Gowanus Mutual Aid
Mutual Aid of Gowanus works to create a support system for community members that supports local needs. They serve Gowanus and neighboring areas such as Park Slope, South Slope, and North Sunset Park. Gowanus mutual aid is a part of the larger network of mutual aid networks across NYC.
All mutual aid organizations are led by the following guiding principles from their website:
Our responsibility as a community is to ensure that all people have what they need to thrive and we believe that all people have something to contribute.
Mutual aid means long-term solidarity with the community, not a momentary act of charity.
We share power, we do not hoard it.
We value all voices and are transparent and collaborative in how we relate to each other, make decisions, and operate.
We partner, we do not dominate.
We amplify and adapt to the needs of communities. Our work is based on what the folks doing mutual aid need right now.
We build in public.
We use open-source tools and methods when possible, and aim to de-weaponize and democratize technology through our work. We try to utilize and contribute to existing open-source projects and open data resources.
We do not share information in ways that we know will harm.
We will never share information with law enforcement, especially ICE or the NYPD.
We are anti-racist.
We actively work to undo systemic inequities in ourselves, existing structures, and the new structures we support.
We prioritize people over profit.
We recognize the inherent worth of all human beings, no matter their class background or economic output.
We meet people where they are.
We recognize that unequal access to information creates systemic barriers. We are committed to providing equal access to resources, tools, and information so that people of all languages, backgrounds, and abilities can make use of and contribute to our work.
We commit to being accountable for the impact of our actions while assuming good intent. We recognize that at times we will fall short and ask our community to support us by holding us accountable.
“Anyone who wants to be part of a group who believes giving and receiving help is how we take of ourselves and others can join Gowanus Mutual Aid. We believe in solidarity, not charity. There are many ways to get involved.”