Mutual Aid Wrap Up
Illustration of two arms holding hands on a red background over a pink, green, and white bow. Hand written lettering reads, “Mutual Aid Wrap-Up 2025”
Mutual aid is a practice. Whether we’re giving it, sharing it, receiving it, or all three; it’s meant to be an ongoing activity incorporated into our lives on a regular basis.
One of the best things parents can do is make this a family practice so that their kids have an understanding of mutual aid.
When my kids were younger we did this in very hands on, practical ways. As part of our advent calendar each year we included activities like paying off someone’s layaway, going out to eat and leaving an extra big tip, or taking all our gently used and outgrown winter clothing to the homeless shelter. We’d also include one gift each year that was a gift to someone else.
As my kids have grown, including them in everyday mutual aid practices is more challenging, but I still want them to understand it’s part of the family practice. That’s why this year I decided to do a “Mutual Aid Wrap-Up” to share with them about what we gave to this year.
Illustration of a heart, gingerbread house, dove, candy cane, and present with handwritten text about how much mutual aid was given to each cause (housing, genocide, food, etc…)
Illustration of a heart, gingerbread house, dove, candy cane, and present with handwritten text about how much mutual aid was given to each cause (housing, genocide, food, etc…) with example numbers.
I am including the template here in case others want to use it. I’ve included it with both blank spaces and example numbers. These are not my family’s numbers. Those are not public because our mutual aid practice isn’t about recognition.
Please feel free to adapt this in any way that works for you and your family (you could do days shared instead of gifts or how many people helped you if you were requesting mutual aid this year) and thank you for having a mutual aid practice!
