We are a growing organizing collective of neighbors in Ballard. We’re focused on community building rather than politicking. The goal is not to give our power to this or that politician, political party, or rigid ideological line.
The goal is to build power at the ground level, wielding it as a community to solve problems that too often fall upon the deaf ears of CEOs and politicians. If we want to create change, we need to do it ourselves.
The first time we held a potluck was in late November 2024. What began as a conversation around national politics pivoted to a discussion about what people wanted to see here in Ballard. We talked about how the Eco Blocks were inhumane and needed to go. How we needed more social opportunities. How we wished Ballard had the equivalent of the Beacon Food Forest down in Jefferson Park. The topic of Community Land Trusts was brought up, and Africatown was mentioned as a local model.
A few months later, several of us came together again – along with many of our neighbors – in support of the students and faculty of Whittier Elementary when they were harassed for holding a drag story time.
We collectively decided to dedicate ourselves to community organizing in May, and announced it to early supporters in June. It was in June 2025 that Ballard Solidarity officially became Ballard Solidarity – taking on an organizational form and long-term vision far beyond the scope of earlier events.
Since July, we’ve had community potlucks on a monthly basis (minus December). We’ve also hosted small group coffees, donated food to mutual aid crews serving our unhoused neighbors, and organized a winter clothing drive.
When Trump went to war on SNAP, we sent out a newsletter detailing where to get food if you needed it, and how to help if you could.
At the time of this writing, we have a working website, several core organizers, a growing number of people expressing interest in volunteer work, a newsletter, and hundreds of neighbors on our outreach lists.
If you’d like to get on our outreach list, please fill out the form at https://ballardsolidarity.org/get-involved/
See you around!