Creation of Gig Harbor Women’s Co-op

Introduction:

Gig Harbor Women’s Co-op was born out of a deep desire to foster a sense of community, empowerment, and mutual aid among women in Gig Harbor and the surrounding area. Jillian O’Block, our founder, envisioned a space where we could come together, support each other, and contribute to the well-being of our community through collaborative efforts. The co-op quickly grew, driven by the passionate involvement of its members who share the mutual goal of improving both the mental and physical health of our community. Our charity organization officially became a 501(c)(3) non-profit in May 2024.

Birth of the Co-op:

The Co-op was conceptualized by Jillian from a place of personal struggle and deep empathy for other women in her community. As a mother of four neurodivergent children, living in a low-income household and navigating life with neurodivergence herself, she found the demands of parenting, maintaining a household and managing work overwhelming. The pressure to do everything perfectly weighed heavily on her, exacerbated by the unrealistic standards she felt from social media where everyone’s life seemed perfect in comparison to her own.

Despite being a hard worker and highly productive, she constantly felt like she was falling short. The endless to-do list left her feeling like she was drowning, and the isolation that came from trying to manage everything on her own led to depression and eventually social anxiety. She began to notice that many other women in her community were experiencing the same struggles; feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and desperate for help, yet unable to find a way out.

She realized that what she and these other women needed was more than just a solution for managing tasks. They needed a way to reclaim their time, find support and rebuild connections. Inspired by the concept of time banking but with a focus on everyday tasks rather than specialized skills, she envisioned a co-op where moms could help each other with cleaning, cooking, laundry, and yard work; tasks that often feel impossible to manage alone.

Early Days and Expansion:

When first launched in late September 2023, it began as the Gig Harbor Cleaning Co-op, specifically targeting moms with children in the Peninsula School District. 

Initially, the response was mixed. While there was a lot of interest, many were hesitant to commit. Those who did join were enthusiastic, but others seemed to wait to see how it would unfold. Soon, empty nesters began to express interest, lamenting that such a resource would have been invaluable when their children were younger. This led to the pivotal discovery that the co-op needed to be open to all women, regardless of their parental status, age, or financial demographic. We quickly expanded our inclusivity to welcome all women, including cisgender women, transgender women, and non-binary individuals who were seeking community.

As the co-op grew, so did the needs and requests of its members. What started as a service for cleaning assistance quickly evolved to encompass a wide range of tasks. From the beginning, members were encouraged to ask for help, emphasizing that the co-op was not a charity but a time bank based on reciprocity. Everyone had something to offer, and everyone could ask for help without feeling like a burden. The key was fostering real connections by ensuring that all members felt comfortable asking for and giving help, which in turn strengthened our community.

Challenges and Growth:

As the co-op expanded, we encountered a series of challenges that came with trying something new. There were many questions and concerns that we hadn’t anticipated simply because we were charting new territory. We made it a priority to communicate to our members that while we didn’t have all the answers right away, we would take every question and concern seriously. Our expanding leadership team committed to working through each issue with individual attention, always keeping the needs of the community at the forefront.

One of the biggest challenges we faced was using Facebook as our primary platform. As the co-op grew rapidly, it became increasingly difficult to organize and maintain a clear and easy-to-understand Facebook page. The platform’s limitations often made it hard for members to find the information they needed, adding to the confusion and stress that naturally comes with learning something new. We recognized that this could be a significant barrier for our members, and we worked hard to mitigate these issues as best we could while securing funding for a dedicated website.

We also understood that the learning curve for our members was steep. Learning something new can be incredibly challenging, and we were acutely aware that the process could overwhelm people, potentially pushing them away. The last thing we wanted was for members to leave because they felt confused or stressed. We are highly dedicated to helping our members learn the ropes, no matter their learning style, ensuring they can access everything the co-op has to offer.

We know that many time banks in the past have failed in part because people became confused and stressed. We’re working very hard to overcome this challenge and push past that barrier. Our commitment is to provide ongoing support, guidance, and reassurance, even if it means holding our members’ hands for a long time. We want every member to know that we are here for them, that they will eventually get the hang of it, and that it will be worth it.

Proud Moments and Impact:

Our proudest moments have come from witnessing the profound impact the co-op has had on its members and the community at large. I have heard countless stories of how the co-op has transformed lives and outlooks. People who had lived in Gig Harbor for 5, 10, even 20 years, barely knowing another soul, now find themselves surrounded by meaningful relationships and a strong support network. The co-op has become more than just a community service; it’s a lifeline for many.

It’s sometimes overwhelming for us to reflect on how this small idea, born out of Jillian O’Block’s personal struggles, has grown to change so many lives. She never considered herself someone destined for remarkable achievements. After all, she spent most of her life working as a bartender. Yet, the success of the co-op has shown her, and the world, that anyone, regardless of their background, can do truly meaningful things. She now proudly carries this message for others: Don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back. You never know the impact you might have.

Looking to the Future:

As of August 2024, the co-op is still in its infancy, not even a year old. The vision for its future is brimming with possibilities. We are moving forward with our foot on the gas, driven by the desire to achieve as much as possible. While there are countless ideas and ambitions for the co-op’s future, some of the most pressing goals include securing funding, completing our website, and sharing this innovative model with other communities.

While we’re starting as a grassroots community initiative, we view our co-op as more than just a local project. We see this as the beginning of a real movement—a movement that has the potential to heal our societies by fostering connection, support, and mutual aid. By sharing the co-op model with other communities in the future, we hope to inspire others to adopt it, creating a ripple effect that could transform how communities function and support each other.