VOLTS

VOLTS envisions a future where formerly incarcerated Black women in Chicago can return to a village of care that affirms their belonging, meets their economic needs, and builds collective power to transform the systems that limit their self-determination.

Purpose

VOLTS builds economic power and self-determination by incubating worker and housing cooperatives owned and governed by formerly incarcerated Black women and other systems impacted people. Through cooperative education, infrastructure, and community-led leadership, we create pathways to ownership, wellness, and collective liberation.

Values

Liberation: Reclaiming control over labor, land, and governance.

Trust & Accountability: Practicing transparency and mutual responsibility.

Care & Healing: Valuing rest, joy, and each other’s wholeness.

Popular Education & Leadership: Everyone is a learner and a leader.

Flexibility & Innovation: Learning from the work and changing with it.