During the pandemic, at Edgewater Collective we listened to Edgewater renters as they worked hard to catch up on their rent due to having their hours cut back at work. Thanks to funding from the City of Edgewater, we were able to help them pay back rent, but we were struck by how hard they worked, and yet how little of that hard work resulted in more income. In particular, we listened to a renter who had to drive long distances to clean houses only to realize that much of the money paid by the customer went to the owner of the business instead of the person doing the work.
We began to research economic solutions that could help community members like this build wealth for themselves so they could continue to live in the Edgewater area. The best model for building community wealth was worker cooperatives where those doing the work owned their business collectively and made decisions collaboratively. We launched Incubadora Colectiva as a business incubator to launch and support Latino-led worker cooperatives in east central Jefferson County.
Since last fall we have been in the process of training and supporting four Latina-led worker cooperatives that will launch during 2023. Rocky Mountain Language Coop will provide translation and interpretation services to schools, government agencies, and community groups. Cuenta Conmigo Lactancia provides lactation coaching services to families with young children. Edgewater Cleaning Coop will provide cleaning services to homeowners and businesses. We also have a group of FFN (Family, Friend, Neighbor) caregivers who will provide in-home childcare in the community.
One of our members just told us, “You know we will be part of a cooperative, because we are Latinas, mothers, sisters, daughters, friends trying to do something important, to have a beautiful project that makes us feel fulfilled and valued, but we will also be family. We could do it more slowly on our own, but more difficult and longer. We must trust ourselves. And we will take care of each other. And we will be the path for more Latinas like us.”
Join us this Friday, May 5 for a celebration of these worker cooperatives. The event will be at the Clements Center in Lakewood and will start at 6 p.m. Come enjoy a delicious meal, hear business pitches from Latina-led worker cooperatives, and have a chance to support their businesses.
Housing and rent costs continue to rise quickly in Edgewater. We need to create economic pathways for our Latino neighbors to build wealth so they can continue to live in Edgewater. A diverse Edgewater is a thriving Edgewater. You can help make this a reality and invest in Latina-led worker cooperatives.
Click here to purchase a ticket.
Joel has been a resident of Edgewater, Colorado with his family since 2012. He is the Executive Director of local education nonprofit Edgewater Collective and Editor of the Edgewater Echo.
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