An open letter from the Omo Iyaami Collective
Good people,We are the Omo Iyaami Collective: a group of Black, queer educators and organizers in New Orleans. We are declaring a state of emergency for our youth. Our proximity to the youth in our community reveals many alarming truths. Many of the working class parents/guardians do not earn enough money to simultaneously be present and provide for their children. This harrowing truth leaves our youth particularly vulnerable to the effects of:1. Increased cost of living
2. Defunding and privatization of public social programs
3. Increasingly dangerous natural disasters caused by global warming
4. The hundreds of snags, holdups, and snafus design by white supremacy to block individual and group progress.Although members of the Omo Iyaami Collective work together to support our youth as they push forward against these obstacles, our funds are finite. Our youth need money, resources, and the capacity to calm and regulate their nervous systems. They need safe spaces and access to more people who are willing to show up for them. Though this city generates billions of dollars in revenue from black and brown working class people, many of these families have experienced prolonged economic hardship and financial instability.You can help us create balance. Omo Iyaami Fund is a grassroots initiative designed to bring money, resources, and guidance to the youth of New Orleans. We have seen Kelsey Reynolds launch a program similar to this at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have seen advocacy groups like What We Could Become do the same thing in the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Ida. We also saw Mayor Cantrell create an initiative similar to this over the past summer.We know that reducing economic disparity throughout the community directly affects individual and collective outcomes. We need our youth for a better tomorrow, and they needs us for a better today.
There is absolutely no need for our children to go without. We must move toward sustainable mutual aid efforts and stop waiting until the next crisis occurs.By donating to the Omo Iyaami Fund on a one-time, monthly, or annual basis, you will be contributing to collaborative care of New Orleans youth, regardless of their identity markers or aptitude. As the African proverb says, "it takes a village to raise a child." To provide a safe, healthy environment where children are given the security they need to develop, flourish, and realize their hopes and dreams. Will you be a contributor of care or a spectator of continued trauma and disparity?In solidarity,
The Omo Iyaami Collective
What does Omo Iyaami mean?
Omo translates to "child" or "child of" and Iyaami translates to "my mother" in Yoruba.Iyaami Osoronga refers to the great ancestral mothers, a Society of women with great power. The Iyaami Aje, commonly represented by three birds, are the protectors and nurturers of women and children. The great mother and head of the Aje helps us to understand the needs of children because it is the children who bring good fortune from heaven to Earth.We are the children of the great mothers and seek to carry out their will on Earth.
How will funds be collected and spent?
The Omo Iyaami Collective utilizes Open Collective, a giving platform for grassroots groups. The platform ensure transparency in the amounts contributed and distributed. Contributions are processed by Stripe and paid out to a pass-through checking account that exclusively exists for the purpose of redistribution.Funds will be made available to young people upon request and will be distributed through ACH transfers, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
Case Study: Baby Payton Fund
With the support of our community of educators, The Omo Iyaami Collective has raised $2,000+ dollars across 30 donors in less than 12 hours for a 5 month old baby that recently lost his 17 year old mother to gun violence. The guardian will have access to funds in 7 days.
Tap In!
Change won't happen until we take matters into our own hands. All that the children need is already in the community. Contribute monthly to help us sustain positive impact on the youth of New Orleans.