ICYMI: Bed-Stuy Strong changed our name.
We are now Bed-Stuy Survival Collective.
How We Started
Bed-Stuy Strong began in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as an online community hub and crisis response effort.
Neighbors in Bed-Stuy came together to get each other groceries, masks, and access to vaccines, building connections
during a time of isolation. It was a beautiful collective effort that gave us a glimpse of a radical future.
But we were reacting to a crisis, not organizing for the long haul. This was a learning experience for us,
pushing us towards our dream of collective liberation. Since 2021, we have focused on practicing sustainable
mutual aid, which requires us to study our material conditions in order to change them.
Name Change
The make up of our network has changed a lot over the last few years. Both longtime organizers and newer members have
increasingly felt that our old moniker was not a good representation of who we were and what our work is.
While some of our members are born and raised Bed-Stuy residents, some of us are not. #bedstuystrong is
a pride hashtag that pre-dates our organization. Our new name describes the work we do with more clarity,
while better respecting the culture and history of our neighbors in Bed-Stuy.
We appreciate all the collaboration and support we have experienced during our first six years as Bed-Stuy Strong and
we’re so excited to be a part of this neighborhood now as Bed-Stuy Survival Collective.
Membership
In May of this year, our collective launched a new membership model as a result of years of working and
reflecting together. We’ve been slowly onboarding active community members through this updated process
ever since. This membership model provides a renewed structure to our organizing practices as a mutual aid network.
We made this decision because we believe emergency response and material redistribution are not mutual
aid alone. This practice requires political struggle, relationship building, reciprocity, real commitment,
and the survival of its practitioners. Our new model embodies that.
Food Security Program
Also in May, we launched our new membership-based Food Security Program. The Food Security Program is a
monthly CSA share that provides fresh produce, cooking essentials, and pantry items to members of Bed-Stuy
Survival Collective on a pay-what-you-can basis. The Food Security Program is solely supported by its
participants, and is in collaboration with our friends in this work since 2020, the Brooklyn Packers.
What’s Next?
In the beginning stages of this process, organizers are prioritizing onboarding our active volunteer
+ membership base. If that’s you, you’ll hear from an organizer directly.
We are rolling out this program in relation to our network’s capacity to maintain real connections
with all members – to be intentional and to build something that can last.You can expect to see our name
change slowly across our internet and in-person presence. We appreciate your patience! We hope to share
more public information on onboarding opportunities in early 2027.
Our AC Redistribution program is live. If you have an AC to donate, a car to transport a unit,
or need one for your home, complete our AC Redistribution intake form.
We are not adding new members to our Slack at this time. To connect, email
bedstuystrong@bedstuystrong.com.
