Mutual Morris is collecting stories about our work and lessons learned over the last three years, and also from our community about the struggles we face and the ways we have come together to provide mutual aid and solidarity. Here is a brief excerpt of a recent conversation.
Gwen is a woman with disabilities, living alone in Morristown and struggling since long before the Covid pandemic, and unable to access sufficient and suitable resources. Mutual Morris has delivered free groceries to her, given her rides to appointments, helped to winterize her very cold apartment, covered emergency dental costs, and welcomed her to fun and social gatherings with new friends. Here are her words about being a part of our community.
How did you find out about Mutual Morris?
When I was going through my hard times and had no help, my therapist found resources and organizations that would help and that’s how I found Mutual Morris and you have been supporting me ever since.
What is mutual aid?
Mutual aid to me is a non organization of volunteers that gives support and resources to ones that are in need.
How has Mutual Morris helped you?
If it wasn’t for Mutual Morris I would still be home depressed and going through anxiety trying to find resources and support to help me because all the other organizations have refused to help.
How are you involved with Mutual Morris?
I participate in the events and meetings if I can and I also give my opinions and suggest ideas. I learned to knit and crochet and I have a chance to associate and meet and greet and talk to other people that are going through the same thing I’m going through.
What do you hope Mutual Morris can accomplish in the future?
Build a bigger and better future
After this conversation, Gwen was hospitalized with a very serious case of Covid and has been slowly recovering. At the time of this writing, she is still in treatment and not able to go home yet. Many members of the Mutual Morris community have been reaching out to her to let her know she’s loved and she’s not alone, and to bring her cards and items she needs. She will be out of work now for an unknown amount of time and we’ll be there for her. If you’d like to send her a card to cheer her up, you can do so c/o Mutual Morris, 48 Vail Road, Landing NJ 07850