The NorthStar Health Collective and the Icarus Project are preparing for the tens of thousands of demonstrators to be in the streets during the convention. Inevitably, these demonstrators will need care, and NorthStar is gearing up to provide such care.
Hundreds of trained medics from across the country are coming to work both in the streets, and in a trauma space, to assist with the physical needs of protestors. We, the Mental Health Organizers have secured a Wellness Space in which we will treat those in need of emotional first aid. Inevitably, some of those people will find themselves in a crowded unfamiliar city, full of traumatizing scenes and triggering events. No doubt, many will be exposed to state-sponsored violence, either as survivors of, or witness to. For this reason, we are seeking your help!
NorthStar is in need of everyday folks and professionals to staff the Wellness Space, financial contributions, supplies, and input of all sorts.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME: We are seeking both professionals and folks just like you and me, who share the NorthStar Health Collective’s points of unity, to volunteer their time in the Wellness Space. The points of unity of the NorthStar Health Collective are to resist the commercialization and corporatization of our health care; organize that care on the principles of decentralization, autonomy, sustainability and mutual aid; and to work to end all relationships of domination and subjugation, including but not limited to those rooted in patriarchy, race, class, xenophobia, and homophobia. If you share our views in this regard, we seek your help in this very necessary project.
Though many of us already involved are trained in varying levels of counseling, trauma treatment, and basic medical care, we are looking for a variety of people to get involved. We need practitioners (acupuncturists, herbalists, massage therapists, yoga instructors, etc) to help provide treatment in the Wellness Space. We also need regular folks just like you and I who are interested in helping to start dialogue with those who seek our help, organize, prepare & run the space for the duration. We will be providing trainings here in the Twin Cities throughout the summer in a sort of “emotional first aid” in order to ready our volunteers for this event. Please contact us if you feel you would like to help in any way.
FUNDRAISING: With rent to pay on the Wellness Center, supplies to collect, and more, our budget is a huge issue. In order to provide the best support and care possible, we are asking for your help. Please consider making a personal financial contribution, or taking up a collection in your city. Hell, you can even send us the change from your piggy-bank! In our collective experience, we know that every little bit counts!
Benefits are popping up all over the country. We are currently organizing a benefit show in Brooklyn, NY to raise funds. Why not put one together in your town? Other ways to raise money might be art shows, potlucks, bake sales, BBQ’s, yard sales & more! Get creative! Please consider making this happen for the sake of those who are willing to put their physical and emotional wellness on the line to be on the streets during the RNC this fall. Contact us if you need some ideas, or want to contribute in some way!
START TALKING: This project has been started as a response to the communities need for more organized mental health care during a large demonstration. So who better to ask for ideas, than the community itself? We have a message board on the Icarus Project that can be found at http://www.theicarusproject.net, with
conversation circulating. Feel free to attend one of our meetings and share your thoughts. Or this, just imagine, if you found yourself in a crowded city, full of chaos and state-sponsored violence. There is a door through which you can pass for help. Ideally, what would be on the other side of that door, for you? Please share your thoughts with us, and contact us for more info!
DONATION OF SUPPLIES: In order to provide the best care possible, and make the Wellness Space as conducive to healing and decompression as possible., there are a great number of things we need to procure, in a very short period of time. Soon, we will publish a wishlist of sorts including chairs, cushions, blankets, herbs, tea, mugs, food, and much much more. Let us know how you can help!
By all means, if there is any way in which you think you can contribute that we haven’t thought of here (because we’re sure there is), get in touch! There is so much to cover in such a short period of time, we can use all the help we can get!
