we aim to empower Black women and Black people to navigate challenging times with the proper resources and care they are deserving of.
creating an ecosystem for Black well-being
THE COVEN
THE COVEN
the coven is a community care network providing access to essential services that address the immediate needs of Black folk. through community care, we can foster a supportive environment that encourages healing, personal growth, education, cultural enrichment, and a sense of belonging.
the current systems of welfare are deeply rooted in historically racial and systemic issues such as:
racial bias and discrimination— we often face systemic barriers that limit access to the appropriate benefits, healthcare, and education we are deserving of, further perpetuating socio-economic disparities.
lack of cultural competence— these systems do not fully understand or address the unique needs and challenges we as Black Americans face
stigma and stereotypes— we face negative stereotypes that are associated with welfare dependency which often keeps us from seeking out the help we are entitled to
limited representation— we are underrepresented in the decision-making process and as a result, policies do not effectively address the needs of our community
one-size fits all approach
Black women, in specific, often face being overlooked, receiving inadequate care, and lack the necessary provision to support themselves after experiencing heavy-traumatic events. through creating a community care network, one that is rooted in love, care, and understanding, we create a system that elevates the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of our kindred. this fund specifically supports Black women who are single moms, sexual assault survivors, and/or victims of domestic violence and will support each person for a full-lifecycle (one year).
we aim to empower Black women and Black people to navigate challenging times with the proper resources and care they are deserving of.
our goal is to be a catalyst in the way Black women and Black people prioritize their healing, their families and how they love themselves. we desire to create an environment where they can simply exist without the overwhelming pressures of capitalism and surviving. our support is designed to free them from these burdens so that they can embrace well-being.
at the core of this work, it is our mission to establish a secure and supportive network that centers the unique needs of Black women and Black people. it is high time we reclaim the healing that is so rightfully ours and build a system that is committed to our advancement.
what is survival mode?
by definition survival mode is an adaptive response of the human body to help us survive danger and stress. it, in essence, is when our flight-or-fight response is activated. and as a result our body communicates to us, essential functions only. trauma responses can feel like a lack of focus causing us to operate with a short temper, out of exhaustion or through procrastination. survival mode gives a false sense of time, lying to us, making us believe that we have none.
racism, inequality (this includes gender inequality), and marginalization are all economic and social inequalities that mean one thing— lack of access to resources needed to live full and productive lives. as a result members of marginalized communities remain vulnerable to the cycle of poverty and trauma. if our psychological needs are unmet then we do not feel safe; if we are not safe then we feel unloved or have no sense of belonging and with no sense of belonging we lack the self esteem needed to self-actualize (google maslow’s hierarchy of needs).
due to the lack of vision, survival mode can cause one to not plan for the long-term.
average cost of living in the u.s.
according to the u.s. bureau of labor statistics the average household spends $5K a month on household expenditures.
Black mothering in america
in 2021 there we approximately 4.27 million Black families in the US supported by a single mother; this number is up from the 3.4 million Black, single-mom led families in the 1990s.
Black single moms tend to struggle more financially, emotionally, mentally and physically.
for Black mothers who need assistance, especially those who are on the lower rungs of the economic ladder, it can be hard enough to find them while they are busy rearing children, being the sole breadwinner, and being the emotional and foundational support 24/7 with no immediate relief in sight.
most single mothers within the workforce are unhappy with their employer due to the lack of support through pay equity, flexibility in scheduling and lack of appropriate resources (i.e family leave).
Black women and sexual assault
1 in 4 Black girls will be assaulted before the age 18.
1 in 5 Black women are victims of rape.
for every Black woman who reports rape at least 15 do not.
the struggle to protect Black girls and women remains. unfortunately, Black women remain vulnerable to sexual violence due to what we call intersectionality, the systematic oppression Black women experience based upon their race and gender. these institutionalized practices and policies prevent their equitable enforcement. because of what is known as the “Strong Black Woman” archetype (Beauboeuf-Lafontant, 2009), the dangerous single story told about Black women that uplifts their strength, perseverance and survival and minimizes their emotional well-being, tenderness and humanity, Black women are rarely protected.
— american psychology association
what the fund covers:
to reach our desired impact our strategy is centered around a holistic approach that addresses the unique needs of Black women and their various traumas.
through financial assistance, we offer financial support to help alleviate the burdens faced by these individuals, including assistance with housing, childcare, and other essential expenses. this ensures that they have the necessary resources to rebuild their lives while creating a stable foundation.
through emotional support, we provide a range of therapeutic services, such as individual talk therapy, support groups, and trauma-informed care, to help each recipient navigate their healing journey.
through resource referrals, we connect each recipient to a network of community resources, including legal aid, educational opportunities, job training, and more.
and through empowerment workshops, we organize workshops and educational sessions focused on self-empowerment, self-care, and advocacy. these sessions aim to equip Black women with the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to assert their rights, set boundaries, and navigate systems that may have historically marginalized them.