Category Archives: Des Moines Mutual Aid

Celebrating holidays with mutual aid

Posted on November 12, 2020 by Jeff Kisling

The holiday season is a problematic time for so many around the world. There are celebrations of faith. And, in normal times, the joy of being with family and friends. This year the COVID-19 virus is upending gatherings for so … Continue reading →

Posted in Des Moines Mutual Aid, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Dimensions of understanding

Posted on November 11, 2020 by Jeff Kisling

Friends tell me I repeat myself. I’m even sometimes conscious of doing so. But the reason is when I read or see something new, or when the Spirit leads me in an unexpected direction, I have this passion to try … Continue reading →

Posted in Des Moines Mutual Aid, First Nation-Farmer Climate Unity March, Kheprw Institute, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The web of organizing and organizers

Posted on November 9, 2020 by Jeff Kisling

As I’ve been researching the concept of rural mutual aid, I was glad to discover my friend Todd Zimmer is involved. Todd was one of the trainers from the Rainforest Action Network (RAN) who came to Des Moines in the … Continue reading →

Posted in civil disobedience, climate change, Des Moines Mutual Aid, Keystone Pledge of Resistance, Keystone XL pipeline (KXL), Mutual Aid, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Rural Mutual Aid

Posted on November 7, 2020 by Jeff Kisling

I’m so impressed with the work being done by Des Moines Mutual Aid. Now I’m wondering what Mutual Aid in rural areas looks like. Following are a few things from Appalachian ROAR, Rural Organizing and Resilience. https://www.facebook.com/AppalachianROAR This photo of … Continue reading →

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Mutual Aid 101 #WeGotOurBlock

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Jeff Kisling

The reason I’ve been writing so much about Mutual Aid recently is because I have seen this concept in action. It has been amazing to join a group that is literally sharing food with those who need it. Mutual Aid … Continue reading →

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The audacity to believe

Posted on November 4, 2020 by Jeff Kisling

The election results aren’t final, yet, but things are looking much better for the current president than I expected. I could wait for the final tabulation, but am being led to begin the search for what the president’s re-election might … Continue reading →

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Election

Posted on November 3, 2020 by Jeff Kisling

Today, November 3, 2020, is election day in what is called the United States. First, everyone should vote. “I have said this before, and I will say it again, the vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Des Moines Black Lives Matter, Des Moines Mutual Aid, Quaker, Quaker Meetings, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Working with Joy

Posted on November 2, 2020 by Jeff Kisling

These are perilous times. This election has become a focal point for a growing mountain of danger and stress. What is the way forward, whether there is chaos after this election, or not? As we continue to be threatened by … Continue reading →

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What diagrams can reveal

Posted on November 1, 2020 by Jeff Kisling

As a software engineer I’ve used diagrams most of my life to help me understand the process I’m trying to create a computer program for. Those diagrams at times reveal an idea or relationship I hadn’t thought of. As an … Continue reading →

Posted in decolonize, Des Moines Black Lives Matter, Des Moines Mutual Aid, Mutual Aid, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A radical act

Posted on October 29, 2020 by Jeff Kisling

“Mutual Aid is essential to our survival” by Dean Spade, Truthout, October 28, 2020, is a primer about the concept of Mutual Aid. I recommend reading the entire article. I’ll be quoting it more extensively than I usually like to … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Lives, decolonize, Des Moines Mutual Aid, Great Plains Action Society, Mutual Aid, Uncategorized | Leave a comment