REVOLVE’s intentions

This grassroots project intends to build knowledge and power among community members, so we can withstand the harsh realities and oppressive nature of capitalism, while organizing to adapt to our rapidly changing climate.

This group intends to facilitate community workshops that will improve people’s lives: hosting important conversations; gardening tailored to specific ecosystems; labour & skills workshops; study groups; workshops/info sessions on topics like taxation, corporations, and government; and emergency response. This group intends to build a sense of community and belonging that has been stripped away from us in our manufactured, capitalist society, so that people are less likely to turn to hate, fascism, and conspiratorial thinking.

REVOLVE is fiercely pro-community. We aim to take a stance for something as often as possible rather than standing against. That being said, we will not ignore the reality for so many of us: hate in our communities is rising.

REVOLVE will always take a stand against hate, bigotry and discrimination. We are anti-hate and are devoted to standing up and offering a safe space and support whenever possible.

REVOLVE’s history

REVOLVE launched in May 2023 as a result of many conversations with people in the Cowichan Valley who have experienced hate and discrimination for their sexual and gender identity and who have felt unsafe at times due to rising societal tensions. Recognizing that a strong and resilient community must be cultivated, the REVOLVE team began to brainstorm what kind of support they could bring to help meet people’s needs.

After settling on a name for this project and loosely defining REVOLVE’s purpose, REVOLVE held its first gathering on May 21 2023. A diverse group came together, some of whom had never met, to share their stories and offer suggestions on what REVOLVE could be.

REVOLVE’s pathways for change

  • Strengthening community

    • Events to reduce isolation & loneliness/strengthen identity

    • Educational workshops to reduce pipeline to conspiratorial thinking

    • Hosting a “coping with conspiracies” circle

    • Online blog, with volunteers from the community

    • Info sessions on taxation, government, corporations, and other facets of society

    • Gardening/food security workshops

  • Class solidarity work

    • Protests & direct action

    • Standing against fascism

    • Workers’ trainings

    • Political trainings & workshops

    • Mutual aid

  • Climate justice

    • Offering a climate justice sharing circle

    • Education & workshops

    • Climate adaptation initiatives (for example, air conditioner drives)

    • Protests & direct actions

    • Emergency & community response resources

Want to get involved?

Help us cultivate the community we want to see. Send us an email if you’re interested in volunteering to help make our pathways for change a reality! revolvecowichan@gmail.com

Donations

Because this is a grassroots initiative, we are currently not set up to accept donations. We hope to have this set up in the near future so we can be empowered to serve our community in a good way.