PODS: A Neighborhood Pod-Sharing Event

In our current phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, new challenges in financial and labor capacity are prompting mutual aid organizations to shift from rapid-response models to more sustainable, relationship-focused models of aid, including “pods:” hyperlocal groups of 5-30 people sharing needs, resources, and support. This virtual pod-sharing info session and conversation between Urbano Project Artist-in-Residence Mark Anthony Hernández Motaghy, Crown Heights Mutual Aid (CHMA), and Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville (MAMAS) will consider the formation of pods, lessons learned throughout the pandemic, and the future of mutual aid & the pod model in and beyond the pandemic.

This conversation is an opportunity to learn from two organizations at the forefront of pod organizing: CHMA is cultivating solidaristic relationships through their piloting of food pods and bulk purchasing, while MAMAS’ Neighborhood Pod Coordinator (NPP) group is strategizing transformative practices to approach interpersonal violence in Medford and Somerville communities. In the wake of COVID-19, what is the next step for these mutual aid organizations? How can these organizations codify collective care practices past the pandemic?

This event is collaboratively organized by Mark Anthony Hernandez Motaghy, Madeline B. (CHMA), Molly C. (CHMA), and Matt T. (MAMAS), and hosted and supported by Urbano Project.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

MARK ANTHONY HERNÁNDEZ MOTAGHY is an artist-organizer working between architecture, urbanism, art, and new media. They are one-half of the spatial practice duo If So Then and currently a research candidate at the MIT School of Architecture and Planning investigating kinship networks, informal economies, and the politics of care. As Urbano Project’s Spring 2021 Artist-in-Residence, Mark’s residency has focused on the agency of printed matter in public spaces in this moment of crisis and its capacity to circulate messages of care and solidarity.

CROWN HEIGHTS MUTUAL AID (CHMA – Brooklyn, NY) was formed in March 2020 during the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. We are a network of neighbors supporting one another and the most vulnerable in our community. We are mobilizing not only against the COVID-19 health crisis, but the ongoing crises of state violence, food injustice, and housing inequality. CHMA is also a tool for building connections and reciprocal relationships: we all have something to offer and we all have something we need as we struggle towards justice.

MUTUAL AID MEDFORD AND SOMERVILLE (MAMAS – Somerville/Medford, MA) is an initiative formed in March 2020 to provide resources and support to our Somerville & Medford neighbors through mutual aid praxis. Through collective action and care, we aim to reduce the harmful impacts of COVID-19 in our community.

ACCESSIBILITY: Live captioning will be provided. Please email info@urbanoproject.org with any additional accessibility requests, or with any general questions.