Emergence Mutual Aid Network

At A Glance

Location: 

Montpelier, Vermont

Primary Issue Area:

  • Food
  • Living Economies

Active since:

2023

  • A group of teenagers plant garlic at the Food Justice Garden in Sharon Vermont
  • Two pairs of hands work to shell red and white beans for seed saving
  • A small fridge full of takeout containers
  • A group of four people stand at a counter applying garlic butter to slices of bread

Our Purpose

Emergence is a mutual aid network, which means that membership is open to anybody who’s interested in our projects! Since our work ranges from installing fencing to delivering cookies to local elders, our members have a diverse range of skill sets and interests. The thread that unites us all is a passion for getting our hands dirty and a desire to be part of a community where everybody has what they need to live a full and happy life.Emergence is currently facilitated by me, Jules! I’ve been an activist since I was a teenager, and studying climate change in grad school left me convinced that community-scale networks of care and reciprocity are the only way that humanity will survive the climate crisis. Fortunately, the Upper Valley is a hub of community-minded people, and it didn’t take long for me to get plugged into some of the amazing food justice projects that are happening here!The work that we do is simple but vital, and touches the lives of many people who are at the front lines of the biggest social issues of our time- the opioid epidemic, the housing crisis, climate catastrophe, and more. By growing food from seed, cooking wholesome meals, and stocking community fridges, we hope to send a message of love and solidarity to all of our neighbors: the Upper Valley is a place where people can rely on each other, come what may.