors in the Beverly neighborhood in Chicago. The name Turpin Cares comes from Turpin Communication, which originally funded the project. To learn more about their efforts, see here.
• OCAD
  • Organized Communities Against Deportations (OCAD) is a group of undocumented, unapologetic, and unafraid organizers building a resistance movement against deportations and the criminalization of immigrants and people of color in Chicago and surrounding areas. To learn more about the organization and donate directly, see here. 

• Edna White Community Garden

  • At Edna White Community Garden supports new arrivals at the 22nd precinct. They believe in nurturing both the plants and the people who tend to them.  By pooling their resources and sharing their knowledge, they amplify their impact and provide a comprehensive network of support for those who have sought refuge among us. To learn more about the organization and donate directly, see here.

• Nuevos Vecinos Ayuda General Support - Open Collective

  • To donate directly, see here. 

• Hyde Park Refugee Project
  • The Hyde Park Refugee Project is a local southside non-profit organization supporting refugees and asylum seekers in our community. They launched several migrant support programs this fall, and are working together with community partners to provide access to food, services, education, and support programming. To learn more about the organization and donate directly, see here.