STL Mutual Aid

STL Mutual Aid (STLMA) began with a small group of people meeting on March 15, 2020 to figure out how we can show up in a time of crisis and uncertainty. Thanks to our community, we've connected with over 3,000 neighbors, delivered thousands of pounds of food and supplies, raised and redistributed over $1,050,000 to over 1600 families, and built a powerful and interconnected network together in the process.

STLMA began with the concept that we should help people without adding extra pressure or barriers to the process of accessing help. Existing systems are failing us; they dehumanize individuals seeking assistance while often failing to provide it at all. We are building a collectively governed community that centers these core beliefs: Individuals most impacted by problems know best how to fix them and a diverse community of everyday people can join in solidarity to support and enact these solutions, take care of each other, and imagine and build the world we all need to survive and thrive.

Now, over three years later, many of the people who have been helped by and through STLMA are now leading the work of the collective and helping others. When an individual reaches out to STLMA for help, they don't just receive help. They are also welcomed into an active supportive community where their gifts, talents, dreams, perspectives and leadership are valued, supported and contribute to mutually benefit all. Our members bring diversity in terms of life experience, race, class, gender, skill set and occupation. We connect every day people to shared resources and knowledge in our networks and build strong communities where people feel safe to freely share what they have to offer. Our overall objective is to move community members out of crisis mode by developing solutions for long term transformation.