Unfortunately, we don't live in a 1980s economy anymore. While there is a growing number of volunteer mutual aid and non-profit organizations doing amazing work in clean air and public health advocacy, it's common for sorely needed yet unpaid labor to lead to burnout. Most of us have no choice but to prioritize paid work for our basic survival needs. And in an era where all of us are at higher risk of energy-limiting disabilities, burned out organizers are a loss for everyone.
We think there is room in the ecosystem for paid work as a means of fighting the good fight more sustainably. Longer term, we want living wages for lived values. Too many small businesses have struggled because they stand strong in their clean air practices, which cost money and occasionally disgruntled customers. Simultaneously, too many immunocompromised and otherwise plague-aware folks struggle to find work, services, and opportunities for joy because of a lack of clean air offerings.
Historically, social justice movements and networks of care grew from the support of already established community pillars, like churches, barber shops, and gay bars. What's different now is that COVID has insidiously shattered even friends-and-family networks, so many of us are rebuilding our villages from scratch in an uncertain economy. While social media networks are an amazing start, most function as audiences, not communities. We want to find the others so that we can exchange goods, services, and care — and shift from surviving separately to thriving together.
Yes! We want to feature events like yours! Reach out to us here.
Yes! Whether you're an event organizing professional or a willing newbie, we want to make it easier for your clean air event ideas to come true. We're working on tech tooling and best practices guides to make your job easier (and less prone to surprise Venmo tax implications), and would love to hear from you.
We're first launching in Seattle in December 2024, with plans to expand once we've proven the model locally first. If you're eager to see us in your city, or would like to get involved, please give us a shout.
