Mutual Aid Networks
What Is Mutual Aid?
Mutual aid is reciprocal support between community members. It differs from:
| Model | Direction | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| Charity | Top-down | Donor → recipient |
| Welfare | Top-down | State → citizen |
| Mutual Aid | Horizontal | Neighbor ↔ neighbor |
In mutual aid, everyone is both giver and receiver. Today I help you, tomorrow you help me, next week we both help someone else.
Why Mutual Aid Matters
When people help each other directly:
- Relationships form — You know your neighbors
- Skills transfer — Teaching happens naturally
- Resilience builds — Community can handle crises
- Systems are bypassed — Don't need corporations or government
TogetherOS Mutual Aid Tools
Request Board
- Post what you need: "Need help moving furniture Saturday"
- Post what you offer: "Can teach basic coding, 1 hour/week"
- Matching happens in the community
Skills Directory
- Members list skills they can offer
- Searchable by category
- Includes availability and preferences
Timebanking
- Track hours given and received
- 1 hour = 1 hour (no skill hierarchy)
- Build community credit
Group Coordination
- Create mutual aid groups by topic or geography
- Coordinate regular support (childcare circles, tool libraries)
- Plan for emergencies
Examples
Skill Shares:
- Bike repair workshop
- Language exchange
- Coding help sessions
- Gardening advice
Material Sharing:
- Tool library
- Seed swap
- Clothing exchange
- Food rescue distribution
Care Networks:
- Childcare circles
- Elder check-ins
- Pet sitting rotation
- Meal trains for sick members
The Economic Logic
Traditional economics assumes scarcity and competition. Mutual aid assumes abundance and cooperation:
- Your skills don't deplete when you share them
- Your relationships strengthen when you help
- Community capacity grows as everyone contributes
- Money becomes less necessary as direct exchange increases
Getting Started
- Identify your skills — What can you offer?
- Identify your needs — What could you use help with?
- Start small — One exchange builds to many
- Pay it forward — Help someone new when you can
Not Charity
Important distinction: mutual aid isn't about "helping the less fortunate." It's about building networks where everyone has something to give and receive.
The person who receives help today may offer help tomorrow. Everyone has value. Everyone belongs.