How does Mutual Aid work, and is it safe?
Mutual Aid has a private list on your device and a shared board that members can read.
This needs an account. Sign in to the app first.
Three screens, three jobs
Mutual Aid has four tabs: What Is Mutual Aid, My private list, Build A Network and Global Examples & Resources. Find it in Explore, under Community Building.
My private list is saved on this device only. Nothing in it is posted or sent to anyone.
The Mutual Aid Platform is the shared board. Open it from the link on the My private list tab. Its tabs are Give, Need, Network and Learn. Give is for offers and Need is for requests.
The Network tab on the Platform, and the separate Mutual Aid Network screen, are lists saved on this device only.
Who can see a post on the board
While it is open, your offer or request, and any area or contact you add, can be read by every signed-in member.
Contact is optional. You do not need to give a phone number or an exact address.
When someone offers help
When a member taps I can help on your request, SOS tells you. The member sees the contact details you added, if any.
After that, you and the other person arrange the rest yourselves.
Staying safe
SOS does not check who members are. Share only what you are comfortable with, and read the safety article before you meet anyone.
Mutual Aid is not an emergency service. If you are in danger or need to talk to someone right now, here are lines that answer at any time. Call or text 988 at any time to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. If you are in danger right now, call 911.