east washington life
Keeping Each Other Safe Through COVID Crisis Ward 7 and 8 Mutual Aid Effort Provides Support
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by Elizabeth O’Gorek
ariha Huriya interrupts our conversation to answer the door. Someone is dropping off supplies for the Ward 7 and 8 Mutual Aid Network (Mutual Aid). The supplies are welcome. Fariha Huriya, an organizer with the effort who is also Co-Manager at Peace House DC, has just returned from delivering food and essential items. Needy families impacted by COVID-19 and the resulting economic meltdown call Mutual Aid, in search of food, supplies and often emotional support. “When we want to talk about healing in mutual aid, it is an emphasis of our work, providing community care,” said Huriya. “It’s not just delivering groceries and essential items; it’s all really mutual aid.”
Mutual Aid Each of the District’s six other wards had established a single Mutual Aid Network group to help neighbors in their respective ward through the public health crisis. However, organizers in Wards 7 and 8 decided to band together to serve their communities. Huriya said it makes sense to unite, since residents face many of the same problems, many of which are not new. “We are the most impacted for police brutality, police violence, increased police sur-
Fariha Huriya of Peace House DC (foreground) and Naana Ewool package supplies for the Ward 7 and 8 Mutual Aid Effort. Photos Courtesy Huriya/ Wards 7 & 8 Mutual Aid
veillance, gentrification and for Coronavirus,” she said. “Wards 7 and 8 are always feeling whatever DC is feeling the most.” While mutual aid groups have become more visible during the ongoing COVID crisis, the concept is not new. Neighbors have long organized to serve their communities. An idea that is summed up in the Ward 7 and 8 Mutual Aid slogan, “We keep us safe.” While volunteers are accepted from throughout the DMV, the effort is run by leaders from the communities served, who are marginalized and impacted, said Kay. The network was established early on in the pandemic. Organizers built on already established relationships and experience. Activists from Dreaming Out Loud, Black Lives Matter DC, the Black Swan Academy, the Peace House DC, Peace Fellowship DC, Deanwood Tenants Association, BYP100 and Anthony Lorenzo Green all pitched in. “History has shown us that the government has failed so many times, especially filling in the gaps for communities who are marginalized and who are impacted the most,” Huriya said. “You know, marginalized people are always under attack.”
How It Works
NeeNee Taylor, a core organizer with Black Lives Matter DC, and Jewel Stroman, a long-time advocate for the homeless community, pose in PPE as they prepare for deliveries.
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Volunteers answer a Mutual Aid Hotline. They query callers about their specific needs to ensure they get appropriate assistance. They gather prepared meals, groceries, essential supplies such as paper towels, cleaners, toilet paper and diapers as well as personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves and sanitizer. Volunteers package items and arrange for no-contact delivery. As long as
