PITTSFIELD — Growing up as a union kid meant security for Abby Childs. Their dad’s work, as a labor organizer for the Carpenters’ Union in Massachusetts, came with the promise of health insurance, housing (indirectly, through a guaranteed living wage), and a pension upon retirement.
“There is nowhere my family would have survived without the union,” Childs told The Edge in a recent phone interview. In many ways, their upbringing had a direct impact on Childs’ own connection to the community as an adult — one that led to joining the Berkshires chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in March of 2020. The Berkshires DSA began in 2017 when a small group of local DSA members began to coalesce around the idea of forming a local chapter; they were officially recognized as a chapter by the national organization in early 2019.
As to Childs’ motivation? “I want to advocate for my coworkers and my community members, and that’s essentially what socialism means to me,” they explained. As co-chair of the Mutual Aid Working Group, which came together in September, Childs has their sights set on Care Packages For All; they and their peers are collecting donations to fuel the outreach project for neighbors in need through February 7.
“The socialist movement was an offshoot of the labor movement, and they are still very much entwined today,” Childs explained. That said, they acknowledge the term — and its perceived connection to the pair of Red Scares in the early to mid 1900s — is a touchy one for many. “I understand that cultural context and [the fear] it evokes,” Childs said.
DSA, formed in 1982 by the merger of the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee (DSOC) and the New American Movement (NAM), is the largest socialist organization in the United States. Today, the nonprofit fights for reforms that will weaken the power of corporations and increase the power of working people, many of whom are struggling more than ever due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our goal is to empower working-class people and strengthen community, [and] mutual aid is a great way for communities to become stronger and more resilient,” Childs said. Current circumstances mean the need for mutual aid — defined as a form of political participation in which people take responsibility for caring for one another and changing political conditions — is pretty high. “Our government is not acting as quickly as they could, and people are really struggling,” Childs explained, which is why they and their peers are culling care-package supplies. Their goal is to safely deliver 50+ custom care packages to Berkshire County residents, of all ages, who need support in surviving the season.
“We are not going to turn anyone away,” said Childs, adding “no one is going to be quizzed on their income and/or living situation.”
Once the donation period ends, on February 7, a two-week request period will begin. Allergic to a specific perfume in a soap? Note that. All set for shampoo but could really use tampons? Note that, too. Childs is hoping to include hats, socks, and gloves — so make note of specific sizes needed. Allergic to wool? Just say the word. The goal is to meet people where they are and get them what they need.
“We want to get the word out to as many people as possible,” said Childs, which, considering lack of equitable access to computers, phones, and the internet, can be tricky. Childs is looking for ways to reach individuals who are unhoused. “These individuals might not have a way of contacting us; it can be difficult to arrange a meet-up without a phone [or] a [physical] address for drop off.” To remedy this, DSA is hoping to collaborate with organizations who have a direct relationship with unhoused people in order to facilitate the delivery of donations.
In December, the Berkshires DSA offered a “Bread and Roses” themed mutual aid to the community — shares of food packed with a handmade paper rose. The distribution event was the culmination of a month-long, county-wide food drive launched in response to the increasing need for hunger relief in the county.
Amid the COVID-19 crisis, 15.1% of area residents lack consistent access to food. Berkshires DSA recognizes food insecurity as a complex issue stemming from the lack of affordable housing and tenants’ rights, universal healthcare, racial justice, universal child and eldercare, and guaranteed employment with a living wage. Care Packages for All seeks to address the same needs, particularly among those most affected by the pandemic.
To make requests for personal care items, or to set up a donation of goods, email berkshirebreadandroses@gmail.com. Cash donations to the project are being accepted via Venmo at Berkshires_DSA or through the organization’s GoFundMe.
Berkshires DSA meetings take place on the 3rd Thursday of every month, and Working Group meetings are scheduled in between.
