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 We are the Fountain House Workers Union - a collaboration of direct-service workers who utilize the bonds of community to support adults living with serious mental illness. Our organization is founded on the idea that recovery is real, possible, and attainable. Among us are social workers, residential counselors, facilities technicians, employment specialists, and care coordinators. Across our titles, our commitment to the mission of Fountain House is the same: to work within the Clubhouse model supporting members as they recover from the symptoms and stigma of mental illness.
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 We're passionate about the work we do and the community we've built. However, before unionizing in 2020, Fountain House became a harder and harder place to envision a career. Wages stagnated as the cost of living in New York steadily grew. At the moment just before we ratified our first contract, 25% of direct service positions were vacant. Many of our workers contemplated whether they could afford to stay in a community they deeply loved. Out of dedication to our fellow workers and the members we serve, the union was formed.
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 Since then we’ve been planning, organizing, and fighting to make Fountain House a better place and a stronger community. We’ve just ratified our second contract and have made so much progress towards an experienced, equitable, and diverse workplace - but our work has just begun. This kind of progress isn’t cheap. As we maintain our momentum, we realize we have a need for resources to support our growth. With more money, we could ensure that we can communicate consistently with our membership, host regular meetings, and keep union materials accessible to all our workers.
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 Any donations are greatly appreciated. We know better than anyone how much we can do when we stand together as a community. Thank you for standing with us.
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Support the Fountain House Workers Union

Jhon is a valued Huda team member who recently got detained by ICE in Brooklyn with a huge possibility of getting deported back to Colombia. This has been a loss at Huda as Jhon was known to be a very caring and hardworking team player. Everyone who worked with Jhon knew they were guaranteed a fun time while getting the job done. However, this is not only a loss for Huda, but for the family he was building with his pregnant wife, Michelle, as well. As ICE has transferred Jhon to New Jersey and now to Louisiana, we can’t predict where he’ll be next. One thing we can be sure of is the support we can give him while he’s away. This is why we’re raising funds to cover legal costs and help support his family and the new baby that Michelle is expecting in less than 2 months. On behalf of Jhon and his family, we appreciate you for all the support you’re able to provide.

Support Jhon's Family During ICE Detention

<div><strong>Help Support My Son While I Recover in Hospital</strong>
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<div>Hi, my name is Jakayla, and I’m reaching out to you during one of the toughest times of my life. Recently, I experienced a life-threatening medical emergency - There’s never been any case recorded as such - A hernia in my small intestines damaged my large intestines, requiring three major surgeries.
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<div>Right now, I’m still in the hospital, unable to walk or do the simplest tasks for myself. The doctors don’t know when I’ll be able to go home. Even after I’m discharged, I’ll need to undergo physical therapy to regain my strength.
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<div>My 11-year-old son is my world, but I’ve been unable to care for him because of my condition. My elderly great aunt, who is also dealing with her own health challenges, has stepped up to take care of him while I’m here. She’s been an incredible help, but the burden is heavy, especially as I’m not able to work or apply for assistance while in the hospital. 
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<div>I’m asking for your support to help with rent, food, and other utilities, and to help ease the burden on my aunt as she cares for my son. Every little bit helps, whether it’s $5 or just sharing this with others who might be able to help. Your generosity will go directly toward my rent, my son’s needs, and ensuring that my aunt has the resources she needs to care for him while I recover.
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<div>This journey is far from over, but I’m working hard to get back home.
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Support Me and My Son While I Recover from Surgery

Colombians have been mobilizing since April 28th in a National Strike that has continued now for several days throughout the country. The Colombian people are mobilizing against several issues from governmental mismanagement and corruption to tax reforms that seek to place a raised sales tax on basic needs and income taxes on previously exempt incomes (retirement pensions, etc).<br /><br />On the first day, Wednesday April 28th, an unarmed 17-year old was shot and killed after the teen had kicked the police's motorcycle and ran from the police.<br />As of Friday the 30th, in Cali, more than 80 activists have been detained with many of them losing their personal items (phones, backpacks, wallets) while in police custody. 1 Activists has reported to have been sexually assaulted by police while in their custody. 2 activists are missing, 8 have been confirmed dead and several other deaths reported with Human Rights organizations unable to investigate further due to police repression and militarization of the city which has included special operation 'Anti-terrorists' being called in. <br /><br />Throughout the country, several other dead have been reported, and repression is expected to continue as the Colombian people are unwilling to accept the governments terrible management of the pandemic and the outrageous tax reforms that have seen even funerary expenses (previously exempt) added to the sales tax hike.<br /><br />We will be sending all of the donations to different organizations on the ground in Colombia so that they have the means to continue their struggle against the absurd corruption of the current government.  <br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/KawsachunNews/status/1388371458783600641?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Video from the human rights organizations on the ground reporting the deaths</a><a href="https://twitter.com/KawsachunNews/status/1388371458783600641?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a><br /><br /><strong><br />IMPORTANT  UPDATE: </strong><br /><br />Our plan to get the collected funds to the beneficiaries is as follows; once the money is processed and cleared into our bank account we will then transfer the money to Paypal and Nequi to then transfer the money to several groups on the ground in Colombia. <br /><br />How will the funds be spent? <br /><br />100% of the funds will be sent to legal civil organisation groups that are helping protestors in the cities of Medellin, Cali and Bogota with <strong>health and safety, </strong><strong>legal defence, independent media reporting, and meals.</strong> In particular, we are going to be funding several medics brigades who have professional training and experience. We will also be funding legal defence organisations that are registered and have experience helping peaceful protestors. We wish to be completely transparent and we will therefore provide proof that the funds have been received by the stated groups in the form of receipts. <br /><br />The following organisations have been confirmed as recipients of the funds (once they clear into our account);<br />- Medicos de Calle Bogota <br />- Brigada Estudiantil de Salud de la Universidad del Valle - Cali<br />- Consejo Regional Indigena del Cauca (CRIC)<br />- Rios Vivos - Medellin <br />- La Olla de la Dignidad - Cali <br />- Brigada Azul - Bogota <br />- Resiste Buenaventura <br />- Jahfrann - Independent Media/Community Support - Cali<br />- Felipe Orvi - Independent Media/Community Support - Buga<br />- Fundacion Guagua <br />- Resistencia Anti-Racista - Cali <br />- La Ceiba - Corporacion Defensora de los Derechos Humanos <br />- Colectivo Chucho Minga<br />- Casa Kalocho <br />- Bloque Popular de Salud -Medellin<br />- Red Latiendo - Cali<br />- Corporacion Para el Desarrollo - Cali<br />- Ciudad en Movimiento <br />- Amalias - Cali/Medellin <br />- Medios Libres Cali <br />- Child Action Group - Pereira<br /> - Ciudad en Movimiento - Popayan <br />- Aula y Palabra <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We will continue to update this section once we have confirmed more organisations.

Valeria Forero

Valeria Forero

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Support the Fountain House Workers Union

Support Jhon's Family During ICE Detention

Support Me and My Son While I Recover from Surgery

#SOSColombia Urgent Help For Activists in Colombia

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