MACO is a volunteer-run grassroots group, not a non-profit. Our volunteers are simply people in the community who have reached out to help and share their time and resources.

 

We do not aim to be the "center" of mutual aid in Central Ohio, because mutual aid is a practice that everyone does. Our mission here is just to provide platforms that help facilitate and build mutual aid networks across the city.

 

This project began specifically in response to the COVID-19 crisis and its effects on various individuals and communities. We understand that living in positions of crisis is not new to many people who were already under-resourced, but because of the COVID-19 crisis, these existing inequalities are being intensified. Low-income people, immigrants (especially those who are undocumented), Black and brown people, disabled and immunocompromised people, gig workers, migrant workers, care workers, sex workers, incarcerated people, and so many more people are being hit extra hard. The very limited social security nets that the state offers is leaving millions of people behind in this moment, and the goal of this mutual aid project is to do everything in our collective power to make sure that as many people as possible are not left behind.

 

This group started as a Facebook page and Google Form on 3/12/20. It has since then grown and experimented with different ways to support mutual aid, and continues to constantly adapt to our changing circumstances.  

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