A Discord server for organizing mutual aid within the Salem, Oregon area.
Join the Discord here!
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As of January 22, 2025, we're just getting started! Please join and help us make this work.
FAQ:
Q: What is mutual aid? A: According to Joel Izlar of the School of Social Work at the University of Georgia, "Mutual aid is when everyday people get together to meet each other's needs, with the shared understanding that the systems we live in are not meeting our needs and that we can meet them together, right now, without having to pressure power structures to do the right thing." Source: https://ssw.uga.edu/what-is-mutual-aid/
Q: What are some examples of mutual aid? A: Some examples of mutual aid include: donating money to a fundraiser for someone's rent, taking out the trash for a disabled neighbor, and knitting hats to distribute to local homeless people.
Q: Can I join the Discord if I'm not in or near Salem, Oregon? A: The focus is on building a network of physical support in this local area. I encourage you to look for groups in your local area, or make one yourself! That being said, we won't kick you out for not being local.
Q: Why was this Discord created? A: Simply because there doesn't seem to be anything like it for Salem. There's Free Fridge Salem, which distributes food, personal hygiene products, and harm reduction supplies, and Salem Capital Pride, whose Discord server (scroll down to the bottom and look for the Discord icon) has an "asks and offers" channel. But to my knowledge, there isn't a local public Discord server focused specifically on mutual aid.