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Mutual aid initiatives are popping up across the United States to address the needs of local communities during the COVID-19 crisis.
Community members and students have convened to create the San Marcos Mutual Aid Initiative. It launched as a Facebook group, a living community resource list and a needs based matching service.
Phillip Balke is running the matching service for the time being and will be using a google form to get a better understanding of the needs of the community, particularly those who are left out of government aid.
“It's about coming together as a community because you see everybody as equal to yourself. It’s the community taking care of the community regardless of how old or young you are,” said Austin Graham, one of the initiative's founders.
The matching form is a place where residents can share what they need, whether that's information, emotional support, delivery services, resources or other services. Residents can also share what they can provide to help those who are immunocompromised or disadvantaged. Balke will be matching help to needs as best he can.
“We are trying to keep it simple, staying within CDC guide-lines," Balke said. "This is going to be a crisis for a long time and we are walking into a totally new way of living a social life. It's one more thing we can do to organize and support our community and touch the people that are left out of social support systems.”
Currently, the form does not have many replies but organizers are trying to collect information about what exactly is needed; they expect a good portion of what they can initially provide will be emotional support via phone calls or check-in texts.
Once they have a survey of community needs, they hope to work with city council to address these needs. One issue that will need to be addressed, Balke said, is the large renter population in San Marcos and an impending economic crisis.
All project ideas for aiding communities affected by COVID-19 are welcome to be submitted through their online form.
The initiative will be running for the foreseeable future, it is difficult to know when things will stabilize, Graham said.
“Community support is so important during these times where we are facing adversity and everybody is scared," Graham said. "We are all impacted by this crisis, now is when it’s most important that we connect with each other and come together as a community,”
Those who are in need, or those who wish to offer support to those in need can fill out the mutual aid Google form.
