we need each other (a new KSW blog series by Malaya Tuyay)
Hello everyone!
My name is Malaya Tuyay and I am an artist based on Ohlone land (Oakland) and was born on Chumash land (Carpinteria). I have been invited to start up a new section for the newsletter and hopefully a new section on social media once I have more capacity to share links with you all that range from opportunities to mutual aid to individual folks who could really use support in these times. This is the beginning of this, so it is not perfect and I have some things to work through and learn moving forward, so any feedback or suggestions are always welcome! If you have some links you would love to share with community, feel free to email them to me at malaya.tuyay@gmail.com for future posts and newsletters. I hope to also find a way to make a consistent page or archive that we can always revisit once we get more time, funds to share or whatever the case may be. This list could honestly go one forever, so many I will be sharing with y'all soon! Much love to you all and hope these links are of use for you <3
Indigenous Land Tax
If you are a settler to this land like myself, it is important that you take the time to learn about the peoples whose land you are on and to support them and their work. This is one way to financially support them consistently and (in my opinion) is the bare minimum. They also have a calculator based on your income and where your location is to help generate the suggested donation amount!
*Sogorea Te’ Land Trust Shuumi Land Tax: https://sogoreate-landtrust.org/shuumi-land-tax/
(from their website: “The Shuumi Land Tax directly supports Sogorea Te’s work of rematriation, returning Indigenous land to Indigenous people, establishing a cemetery to reinter stolen Ohlone ancestral remains and building urban gardens, community centers, and ceremonial spaces so current and future generations of Indigenous people can thrive in the Bay Area. Shuumi means gift in the Ohlone language Chochenyo.”)
Mutual Aid (organizations/collectives)
To support, familiarize yourself with, and follow their work.
Many of these collectives support houseless folks, qtbipoc folks, workers, undocumented folks get access to more funds, vaccines, protection, housing, etc. Many have a variety of projects they are organizing too, so it is always good to follow their work.
* East Oakland Collective - https://www.eastoaklandcollective.com/
(from their website: “The East Oakland Collective (EOC) is a member-based community organizing group invested in serving the communities of deep East Oakland by working towards racial and economic equity. With programming in civic engagement and leadership, economic empowerment and homeless services and solutions, we help amplify underserved communities from the ground up. We are committed to driving impact in the landscape, politics and economic climate of deep East Oakland. ”)
* SF Mutual Aid - https://www.sfmutualaid.com/
(from their website: “How do we take care of ourselves and the people around us equally? How do we let go of whatever doesn't serve that goal? How do we examine and challenge whatever privilege we do or don't have and use it to bring more balance? … Whatever happens, we want you to know that we're moving through this together and that we've got this. When we act, we do it with you and your family in our thoughts. We take more time to consider our impacts, we hold ourselves accountable when we make mistakes, and we listen, more than ever, to the voice of the people, for they are the only ones we serve… With all the power of the people”) - they are now offering support with folks who are eligible to get vaccinated by helping book appointments and coordinating rides/transportation to get them
* North Oakland Mutual Aid - https://www.instagram.com/northoakland_mutualaid/
(from their bio: "[we are] an effort to distribute food, hygiene supplies, and more to our unhoused neighbors in North Oakland")
* Oakland Workers Fund - https://www.oaklandworkersfund.com/
(from their website: “We are a group of Oakland food service workers led by QTBIPOC women and non-binary people who have been drastically affected by the COVID-19 crisis, the Bay Area shelter-in-place and statewide business closures...It is our mission to support, uplift, and aid fellow Oakland food service workers and their families during this global pandemic.”)
* We Are The Ones - https://www.instagram.com/wearetheonesmutualcare/
(from their bio: “Mutual Care Resource 4 Bay Area QTIBIPOC underground creatives who need assistance. Fill out our doc to apply 4 our fund or DM us & we will post here.”)
* The Village Oakland - https://www.instagram.com/villageoakland/
(from their bio: “A movement to support the autonomy of houseless people and push for real housing on Ohlone land”)
Free Covid Testing / Support with Vaccines (and some with Free Covid vaccines)
SF
*Mission Neighborhood Health Center (https://www.mnhc.org/)
-240 Shotwell Street, San Francisco, CA, 94110
-Free covid testing available / Free covid vaccines
*San Francisco Free Clinic (https://sffc.org/covid19vaccinations)
-4900 California St, San Francisco, CA 94118
-Free covid vaccines (Moderna)
* List of vaccine sites in SF:
Oakland
*Community Christian Church for Christ (https://www.ccc4c.org/)
- 1527 34th St, Emeryville, CA 94608
- Free covid testing available / vaccines available soon I believe (Pfizer / Johnson & Johnson)
*West Oakland Health ( https://westoaklandhealth.org/covid-19-vaccine/)
*List with many different vaccination sites (some doing free vaccines too) in Oakland: https://oaklandside.org/2021/04/15/covid-vaccine-alameda-county-notify-sign-up/
Fundraisers for individuals
I am prioritizing QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous and People of Color) because that’s my agenda and yay pride month!!
*Support Julius Dunbar's ("LilMan") family put him to rest
-https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-our-family-put-julius-dunbar-lilman-to-rest
-They are so close to their goal please support if you can!
-From the GoFundMe: "On May 30th 2021 we lost a beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, and friend. Julius Dunbar lll who was was shot and taken from us in Baltimore, MD....Our family is asking for any contribution to his memorial/ funeral service. We all know life happens unexpectedly and we can’t do this alone. Any donation is greatly appreciated and welcomed. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
* Support D
-https://www.instagram.com/p/CHlWepUBb86/
- from post: “We are starting this Fundly in order to gain monthly supporters for Deanna; as we follow several promising housing leads, we want to make sure she has enough funds on a monthly basis that allow her to pay rent, cover groceries, etc. If you can sign up to sustain Deanna on a monthly basis, please follow the link in my bio!”
- D is once again needing support finding housing in Oakland area asap! Please tap in if you can.
*Support Nick
-https://www.instagram.com/p/CPshIh-jyqW/
- These funds will help Nick pay their rent, bills and also help them continue to see their therapist
-from post: “The insurance I have, to have been going to therapy since 15...has always given me antiBlack/violent/apathetic therapists that ultimately set me back. This is a problem, especially with someone like me, who has borderline personality disorder...and CPTSD...because I am statistically at a higher risk of harming myself in the future. This year I finally found a Black sex therapy art therapist...and she is amazing, and I would like to continue to see her.”
*Support Portia
-https://www.instagram.com/p/CPZ-tu5jMFj/
- from post: “Help Portia with Living Expenses / our community member Portia needs help covering the basics while she waits for disability to stop withholding her payments. Any extra will go toward next month’s expenses. Venmo: Portia-Roy-2
*DC Black Trans Support
-https://www.instagram.com/dcblacktranssupport/
-from bio: “Independent direct fundraising for the survival needs of black trans people living with HIV and their community. Venmo is dcblacktranssupportfunds21”
-have many posts on their page with different asks from individuals who need support
Opportunities for artists
* The Persimmon Grant for Bay Area QTAPI Artists -https://www.instagram.com/p/CP9SqKHFNbp/
-from post: “Calling all Bay Area-based QTAPI Artists! We are so excited to announce our first ever grant! The Persimmon Grant is a $500 grant for Bay Area QTAPI Artists! Application link in bio!
During Pride 2021 and always, we are celebrating and supporting LGBTQ+ AAPI artists. Recognizing that Queer, Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender Nonconforming people have not always been embraced among AAPI communities, we're looking to shift that narrative and plant seeds that nurture our QTAPI community. This month, we’re providing space to this community for reflection, authentic storytelling and positive change.”
*Queer Ancestors Project / Free Printmaking Workshop
-https://www.queerancestorsproject.org/workshops
-For LGBTQI+ people age 18-26
-Workshop runs from August 2021-January 2022
-934 Brannan Street, San Francisco
-Space is limited! Apply by June 30th!!
*Ara Jo Memorial Fund
-https://www.rpscollective.org/ajmf-application
- “This application cycle will prioritize AAPI artists, collaborations, and audiences. All are encouraged to apply with this understanding.”
- “The Ara Jo Memorial Fund (AJMF) supports local, community-based artists and projects that benefit the East Bay and carry on Ara Christina Jo’s legacy and passion for alternative artistic expression and inclusive programming. Established in 2018 by Rock Paper Scissors Collective (RPSC) in close collaboration with Ara's family, AJMF was made possible thanks to the generous donations from family and friends honoring Ara in the aftermath of the 2016 Ghost Ship Fire, which tragically cut her life and the lives of thirty-five other victims all too short.”