SUMMER 2018

CONGRATULATIONS TO
SPRING 2018 CO-OP ACADEMY GRADUATES!

Click here for 2018 Co-op Academy Photos

On Thursday, June 28, 2018 we graduated six more worker cooperatives in an array of industries that will be coming to our communities!  The graduates are:

• Batty Works:  A hybrid consumer and worker cooperative founded by people with mental illness and/or disability who need economical and vocational empowerment.

• Ityopia Rootz:  Rastafari whole food experience for a healthier life. Born from a desire to make healthy food for everyone, to break the cycle of diet related diseases in families & communities.

• Khao'na Kitchen:  Offers wellness coaching, educational workshops/curriculum, and the catering of traditional Indian + Filipino meals with a healthy twist.

• MoFya!:  Food Truck providing affordable, sustainable, delectable Caribbean fusion cuisine for the mind, body, soul and environment. In a few words, we provide Mobile Fusion For Every Body!

• Parkoop: A parking business that empowers workers to economically improve their lives and conditions while providing quality customer service within the parking industry.

• Restorative Healers Network:  Builds capacity among a network of healers of all kinds. Fosters a culture of self & community care for healers in the face of frequent burn-out.

WE ❤️ SUPPORT FROM OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS!

We want to especially thank Councilmember Helen Rosenthal, our Keynote Speaker who awarded each team with a District Council 6 Citation in appreciation for worker-owners.  Senator Jamaal T. Bailey addressed the audience about the need to support the development of more worker cooperatives and pledged to advocate for more support from Albany!

CONGRATULATIONS TO
UPTOWN VILLAGE COOPERATIVE AND GREEN FEEN ORGANIX!

As part of our inaugural Worker Co-op Social Justice Program, we are pleased to announce that the New York Foundation has partnered with Green Worker Cooperatives to support two of our co-ops Uptown Village Cooperative and Green Feen OrganiX.

We would like to thank the New York Foundation and our Program Officer Altaf Rahamatulla for partnering with us to grow our social justice movement involvement and impact through providing leadership developement and tailored social justice mentorships for cooperative members.

Uptown Village Cooperative will identify and facilitate participation in campaigns aimed at changing public policy with regards to reproductive and birth justice.  Green Feen OrganiX will work on campaigns and policies related to environmental justice, waste equity and sustainability.

 OWNING OUR OWN LABOR
2018 NYCNoWC CONFERENCE

Every other year, the NYC Network of Worker Cooperatives (NYCNoWC) hosts a conference where cooperatives throughout New York City convene at CUNY Law School to strategize about how to strengthen the worker cooperative economy and ecosystem.  The main goal is to work towards supporting existing worker cooperatives and exploring new horizons for worker cooperatives in NYC and beyond. 

We are proud to report that our co-ops were strong and present at this year's conference.  Ityopia Rootz , Khao’na Kitchen & CYNY Co-op Cafe catered. New Deal, Ometeotl Domestic Violence Survivors Cooperative and Woke Foods participated in workshops and tabled at the event. 

BUILDING COMMUNITY IS NEVER DONE ALONE!
15th Annual Hunts Point Fish Parade

On Saturday, June 16, 2018, our community partner The Point CDC held their annual Fish Parade and our co-ops were there to help spread this year's theme, "Building Community is Never Done Alone!"

The Fish Parade is a mile-long procession through the streets of Hunts Point featuring a caravan of marchers and colorful “floats” created by visual and performance artists from the South Bronx incorporating issues of environmental awareness and community advocacy. Green Worker Cooperatives along with GreenFeen Organix led the Waste Equity Contingent during the parade.

The festival had it all - local artists, dancers, music, sports, food, and co-ops!  Showcasing their products were worker-owned businesses AdornMix, Ometeotl Domestic Violence Survivors Cooperative, GreenFeen Organix and Bio Classic Cleaning Co-op.

DESIGN, JUSTICE & ZERO WASTE: EXPLORING PATHWAYS TO THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

On Wednesday, May 9, 2018 the Tishman Environment and Design Center and GAIA (Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives) hosted a conference to bring together experts from around the world and a variety of fields to share and showcase innovative designs, advocacy campaigns and scholarly research across this often siloed field. Designers, architects, business representatives and activists will come together to discuss the diverse parts of a circular economy.

This conference aims to explore the interlocking societal sectors that can work together to reduce waste; from supply-chain, to personal consumption towards the ultimate goal of a Zero waste society. To that end Dior St. Hillaire of GreenFeen Organix presented on the panel "Zero Waste Education Through Circular Storytelling".  Omar Freilla was a panelist for "Getting to Zero".

 Omar Freilla outlines how accountability is crucial towards a zero waste society.
[Video clip by Barent Roth]

UPCOMING EVENTS

WORKER COOPERATIVE NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Join GWC and cooperatives around the country at the Worker Cooperative National Conference on September 14-16, 2018 at the Los Angeles Trade Tech College. This three day conference will provide an opportunity for connection, education, skill-building and sharing for worker-owners and allied leaders who work to improve the lives of workers and their families.

https://usworker.coop/events/event/worker-cooperative-national-conference-2018/

THE BIG BRONX SANCOCHAZO!

Our Big Bronx Sancochazo will take place on Saturday, September 29, 2018 from
12 pm - 6 pm at Brook Park, 141st and Willis Avenue.

It will be a celebration of community, culture and delicious food!  

It is free and families are encouraged to attend together!

Look for emails throughout August and September for ways you can volunteer, vend, or perform.

SUPPORT GREEN WORKER COOPERATIVES

We want to thank our funders:
New York City Council Worker Cooperative Business Development Initiative
CITGO
Gitt Family Foundation
Individual donors like you!

Become a Sustainer and be part of the movement that is working to lift communities out of poverty, build an empowered workforce, and expand the cooperative community!