Who Keeps Us Safe?
Care is a verb.
“Days after a massive, historic winter storm brought snow and single-digit temperatures to Texas, the state remains mired in crisis. After the Texas independent power grid buckled under frigid conditions and heightened demand over the weekend, as of Thursday morning, more than 500,000 homes and businesses are still without power, and residents are resorting to desperate measures to withstand the deadly cold. Water pipes are bursting. Counties are seeing a rise in carbon-monoxide-poisoning cases, some of which have been fatal, as people seek out alternative sources of heat. Unhoused people are freezing to death on the streets. Some areas are facing water and gasoline shortages.” - An excerpt from The Cut
Rather than spending this post talking about Ted Cruz and his deplorable gap in basic human empathy, leadership, and morality (not to mention his hypocrisy in fleeing across a border for safety- into a country he has demonized)- I am dedicating this post to Texans and Mutual Aid networks on the ground.
Some more preliminary reading: “Texas Pays the Price of the Culture War” and “Texas Failed Because It Did Not Plan”
I’ll share some words from Dr. Ashanté Reese, an Assistant Professor of African and African Diaspora Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Reese specializes in critical food studies and food justice, plantation geographies, Black geographies, abolition, ethnographic methods, and practice. She was scheduled to be the keynote speaker for this year’s DOPE Conference. Instead, she shared a powerful message as she chose to dedicate her time and energy to helping her fellow Texans:
The question is not IF you will need mutual aid. It is when. The ‘we’ in ‘we all we got’ gotta be stronger than individualism and the pull to only take care of self. Solidarity from ATX!”
When the ‘when’ arrives, we must know that we will be taken care of. Support your communities now, so that you can all stay safe later.
Maybe, if our political leaders are paying attention, the climate crisis might actually begin to be treated like a crisis. Perhaps we will start having a serious conversation about the country’s desperate need to rebuild our infrastructure from coast to coast- a process that would help provide jobs for millions.
Here is a Directory of resources as well as mutual aid orgs that Dr. Reese shared. Pass along!
HOUSTON
Mutual Aid Houston, Say Her Name HTX, Houseless Organizing Coalition, CrowdSource Rescue
AUSTIN
Austin Mutual Aid, ATX Free Fridge Project, Black Mamas ATX, Communities of Color United: Coalition for Racial Justice
TX Mutual Aid Directory
QUICK ACCESS
Austin // Carrizo-Comecrudo Tribe // Corpus Christi // Dallas-Fort Worth // El Paso // Houston // Laredo // San Antonio // San Marcos // Rio Grande Valley // Statewide Abortion Funds // Statewide Warming Stations + Shelters for Winter Storm 2021
Austin
Austin Mutual Aid - local mutual aid network coordinating to protect the houseless community from the current winter crisis
Venmo: @austinmutualaid
Online: https://linktr.ee/austinmutualaid
IG: @austinmutualaid
Donate: KICK THE COLD FUNDRAISER
SWOP Austin - A social justice network dedicated to the fundamental human rights of people involved in the sex trade and their communities, focusing on ending violence and stigma through education and advocacy. Mutual aid efforts within Austin for shelter, food, and sexual health supplies to trans, disabled, BIPOC Sex Workers.
IG: @swopatx
Donate: https://atx.swopusa.org/donate/
SAFE - A merger of Austin Children's Shelter & SafePlace serving survivors of sexual assault & exploitation, domestic violence, & child abuse #KeepAustinSAFE. Text to Give to SAFE: Text “@SAFE” to 52014
Facebook:fb.com/SAFEatx
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/safeatx
Online: https://www.safeaustin.org
Wishlist: https://www.safeaustin.org/get-involved/wishlist/
Donate: donate now
Street Forum - ATX mutual aid group providing support to our local houseless community
Donate: https://opencollective.com/street-forum
Cashapp: $streetforum
Facebook: facebook.com/streetforumatx
Austin Mutual Aid Collective - Student-driven digital community center building solidarity and practicing collective care to support those impacted by COVID-19.
IG: @mutualaidatx
Online: linktr.ee/mutualaidatx
Community Solidarity Guide - Working list of orgs in Austin providing resources and services to unhoused, BIPOC, Queer, and marginalized folks across town (check the green Donate tab for funds and drives!)
*Action Item @ Homes Not Handcuffs Coalition: Demand more hotel vouchers and shelters for the unhoused from the City Of Austin!
Carrizo-Comecrudo Tribe Of Texas
Website: http://carrizocomecrudonation.com/index.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarrizoComecrudoTribeOfTexas
Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi DSA Mutual Aid - The Mutual Aid Working Group works collectively with the community to ensure we meet basic needs while we work to build a workers' state that puts people before profit. Info on winter storm assistance and resources.
Twitter: @CorpusMutualAid
Donate: here
Venmo: @CC-DSA
Cashapp: $CCMutualAid
Paypal: CCMutualAid
Online: corpuschristidsa.org/mutual-aid
Dallas-Fort Worth
Feed The People Dallas - BIPOC-led collective providing mutual aid to the people of DFW
Venmo: @feedthepeopledallas
Cashapp: $feedthepeopledtx
Online: linktr.ee/feedthepeopledallas
Wishlist: Link
DFW #BlackLivesMatter Relief - Community raising funds for medical aid and supplies for activists that are standing in solidarity for black lives. All unused funds will be donated to bail bonds.
IG: @dfw.relief
Twitter: @dfwrelief
Venmo: @dfwrelief
Email: reliefdfwfunds@gmail.com
Online: https://reliefdfw.carrd.co/
O.D. Aid - Getting harm reduction supplies to the people. Preventing overdose. Mutual aid. Radical care.
UPDATE: 2/18/2021 “We need: Gloves, hats, scarves, blankets, and winter gear for unhoused people in Fort Worth! We are out of sleeping bags, tents, and winter wear items. If you can donate or make winter gear, email odaidfw@gmail.com for more information on how to contribute.”
IG: @odaidfw
Venmo: odaid
Paypal: odaidfw@gmail.com
Graphic credit to @odaidfw
DFW Mutual Aid - grassroots mutual aid collective led by BIPOC serving all DFW community members
IG: @dfwmutualaid
Venmo: @DFWMutualAid
Cashapp: $dfwmutualaid
Online: linktr.ee/dfwmutualaid
Texas Equal Access Fund - Provides financial assistance for abortion in North Texas and the Panhandle.
IG: @teafund
Twitter: @TEAFund
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teafund
Online: https://teafund.org/
Donate: https://teafund.org/donate/
Need Help? Text: 1-844-TEA-FUND (1-844-832-3863)
Funkytown Fridge - community solidarity fridge in Ft Worth
IG: @funkytownfridge
Venmo: @funkytownfridge
Cashapp: $funkytownfridge
Online: Fort Worth Assistance Request Sheet
El Paso
West Fund - Funded on the legacy of Queer UTEP students in response to HB 2, the anti-abortion law that swept the state in 2013. Provides financial assistance for abortion in El Paso, Texas; south/eastern New Mexico; and Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua.
IG: @westfundtx
Twitter: @WestFundTX
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestFundTX
Online: https://www.westfund.org/
Donate:https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/contribute-to-abortion-access
Paypal:https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/westfundtx
HELPLINE: 915-213-4535
ESPAÑOL: 915-213-4578
Houston
Mutual Aid Houston- BIPOC-led abolitionist collective boosting mutual aid efforts within Houston such as COVID-19 support, protest supplies, and jail support. Currently distributing immediate needs for water and food due to the freeze. “We have also linked to organizations in Houston that are on the ground doing the work, and who currently need much more support than we do. (CrowdSource Rescue & Houseless Organizing Coalition) Please consider sending your contributions over to them first, if you do plan to donate. Thank y'all so much again - we will get through this together!”
2/18/2021:We have now opened donations again thanks to @CashApp @Venmo increasing our distribution limit and will be able to help many more people.
IG: @mutualaidhou
Online: https://www.mutualaidhou.com/
Venmo: @mutualaidhou
Cashapp: $mutualaidhou
GoFundMe:https://gofund.me/540843df
Email: contact@mutualaidhou.com
Houseless Organizing Coalition - A revolutionary coalition organizing and building dual power within Houston’s houseless community that consists of BIPOC working-class individuals.
IG: @hoc.htx
Twitter: @HocHtx
Donate: paypal.me/hochtx
WishList: Amazon Wish List
Clinic Access Support Network -Provides free transportation, lodging, childcare support, and emotional support to people seeking abortions in Houston.
IG: @casnhtx
Twitter: @casnhtx
Online: https://www.clinicaccess.org/
Donate: https://www.clinicaccess.org/donate
Call: 281-947-2276
Houston Community Fridges - Free, fresh food provided in community fridges located in Third Ward, Alief (77072) & (77073) and Bellaire.
Twitter: @htxcommfridges
Online: https://houstonfridges.cargo.site/
Donate to Third Ward and Bellaire Fridges
Donate to Alief Fridges
CrowdSource Rescue - Free Groceries with delivery/CSR usually delivers boxes/bags from the Houston Food Bank, particularly for folks who can’t get to a food bank distribution center/drive-through.
Twitter: @cs_rescue
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crowdsourcerescue
Online: https://crowdsourcerescue.org/
SWOP Houston - A social justice network dedicated to the fundamental human rights of people involved in the sex trade and their communities, focusing on ending violence and stigma through education and advocacy. Mutual aid efforts within Houston for shelter, food, direct aid, and sexual health supplies to trans, disabled, BIPOC Sex Workers.
IG: @@swop.htx
Twitter: @HtxSwop
Online: https://linktr.ee/SWOPHOU
Say Her Name HTX - Organizing collective in TX building leadership and advocacy about the issues that impact the lives of black women. Say Her Name Texas has been organizing on the ground in Houston, transporting people to warmer locations, buying essential supplies, & distributing food/water. We will continue to be there for our Houston community.
IG: @sayhernametx
Twitter: @sayhername_tx
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sayhernametx/
Online: https://www.sayhernametexas.org/
Laredo
Holding Institute - community center in downtown Laredo providing hot food and shelter
Call: 956.718.2070
Online: http://www.holding-institute.org
Facebook: holdingcc
Donate: Paypal
Red Wing United - tierra, democracia, y libertad for everyone. Distributing supply bags + care packages
Donate: https://gofund.me/1355430d
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redwinglaredo/
Email: redwingunite@gmail.com
REQUEST AID: l.php
Twitter: @PBorderMovement
Laredo Community Fridge
Venmo: @feed956
Online: https://linktr.ee/ldocommunityfridge
Volunteer: Sign up to volunteer!
GoFundMe: Our Gofundme!
San Antonio
San Antonio DSA’s Puro Mutual Aid Fund -
San Antonio DSA’s Puro Mutual Aid Network is raising funds for households struggling during this outbreak of COVID-19.
IG: @sanantoniodsa
Online: https://linktr.ee/sanantoniodsa
Donate: https://donorbox.org/puro-mutual-aid-fund
San Antonio Community Fridge - Free, fresh food provided of vegan and plant based pantry.
IG: @communityfridge_satx
Online: https://linktr.ee/commfridgesatx
Donate: Local Community Fridge in San Antonio
San Antonio Food Bank/SNAP
For COVID-19 response, food assistance, and help to sign up for SNAP benefits. Call 210.431.8326 to speak with someone about all the ways to get help in your area.
Mon-Friday, 8am-8pm • Sat 9am-3pm
Online: https://safoodbank.org/help/
Donate: https://safoodbank.org/donate/
San Marcos
HOME Center - Working to get unhoused folks into motels in SM! Currently needs $20K to pay for the 150 hotel rooms we’ve put our unhoused neighbors in + getting out 200 plates 2x a day. If you donate on Venmo, make sure it is the correct account: HOME-Center. Beware opportunists <3
Venmo: @HOME-Center
Cashapp: $HOMECenter
Paypal email: homecentertx@gmail.com
Rio Grande Valley
La Frontera Fund - Provides financial assistance for lodging for people living in the Rio Grande Valley.
Email: info@lafronterafund.org
Call: (956) 307-9330
IG: rgv_abortionfund
Twitter: @lafronterafund
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fronterafundtexas
Online: https://fronterafundrgv.org/
Online 2: https://abortionfunds.org/fund/frontera-fund/
Donate:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=WDPHN8QPWWS8J
Willacy County - An effort to provide urgent support to community members and families without electricity, water, transportation, etc. This fund will redistribute hot food and direct aid to Willacy County neighbors via $ infusions, contactless deliveries, or by pick up. Organized by IG: @madelinejbustos If you’re in the area, DM Madeline to volunteer in this effort that is urgently needed right now!
• If you know someone in Willacy who needs aid, invite them to fill out the aid request form provided in the organizers bio + in @rgvmutualaid link tree.
Venmo: @Madeline-Bustos
Cashapp: $MadelineBustos
Zelle: mdbustos.rr@gmail.com
The Sidewalk School for Children Asylum Seekers -
The Sidewalk School serves the Children Asylum Seekers stuck in México because of MPP while they wait to cross into the US legally. The Sidewalk School only employs qualified Teacher Asylum Seekers who have degrees from their home countries. Both gofundmes are for affected areas by the winter storm at the border.
• A current gofundme for propane used for Matamoros encampment heaters and also to raise money for more heaters.
Donate: https://gofund.me/1b3fb8f8
• A local colonia/low infrastructure non-incorporated neighborhood that has high rates of covid job loss that is raising money for heating, blankets, materials.
Donate: https://gofund.me/1b3fb8f8
RGV Mutual Aid - A mutual aid collective created and operated by RGV organizers and community members. Currently not actively collecting donations because we do not have enough available/active members or resources to help collect, distribute, and keep track of donations. We appreciate y’all reaching out & will continue to donate our remaining money to local efforts.
IG: @rgvmutualaid
Twitter: @rgvmutualaid
Online: https://linktr.ee/rgvmutualaid
Dando La Mano - Relief to get gift cards to Colonia residents in the RGV. “Historic freezes have left millions of Texans without power. In the Rio Grande Valley, Colonia residents are hit hardest. Help us get $50 gift cards into the hands of Colonia residents who need a warm meal, a hotel for a night, blankets, or space heaters. With your donation, LUPE will buy and distribute gift cards to Colonia families.”
IG: @lupe_rgv
Donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/colonia-frontera
Texas State-Wide Funds For Abortion
Text "HELLO" to 202-883-4620, reply with your zip code and you will receive the three nearest providers and information on funding
Buckle Bunnies Fund - A group of young queer folks who are passionate about Reproductive Justice mobilize across Texas and help people get the abortions they needed with financial assistance for abortions.
Online 1: https://www.bucklebunnies.org/
Online 2: https://linktr.ee/bucklebunniesfund
IG: @bucklebunniesfund
Twitter: @BBFundTX
Venmo: @Buckle-Bunnies
Cashapp: $BuckleBunniesFund
Lilith Fund - Provides financial assistance for abortion in Austin, El Paso, Houston, McAllen, and San Antonio.
Online: https://www.lilithfund.org/
IG: @lilithfund
Twitter: @lilithfund
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lilithfund
Donate: https://secure.everyaction.com/ZKj2BPy6bkaxpudp-4YwUQ2
Call: (877) 659-4304
Fund Texas Choice - Provides financial assistance for travel and lodging in Texas.
Online: https://fundtexaschoice.org/
IG: @fundtexaschoice
Twitter: @fundtexaschoice
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FundTexasChoice
Donate: https://fundtexaschoice.org/index.php/donate/
Call: (512) 900-8908
Texas State-Wide Warming Stations and Shelters for Winter Storm 2021
Texas Tribune compiled Statewide Shelter and Warming Centers Article Here
March For Our Lives IG post on Warming Stations Statewide Here
Houston
The Mayor’s Office is asking people to call the city’s 3-1-1 line to find out what facilities are open.
• KHOU-11 compiled a list of Houston-area warming centers open and is live-updated. Areas consist of Harris County, Fort Bend County, Sugar Land, League City, Galveston County, Sante Fe, Chambers County, West University, Pearland, Friendswood, and Montgomery County.
Austin
• Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) - Working the City of Austin/Travis County to open Church Shelters throughout the Greater Austin area to provide close-in-proximity shelters for families and individuals in need. We understand that families have no electricity and/or experienced water pipes bursting, creating a wet environment. We have asked Churches to provide: safe, clean, warm shelter space.
NOTE: Please bring a change of clothes, toiletries, pillows, blankets, bed mats, extra dry food, water, etc… if you plan to stay at a Church Shelter.
San Antonio
Call 311 or 211 to be directed to a shelter with availability.
• Homeless Hotline (210)-207-1799 (Mon-Fri; 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)
• San Antonio Community Resource Directory (SACRD) Emergency Shelters
cover photo from https://unsplash.com/@ianjbattaglia?utm_source=squarespace&medium=referral