#PortlandOR - From #AssetToTheResistance

"What we do...

As assets for the resistance we have the privilege and responsibility to address economic inequality. This includes educating our communities about the capitalist system, how it impacts them, and how to navigate it with a sense of power. We aim to do this by creating a referral network through the Asset to the Resistance website, offering grassroots fiscal education and providing Q&A sessions with RMP’s. We hope to build a stronger, more equitable community, one where we talk about money and privilege openly and with vulnerability for the purpose of supporting the broader social justice movement."

#MutualAid in #PDX (a very incomplete list)

- #FoodNotBombs: #FreeFood to the community, no judgment or preaching

- #ReallyReallyFreeMarket: a gathering of leftists in public places to give stuff to people who need it. Anything from clothes and books to narcan and art supplies.

- #FreeFridges: all over town are comrades willing to stock fridges and pantries facing public sidewalks for anyone in the community to come grab free food and supplies.

- #PIRC (Portland #ImmigrantRights Coalition): a larger nonprofit that supports autonomous mutual aid groups to self-organize using the training and skills they provide to report and record immigration law enforcement, as well as connect families and community to legal support.

- #PDXICEWatch: is keeping an eye on activity as well

- #CLEARClinic: Folks providing #FreeLegalServices to break down various legal barriers including court record relief, #housing justice, and immigration justice

- #WERQTogether: are people providing resources for #queer communities, specifically focusing on #trans community support and funding to get trans folks to safety

- #RadicalAbundance: is a radical thrift shop at 1805 NE Cesar Chavez Blvd that provides a sliding scale pricing system that does allow for free clothes and stuff for those who need it

- #HeaterBloc: While they are no longer active, this link shows how someone could (and has) build heaters out of cheap materials that are tip-over-safe and good to heat a tent or small room for someone who needs that, and potentially give them out for free if they wanted to organize around making that happen

- #MendingBloc: A network of people who know how to sew and mend offering their services to repair clothes, sleeping bags, tents, and other things, and teaching people to mend things themselves.

- #RainbowBloc: A group of folks doing general street support, #ClothingSwaps, #zine fairs, #MigraWhistle kits, and other community support that pivots based on current community needs.

- Asset to the #Resistance: #RadicalAccountants helping others for free to navigate the tax or grant system.

- #PetBloc: providing #FreePetFood and warm clothing for pets living with folks who may experience #homelessness

- #FrontLineMedics and #PortlandStreetMedicine: People with varying degrees of first responder training learning together and training others on how to safely and effectively deploy #IFAK kits and otherwise provide community first aid care directly to the community.

- The People’s Store, Matzah Bloc, Southeast Community Free Store, Free Lunch Collective, Be Loved Bloc, and a number of other groups who prefer not to have much presence online are all dedicated to providing material support to folks surviving on the streets of Portland.

- #PrinterBloc provides printing services for those wanting to publish zines."

Source and FMI:
https://www.arpdx.org/mutual-aid-pdx

#SolarPunkSunday #ARPDX #MutualAidPDX #BuildingCommunity #FoodSecurity #HelpingOthers #PDX

Mutual Aid PDX — Asset to the Resistance

Asset to the Resistance

#MutualAid Is Having a Moment in #PortlandOR. Here Are 5 Initiatives to Support.

An unscientific guide to the proliferating number of groups providing aid to those in need.

By Fiona McCann June 14, 2021

"After a year and change of pandemic life, what’s left but to help each other out? Portlanders have stepped up to supply each other with everything from funds for gas bills to warm dim sum via a proliferation of mutual aid groups. There’s even a podcast now to help guide you through it all (find the #MutualAidCoalitionNorthwest on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts—for free, natch.) Here are five initiatives to restore your faith in the kindness of strangers.

#TutoringBloc

Started by a 19-year-old college freshman, Tutoring Bloc offers free tutoring via Zoom to underresourced students, pairing pupils from preschool to college with volunteer tutors. They also help those interested get library cards and access to books.

#PetBlocPDX

Got a pet in need of a home? Having trouble looking after your furry friends? PetBlocPDX has your back, offering supplies—pet treats, canine coats, and more—and financial assistance for pets and their people.

#PDXWoodBloc

PDX Wood Bloc, who per their Twitter account are '#anarchists with no money who collect and give out wood to people in Portland,' found themselves in high demand after power outages last February prompted a mad dash for other heat sources. They continue to offer yard cleanups and firewood donations for summer campfires.

#MendingBloc

From #Mending clothes for protesters and community members to sharing #zines on how to sew on patches, Mending Bloc also shows up with masks and pins at events, and offers to repurpose fabric into everything from balaclavas to pet vests.

So Many #FoodBlocs

It being Portland, there’s a bloc for what feels like every item in the pantry—hot potatoes (Potato Bloc) to tamales (Tamale Bloc) and more. For a full list of these and other blocs or mutual aid orgs, check out the '211 directory of PDX blocs' Bloc Bloc PDX."

Source:
https://www.pdxmonthly.com/news-and-city-life/2021/06/mutual-aid-is-having-a-moment-in-portland-here-are-5-initiatives-to-support

#SolarPunkSunday #PDX #BuildingCommunity #HelpingOthers