We often hear the saying, “Stop pulling the bodies out of the river and walk upstream to see why they are falling in.” This metaphor captivates a deep meaning for Woman’s Co-op. At Co-op, we train our team not only to recognize the current but also to equip them with the skills necessary to navigate it. Our approach empowers individuals to swim against the current rather than simply salvaging those who have already succumbed to its pull.
As we ascend the riverbank, it becomes evident that the obstacles faced by our community are not just random occurrences. We identify the entities perpetuating the cycle, those who hold dominion over the banks, unyielding to change and indifferent to the challenges affecting our people. The outdated systems and inherent biases that exist upstream create a relentless current that threatens to pull our people under, leaving them vulnerable and disempowered.
In light of this, our strategy is twofold: First, we teach our people to recognize and understand the current’s movements and influences. We provide them with the knowledge and skills to identify the forces at play and the impact they have on their lives. Second, we instill in them the resilience to confront these challenges head-on.
By fostering self-awareness and critical thinking, we enable our community to navigate not just the river’s treacherous waters, but also the broader systemic issues that contribute to their struggles. This holistic approach is essential for their success; rather than merely attempting to rescue individuals from immediate peril, we aim to empower them to alter the course of their own lives and, collectively, the trajectory of our community.
Our mission transcends mere survival; it’s about promotion of strength, agency, and systemic change. While we cannot singlehandedly stop those who contribute to the challenges faced by our community, we can and will equip our people with the tools to navigate these waters. Together, we will create a culture of resilience that not only withstands the current but ultimately transforms it.
Respectively,
Teresa Momenee Young, Executive Director