Like any sane person, I’m distressed and overwhelmed living in a world that is a whirlwind of terrible things: rising fascism, the dismantling of democracy, our neighbors being stripped of their civil rights, the social safety net being sold for parts, hostility towards science, etc.
As we look around for help, it’s increasingly clear: there is no one but ourselves.
In this swirl of a grim reality moving at breakneck speed from bad to worse, I have found taking a deep breath, overlapping my sphere of concern with my sphere of influence and focusing on the people around me has been empowering and calming. As our federal, state and local governments continue to let people slip through cracks or be increasingly unable or unwilling to address ongoing crises, others are continuing to organize.
Iowa City Mutual Aid is one such collective working to meet the survival needs of the people whom our systems continuously fail. They work to support the most vulnerable: supporting unhoused people, writing letters to incarcerated queer folks, a community garden, emergency needs as they arise and more.
If you’re angry and looking for a way to help, please consider giving — and consider making it monthly to empower their work to help people and build community. (Des Moines Mutual Aid is their fiscal sponsor and donations are tax deductible.) Funds go to keep people in their homes, support international students getting their visas pulled and needs across our community.