Lakewood neighbors taking care of each other through mutual aid grants and contributions.
Leader
Kylie Foley
Location
Lakewood Tuscaloosa/ Lyon Park/ Lakewood Park Durham, NC 27707
Impact areas
The Lakewood Mutual Aid Network started during the COVID-19 pandemic to connect neighbors to each other in Durham's Lakewood neighborhood (Tuscaloosa-Lakewood, Lyon Park, and Lakewood Park). Neighbors organized (or were already organized) in their blocks to communicate and check on each other with pressing needs and opportunities.
For our first round, we hope to raise at least $4,000 to provide twenty $200 grants to Lakewood neighbors. We will prioritize applications from neighbors that don't have access to state/federal support (like stimulus checks and/or unemployment benefits), those who risk losing housing, and senior citizens and families with children.
Our neighborhood teams are committed to share resources on an ongoing basis with all neighbors who contribute and/or apply for grants. $200 runs out fast, and we want to be in solidarity with each other beyond our mutual aid cash fund.
You can apply for a grant at our website www.lakewoodmutualaid.org or request an application by calling/texting (919) 351-9926.
Visit our Facebook page, instagram, and twitter.
First Round Contribution period: July 15th, 2020- August 1st, 2020
Cash Grant Application period: July 15th, 2020- August 1st, 2020
Grants distributed: August 1st, 2020- August, 15th, 2020
Follow Up and Next Steps of Mutual Aid Cash Fund: Ongoing
So many of us are struggling. Many neighbors have lost their jobs, gotten sick, are ineligible for support, and feel overwhelmed. Some neighbors in the Lakwood Mutual Aid Network are organizing this immediate cash fund for neighbors urgent needs while we actively plan what deeper organizing and mutual support can look like in Lakewood.
In the spirit of mutual aid, we trust our neighbors to contribute funds when able and/or apply for funds when needed. The city of Durham, the state of North Carolina, and the US have not done enough to keep people safe, fed, housed, or well during a pandemic. A small cash fund cannot solve issues created by racist, classist, and ableist policies in our communities, but we hope to build trust and networks as these issues continue.
Here are some ways we've been learning about mutual aid during the pandemic, as well as from neighbors.