MUTUAL AID HELPS US ALL
Grassroots Causes We Believe In
We believe that grassroots mutual aid can help build communities we are all proud of. We also believe that, intrinsically, we all want to see each other succeed. In a world wrought with corporations that want us to believe we are each other’s enemies, let us come together to not only offer assistance, but not be afraid to ask for it as well.
Below you will find organizations/mutual aid networks that we believe in (not an exhaustive list) and who we try to support when and how we can. If one of these organizations speaks to you, please use the link to their site to contribute directly. We have also included a donation link to help us grow our own community reach.
If you have a grassroots initiative you think we should know about, please email us at oxeatsgrass@shaw.ca or reach out thru our social media!
Stqeeye’ Learning Society
The mission of the Stqeeye’ Learning Society is the restoration and preservation of lands and waters within Xwaaqw’um (Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park). The non-profit was created by family descendants, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Youth, and other like-minded individuals for the common purpose of restoring the land and cultural sharing. Stqeeye’ is committed to preserving the Xwaaqw’um village site in partnership with Quw’utsun mustimuhw (Cowichan people).
The Stqeeye’ Learning Society supports self-determination - nothing about us without us; relationship-building as the foundation of our community; and the sharing of traditional and ecological restoration practices through land-based education.
The IRSSS - The Indian Residential School Survivors Society
The Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) is a non-profit organization and registered Canadian charity committed to supporting Survivors and their families on their healing journeys. Since 1994, we have provided culturally sensitive services—including counselling, advocacy, and community outreach—to help individuals and communities reclaim strength and resilience.
As the demand for support continues to grow, donor contributions play a vital role in expanding our reach. With your help, we can ensure impacted individuals receive the care and resources they need to heal.
A Home for Hooves Farm Sanctuary
The sanctuary was founded in September 2017 and we were the first farm sanctuary in Canada to be Accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. We currently care for over 200 residents including pigs, goats, sheep, bovines, mini horses, donkeys, chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, pigeons, partridges, dogs, guinea pigs, and cats. We ensure all the animals are provided with the best quality care and a safe home where they are able to live out their natural lives.
On April 30, 2024, the sanctuary took possession of a 40 acre property in Duncan. This property is owned by the charity which will ensure stability and sustainability for the animals under our care. All the resident animals have moved to our new home, "Fields of Compassion."
Fundraiser for Legal Fees For Palestinian Students
Sara Kishawi, a Palestinian-Canadian student, and Student A, a fellow Palestinian Muslim woman, are facing unjust suspensions for their involvement in The Palestine Solidarity Encampment at VIU. The encampment, organized by students in response to Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza, called on VIU to disclose institutional ties to the occupation, condemn scholacestide, and end complicity.
Though VIU’s President publicly promised students would not face punishment for participation in protests, both Sara and Student A were later hit with severe, disproportionate suspensions: two years for Sara (retroactive) and one year for Student A. Now, both students are taking their fight to the BC Supreme Court, challenging these punishments as violations of their charter rights: freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and protection from discrimination.
Wagon Wheel Housing Society Laundry & Shower Access
More than just a Laundromat
The SSI Laundromat & Soap Exchange is a not-for-profit social enterprise founded by the Wagon Wheel Housing Society. Our mission is to be part of a collective community endeavour to provide safe, reasonable homes for all islanders.
We provide essential services to our local community, including eco-friendly laundry services, wheel-chair accessible shower, and community outreach programs.
They are currently facing a shortage of funds for their laundry and shower program, please consider donating today!
Be a part of growing our community reach!
We are a self-funded, small, plant based business on Salt Spring Island, one of the most expensive places to live in Canada. A recent cost of living report shows that we even exceed that of Vancouver! We choose to remain here despite the challenges we face for two reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, our children live here. We have shared custody and until they are out of school there is nowhere we would rather be than here with them. Secondly, we truly believe that what we bring to this island is unique and necessary. Despite what many assume, Salt Spring is not a veg-forward island when it comes to food. We are one of only two all veg offerings on the island and the only year round one.
We always strive to put community at the forefront of all decisions we make. From keeping our food pricing as low as we can, working alongside the Farmland Trust food share to provide free veg to community, to offering space for local makers to share their wares at no cost. We have found community thru creating markets and family events, opening our space to musicians and community groups needing a place to gather. We do all this because without community, without feeling like we are part of something greater, we are no better than the corporations that want to see small businesses fail. We want to be better than that, we ARE better than that.
To be able to truly get to a place where we can provide the level of community offerings we want however, we need help. Not having financial backers or lines of credit means that all the money we currently make goes directly towards our expenses and back into the business. While capitalism fights to keep us from getting ahead, mutual aid helps us bring community together without the risk of going under.
Your donation could help us bring a live act that we’d otherwise never be able to pay for, movie screenings, or welcoming a poet to come read their latest works. Any funds donated here will be held in reserve and used only to provide community events that will be low cost or free to the public. We want our events to be accessible to everyone!
We will provide a report quarterly showing all donations and where the funds have been utilized. Include your name and email if you’d like to receive this report otherwise sign up for our newsletter to receive it there.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
We are not a registered charity and this donation should not be seen as such. Any donation you send through this link is treated as a gift to the community as the funds will only be used to provide low to no cost events. We will provide statements showing all donations and where the funds were utilized quarterly at the end of April/July/October/January via our Newsletter or you can leave your email with your donation we will send the report directly to you.
-
We often have events that require volunteers! If this is something you’d like to do, please send us a direct message through our social media or via our email oxeatsgrass@shaw.ca and we will reach out when we are looking for volunteers. Thank you for thinking of us!