COVID-19 Mutual Aid

What is mutual aid?

• Mutual Aid is about providing community-support through voluntary exchange of resources.  

Why are people interested in participating in mutual aid?

• Lots of reasons!

  • Need for support and resources not always provided by established institutions

  • Philanthropic motivation

  • Because they expect to also receive support

  • A recognition that there are enough resources, they just aren’t equitably distributed

What are some options for participating?

• PSU AAUP Covid-19 Solidarity Action Team has created a Google Doc listing both PSU resources for students, faculty, and staff, and also community resources

• The document includes information about how to get involved as a volunteer and also how to request services.

• A Portland-wide network is coordinated here: https://linktr.ee/pdxmutualaid

What role can PSU AAUP have in mutual aid?

• Our Union is already set up for quick communication and are skilled at advocacy and solidarity.

• We are a relatively privileged union workforce that can use our privilege to give back to the greater good.

• The Covid-19 Solidarity Action Team was created to explore internal and community-based opportunities for mutual aid.

• So far, we are hosting a bi-monthly Zoom-in to connect PSU-AAUP members. The next Zoom-in is on Tuesday, May 12 at 12pm. It will focus on Working from Home issues and be hosted by Jennifer Ruth, VP of Grievances, and Phil Lesch, AAUP Executive Director.

• Interested in getting involved with the Solidarity Action Team?  We’d love to have you join us! Email Courtney Bailey, VP of Membership and Organizing, at cbaileyaaup@gmail.com for more information.