Help J.L. Friday: Homeless to taking Community Wealth Global

Hi, I'm Jess (or J. or Friday!)

People say "The further your message gets, the better the world becomes."

Will you help me get it farther by giving me the stability I need to grow?

Three years ago, I tried to start an ethical gig economy in manufacturing, because I knew that a Community Brand, a company for purpose and not for profit, could provide myself and other neurodivergent and disabled people the opportunity to live a life where we not only had financial safety, but could wake up every day and do what we loved to do without burning out.

Unfortunately I was doing this as a serial failed entrepreneur who'd never lived on her own and didn't know how to ask for help, much less leverage the power of my community.

So I went homeless when the startup failed to launch on time.

Homelessness is no joke. Especially for people with chronic illnesses and disabilities.

I have witnessed and experienced some things no one should ever have to go through. And I haven't even been close to the worst that people have to face daily, often for their entire lives.

It's my life's mission to create a world where we can all create communities of care so that never happens again.

Wealth is people. And homelessness isn't running out of money, it's running out of friends to help you through.

Thankfully, I've had lots of help from friends. People who believe in my mission have donated thousands of dollars. Friends have donated their couches, their time, and their help.

What I've built despite the challenges:

Connectioning - A media company and strategic hub connecting hundreds of movements building wellbeing economies worldwide. I've identified hundreds of practical solutions for changing the world that just aren’t visible - the public doesn't know about them. Connectioning, my media company, amplifies these stories into mainstream and social media to inspire more people to act while also connecting people to first steps to join or build themselves.

Our launch cycle nearly doubled my social media following, brought in thousands more to the movement, and people inspired to grow their own wellbeing economy initiatives -- before I promptly fell into instability again!

Over 20,000 followers across platforms - Built entirely while experiencing housing insecurity, proving these community wealth principles work in real-time.

Reached over 1 million views with just a handful of posts, including reaching #18 Rising in World Politics on Substack.

Won at the HelpBnk Power of Community event with the 90-second version of my future TED Talk that my community fundraised to get me to in March of 2024.

The impact people are seeing:

"This is the kind of movement that changes world history."

"Knowing community wealth and resources have already been implemented elsewhere gives me hope. You give me hope."

"The further your message gets, the better the world becomes."

"This is what humanity needs."

What is community wealth, anyway?

I believe when we combine community with wealth again, and make it intentional, we can reconnect in community, for purpose, solving the biggest problems facing this world collectively while creating the lives we all dream of.

Moving from ME (a money based economy) to WE (a wellbeing economy) is a gamechanger for humanity, and for each of our lives.

There are proven models that rewire wealth and power into a world that works for everyone. Models like Community Wealth Building, Social Enterprise, Cooperatives, Regenerative economics, and much, much more.

No government or corporation is coming to save us, but we can save ourselves by helping each other, connecting in community, solving the problems right in front of us, and scaling these systems to make this the new normal worldwide. Imagine an economy that served all life – instead of the other way around!

The solutions are out there, the future is here, we just haven't held the press conference. You're just not hearing about them in the news!

I've discovered hundreds of movements building wellbeing economies worldwide - practical solutions that are working right now but remain invisible. Community-owned rideshares paying drivers more while riders pay less. Towns transformed through community wealth building. Creative economics bringing free water and soon free grocery stores to the world.

Did you know that we wouldn't have To Kill a Mockingbird without Community Wealth?

Harper Lee's friends supported her for a year so she could focus on writing that transformative book.

Or that community wealth completely transformed the town of Preston, UK?

How about the fact that it allows for creative economics, as in the case of Freewater.io, who brings the world free water now, and later free grocery stores?

Apps like RedHen and Commonwealth Grocers connecting local people to local food.

And trends like the growing federated rideshare movement in the US, revolutionising transportation.

I'm asking for a Harper Lee year.

Just like Harper Lee's friends gave her a year to focus on writing without worrying about money, I'm asking my community to give me that same gift.

Despite moving over 30 times in three years, living on donations, and navigating challenges like autism and chronic illness, my content has reached over a million+ views and consistently converts skeptics into believers.

But to dedicate myself fully to this cause, I can't divide my attention between survival and world change. I need some very real medical attention and other basic supports, to be reconnected with my loved ones, and so I'm asking for help from my community today to get me through the next year so I can focus my energy away from fight or flight and full time on:

If you can spare even a few dollars, there's nothing more impactful you could fund right now.

Follow my socials to follow the journey. And if you want to be a part of this, please reach out! We need all the help we can get.

If people knew how truly transformative empowering ordinary people in business was, we'd have tens of millions of dollars and people wanting to help make it happen overnight.

Thank you for your support, it means so much not just to humanity but to me as well!

Thank you for being a helper, thank you for helping me live the life I've dreamed of so I can help make that a possibility for everyone.

xoxo

Jess

https://www.jlfriday.com