Mutual aid is a voluntary and reciprocal exchange of resources and services among a community to address social, economic, or political barriers. It is considered a form of community organizing where people can build systems of support and cooperation to meet their needs, rather than relying solely on the traditional institutions that control funding. 

The aim of donations received through our business is to provide mental healthcare, expressive arts services and community events and opportunities at accessible costs. We are living in a time of chronic stress, panic and uncertainty, on top of that, goods and services are increasingly becoming financially inaccessible for many people - and so, many people could benefit greatly from some form of service that helps them to express and process experiences and meaningfully connect with community, but they may not be able to afford to access the care they need. Mutual aid and donation collections from those with the financial means to help others access care are one of the ways that we work to provide more accessible care.

We work with people on a self-identifying basis (ie. we do not check or require documents in order for people to access funds for care). From an equity lens, we also prioritize folks who self-identify as:

• Indigenous, Black or Person of Colour

• 2SLGBTQQIA+

• Sex Workers 

• Polyamorous 

• Neurodivergent 

• Disabled 

Many people from marginalized groups struggle to find care that is person-centered, identity- and neurodivergent- affirming, trauma-informed and takes the time to understand and prioritize their treatment goals. The mutual aid collected from donations delivered to Artsy Therapist aims to contribute to bridging that gap.