Responding to income inequality through mutual aid

Income inequality

City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit) County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

We feel that an overwhelming amount of people are being left behind in Los Angeles due to economic disparity and access to resources. From immigrants to unhoused people, working class families and those that do not have enough to eat, all of us who continue to struggle through the COVID-19 pandemic and the worsening conditions of the climate crisis; there seems to be nearly endless needs that are not met. We believe that community building through mutual aid and solidarity is the only way forward to establish life affirming institutions that will provide for all communities in the face of an increasing level of economic disparity.

We currently have a handful of tentpole projects that attempt to alleviate the scarcity of resources that many communities face in Los Angeles. Produce in the Park, our weekly free produce distribution, ensures people are able to have fresh fruits and vegetables on their table on a regular basis. Hygiene Hello!, a quarterly hygiene kit build, supplies access to the dignity of personal care items and cleanliness that is in short supply for communities without access to running water, privacy, and steady income. Open Art Supply, which provides writing, painting, and crafting resources, gives others the access to expression and creativity that is often considered superfluous for people facing economic inequity. These programs bring safety and dignity back to community members and attempt to challenge the scarcity mindset. As their needs are being met, they are able to focus on other important matters in their lives. Mutual Aid LA Network (MALAN) works to promote mutual aid as an essential part of our city by promoting, elevating, and sponsoring groups that embody that effort all across Los Angeles through our quarterly newsletter and group directory.

Our programs are answering the material needs of community members. When communities are granted reliable answers to basic needs, such as food, water, housing, healthcare, and education, they can develop the type of rooted foundation that allows for growth, self determination, and sustainability. If there is space and opportunity for MALAN to grow, we would like to expand into more offerings for communities around LA city and county and the mutual aid efforts that work in those communities. That looks like more services provided beyond food, hygiene, and art. It could include projects like community gardens to supply our Produce in the Park program. It could mean third spaces for community members to safely and freely meet or host social and educational events like free health clinics, skill shares, and reading groups.