Spring is here and we are deep in the process of cultivating immigrant, child care, and grocery co-ops to help our community thrive.

Dear supporter,

What a time we’re living in. Recent events have reminded us how important it is to build solidarity with our brothers and sisters across borders and within our own communities. Reflecting on our history has us coming to the same conclusion. This year marks 400 years since the first Africans were brought to the U.S. and enslaved and we’re still working to undo the damage. We are working hand in hand with members of our most disenfranchised communities to create co-ops that support family sustaining jobs; enable parents and their children to access affordable, culturally competent child care; and create access to healthy, affordable food. 

One of CUCI’s newest worker owners, Yovany Gonzalez, who works in the Sustainergy Cooperative, describes how your support of our co-ops has changed his life. 

“I used to work in landscaping and gardening, and it was very different. In large companies, the people at the top only care about the work. They do not care about the workers. For example, if you get sick for a day or two and you don’t work anyway, you are let go.”

“Here at Sustainergy, we work together. Flequer, Lindsey, and the rest of the team. They understand if you’re sick and need to stay home for a day. I finally feel secure, because I know my team supports me.”

“As a worker, each one of us has an opportunity. For example, where I am from in Honduras, we have cooperatives that help people. Seeing their success encourages you to become a part of it.”

“Being an owner of the company gives you more reasons to work harder. Because if you work harder you know that it is a benefit for you and your team, and it becomes a motivation for you to give more of yourself. “

“The CUCI network is important because there are a lot of people here who have worked a long time at other companies and have never had the opportunity to receive the support we get from each other in the cooperative.” 

We couldn’t do this work without you! Become a CUCI sustaining partner and help us create these same opportunities for child care providers and grocery workers in 2019!

Sincerely,

Yovany and the whole team at CUCI