Mutual aid roots in Cache Valley

A new grassroots group is breaking down the barriers of traditional aid in Cache Valley, bringing help directly from one neighbor’s hands to another. Cache Valley Mutual Aid has recently launched, providing a platform for residents to support one another.

According to Enzo Tillitt, one of the group’s core members, mutual aid is a system where community members come together to help each other meet basic needs like food, housing or transportation.

“It’s a ground-up way to build networks and support the most vulnerable people in the community to make sure that everybody’s needs are covered,” Tillitt said.

Resources are shared unconditionally, contrasting a charity or government program model where conditions or stipulations for gaining access to help are often set.

Founded by Nicole Steinicke, Miles Folsom and Cristina Chirvasa, CVMA was inspired by the success of similar efforts in Salt Lake County and growing needs within Cache Valley itself.

“I was with Salt Lake Community Mutual Aid back when they first started during COVID, and I really missed it when I moved up to Logan,” Chirvasa said. “Then I started talking to Nicole and realized that we both care about this and have the skills to put something together.”

Mutual aid groups are distinct from other organizations in their effort to decentralize, using consensus decision-making across participating people rather than placing leadership within a closed executive team. CVMA follows this model as well.

“We all come to the table and make decisions together, and I think that’s one of our strengths,” said Ezra Robertson, CVMA member. “It helps us better utilize our different abilities because we don’t need to go through a formal system to approve something we want to do.”

The rising costs of living have pushed more residents to seek help with basic expenses like food and rent, and Steinicke saw mutual aid as a way to fill gaps left by traditional forms of assistance.

“I’ve worked in a lot of social work and nonprofit jobs and seen how people don’t get their needs met,” Steinicke said.

Aid can be requested from CVMA through email or social media. There are no income requirements or extensive vetting — anyone in need can reach out for support.

“A lot of people think they have to be getting kicked out of their apartment or have no food to ask for assistance,” said Sophia Anderson, another key organizer.

In its first few months, CVMA has organized events to build resources and strengthen community bonds. Recent activities included a benefit concert at Whysound, a booth at the Cache Valley Gardener’s Market offering free coffee and donuts and a headshot drive to support job-seekers and students.

“We’re trying to find ways to formulate connections, break down barriers and offer a range of different events and services,” Steinicke said.

Looking ahead, CVMA plans to host more events, increase volunteers and learn more about what the community needs through partnerships with other groups in Cache Valley.

“We’re hoping to continue to form more relationships with organizations in the community,” Steinicke said. “We’ve met with CRIC [Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection], we’re working with Logan Pride and we’re going to be working with the William A. Bernard Warming Center.”

With the colder months approaching, CVMA organizers are preparing to launch a joint jazz benefit concert and winter supply drive, gathering winter essentials for residents who might otherwise struggle to afford them.