We unlock potential and welcome new possibilities.
We help everyday people realize how powerful they are.
We turn shared struggles into shared success.
The secret is cooperation.
Individually, we can accomplish a lot.
Together, we can accomplish even more.
Why do co-ops matter?
When companies don’t see our communities as “profitable enough” and governments can’t justify “making the investment” in us, we have to do things ourselves.
If it were not for the work of co-operatives in the 1940s-50s, many farms would not have electricity. If it were not for the work of credit unions in the 1960s-70s, women would not have their own bank accounts and loans.
The government and the market were not stepping up to serve people. So, people found a way to take matters into their own hands. The results they achieved are now expectations and standards for daily life today.
Co-ops exist across nearly every industry and region, yet so many people don’t know about them or understand the power of cooperation.
What are you unhappy with right now? Are you alone? Probably not.
We help facilitate strategic collaboration so you can find sustainable solutions to the problems you’re facing. We teach people about the different types of co-operatives that can help meet their needs. If we can’t connect them with the right ones, we can help create them!
From affordable housing and childcare to fostering entrepreneurship, investment and local job opportunities, taking a co-operative approach may be the secret weapon you need to tackle real-world challenges.
What makes a co-op,
a co-op?
All co-operatives align with the core values and principles outlined in the International Cooperative Alliance’s Statement on the Cooperative Identity.
Principles:
Voluntary and open membership
Democratic member control
Member economic participation
Autonomy and independence
Education, information and training
Cooperation among co-operatives
Concern for community
Values:
Self-help
Self-responsibility
Democracy
Equality
Equity
Solidarity
How can co-ops help us?
Co-ops are businesses (or not-for-profits) built by people for people.
They give democratic, local control (and equity) to the people using the service, instead of anonymous, profit-driven investors.
A co-op, short for 'co-operative,' is a collective of people or businesses, all working together for a common purpose. You can think of them as a smart and friendly way for people to come together, share the risk and reward, and build something great.
Through co-op membership, people become not just customers or employees, but owners and decision-makers.
In a co-op, every voice matters, and every member has a say in shaping the future. That’s not just something that sounds nice, that’s the governance structure, one that many people don’t realize they can be part of.
We can help you learn more about the co-operative model, how to work with co-ops in your community, and how to start new co-op ventures.
We help people find sustainable solutions to common problems by working together to meet their needs.
About Self Help and Solidarity
What we do
We help people transform their lives for the better by finding collaborative, strategic ways to address big goals and needs.
Why we do it
Cooperation creates better incomes and outcomes for individuals and their communities. We need that right now.
Our Story
Lacey Chyz has been engaging members and staff of credit unions and co-operatives, and providing strategic advice to their leaders, for nearly 15 years.
She founded Self Help and Solidarity because she is passionate about helping people improve their lives and futures by realizing what’s possible through co-operation.
Co-operatives seem to be one of the best kept secrets of this generation. We’re here to help people gain the awareness and skills needed to bring more democratic and economic control to their doorstep.
Our consulting agency is dedicated to educating, empowering and engaging communities and co-operative members across Canada.
While millions of people are members of at least one co-op or credit union, the majority don’t realize the significance of what it means to have member-ownership. We want to help the current generation of member- and worker-owners realize their collective economic and political power.
Lacey has worked with various grassroots organizations, provincial and territorial associations, national federations, international development agencies and community economic development partners, and has a deep understanding of how co-operative models adapt to provide real, sustainable solutions to the problems people are facing.
Self Help and Solidarity works with people and groups discovering co-ops for the first time, those leading historic, successful co-operatives and credit unions, and everyone in between.
We have a depth of experience with:
Co-operatives and credit unions
Community and economic development
Communications and engagement
Stakeholder and member relations
Group facilitation
