The Valley Alliance of Worker Co-operatives is rooted in the ideals of co-operation, mutuality and solidarity. VAWC is itself an expression of co-operative principles — a “co-op of co-ops” that have come together as a means of strengthening the efforts of our individual co-ops to develop their businesses, serve their members, and contribute to the wider co-operative economy. Our core goal is to provide ourselves with the resources and support we need to advance our co-operatives, empower our members, and benefit more people in our communities.
Our Mission and Vision
The Valley Alliance of Worker Co-operatives is dedicated to building a sustainable local economy by facilitating the growth and development of worker cooperatives in Western Massachusetts and Southern Vermont. To realize this, we will:
1. provide support for our members. This includes maintaining and sharing information relevant to worker cooperatives, providing technical and organizational assistance, offering joint marketing and promotional services, developing group benefits, improving access to financial resources, strengthening ties between worker cooperatives, and developing relationships with other segments of the cooperative/labor community.
2. develop new worker cooperatives and offer mentoring and skill-sharing to those developing worker cooperatives.
3. promote worker cooperatives in our region. This includes educating and developing community awareness of worker cooperatives as sources of meaningful employment and economic empowerment, providers of quality goods and services, and viable alternatives to conventionally owned and managed businesses.