CCN is a vehicle for growing for a local & regional solidarity economy. Our mission is to help build our communities’ capacity for collective self-reliance and economic democracy. Our work is informed by our lived experiences in the social movements for racial, cultural, gender, ecological and economic justice. We strive to be good farmers, healers, organizers, and caretakers for our community. Drawn together by grief, anger, and concern about the destruction caused by capitalism, heteropatriarchy, and white supremacy, we envision a community that is self-sustaining and independent of the mainstream systems.
Our model is based on that of the worker-owned cooperative and we look to organizations like Cooperation Jackson for inspiration and guidance. We envision a community where food, health care, and housing are managed locally and equitably, and accessible to all. We believe in a model of safety and security that builds on education, acceptance, accountability, and nourishment, rather than on systemic violence and bureaucracy. We embrace the arts and creativity as essential to a meaningful community. Given the diverse and layered aspects of this work, many different skills and perspectives will be needed in order for CCN to thrive.