Dear friends and neighbors,

COVID-19 continues to amplify the economic and humanitarian crisis existing in DC. The network of volunteers that comprise Ward 5 Mutual Aid continue to provide direct support to Ward 5 residents in need of resources, food, supplies, advocacy and other support.

We are asking for your help to sustain our work. Donations have decreased since the beginning of the pandemic, but the need in our community has not.

MAKE A DONATION TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY

opencollective.com/ward-5-mutual-aid (tax deductible)

Venmo @ward5mutualaid (no fees)

CashApp $w5mutualaid (no fees)

Please consider making a sustaining monthly contribution.

EVERY CHOICE TO MOVE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO THOSE IN NEED, WITHOUT STRINGS, IS AN ACT OF SOLIDARITY AND JUSTICE.

What does Ward 5 Mutual Aid do?

Mutual Aid is about neighbors helping neighbors. Our informal group fielded an average of 50 requests per week in June.

As of mid-July, we have 

• Completed over 1,000 requests from our neighbors in Ward 5.
• Spent over $40,000 in direct support, primarily in food and supplies delivered directly to residents.
• Engaged in direct support, advocacy and organizing for the 200+ residents of DC's family shelter at the Days Inn on New York Ave.
• Sewn, collected, and distributed hundreds of masks.
• Organized Ward 5 pods to build sustainable networks of residents who can support and advocate for each other.

… And there's much more work to be done!

Support the viability of Mutual Aid in Ward 5 by

• Giving directly to help us sustain our work:

opencollective.com/ward-5-mutual-aid (tax deductible)

Venmo @ward5mutualaid (no fees)

CashApp $w5mutualaid (no fees)

• Volunteering your time, skills, and support to our community.
• Learning about Mutual Aid and social justice, both locally and nationally: join us on slack for reading groups, discussion, and info-sharing.
• Donating new or used fans and AC units: contact [email protected].
• Asking your networks and communities to support Ward 5 Mutual Aid : share the image or links below. 

Ward 5 Mutual Aid Mission: We are an all-volunteer, grassroots group of Ward 5 residents dedicated to supporting our neighbors through the COVID-19 Pandemic. We recognize that everyone in our community is experiencing this Pandemic differently. Disparities along lines of race, class, gender, and nationality are exacerbated at this time: leaving many of our neighbors vulnerable to heightened health risks, financial hardship, and state violence. Our mutual aid efforts aim to support our neighbors through this crisis. We provide information, resources, direct support, and advocate for the safety and well-being of Ward 5 residents, particularly those most targeted by state violence and neglect. Our organizing efforts are in alignment and collaboration with the citywide DC Mutual Aid Network.