Mutual Aid Response Network

Q: What is the Mutual Aid Response Network?
A: The Mutual Aid Response Network is a group of Louisiana residents, led by Imagine Water Works, that organizes year-round to practice reciprocal and collective care through mutual aid. Because we’re on the frontlines of climate change, the MARN is also trained to activate for disaster preparedness and response during floods, storms, and other natural and manmade disasters. We are part of a larger network of organizers across the Deep South who are autonomous but connected through Project South and the Southern Movement Assembly.

Q: What is mutual aid? Is it a new thing?!
A: Mutual aid is the act of helping a community member and expecting nothing in return — we know that everyone has something to offer, and everyone deserves care. It’s rooted in solidarity, in particular with those who are harmed most by systemic oppression. It’s not new! Mutual aid is deeply and historically rooted in Creole, Indigenous, and Black organizing strategies, it’s part of our culture in Louisiana, and it works toward larger systemic change. 

Q: What do you do?
A: We are intentional in how we show up for each other. We’re building a community and working toward the liberation of everyone — not just charitable acts that begin and end with charity alone. We value autonomy, human dignity, and community. Everyone has the chance to pitch in where they can, and to take a break when they need to. We share resources, skills, experience, emotional and spiritual support, knowledge, and ideas with each other so that we can build stronger, more autonomous individuals and communities.

Q: How can I join the “Mutual Aid Response Network” Facebook group?
A: Online membership is open to anyone who is committed to our Community Agreements, which are found when you join one of our Facebook groups. We believe that everyone should be safe before, during, and after times of disaster — and that people are deserving of dignity even when times are hard. As such, we are open to everyone but prioritize those who face historical and current systemic oppression. Racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, transphobia, or xenophobia will result in removal from the group. Offline membership is open to anyone who co-signs the Southern Movement Assembly’s Principles of Unity, found here. To join our monthly meetup (currently held via Zoom to be COVID safe), email klie@imaginewaterworks.org.

Q: What can the Facebook groups be used for?
A: To provide or access freely available direct aid, social support, resources, and direct actions for long term systemic change. To get feedback on, work through, and find support for mutual aid projects. While Imagine Water Works was founded in response to floods and hurricanes, we support each other through a variety of local disasters, both natural and manmade.

Q: What if I’m not in New Orleans?
A: We also have groups in Southwest Louisiana (Lake Charles area) and Houma. Additionally, you can still be part of the network remotely by donating or spreading the word! The Facebook groups are place-based and require folks to be in the area before joining. If you’d like to start a similar group in your community, send us an email at klie@imaginewaterworks.org.

Q: Why do we need this?
A: Traditional disaster management and response is prescriptive. It treats people like a number and does not allow for autonomy or dignity. As professionals and people with lived experience, we know it doesn’t have to be that way. The 6,115 individuals who currently make up our Mutual Aid Response Network have all chosen to show up for each other — and for our neighbors — on an individual basis during times of disaster. We listen to each other and offer support, without shame or judgment. We figure out what people need, and we get it to them.

Q: Will I be safe in the Facebook group?
A: We are doing our best to make this group as safe as possible for those who are currently and historically harmed by systemic oppression. We know that disasters disproportionately impact BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and LGBTQ people; transgender, non-binary, and two-spirit people; migrants and undocumented people; poor and housing-insecure people; disabled people, seniors, and especially anyone at these intersections. As such, our group is led by trained facilitators and rooted in anti-oppressive organizing practices.

Q: Can I join the network in other ways?
A: Yes! While many of our partners are in the Facebook groups, some are not. In the past, our organizers have worked on the HURRICANE LAURA & DELTA RELIEF FUND and the HURRICANE LAURA EMERGENCY CASH PROGRAM along with the COMMUNITY POWER MAP and  CLIPPERS ACCESS for trans folks experiencing dysphoria and unsafe conditions without access to hair care during COVID-19, and more. Our Network also includes artists who support through art auctions/sales, small businesses who host donation boxes, and community organizers across the Deep South. We are always open to collaborating in the spirit of mutual aid, supporting others’ projects, and exploring ways to join our movements. If you’re interested in partnering or otherwise being part of the Network outside of Facebook, please send an email to klie@imaginewaterworks.org.

Q: Do you have a physical space?
A: No. Though in the past we’ve had mutual aid centers in the Lower 9th and on Camp Street, we currently do not have a space. , we do not currently have a physical mutual aid hub. Yes, our mutual aid hub is located in the Lower 9th Ward, in New Orleans. We are currently looking for space to engage in both short and long term organizing, envisioning, and healing related to water, community, and disasters of any kind. If you have leads or would like to talk more about this vision, contact klie@imaginewaterworks.org.

Q: Who are you currently in partnership with?
A: We follow principles outlined by Project South, the Highlander Center, and others who are deeply rooted in grassroots rural and Southern organizing. We are active members of the Southern Movement Assembly. In 2019 we joined Project South’s “Building A Movement: Disaster Preparedness and Response” inaugural cohort, where we coordinate our mutual aid efforts with other organizers across the South. We are members of the Baton Rouge Immigrants Rights Coalition and are Co-Founders of the Greater New Orleans Water Collaborative and Water Wise. We have partnered with the EPA, Waggonner & Ball, the New Orleans Public Library, the Nature Generation, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, and more. Our Network served as the incubator for Southern Solidarity and other various mutual aid projects across the city following COVID-19; and for Hurricane Laura Relief, we have partnered with 211/ViaLink, Operation Restoration, PIN4, Islamic Relief USA, MoPho, Lionheart Prints, Dirty Coast, and the City of New Orleans. The “Imagine Mutual Aid (SWLA)” group is co-led by our local partners in the Lake Charles area, the Vessel Project.

Throughout 2020, we distributed supplies to the Lower 9th Level Up Campaign, Bvlbancha Collective, Grace at the Green Light, New Orleans Community Fridges, El Pueblo NOLA, Southern Solidarity, Operation Restoration, Familias Unidas, RISE St. James, ISeeChange, the City of New Orleans, HandsOn New Orleans, the Atakapa-Ishak Nation (Lafayette), Open Door Biker Church (Sulphur), and St. Andrew Presbyterian Church (Lake Charles).

Outside of Louisiana, we also distributed supplies to the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MS), Southwest Rainbow Youth (NM/CO), Tiger’s Eye Collective (KY), TransOhio (OH), The TransMasculineAdvocacy Network (PA), the Gender Alliance of the South Sound (WA), and SF Citadel (CA).

See the Network in action:

The “Imagine Mutual Aid (Houma)” Facebook group activated initially in response to COVID-19. It is now activated for Hurricane Ida. Join the group to (1) Offer support to your neighbors throughout hurricane season and COVID-19, (2) Receive support if you are currently in or around the Greater Houma Area / Lower Bayou Region, and (3) Stay up to date with verified information about Hurricane Ida Relief resources.