WORKING Together A report on the sixth year of the Worker Cooperative Business Development Initiative (WCBDI) CONTENTS
pg 4-5 pg 18-19 pg 32-39 INTRODUCTORY CELEBRATING WORKER 01 LETTER 05 BLACK-OWNED 09 COOPERATIVES COOPERATIVES ASSISTED BY WCBDI
pg 6-11 pg 20-23 pg 40 THE WORKER COOPERATIVE ONE-ON-ONE LOOKING 02 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 06 SERVICES 10 FORWARD INITIATIVE (WCBDI) PROVIDED pg 41 CONTACT pg 12-15 pg 24-27 INFORMATION WORKER RESPONDING 03 COOPERATIVES 07 TO COVID-19 CREATED
pg 16-17 pg 28-31 TOTAL EDUCATIONAL 04 HIRES 08 SERVICES PROVIDED Working Together Working
SAMAMKĀYA YOGA BACK CARE & SCOLIOSIS FISCAL YEAR 2020 FISCAL
2 3 Dear New Yorkers,
Small businesses are hurting right now. Many businesses have closed and workers have lost their jobs, and workers of color have been disproportionately affected. We are also facing a looming wave of potential closures from aging businesses owners. Few business owners have a succession plan, a reality made even tougher in this pandemic.
The Worker Cooperative Business Development Initiative (WCBDI) has connected New Yorkers with innovative strategies to address the issues of our time. The stories in this report demonstrate that cooperatives are resilient in the face of great challenges. Cooperatives are stronger together and have supported each other throughout this crisis. Over the last six years, WCBDI has built a strong ecosystem of support for 01 cooperatives in NYC and despite the challenges, our city now has more worker cooperatives than any other city in the U.S.
This report also highlights Black-owned worker cooperatives after a summer of INTRODUCTORY reckoning with the reality of racial inequality in our City. Black Americans have a long legacy of advocacy for cooperative ownership, from Marcus Garvey, to W.E.B. Du Bois, to Ella Baker. Black cooperative advocates recognize that the more Letter workers and community members own, the more their communities will prosper. It is imperative that our strategy for recovery and support of cooperatives centers around racial justice and honors the legacy of Black cooperators.
Finally, building on the impressive work of WCBDI and responding to future closures from aging businesses owners, the City is launching Employee Ownership NYC. Through this program, we will offer legal, accounting, and business advice, facilitate connections to funding, and train employees on workplace management. It’s a full suite of services to get businesses ready for this transition and the exciting future it can bring.
We have a chance to fundamentally break with the past and an economy where too much is owned by too few. Worker cooperatives can create a more equitable future, and it’s time to give Black workers, immigrant workers, and workers of color a fair share of the extraordinary wealth they create.
Sincerely,
J. PHILLIP THOMPSON Working Together Working Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives FISCAL YEAR 2020 FISCAL LETTERINTRODUCTORY
4 5 In partnership with the NYC Council and the Office of the Mayor, New York City agencies are working to build a more vibrant and inclusive city. The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) contributes to this vision by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building thriving neighborhoods across the five boroughs.
orker cooperatives — businesses that are owned and controlled by their workers — are an effective tool to achieve this mission. They give New Yorkers the opportunity to co-own a business, creating sustainable and dignified jobs while developing community wealth — particularly for people who lack access to traditional business UPTOWN VILLAGE COOPERATIVE Wownership. Worker cooperatives are also run on democratic principles, giving New Yorkers the opportunity to practice democracy daily in their workplace.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and the NYC Council launched the Worker Cooperative Business Development Initiative (WCBDI) in Fiscal Year 2015 (FY2015) to support the positive impact worker cooperatives have on New York City. WCBDI was created to strengthen the existing ecosystem of cooperative developers in NYC, promote the creation of new cooperatives, and grow existing cooperatives.
Fiscal Year 2020 (FY2020) marks the sixth year of the initiative. Like all small businesses, worker cooperatives were met with incredible challenges this year. However, the WCBDI partners reacted quickly to the limitations brought 02 on by COVID-19 and offered tailored support to cooperatives as they navigated the complex and rapidly changing business landscape. Also, worker-members demonstrated the resilience of the cooperative model by supporting each other THE WORKER through the shutdown and subsequent reopening, prioritizing safety and security. SBS supported WCBDI throughout the year by collecting and analyzing program metrics, holding quarterly meetings, sharing up-to-date information on City resources, and connecting WCBDI partners to other initiatives in the agency. COOPERATIVE SBS also continued discussions with the WCBDI partners to identify barriers and possible solutions to increase public contracting for worker cooperatives.
Working Together Working Business Development This is the sixth annual report in the “Working Together” series, which highlights the achievements of this initiative. SBS is committed to helping worker cooperatives thrive in New York City and proud to showcase the work of WCBDI Initiative (WCBDI) throughout the last fiscal year. FISCAL YEAR 2020 FISCAL INITITIAVE DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS (WCBDI) THE COOPERATIVE WORKER
6 7 The cumulative outcomes listed below were reported A worker-member is a person who owns a share of the worker cooperative, is a beneficiary of a trust, or controls the cooperative with by 12 WCBDI partners and summarize the activities other worker-members. A non-member worker is anyone who works for a worker cooperative but is not a worker-member. WCBDI helps 1 conducted in the initiative’s sixth year. WCBDI partners worker cooperatives take on new worker-members and/or non-member received a total of $3.6 million in FY2020. workers through capacity-building services. Adding new worker- members to an existing business can be a long process but encourages 122 personal investment in the success of the business. TOTAL HIRES The WCBDI measures its success using four metrics on worker This metric represents the total number of jobs created by WCBDI- supported cooperatives in FY2020 and reflects employment of worker- cooperative development: members and non-member workers.
WCBDI partner organizations provide one-on-one, specialized services focused on worker cooperative development to entrepreneurs planning to become worker cooperatives, businesses interested in converting to Worker Total Hires One-on-One Educational cooperatives, and existing worker cooperatives. These services cover Cooperatives Services Provided Services a range of topics including bookkeeping, business plan development, FY20 ACCOMPLISHMENTS FY20 ACCOMPLISHMENTS to businesses and/ Created Provided financial planning, governance, marketing and market research, strategic or community-based organizations 1796 planning, succession planning, and translation. One-on-one services allow cooperatives to continue growing and providing sustainable jobs PROVIDED TO for worker-members.
At the same time, WCBDI partners help other community-based 159 organizations in New York City that provide business development BUSINESSES AND/OR services extend those services to worker cooperatives in their communities. These partnerships allow WCBDI to extend its impact and MEASURING OUR SUCCESS OUR MEASURING COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS further strengthen New York City’s worker cooperative ecosystem. A worker cooperative is a business owned and managed by its workers. In contrast to traditional companies, profits from worker cooperatives are distributed among “worker-members,” who make governance decisions using democratic principles on a one-member, one-vote basis. WCBDI hosts workshops, intensive academies, and networking events WCBDI encourages both the creation of worker cooperatives and for current and prospective cooperative members. Educational services the conversion of traditional businesses into cooperatives through provided by WCBDI can be standalone workshops for anyone to attend, or 10 specialized trainings and one-on-one services. Since creating a a curriculum-based series of trainings that require an application. Events cooperative takes significant time and resources, WCBDI partners often cover a wide range of business and cooperative management topics, WORKER such as bookkeeping, legal entity choice, computer skills, democratic COOPERATIVES work with worker-members for more than a year to either incubate or convert their business into a cooperative. decision making, and conflict resolution. Others aimed to connect CREATED 3332 worker-members and cooperative developers with their communities to In FY2020, WCBDI partners helped 10 new worker cooperatives formally EDUCATIONAL teach them about the cooperative model. launch by helping them acquire a federal tax ID, formation documents, SERVICES PROVIDED appropriate licenses and permits, and register as a New York State sales This metric represents the number of individuals who were involved in a 25 series of curriculum-based workshops, conferences, lectures, and group tax vendor when applicable. WORKER trainings hosted by WCBDI in FY2020 COOPERATIVES IN WCBDI partners also assisted 25 worker cooperatives who are in the THE PIPELINE process of forming — or cooperatives “in the pipeline.” These worker cooperatives did not fully launch by completing the formal launch steps Working Together Working listed above but are in the process of registering their business and finding an appropriate legal structure. These businesses have tentatively 1 A total of 13 partner organizations received funding through WCBDI in FY2020. City University of New York (CUNY) Main determined their name, industry, and number of worker-members and Street Legal Services received $172,470; however, its involvement was not managed by SBS so details about its work are non-member workers. not included in this report. FISCAL YEAR 2020 FISCAL INITITIAVE DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS (WCBDI) THE COOPERATIVE WORKER
8 9
NYC DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTER (BOC) CENTER FOR FAMILY LIFE (CFL)/SCO DEMOCRACY AT WORK INSTITUTE (DAWI) as an initial consultation for those who want further support from other SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES (SBS) NETWORK FAMILY OF SERVICES Created by the U.S. Federation of partners. NYC NOWC also advocates Worker Cooperatives, the Democracy The NYC Department of Small Business The Business Outreach Center (BOC) Center for Family Life, a program on behalf of New York City’s worker at Work Institute is a national Services helps unlock economic Network is a micro-enterprise and small of SCO Family of Services, seeks cooperatives and hosts the annual
WCBDI organization that provides technical, potential and create economic security business development organization that to promote positive outcomes for NYC Worker Cooperative Assembly. for all New Yorkers by connecting delivers customized business, financial, children, adults, and families in the financial, business development, and New Yorkers to good jobs, creating and legal assistance services to under- low-income immigrant neighborhood educational assistance to nonprofits stronger businesses, and building served entrepreneurs. of Sunset Park through the provision of that assist in the development of TAKEROOT JUSTICE worker cooperatives as well as the thriving neighborhoods across the neighborhood-based family and social TakeRoot Justice provides legal, worker cooperatives themselves. five boroughs. services including family counseling, participatory research, and policy PARTNER PARTNER CAMBA foster care, school-based programs, support to strengthen the work of From homelessness prevention in BRONX COOPERATIVE youth employment, adult employment, GREEN WORKER COOPERATIVES (GWC) grassroots and community-based Staten Island to supportive housing in and other community services. groups in New York City to dismantle DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (BCDI) Green Worker Cooperatives provides the Bronx; from employment training racial, economic and social oppression. technical assistance and training Bronx Cooperative Development in Manhattan to after school programs COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT to prospective and current worker Initiative is a community-led economic and college access in Brooklyn; from cooperatives through a Co-op development organization that is family shelter and support in Queens CLINIC (CUNY SCHOOL OF LAW) THE WORKING WORLD (TWW) Academy, an intensive 5-month ORGANIZATIONS building a network of community and to increasing affordable housing CUNY School of Law’s Community The Working World provides long training and support program labor organizations, anchor institutions, across the city, CAMBA provides & Economic Development (CED) non-extractive loans, financial that helps teams of aspiring and small businesses working holistic services to help struggling Clinic partners with community-led education, and technical assistance entrepreneurs develop worker-owned together to end generational poverty New Yorkers stabilize their lives and organizations to address structural specifically designed for worker green businesses. in the Bronx through shared wealth become self-sufficient. inequalities in New York City through cooperatives, building wealth in low- strategies and democratic ownership. transactional representation, strategic income communities. BCDI projects include the BronXchange, litigation, community legal education, THE ICA GROUP (ICA) the Economic Democracy Learning and policy reform. The ICA Group is the oldest national URBAN UPBOUND (UU) Center, the Policy and Planning Lab, organization dedicated to the and the Bronx Innovation Factory. Urban Upbound is dedicated to development of worker cooperatives breaking cycles of poverty in New York in the United States. ICA provides City public housing and other low- business development, strategic income neighborhoods. They provide analysis, and industry-focused underserved youth and adults with support for businesses interested in the tools and resources needed to employee ownership. achieve economic prosperity and self- sufficiency through five comprehensive, NEW YORK CITY NETWORK OF WORKER integrated programs: Employment COOPERATIVES (NYC NOWC) Services, Financial Counseling, Income Support Services, Community The NYC Network of Worker Revitalization, and Financial Inclusion Cooperatives, the trade association for services anchored by the Urban New York City’s worker cooperatives, Upbound Federal Credit Union. is dedicated to sharing and cultivating the educational, financial, and technical resources of its members WORKER’S JUSTICE PROJECT (WJP) and supporting the growth of worker Worker’s Justice Project is a cooperatives for social and economic community-based organization that justice. NYC NOWC helps existing promotes social, economic, and and new worker cooperatives in all political conditions of low-wage communities within the New York workers and immigrant families in City metropolitan area, with a focus New York City. WJP runs a worker on the development of cooperatives cooperative development program within marginalized communities. Working Together Working that provides training and technical They offer programming, a basic assistance to low-wage workers that training series, technical assistance, are venturing in building worker- and limited financial support, as well OSHA SOLUTIONS owned cooperatives. FISCAL YEAR 2020 FISCAL INITITIAVE DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS (WCBDI) THE COOPERATIVE WORKER
10 11 WCBDI creates worker cooperatives through academies, incubation, and conversion. This section of the report highlights some success stories about worker cooperatives that were created in FY2020. Worker cooperatives in the pipeline in this fiscal year are expected to formally launch in the following fiscal year (FY2021).
RADIATE CONSULTING LAUNCH METHOD: Incubation ASSISTING WCBDI PARTNER(S): Democracy at Work Institute BOROUGH: Manhattan
This year, Democracy at Work Institute (DAWI) incubated Radiate Consulting, a worker-owned consulting firm that provides professional services support to
GREENWORKER HEADQUARTERS non-profits and values-aligned organizations. First, DAWI collaborated with the Mexican Studies Program at CUNY to identify potential cooperative members. Then, DAWI interviewed, hired, and trained founding members in cooperative principles to formally launch the cooperative.
Radiate Consulting faced many challenges this year. As a new business, the Being a worker-owner has cooperative needed to develop and maintain a client base. Members found given me the ability to use and it challenging to find secure and well-paying work. In addition, many Radiate expand my skills while also Consulting members were recent university graduates. This was their first job in giving me the opportunity to their field of study, and members needed to build their workplace skills. Initially, some members struggled to secure clients and thought they might have to leave work along with other people the business. But their struggles were overcome with support from DAWI and with the same entrepreneurial 03 their fellow cooperative members. mindset. Before even considering being a member DAWI provided professional coaching services to the cooperative members. They owner, there was uncertainty WORKER developed résumés, provided support on job applications and cover letters, and about my professional career. coached members on their business pitch. These professional services helped DAWI has supported me to members build skills, support one another, and secure long-term contracts. overcome this situation in DAWI also provided cooperative members with administrative, recruitment, and every step of the way. Their promotional support. DAWI connected the cooperative to potential clients within COOPERATIVES team and their constant their network. Finally, DAWI supported facilitation at meetings and provided other support had made the process wrap-around services to ensure the cooperative’s success.
Working Together Working an enjoyable experience.” Now, the current worker-members at Radiate Consulting have found steady CREATED work with quality wages. Within the first year, Radiate Consulting achieved MARCELINO MARTINEZ creditworthiness. Cooperative members are looking towards a bright future. Radiate Consulting FISCAL YEAR 2020 FISCAL CREATED COOPERATIVES WORKER
12 13 governance structure. The steering formal marketing plan. Urban Upbound PARTNER & PARTNERS committee decided to keep Partner SUNLIGHT ECOSERVICES also connected the cooperative to the & Partners’ existing management NYC Network of Worker Cooperatives, LAUNCH METHOD: structure, but now all the worker- LAUNCH METHOD: who connected them to funding from Conversion members are on the Board of the Incubation (currently in development the Cooperative Sustainability Fund and expected to launch FY2021) ASSISTING WCBDI PARTNER(S): business. They are empowered to and Cooperative Accelerator Project The ICA Group make important business policy ASSISTING WCBDI PARTNER(S): mentorship program. With this funding, decisions together and share in the Urban Upbound, NYC Network of they were able to create a website and BOROUGH: company’s profits over time. design business cards. Worker Cooperatives Manhattan Since the transition, ICA has continued BOROUGH: WCBDI partners will continue to Partner & Partners is a successful to support worker-members as they Queens support Sunlight Ecoservices on their design studio focused on interactive, begin to operate as a cooperative. journey to incorporation and beyond. print, and exhibition work with The shift to worker ownership has Sunlight Ecoservices is a cleaning a long list of socially conscious empowered employees to take on business on its way to becoming clients including the Green New new responsibilities. a worker cooperative. They offer Deal, the Catskills Visitor Center, and residential and commercial, Immigration Equality. When brothers Lulu Johnson, a new worker-member, shared: environmentally friendly cleaning Greg and Zach Mihalko co-founded and disinfecting services that are the business in 2013, they were in-line with CDC and EPA guidelines. committed to building a strong culture They are in the process of becoming of collaboration and cooperation. a cooperative and plan to formally The success of this approach led Now that it's real, I feel like I launch in FY2021. them to consider worker ownership can do things that I wouldn't as a model to foster inclusive and necessarily do as just an Sunlight Ecoservices started with democratic management. employee, like bring in new an immigrant struggling to find clients for the company.” traditional employment who visited The ICA Group helped Partner & Urban Upbound for assistance. Partners formalize the democratic Partner & Partners hopes to see more Urban Upbound introduced the culture they had built over time by worker-owned businesses in New York City, client to their worker cooperative particularly in the design industry. Greg changing the structure of the business development program. Together, they believes that worker ownership can be a tool to a worker cooperative. ICA worked were able to recruit another member for significant change: with Greg and Zach, the original to start a cooperative. owners of Partner & Partners, to help them understand the value of their The founding worker-owners are business and what it would mean building a marketing plan and hope to financially to transfer ownership from There's a lot of exploitation in hire more members as they increase two people to five (and potentially the design industry towards their sales. Both members have more as the business grows). Greg and young, or more junior, people. experience in the cleaning industry. Zach decided to provide the capital for Having gone through that They decided to start a worker-owned the transition themselves to prevent a myself, I knew there was another cleaning business because they found delay in ownership change that might way to do things. I've been that wages were too low and working come as workers secure outside loans. purposeful and intentional from conditions were unfair in a traditional the beginning that our company business model with one owner. ICA also worked with a steering is not about one person, but is Sunlight Ecoservices received support committee made up of three Partner about all of us, and becoming from Urban Upbound to add more & Partners employees to develop a cooperative is a natural structure to their business, including a a new operating agreement and Working Together Working extension of that approach.” pricing structure, client contracts, and
PARTNER & PARTNERS FISCAL YEAR 2020 FISCAL CREATED COOPERATIVES WORKER
14 15 WCBDI helps newly created, converted, and/or existing worker cooperatives get new worker-members and/or non-member workers. WCBDI helped cooperatives hire 122 new workers in FY2020. This section of the report highlights a success story about a cooperative that was able to grow in FY2020.
® who are residents of public housing. share resources and services. This BRIGHTLY EAST HARLEM They developed the cooperative to networking helps day care providers create wealth building opportunities, offer quality care for children and ASSISTING WCBDI PARTNER: living wage jobs, and a path to families in their communities and Center for Family Life ownership for traditionally underserved creates supportive avenues for BOROUGH: populations. OnPoint’s management programs to grow using cost- Manhattan team has 25+ years of combined effective strategies. security experience, which they use Center for Family Life (CFL) has to design and implement customized This year, The Working World (TWW) been incubating worker cooperatives security plans for their clients. helped ACP Shared Services identify since 2006. In 2018, CFL started and apply to be part of the NYC the incubation of a new Brightly® In FY2020, OnPoint made nine new Department of Education (DOE)’s cooperative in partnership with VIP hires. Urban Upbound provided Family Child Care Network program. Mujeres. Through CFL’s incubation access to office space for recruiting In February 2020, ACP Shared model, the women developed their events and referred job candidates to Services was awarded a contract business and became the third OnPoint. Additionally, Urban Upbound to begin serving approximately 42 cooperative to join the Brightly® contracted OnPoint to provide security in-home day cares in Brooklyn and cooperative franchise. Since their services at several of their locations, Queens. As the cooperative began launch in November 2019, 14 worker- which increased their hiring capacity. outreach to day care providers, TWW We offer guaranteed residential members have started working, OnPoint also provides security helped with project management and and commercial cleaning services providing residential and commercial services to businesses in industries marketing. In addition, TWW facilitated such as hospitality, medical facilities, with honesty and kindness. The cleaning services across New York City. a consulting relationship with Bright and recreational spaces. Learning Stars, a cooperative Group 04 satisfaction of our customers is our Family Day Care in Brooklyn, so that ® best reward. Brightly East Harlem ONPOINT SECURITY As the city begins to reopen and ACP Shared Services could pilot their is a group of women who have come recover from COVID-19, OnPoint and service provision model in advance of ASSISTING WCBDI PARTNER: TOTAL HIRES together to share our business and Urban Upbound are committed to launching the broader network. Urban Upbound, TakeRoot Justice expanding their business in order to cleaning expertise while building BOROUGH: create quality jobs. The partnership between TWW and economic justice. Our cooperative Queens ACP Shared Services will build a imagines a world with equality, ACP SHARED SERVICES cooperative network to foster solidarity respect, and solidarity; where OnPoint Security NYC is a worker and cooperation between in-home day there are opportunities for success, cooperative private security firm ASSISTING WCBDI PARTNER: care providers throughout the city who that launched in July 2015. OnPoint usually find themselves isolated from and there is no discrimination. To The Working World provides corporate and commercial each other and struggling to survive in achieve this vision, we work hard and security, special event staffing and BOROUGH: a competitive market. united, to change the future and turn security, unoccupied property security, Queens our dreams and the dreams of our retail loss prevention, and concierge This spring, ACP Shared Services and residential community protection. ACP Shared Services, a sister was able to hire two additional staff
Working Together Working community into reality. company to A Child’s Place Day members who have already helped The cooperative was developed by Care Center, brings Group Family the cooperative start recruiting WORKER-MEMBERS Urban Upbound in partnership with a Day Care providers together to be member day cares for its Family Brightly® East Harlem small group of security professionals part of a supportive network to Child Care Network. FISCAL YEAR 2020 FISCAL HIRES TOTAL
16 17 The summer of 2020 brought renewed energy and attention to on shared prosperity and community control, rather than the racial injustice experienced by Black communities in our extraction and exploitation. Investing in Black cooperatives city and our nation. Activists and other community members helps to build a future of self-determination, safety, and joy. are pushing for the divestment from institutions and systems that have harmed Black people for generations. WCBDI seeks to serve and celebrate Black cooperators. Below are descriptions of some of the Black-led cooperatives At the same time, leaders in the Movement for Black Lives in New York City that WCBDI partners assisted in FY2020. To (M4BL) are calling for investment into “Black alternative read about other Black-owned cooperatives and learn how institutions” including cooperatives.2,3 Black-led worker you can support these businesses, visit nycworker.coop/ cooperatives are living examples of an economy that is based blackcoopsmatter.
FASHION THAT WORKS SADE ́ S.) SOLAR UPTOWN NOW (SUN) OT ( RO US IO offers solar panel installation services PRODUCTION L L E B for residential and commercial is a worker-owned sewn-goods E R properties in uptown Manhattan. SUN cooperative in Manhattan. The worker- installs solar units on affordable owners at Fashion That Works are housing cooperatives. The solar graduates of the Custom Collaborative installations reduce operating Training Institute, a workforce costs for co-ops, increasing their development program that trains and savings that can be used to address supports women from low-income maintenance issues. SUN also offers and immigrant communities to launch education and flexible financing fashion careers and businesses. ITTANY B.) options for residents. (BR OT RO S U IO GREEN FEEN L GREEN FEEN L E B WOKE FOODS E is an environmental consulting firm R is a food service and food justice using hip-hop to inspire a sustainable worker-owned cooperative in culture based in the Bronx. Through the Bronx focused on innovating partnerships, zero waste events, and Dominican and Afro-Caribbean organic collection, Green Feen uses plant-based foods. They are the triple bottom line of sustainability currently supporting mutual aid to teach a holistic lifestyle. efforts by offering prepared meals to communities in Northern Manhattan ICKEY F.) T (M and the South Bronx. They are REBELLIOUS ROOT OO R US prioritizing cooking and offering food IO is a worker-owned cooperative L 05 L E to Black and Indigenous People of B dedicated to equity, social justice, and E Celebrating R Color, specifically elders, essential collective liberation based in Brooklyn. workers, and formerly incarcerated As multi-racial, feminist facilitators folks returning home. and creatives, they work towards justice and social change through BLACK-OWNED trainings, curriculum design, and intentional conversations. Rebellious Root participated in the 2019 Green Worker Co-op Academy. OWNED COOPERATIVES - Working Together Working COOPERATIVES
2 Learn more about the M4BL demands for Economic Justice at m4bl.org/policy-platforms/economic-justice 3 Jessica Gordon Nembhard’s Collective Courage chronicles the history of Black cooperative business ownership and its place in the movement for civil rights and economic justice. FISCAL YEAR 2020 FISCAL BLACK CELEBRATING
18 19 WCBDI provides specialized one-on-one services to business entities and community-based organizations to strengthen the city’s worker cooperative ecosystem. These one-on-one services focus on worker cooperative development. Technical assistance is critical to the success of new and established cooperatives, helping mitigate risk for cooperative worker-members and the institutions that invest in them. In FY2020, WCBDI provided 1,796 one-on-one services to 159 unique entities.
This section of the report highlights some success stories for one-on-one services provided by WCBDI partners.
BKLN CLEAN
06 BKLN CLEAN ASSISTING WCBDI PARTNER(S): - - The Working World ONE ON ONE BOROUGH: Brooklyn SERVICES PROVIDED BKLN Clean is a cleaning product distribution cooperative run by immigrant women in Brooklyn. The Working World (TWW) supported BKLN Clean to develop and launch their new and improved green cleaning formula. The launch of this product represents the culmination of their collective dreams: to own their own business, creating a high-quality product that is good for the planet and, most importantly, safe Working Together Working for domestic workers to use. TWW supported BKLN Clean to develop a marketing plan, research logistics for sales and shipping, and plan a virtual launch strategy once COVID-19 hit. In addition, they provided management coaching and helped the ONE SERVICES PROVIDED SERVICES ONE cooperative build their customer base. - ON - FISCAL YEAR 2020 FISCAL ONE
20 21 BIO CLASSIC CLEANING SERVICES ASSISTING WCBDI PARTNER(S): Green Worker Cooperatives, Business Outreach Center Network BOROUGH: Bronx
Bio Classic Cleaning Services is a group of worker-members and mothers who are committed to creating healthy living and workspaces. The founders, graduates of Green Worker Cooperatives’ (GWC) 2014 Co-op Academy, wanted to provide ownership and independence to immigrant women with years of cleaning experience working for others. Their members have more than 10 years of experience in residential and commercial cleaning work in all boroughs of New York City.
Bio Classic Cleaning was off to a good start in 2020, earning more The idea for Uptown Village started from extensive business assistance. The worker-members are now able revenue than previous months. Their UPTOWN VILLAGE in the spring of 2015 when LaShanda This assistance allowed them to obtain OSHA SOLUTIONS to record their financials in a web- strong momentum was stopped short Dandrich started organizing a monthly “patient” financing from The Working based bookkeeping app, perform in March when their business clients COOPERATIVE potluck for birth professionals from World in 2018, which they do not have ASSISTING WCBDI PARTNER(S): their own reconciliations, and run closed, and their residential clients Harlem, Washington Heights, and to repay until the business is profitable. Urban Upbound financial reports. Through this stopped their services. When the ASSISTING WCBDI PARTNER(S): the Bronx. Along with other birth work, Urban Upbound also trained Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Business Outreach Center BOROUGH: and family topics, the group often Since BOC began assisting the Queens the worker-members in password opened, Bio Classic applied for funds Network, Green Worker discussed their collective vision cooperative, they have seen a security. Additionally, Urban Upbound directly with their bank. However, Cooperatives, The Working of growing a strong community of significant increase in revenue, OSHA Solutions is a worker supported OSHA Solutions in their their application was rejected. Bio World, NYC NOWC multicultural birth professionals in the and they have been able to add an cooperative that provides occupational search for a better bank. Classic reached out to GWC and BOROUGH: Uptown area. They wanted to mobilize additional worker-member to the safety and health courses in requested assistance. Manhattan their community of doulas and team of two original founders. All construction and general industry. To expand their business, OSHA educators supporting gentle birth and three worker-members are women of FY2020 had an exciting beginning for Solutions began preparing to provide GWC was able to help Bio Classic determine their loan amount and Uptown Village Cooperative is a breastfeeding, confident families, and color. In FY2020, BOC helped Uptown OSHA Solutions. With Urban Upbound’s a 10-hour Site Safety Training (SST) collect documentation required for certified M/WBE and multicultural overall reproductive health justice, Village Cooperative write a business assistance, OSHA Solutions became course. Unfortunately, as preparation the loan. After re-submitting the community of highly trained childbirth particularly for women of color in plan for a birthing center in the Bronx, the first Spanish speaking worker for the course was underway, the application, Bio Classic was approved professionals who provide continuous their communities. which will use the cooperative for cooperative to receive Minority COVID-19 pandemic struck. Due to the for a $11,000 PPP loan. Bio Classic emotional, physical, informational, and educational programming. Finally, BOC Business Enterprise (MBE) certification pandemic, the trainers could no longer Cleaning is hoping to continue to educational support to an individual who In the fall of 2015, a collective decision provided grant and loan information from the City of New York in August conduct their OSHA classes, which improve on the momentum they had is expecting/gestating, is experiencing was reached that two members of to the cooperative when they saw a 2019. The certification makes OSHA were all designed to be held in person. built in the winter as things open up. labor, or has recently given birth the group — LaShanda Dandrich decrease in revenue due to COVID-19. Solutions more competitive and OSHA Solutions reached out to Urban (postpartum/recovery period). The and Myla Flores — would attend allows the firm to take advantage of Upbound for support. Urban Upbound cooperative’s professional doulas are the Green Worker Co-op Academy. contracting opportunities reserved for helped the worker-members learn to Since 2017, they have been working use virtual conference software and
Working Together Working there to support a variety of births – MBE certified businesses. hospital, birth centers, homebirths, out of the Business Outreach Center Throughout the year, Urban Upbound supported them in designing virtual C-sections, vaginal births after (BOC) Network South Bronx business supported OSHA Solutions in classes that are in accordance with
incubator, and they have benefited OSHA and SST guidelines. PROVIDED SERVICES ONE cesareans, and more. becoming proficient in bookkeeping. - ON - FISCAL YEAR 2020 FISCAL ONE
22 23 Like any small business, cooperatives have been deeply affected Despite the current crises, none of the businesses in The Working by the compounding health and economic crises brought on by the World (TWW) network have closed. outbreak of COVID-19. However, WCBDI has grown and strengthened TWW aims to help every cooperative hibernate, rather than close the New York City cooperative ecosystem. WCBDI partners provided permanently. Their approach to the cooperatives with technical assistance and education tailored COVID-19 crisis has been threefold: to their unique business structure throughout the stay-at-home Relief: First, TWW raised more than orders and reopening processes. In addition, cooperatives are $250,000 in rapid response relief grants and distributed 100% of the built on trust and mutual support. Members help each other funds directly to businesses and workers. Then, they helped worker- through crises, and this difficult period has demonstrated the owners apply for unemployment resiliency of the cooperative model. and supported cooperatives in accessing more than $2 million in Federal support through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).
Rebuild: TWW sees that cooperatives can play a key role in rebuilding the economy. They have developed a pivot RAPID RESPONSE & planning tool that helps businesses partially reopen and/or change their business plan. More than a third NYC NOWC EVENT MUTUAL AID of the businesses in their network have found new ways to safely begin Just days after the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, NYC NOWC organized producing at different levels. an event describing the emergency financial and health resources available for worker cooperatives. More than 150 individuals attended. NYC NOWC A crisis creates vacuums in the continued their rapid response programming throughout the spring by providing economy that will be filled by large information sessions for cooperatives applying for federal funding and capital if smaller funds like TWW do partnered with BOC Network to provide individualized grant and loan support. not fill it. They have raised almost $5 In addition, NYC NOWC raised more than $96,000 in relief funds and has already million in “patient capital,” or long- distributed grants to 160 immigrant worker-owners. term capital, that will be invested to 07 both support pivoting businesses and The Center for Family Life (CFL) was also able to adjust their services to meet their buy out businesses whose owners are community’s greatest needs. CFL worked with local foundations to direct $146,000 retiring early due to the crisis. Solidarity & Resiliency: in cash assistance to worker-members in their coop programs. In addition, CFL convened cooperatives to make crucial, collective decisions about the future of their business. A cooperative is more than a business, it is a place where people Reimagine: The COVID-19 crisis is come together and support one another. Up & Go, a cleaning cooperative, adjusted already changing how we organize their price structure, added a new line of business, and implemented new safety our society. Today’s public policy and THE WORKER measures during the business pause. Domestic work includes a lot of personal risk, spending will shape our economy but members of the cooperative found it comforting to talk about safety and risk in for the next decade. TWW has a supportive, committed network of individuals who want to succeed together. collaborated with City agencies and participated in national policy COOPERATIVE COMMUNITY Finally, CFL assisted worker-members stay safe as they re-opened for convenings to share ideas about a business. A group of cooperatives in the CFL network came together to engage just recovery. By describing their
Working Together Working in joint purchasing of personal protective equipment (PPE). Together, they local work with cooperatives, they are decided to buy masks from a cooperative in North Carolina. CFL cooperatives helping policy makers reimagine the RESPONDS TO COVID-19 also contracted with an occupational safety and health training worker economy and reorient us toward a cooperative, ActionOSH, to learn how to protect themselves at work. more just and equitable future. FISCAL YEAR 2020 FISCAL TO COVID-19 RESPONDING
24 25 KEEP THE DOORS OPEN
With WCBDI funding, the ICA Group was able to launch the Keep the Doors Open business resilience program one month into the pandemic. This program supports NYC businesses facing an unprecedented risk of closure by transitioning them to employee ownership — helping save jobs, build community wealth, and preserve owners’ retirement savings. Keep the Doors Open is designed to prevent businesses from closing or laying off their workers, while helping owners secure a fair price and successfully retire without taking on additional debt. Out of the total number of applications to the Keep the Doors Open program, 79% were minority, women, or immigrant-owned businesses, and 83% had a majority workforce of minorities, women, or immigrants. Existing racial and gender wealth gaps mean that business closures disproportionately impact BIPOC business owners and workers already experiencing disinvestment, displacement, and decreased or limited access to capital.
ICA conducts a financial and operational feasibility analysis for businesses interested in converting to an employee-owned firm. If the business is a good fit for employee ownership, ICA offers a package of services including connections to financing, assistance executing the sale of the business to the employees, and ongoing training for managers and key staff following the sale.
The ICA Group looks forward to working with partners in the coming year to increase awareness of employee ownership for conventionally structured businesses as a strategy for preservation and economic recovery. Employee ownership can preserve Black-owned businesses and increase their access to capital; facilitate wealth transfer to BIPOC, women, LGBTQ, and immigrant future employee-owners; and root and grow shared wealth and ownership among low-income and communities of color experiencing real estate pressures and gentrification. Working Together Working
ONPOINT SECURITY NYC FISCAL YEAR 2020 FISCAL TO COVID-19 RESPONDING
26 27 WCBDI offers workshops and events open to the public, as well as intensive trainings specifically meant for prospective and/or current worker cooperatives. Educational services provided by WCBDI can be standalone workshops for anyone to attend, or a curriculum-based series of trainings that require an application.
CONTINUITY PLANNING WITH a good fit for his business. Prior to path towards worker-ownership, and it attending the event, the only form will provide interpretation to the large LONG ISLAND CITY of employee ownership he knew of African communities in New York City. PARTNERSHIP (LICP) was an ESOP,4 which he could not effectively use to pass on his business In FY2020, The ICA Group to his employees. He realized a subcontracted part of their WCBDI ASSISTING WCBDI PARTNER: worker cooperative would be a better award to ACT.5 This contract gave ACT The ICA Group, in collaboration with vehicle for selling his business to his the capacity to put their plans for a The Working World and BOC Network employees. His business is now in cooperative into action. ACT held the process of converting to a worker their first cooperative development In FY2020, The ICA Group educated cooperative; ICA hopes to complete session in September 2019. Members local business communities on the conversion in FY2021. came in very excited to finally see employee ownership as an exit their dream come to reality, and strategy for small business owners most members mentioned how looking to retire. Small business AFRICAN COMMUNITIES happy they were to finally put their owners who want to secure their TOGETHER EXPLORES language abilities to use. Other retirement while maintaining their members of the cooperative are businesses’ legacy can explore the WORKER OWNERSHIP professional interpreters who idea of converting their business worked for agencies where they felt to a worker cooperative with the ASSISTING WCBDI PARTNER: exploited because they were being paid NYC NOWC EVENT help of WCBDI. ICA reached more than The ICA Group, subcontracting less than half of the money charged to 100 business owners through two African Communities Together the clients. events: a panel sponsored by the Long Island City Partnership (LICP) and in Since its creation in 2013, African The cooperative also provides an collaboration with the Deputy Mayor’s Communities Together (ACT) has been opportunity to build leadership skills Office for Strategic Policy Initiatives; fighting for language access for African and strengthen community bonds. ACT and an information table at the Black communities in New York City. Many of members saw this effect at a coop Veterans Appreciation Breakfast their community members are unable event one Saturday in December. A sponsored by Council Members to access City services due to language young mother and cooperative member Richard Donovan, Daneek Miller and barriers, and they rely on ACT for was struggling to settle down her Adrienne Adams. interpretation to access these services. two-month-old daughter. Another 08 member of the cooperative who is an One small business owner was In 2017 after years of interpretation experienced mother of four took the introduced to the idea of worker work, ACT members decided to create a baby and carried her on her back so EDUCATIONAL cooperative conversions at the language cooperative. The cooperative’s that the young mother could focus. LICP event. He was excited to learn benefits will be twofold: it will support These small acts of solidarity remind about the work of ICA and other their highly skilled community members the cooperative members that they are SERVICES PROVIDED WCBDI partners, and he decided who face barriers to traditional stronger together. that employee ownership might be business ownership by offering them a
4
Working Together Working ESOP stands for Employee Stock Ownership Plan. In an ESOP, employees own shares of the company where they work. Plans in public companies generally limit the total amount of the company's stock that may be acquired by employees. Unlike worker cooperatives, ESOPs often do not require worker participation in management.
5 WCBDI Partners can subcontract out 30% of their Discretionary awards. Subcontracting allows partners to seek out expertise outside their staff to support worker cooperative development. Subcontracting can also provide new CBOs and business development organizations the opportunity to develop cooperatives, widening and strengthening the worker cooperative ecosystem in New York City. FISCAL YEAR 2020 FISCAL PROVIDED SERVICES EDUCATIONAL
28 29 TH 1. APOTECA CAFE GREEN WORKER’S 19 is a cafe and medicinal apothecary Three of the five CO-OP ACADEMY using locally sourced herbs 2. LATICOSINA cooperatives ASSISTING WCBDI PARTNER: is a cooperative restaurant owned Green Worker Cooperatives by domestic violence survivors were able to cooking traditional Latinx cuisine Every year, Green Worker complete their Cooperatives (GWC) runs a Co-op 3. LOFTY HEIGHTS Academy, an intensive 5-month long WELLNESS STUDIO training and support program that is an affordable and LGBTQ- legal formation helps teams of aspiring entrepreneurs friendly Bronx Healing Space for develop worker-owned green yoga, reiki, and other modalities within five months businesses. Think of it as a business boot camp for cooperative startups. 4. REBELLIOUS ROOT of completing the is a cooperative of multi-racial, In FY2020, GWC ran its 19th cohort feminist facilitators teaching of the Co-op Academy, providing curriculum design, experiential Co-op Academy. in-depth training and support to workshops and tools that support educators, youth workers, and cooperative entrepreneurs in the community members development of their ideas and formation of their cooperatives. The 5. SOLAR UPTOWN course ran for 22 three-hour sessions NOW SERVICES from September through January. provides solar panel installation This resulted in five new cooperatives services for residential and completing the academy: commercial properties in northern Manhattan
NYC NOWC collaborated with SLIDING SCALE Hadassah Damien of Ride Free Fearless Money, an organization WORKSHOP that seeks to empower progressive communities by stabilizing their ASSISTING WCBDI PARTNER: relationship to money. Damien NYC NOWC, hosted at facilitated the workshop and added TakeRoot Justice content to her blog ahead of the workshop that NYC NOWC included The New York City Network of Worker in their promotions. Participants Cooperatives (NYC NOWC) hosted from 10 different cooperatives a workshop on the use of “sliding attended and found the program very scale” as a price structure in the fall engaging. We know of at least one of 2019. NYC NOWC chose that topic cooperative (Revolutionary Fitness) for a workshop after their members that changed their entire pricing voted on it at their Annual Worker scheme based on the program. Cooperative Assembly in June 2019. The purpose was to help businesses think about how to incorporate Working Together Working effective sliding scale prices into their businesses so they could be profitable and adhere to their values. GREEN WORKER HEADQUARTERS FISCAL YEAR 2020 FISCAL PROVIDED SERVICES EDUCATIONAL
30 31 In FY2020, WCBDI helped 83 worker cooperatives and an additional 76 business entities and/or CBOs that applied for services.
WCBDI partners reported the information listed in this section, which summarizes the business information of the worker cooperatives served in FY2020 and the services they received. The following is not an exhaustive list of worker cooperatives in New York City.
ACP SHARED SERVICES AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL CORPORATION CONSULTING 32-20 108th Street, Queens, NY 11269 55 Linden Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY 11226 COMMUNITY DISTRICT: COMMUNITY DISTRICT: 3 Queens 14 Brooklyn JKS PRINTING # INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: Childcare Business Services 3RD EYE STUDIO 3 WORKER-OWNERS ADDED IN FY20 BOC Network provided a variety of services including Excel support, referrals, financial 681 Courtland Avenue, Bronx, NY 10451 TWW provided a variety of services including strategy support, recruitment, funding, and projections, and information about available grants. COMMUNITY DISTRICT: project planning. TWW provided project planning and financial 1 Bronx model development. TakeRoot provided operating INDUSTRY: agreement and business registration support. Photography ACTION O.S.H. CAMBA and GWC provided free space in the BXL 8317 34th Avenue, Queens, NY, 11372 ALGARABIA LANGUAGE Incubator and discussed cost mitigation methods COMMUNITY DISTRICT: during COVID-19. 3 Queens TEACHING COOPERATIVE INDUSTRY: 657 Woodward Avenue, Queens, NY 11385 09 Occupational Safety Education COMMUNITY DISTRICT: 2 WORKER-OWNERS ADDED IN FY20 5 Queens INDUSTRY: FY20 Urban Upbound provided strategic planning, A support applying for COVID-19 relief funds, and Educational Services, Translation legal referrals. TakeRoot assisted with business formation. A BOOKKEEPING COOPERATIVE GWC discussed cost mitigation methods during COVID-19. BOC Network connected the coop WORKER COOPERATIVES 540 President Street, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11215 ADORN MIX INC. to grant funds. COMMUNITY DISTRICT: 304 Rogers Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 6 Brooklyn COMMUNITY DISTRICT: INDUSTRY: AMPLED Working Together Working 9 Brooklyn Bookkeeping ASSISTED BY WCBDI INDUSTRY: 231 Bowery, Floor 2, New York, NY 10002 ICA provided financial research support Jewelry Making COMMUNITY DISTRICT: surrounding EIDL. TakeRoot reviewed contracts. 3 Manhattan TWW provided financial progress reviews. GWC provided mediation support. FISCAL YEAR 2020 FISCAL BY WCBDI ASSISTED FY20 COOPERATIVES WORKER
32 33 INDUSTRY: BITS AND BITES BRIGHTLY® BROOKLYN STONE & TILE COOPERATIVE HOME CAMBA provided website development and Music Publishing marketing video planning and production. 1231 Lafayette Avenue, 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10473 (CARROLL GARDENS) 63 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn Navy Yard Building 12 CARE ASSOCIATES Urban Upbound provided support switching DAWI consulted the cooperative on governance COMMUNITY DISTRICT: 201 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 Brooklyn, NY 11205 bank accounts, tax burden analysis, and a needs and facilitated a focus group for Ampled 400 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10458 2 Bronx COMMUNITY DISTRICT: COMMUNITY DISTRICT: review of costs and income. TWW providing users. TWW assisted with tax preparation and filing. COMMUNITY DISTRICT: bookkeeping and Quickbooks training. NYC INDUSTRY: 6 Brooklyn 2 Brooklyn 15 Bronx NOWC provided a needs assessment and action Computer Related Services INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: plan and supported the worker-owners through APOTECA CAFÉ Cleaning Manufacturing BOC Network provided financial planning Home Health Care their COVID Employee Retention Fund. TakeRoot 6 NON-MEMBER WORKERS ADDED IN FY20 provided bank compliance support. ICA 1231 Lafayette Avenue, 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10474 assistance. GWC provided market research advice. CFL provided a variety of services including ICA provided outreach support, expansion strategy, provided PPP and EIDL consulting and Spanish COMMUNITY DISTRICT: a financial report audit, insurance renewal, TWW provided tax prep, financing, cash flow economic relief support research. general cooperative education. 2 Bronx governance coaching, membership manual advice, review, bookkeeping, payroll support, sales plan BKLN CLEAN Venmo support, and general financial management. development, financial modeling, job description INDUSTRY: support, unemployment application support, and 445 56th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11220 Food Services, Wellness various COVID-19 loan and grant application CUSP (COOPERATIVES UNITED FOR EXCELSIOR GREEN CLEANING COMMUNITY DISTRICT: ® GWC provided a checklist for developing a strong BRIGHTLY support. NYC NOWC supported the cooperative’s SUNSET PARK) 7 Brooklyn SERVICES cooperative business. (EAST HARLEM) worker-owners through their COVID-19 204 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232 INDUSTRY: Employee Retention Fund. 1231 Lafayette Avenue, 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10474 COMMUNITY DISTRICT: Manufacturing P.O. Box 1161, Triborough Station, New York, NY 10035 COMMUNITY DISTRICT: 7 Brooklyn APPLE ECO-CLEANING COMMUNITY DISTRICT: 2 Bronx TWW provided a variety of services including INDUSTRY: 11 Manhattan 42-72 80th Street, Queens, NY 11373 identifying potential customers, developing meeting INDUSTRY: Secondary Cooperative INDUSTRY: COMMUNITY DISTRICT: structure, product testing and fieldwork, website Cleaning configuration, bulk purchasing, business strategy Cleaning CFL provided back office training, leadership 4 Queens GWC provided coopeartive education and general counseling, grant identification and application support, bookkeeping, negotiation mediation, grant 14 WORKER-OWNER ADDED IN FY20 business plan development through their 2019 INDUSTRY: C application support, and committee support. support, and financing. Cleaning CFL provided a variety of services including Co-op Academy. Google Calendar support, membership CARACOL INTERPRETERS NYC NOWC provided bookkeeping assistance, manual updates, back office training, sales tax Quickbooks training, and connected the BLACK CONFERENCE 128 Linden Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY 11226 CUSTOM COLLABORATIVE management, Venmo support, supply purchasing cooperative to emergency funds during COVID-19. TOURING COMPANY support, ITIN registration, bookkeeping, marketing COMMUNITY DISTRICT: 102 Bradhurst Avenue, New York, NY 10039 CFL connected worker-owners to cash assistance strategy, goal setting, cash assistance during 17 Brooklyn COMMUNITY DISTRICT: during COVID-19. 125 West 138th Street, New York, NY 10030 coronavirus, and more. TakeRoot Justice provided INDUSTRY: 10 Manhattan COMMUNITY DISTRICT: franchise agreement negotiation support, contract Interpretation INDUSTRY: F 9 Manhattan review, and DBA form change assistance. NYC BOC Network provided tax planning and Clothing Manufacturing, Educational Services INDUSTRY: NOWC supported the cooperative’s worker-owners FASHION THAT WORKS incentives information, accounting support, cash Theater through their COVID Employee Retention Fund. DAWI provided strategic planning, marketing and flow analysis, and financial projections. TWW sales training, and meeting facilitation support. COOPERATIVE GWC provided advice and a referral for legal provided tax prep support. NYC NOWC provided TWW provided business English training. NYC 110 East 123rd Street, New York, NY 10035 B services and troubleshooted ways for a large to ® COVID-19 grant and loan information. ICA provided NOWC provided business English and grant BRIGHTLY meet and make decisions. financial and tax analysis. COMMUNITY DISTRICT: (PORT RICHMOND) application support. BEYOND CARE CHILD CARE 11 Manhattan 443 39th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232 INDUSTRY: COOPERATIVE BODEGA WELLNESS COMMUNITY DISTRICT: CARDS BY DE Cleaning 443 39th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232 5060 Broadway, New York, NY 10463 7 Brooklyn 694 Courtlandt Avenue, Bronx, NY 10451 7 WORKER-OWNERS ADDED IN FY20 COMMUNITY DISTRICT: COMMUNITY DISTRICT: INDUSTRY: COMMUNITY DISTRICT: DAWI provided a variety of services that include 7 Brooklyn 12 Manhattan Cleaning 17 Bronx D/E facilitation and organizational skill support, INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: CFL provided conflict resolution support, payments INDUSTRY: membership manual assistance, committee Childcare Healthcare and Wellness processing, financial reporting, organizational goal Arts, Greeting Cards DAMAYAN WORKERS training, technology surveying, leadership training, marketing and sales training, email 9 WORKER-OWNERS ADDED IN FY20 setting, and direct deposit systems support. 406 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018 TakeRoot provided governance, bylaws, and NYC NOWC provided design and production of and website development, governance structure CFL facilitated negotiations between Beyond Care operating agreement support. marketing materials. TWW provided marketing COMMUNITY DISTRICT: development, and more. and CUSP regarding the services they receive. BRIGHTLY® strategy support. 3 Manhattan INDUSTRY: BRIGHT LEARNING STARS (WASHINGTON HEIGHTS) FLYING SHOES ENTREES DE - CONCRETE GREEN Cleaning BIO CLASSIC CLEANING 129 Vanderbilt Street, Unit 1, Brooklyn, NY 11218 216 Fort Washington Avenue, New York, NY 10032 TakeRoot provided services contract negotiation PAQUETES 2431 Morris Avenue, Bronx, NY 10468 COMMUNITY DISTRICT: 1058 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10459 COMMUNITY DISTRICT: support, contract renewal negotiation, and 1231 Lafayette Avenue, 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10474 COMMUNITY DISTRICT: 7 Brooklyn 12 Manhattan COMMUNITY DISTRICT: governance documentation amendments. COMMUNITY DISTRICT: 5 Bronx INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: 2 Bronx 2 Bronx INDUSTRY: Childcare Cleaning INDUSTRY: Cleaning Building Management Services ECOMUNDO CLEANING INDUSTRY: TWW provided a variety of services including CFL provided Google Drive training, referrals to - Delivery Services BCDI drafted contracts, processed invoices, and cash flow analysis, general assembly facilitation, filmmakers for a fundraising video, virtual meeting 6 WORKER OWNERS ADDED IN FY20 45 Wadsworth Avenue, New York 10033 training, committee setup and training, membership GWC provided cooperative education and general Working Together Working generated service reports. GWC helped prepare marketing coaching, digital advertising, strategic ICA provided internal documentation support, COMMUNITY DISTRICT: manual support, meeting agenda support, and their PPP loan application. NYC NOWC provided planning, payroll processing, license inspection connections with contractors, outreach support, 12 Manhattan business plan development through their 2019 website and appointment system development. preparation, legal services referral, tax preparation, cash assistance during coronavirus. NYC NOWC Co-op Academy. budgeting, and growth and expansion strategy. INDUSTRY: BOC Network provided information about EIDL application support, and other coronavirus supported the cooperative’s worker-owners Cleaning government grants and loans. relief programming. through their COVID Employee Retention Fund. FISCAL YEAR 2020 FISCAL BY WCBDI ASSISTED FY20 COOPERATIVES WORKER
34 35 FOSCO FARMS HIGH MI MADRE INDUSTRY: LOVE & LEARN CHILDCARE MOFYA COMMUNITY DISTRICT: Food Services 1 Queens 1857 Gleason Avenue, Bronx, NY 10472 434 East 105th Street, New York, NY 10029 774 Port Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10302 123 William Street, New York, NY 10038 4 WORKER-OWNER ADDED IN FY20 INDUSTRY: COMMUNITY DISTRICT: COMMUNITY DISTRICT: COMMUNITY DISTRICT: COMMUNITY DISTRICT: GWC provided customer service support, catering Security 9 Bronx 11 Manhattan 1 Staten Island 1 Manhattan prep, COVID-19 cost mitigation strategies, 9 NON-MEMBER WORKERS ADDED IN FY20 INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: and mediation. TakeRoot provided Operating Urban Upbound provided a variety of services Farming Cannabis Agreement drafting and LLC formation support. Childcare Food Services including customer relations support, marketing 6 WORKER-OWNERS ADDED IN FY20 7 WORKER-OWNERS ADDED IN FY20 GWC provided cost mitigation advice during NYC NOWC provided website content training, support, research on RFPs, research on workers COVID-19 and start up plan strategy. GWC provided a variety of services including transition planning, emergency loan information, GWC provided invoicing, catering prep, cost sharing compensation insurance, supplies purchasing, governance and systems development, retreat and returning-to-work safety coaching. advice, legal formation assistance, strategic COVID-19 safety guidelines, M/WBE certification planning, insurance support, group mediation, visioning, and mission statement development application support, and PPP application assistance. FREE ASSOCIATION WORLD and advice selecting a bank. TakeRoot provided for outreach and marketing. TakeRoot provided TakeRoot provided governance and bylaws support. operating agreement and LLC formation support. LUV CUSTOM PRINTS incorporation support. 940 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11238 J/K/L COMMUNITY DISTRICT: 5012 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11220 OSHA SOLUTIONS 2 Brooklyn JKS PRINTING COMMUNITY DISTRICT: HOPEWELL CARE NEW DEAL HOME 41-19 48th Street, Long Island City, NY, 11104 INDUSTRY: 7 Brooklyn 201 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 188 Beach 116th Street, Rockaway Park, NY 11694 COMMUNITY DISTRICT: Professional Services INDUSTRY: IMPROVEMENT COMPANY COMMUNITY DISTRICT: COMMUNITY DISTRICT: Screen Printing 2 Queens TakeRoot provided governance and bylaws 164 West 79th Street, New York, NY 10024 6 Brooklyn 14 Queens INDUSTRY: drafting support. DAWI provided customer support and outreach. NYC COMMUNITY DISTRICT: INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: Occupational Safety Education NOWC supported the cooperative’s worker-owners 7 Manhattan Childcare Commercial Printing through their COVID Employee Retention Fund. INDUSTRY: Urban Upbound provided a variety of services TWW provided a variety of services including TWW provided a variety of services including Construction including technology training, PPP application coaching on interviewing with employers, business growth consultation, strategy coaching, support, review of local laws relevant to the client review and analysis, sales analysis, facilitation and agenda support, invoice and payroll TWW provided strategic coaching and graphic industry, bookkeeping training, market outreach, website content development, daily operations processing, ACH system setup, PPP and grant design and print production support. ICA provided billing support, translation, M/WBE certification workflow support, brochure design, lease G/H/I research, and tax filing. NYC NOWC supported the financing advice. NYC NOWC provided strategic application support, and resume support. timeline strategy, unemployment insurance cooperative’s worker-owners through their COVID planning of partner pipeline and production of application support, EIDL and PPP loan GOLDEN STEPS ELDER CARE Employee Retention Fund. M/N marketing materials. GWC provided advice on City application support, and more. funding. BOC Network provided billing support. OURTURNATIVES COOPERATIVE MAHARLIKA CLEANING INNATUS BIRTH 1629 Walton Avenue, Bronx, NY 10452 204 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232 KHAO'NA KITCHEN COOPERATIVE NANNYBEE UPPER MANHATTAN COMMUNITY DISTRICT: COMMUNITY DISTRICT: 4648 Broadway, New York, NY 10040 4 Bronx 159 20th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232 43-10 53rd Street, Woodside, NY 11377 45 Wadsworth Avenue, New York, NY 10033 7 Brooklyn COMMUNITY DISTRICT: INDUSTRY: COMMUNITY DISTRICT: COMMUNITY DISTRICT: COMMUNITY DISTRICT: INDUSTRY: 12 Manhattan Herbal Medicine 7 Brooklyn 2 Queens 12 Manhattan Elder Care INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: GWC provided support preparing for a large event. 2 WORKER-OWNERS ADDED IN FY20 Healthcare Catering Cleaning Childcare CFL provided a variety of services including TakeRoot provided business incorporation support. NYC NOWC provided COVID-19 disaster relief leadership support, governance consulting, tax CFL provided conflict resolution support, grant NYC NOWC provided transition planning. CFL program education. PA'LANTE FORWARD advice, website domain support, budget support, application assistance, and emergency cash provided web development support. OSHA training coordination, emergency funding IT TAKES A CITY distribution coordination. NYC NOWC provided GREEN CLEANING technology training, marketing material dispersal, personal fundraising support, and 92-10 Roosevelt Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 more. ICA provided general business strategy 133-44 84th Street, Jamaica, NY 11417 LATICOSINA production, and decision-making process advice. NY MUSIC COOPERATIVE COMMUNITY DISTRICT: support, COVID-19 impact analysis, and free PPE COMMUNITY DISTRICT: 743 Coster Street, Bronx, NY 10474 NYC NOWC also supported the cooperative’s 243 13th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215 4 Queens applications support. TakeRoot provided client 10 Queens worker-owners through their COVID Employee COMMUNITY DISTRICT: COMMUNITY DISTRICT: services contract and new member documentation Retention Fund. BOC Network provided PPP INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: 2 Bronx support. NYC NOWC supported the cooperative’s information and loan application assistance. TWW 6 Brooklyn Cleaning Childcare INDUSTRY: worker-owners through their COVID Employee provided an assessment of office management INDUSTRY: Urban Upbound provided M/WBE certification Retention Fund. ICA provided business strategy, member handbook Food Services processes. TakeRoot provided workers Music Education application support, bookkeeping review, workflow support, broker referral, hiring referral, feedback compensation insurance information and new BOC Network provided private, city, and federal management, and PPP application support. NYC around website. CAMBA provided website member documentation. TWW provided budget projections. ICA provided loan/grant application support. NOWC provided marketing material design and development. NYC NOWC provided membership membership structure advice. TakeRoot provided GREEN FEEN supported the cooperative’s worker-owners manual support. TWW provided new member contract drafting support. through their Employee Retention Fund. BOC 1827 Mohegan Avenue, Bronx, NY 10460 onboarding, program development, membership MEERKAT MEDIA LOFTY HEIGHTS WELLNESS Network provided PPP application support. COMMUNITY DISTRICT: manual creation, and hiring protocols. BOC 140 58th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11220 6 Bronx Network provided strategic business planning and 1231 Lafayette Avenue, 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10474 COMMUNITY DISTRICT: INDUSTRY: financial projections. TakeRoot provided operating COMMUNITY DISTRICT: agreement drafting and insurance advice. 7 Brooklyn PARKWAYS Waste Management, Educational Services 2 Bronx INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: 63 Flushing Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205 GWC provided workplan development support for Media Production O/P COMMUNITY DISTRICT: a grant; communication and facilitation advice; and Healthcare and Wellness
Working Together Working ITYOPIA ICA provided tailored PPP information and 2 Brooklyn marketing, pricing, and customer service advice GWC provided cooperative education and general ONPOINT SECURITY NYC 1035 Anderson Avenue, Bronx, NY 10452 application assistance. TakeRoot provided a INDUSTRY: after an increase in demand. business plan development through their 2019 COMMUNITY DISTRICT: governance consultation. 12-11 40th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101 Co-op Academy. Urban Design 4 Bronx TakeRoot provided operating agreement support. FISCAL YEAR 2020 FISCAL BY WCBDI ASSISTED FY20 COOPERATIVES WORKER
36 37 PARTNER AND PARTNERS COMMUNITY DISTRICT: SKEDADDLE PEST MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: 8 Brooklyn Landscaping Farming 134 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001 7014 13th Avenue, Brooklyn, 11228 INDUSTRY: GWC provided workplan drafting support.Urban BOC Network provided financial planning and COMMUNITY DISTRICT: COMMUNITY DISTRICT: Publishing Upbound provided market research. NYC NOWC projections, cost analysis, financial statement 4 Manhattan 10 Brooklyn T provided a needs assessment for business support, banking support, strategic planning, Urban Upbound provided marketing and market INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: plan development. grant application support, EIDL and PPP research and expansion impact analysis. CAMBA Design Exterminating and Pest Control information, and free desk space at the BXL provided M/WBE certification application support THIRD ROOT COMMUNITY Incubator. GWC provided membership manual 5 WORKER-OWNERS ADDED IN FY20 and financial assistance. NYC NOWC provided BCDI provided a variety of services including HEALTH CENTER UNITED & TRAINED WORKERS support, onboarding new members assistance, ICA provided a variety of services including information about PPP. TWW provided workflow scheduling support, client feedback facilitation, 380 Marlborough Road, Brooklyn, NY 11226 and cash flow and working capital analysis. financial modeling, ownership transfer planning, process improvement consulting. contract negotiation, invoicing, software 365 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211 COMMUNITY DISTRICT: strategic visioning, feasibility reporting, referrals testing, bookkeeping, outreach, marketing, and COMMUNITY DISTRICT: operational cost analysis. 14 Brooklyn to capital, line of credit counseling, EIDL and PPP 1 Brooklyn WISHWAS SEWING advising, and relief grant information. REBELLIOUS ROOT INDUSTRY: INDUSTRY: 37-03 62nd Street, Woodside, NY 11377 1665 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 Healthcare and Wellness Construction Site Safety SOLAR UPTOWN NOW SERVICES COMMUNITY DISTRICT: COMMUNITY DISTRICT: TWW provided a variety of services including PAW PARTNERS WJP provided online marketing support, conflict 2 Queens 9 Brooklyn 335 Edgecombe Avenue, New York, NY 10031 financing, financial analysis, sliding scale mediation, and back office support. INDUSTRY: 4-25 Astoria Boulevard, Astoria, NY 11102 INDUSTRY: COMMUNITY DISTRICT: price advice, event support, cost and cash flow strategizing, industry research, COVID-19 Clothing Manufacturing COMMUNITY DISTRICT: Educational Services, Consulting 9 Manhattan emergency budgeting and assistance, and 1 Queens 3 WORKER-OWNERS ADDED IN FY20 INDUSTRY: NYC NOWC provided general information about a insurance implementation. UP & GO INDUSTRY: Solar Panel Installation collective model and referred the cooperative to GWC provided cooperative education and general 443 39th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232 Pet Care 11 WORKER-OWNERS ADDED IN FY20 other WCBDI resources. business plan development through their 2019 COMMUNITY DISTRICT: Co-op Academy. Urban Upbound provided a variety of services GWC provided a variety of services including TRIBE CO-CREATE COOPERATIVE 7 Brooklyn including marketing material production, grant advice on key tasks to starting a new cooperative, 349 East 138th Street, Bronx, NY 10454 INDUSTRY: WOKE FOODS application support, strategic marketing planning, M/WBE certification application support, PPP COMMUNITY DISTRICT: web development and support, digital marketing RESTORATIVE HEALING NETWORK application support, operating agreement review, Cleaning, Platform Cooperatives 1231 Lafayette Avenue, 2nd Floor, Bronx 10474 support, and tax preparation. legal formation support, and deliverable and 1 Bronx COMMUNITY DISTRICT: 531 Hancock Street, Brooklyn, NY 11233 CFL provided back office support and process timeline strategic planning. GWC also provided INDUSTRY: optimization, pricing advice, business 2 Bronx COMMUNITY DISTRICT: cooperative education and general business plan Co-working performance analysis, franchise support, INDUSTRY: PRISM COLLABORATIVE 3 Brooklyn development through their 2019 Co-op Academy. outreach and orientation to new members, GWC provided a variety of services including Food Services INDUSTRY: candidacy evaluation support, tax advice, 620 Wilson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11207 business plan and timeline drafting, financial Social Assistance intellectual property filing, COVID-19 emergency GWC provided business transition strategic COMMUNITY DISTRICT: planning, sliding scale policy advice, storefront SUNLIGHT ECOSERVICES meeting facilitation, and cash assistance support, client research and outreach, M/WBE GWC provided branding and marketing training. acquisition support, and alternative revenue 4 Brooklyn application support. TakeRoot provided operating certification application support, fundraising 37-63 81st Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 during COVID-19 strategizing. TakeRoot provided INDUSTRY: agreement support. advice, contract feasibility research, workplan COMMUNITY DISTRICT: contract drafting and marketing advice. BOC support, and relocation support. TWW provided Arts and Apparel Network provided information about COVID-19 3 Queens research on business licensing, loan repayment relief grants available. DAWI provided startup support. INDUSTRY: UPTOWN VILLAGE COOPERATIVE process overview, unemployment research, Cleaning grant application support, and PPP information. 559 West 158th Street, New York, NY 10032 TakeRoot provided membership fee advice and S Urban Upbound provided a variety of services TRUSTY AMIGOS COMMUNITY DISTRICT: joinder agreement drafting. including mission statement and values drafting, 443 39th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232 12 Manhattan digital training and support, web development, SAMAMKĀYA YOGA BACK CARE & COMMUNITY DISTRICT: INDUSTRY: registration support, naming advice, and banking R SCOLIOSIS advice. TWW provided website and appointment 7 Brooklyn Birthing Services, Educational Services system development. NYC NOWC provided INDUSTRY: 119 West 23rd Street, Suite 406, New York, NY 10011 GWC provided branding and marketing training; production and design of marketing materials. Pet Care goals, partnerships, and workplan visioning; and RADIATE CONSULTING COMMUNITY DISTRICT: 1 WORKER-OWNER ADDED IN FY20 grant deliverables support. BOC Network provided COOPERATIVE 3 Manhattan strategic development of business expansion, INDUSTRY: SWEETCO NYC NOWC provided bookkeeping consulting and financial projections, EIDL and PPP information, 115 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10003 training and COVID-19 disaster relief advice. NYC Yoga and Wellness and free desk space at the BXL Incubator. TWW COMMUNITY DISTRICT: 1158 Intervale Avenue, Bronx, NY 10459 NOWC also supported the cooperative’s worker- provided timeline development and research on BOC Network provided marketing assistance, COMMUNITY DISTRICT: 5 Manhattan owners through their COVID Employee Retention COVID-19 relief programs. NYC NOWC provided technology training, financial coaching, and legal INDUSTRY: 2 Bronx Fund. CFL supported the distribution of cash COVID-19 disaster relief information. assistance referral. assistance. TWW provided accounting services. Consulting, Professional Services INDUSTRY: 6 WORKER-OWNERS ADDED IN FY20 Construction 2 WORKER-OWNERS ADDED IN FY20 DAWI provided a variety of services including SI SE PUEDE WOMEN'S CLEANING meeting facilitation; client intake and contract COOPERATIVE ICA provided a variety of services including budget support; launch support; new member support, capital referrals, business plan outlining, onboarding; outreach, resume, and work 4202 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11232 sales projections, market research, Opportunity U W coaching; and administrative training. COMMUNITY DISTRICT: Zone research, revenue stream analysis, business filing and registration support, COVID-19 marketing Working Together Working 7 Brooklyn WHITE PINE COMMUNITY FARM strategy, and more. UMBEL LANDSCAPING INDUSTRY: 295 Duell Hollow Road, Wingdale, NY 12594 RADIX MEDIA 1231 Lafayette Avenue, 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10474 Cleaning COMMUNITY DISTRICT: 522 Bergen Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217 COMMUNITY DISTRICT: CFL provided online application training. N/A 2 Bronx FISCAL YEAR 2020 FISCAL BY WCBDI ASSISTED FY20 COOPERATIVES WORKER
38 39 CONTACT INFORMATION
BRONX COOPERATIVE MAIN STREET LEGAL SERVICES DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE 2 Court Square 2431 Morris Avenue Long Island City, NY 11101 Bronx, NY 10468 law.cuny.edu/academics/clinics/ced bcdi.nyc NYC NEWORK OF WORKER BUSINESS OUTREACH COOPERATIVES CENTER NETWORK P.O. Box 800028 85 S. Oxford Street Elmhurst, NY 11380 Brooklyn, NY 11217 nycworker.coop bocnet.org TAKEROOT JUSTICE CAMBA 123 William Street, 16th Floor 1720 Church Avenue New York, NY 10038 Brooklyn, NY 11226 takerootjustice.org
camba.org URBAN UPBOUND CENTER FOR FAMILY LIFE (EAST RIVER DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE) (SCO FAMILY OF SERVICES) 4-25 Astoria Boulevard Astoria, NY 11102 443 39th Street UPTOWN VILLAGE COOPERATIVE Brooklyn, NY 11232 urbanupbound.org sco.org/featured-programs/center- for-family-life WORKER’S JUSTICE PROJECT (THIRD SECTOR NEW ENGLAND) DEMOCRACY AT 365 Broadway WORK INSTITUTE Brooklyn, NY 11211 115 5th Avenue, 6th Floor workersjustice.org New York, NY 10003 THE WORKING WORLD institute.coop 116 Nassau Street, Suite 513 10 New York, NY 10038 GREEN WORKER COOPERATIVES theworkingworld.org LOOKING FORWARD 1231 Lafayette Ave, 2nd Floor Bronx, NY 10474 The NYC Council awarded $3.07 million to WCBDI in FY2021 greenworker.coop to support worker cooperatives and to invest in worker THE ICA GROUP ownership as a strategy for equitable recovery from COVID-19. 244 Fifth Avenue, Suite C230 This funding supports 13 partner organizations and provides New York, NY 10001 icagroup.org centralized program management through SBS. LOOKING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION CONTACT
40 41 JONNEL DORIS Commissioner
NYC Department of Small Business Services 1 Liberty Plaza, 11th Floor New York, NY 10006 nyc.gov/sbs
DANIEL SYMON Chief Procurement Officer & Director
Mayor’s Office of Contract Services 253 Broadway, 9th Floor New York, NY 10007 nyc.gov/mocs
COVER PHOTO: UPTOWN VILLAGE COOPERATIVE