| | ☀️Summer Newsletter 2026☀️7 Days Left to Apply! |
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| Hi Friends of Solid State,
Our Co-op Network continues to put on impressive events, build relationships, and engage with extensive communities. Video game launches, annual celebrations, summer camps, national art exhibitions and more, see what our cohorts are up to and check out our affordably housing progress below! Solid State is also hiring a Lead Researcher, check the link for more details.
We’re still in the midst of our second 2026 co-op intake. Co-op applications are accepted from June 1st to July 15th, 2026. If you or a someone you know is looking for support with cooperative business development, financial planning, branding, community connections and more, apply soon to collaborate with Solid State. |
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| | Exciting Progress Locally and Internationally |
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| Solid State has been supporting the work of WASL Cooperative Lab in Sousse, Tunisia. WASL combines the resources of Hive12, a coworking space, incubator, and enterprise education hub for the Sahel, located in Sousse and AJL, a multidisciplinary university center, working with high school and university students, and those seeking employment and aspiring to start their own businesses.
This year and last, Solid State staff visited the amazing group of developers in Sousse to support new co-ops and make lasting relationships. Over the course of the year we have worked closely with our partners at Hive12, AJL and others to structure our collaboration, then get to work launching co-ops. We’re happy to report that the first two co-ops are up and running!
Habibty is a worker co-op that brings together women producing organic spices, herbal teas, and natural cosmetics.
Ambassad’Art is a creative space dedicated to art, interior design, and handcrafted decorative pieces.
Both organizations are successfully creating income, meeting potential funders, supporting each other, and spreading the word about their work. Learn more about this international collaboration. |
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Gaza Media Co-op has officially launched and is looking for clients!
Gaza Media Co-Op was founded by Vancouver-based Gazan journalist Mohammed in 2021 with a simple mission: to empower creatives in Gaza to offer design services, earn an income, and grow their skills. The idea was clear – local talent deserves the chance to thrive and make a difference.
In October 2023, everything changed for the team in Gaza. As the genocide began, their access to the internet and resources became very limited.
The team in Gaza (“The A Team”) had to prioritize survival. During these critical times, a group of designers in Metro Vancouver (“The B Team”) stepped in, taking on some of the Gaza team’s clients to keep the momentum. The A Team and B Team work within a solidarity economy model, that prioritizes the equity and the well-being of the A team in Gaza.
If you or someone you know is looking for branding services, website design, or other visual assets and wants to support this amazing initiative, contact the creative team at Gaza Media Co-op. |
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| Solid State Affordable Housing Society has been working hard to research housing needs in our community. As a first step, they’ve successfully partnered with local buildings to reserve rental units below market value. 1 & 2 bedroom apartments are now available for September 1st, 2026 at a brand new building at King George Hub.
These homes offer community members an opportunity to access inclusive, well-below-market housing with amenities, brand new units & access to transit!
If you’re looking for housing, complete our intake form and questionnaire today.
Visit solidstate.house to apply. |
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| Chicken Coop is a video game production cooperative that joined the Solid State community in 2024. As a recent group of graduated university students, they teamed up with Solid State to create their own opportunities in video game design. Their first game is launching this summer and available on Steam! “Caved In is a chaotic co-op action-puzzle game for 2–8 players where teamwork is essential! Play locally or online with friends as you work together to solve tricky challenges and escape the cave.
Each level is built around cooperation. Push blocks, climb platforms, protect your friends, and figure out how to move as a team without leaving anyone behind. All levels can be played no matter how many players you have!”
Click the link to check out preview videos of the game and congrats to Chicken Coop. |
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| GenConnect’s annual Apna Mela will take place on July 18th at Strawberry Hill Park in Surrey. This year, they’re excited to collaborate with @indiansummerfestival.
”At GenConnect, we believe in bringing generations together through meaningful conversations, shared stories, and community connection. We’re thrilled to partner with Indian Summer Festival to help create a space where culture, belonging, and intergenerational connections can flourish.”
Apna Mela is a day filled with community, laughter, activities, and unforgettable memories. Save the date! |
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City in Colour, in partnership with Expertise Hub Cooperative, will be presenting an art exhibition in St. John's, Newfoundland. It is the first exhibition in their national art project, Pathway to Diversity. The exhibition will be in Montreal in October and in Vancouver (New West, Anvil Centre) in December. If you’re in the area, register for the gallery exhibition below! |
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Surrey Rainbow Project is hosting events all summer, come through to support their work! LeLaLes: Fluid Love Watch Party happened on June 28 at the Black Arts Centre. Community members got together for the final two episodes of, Chinese lesbian reality dating show, LeLaLes: Fluid Love. Collage Nite (July, date TBD at Solid State, stay tuned for sign-up details) - Explore your creativity and connect with the community through this collaging workshop! Facilitated by Vancouver-based Filipino-Canadian collage artist Jay Cabalu. All materials provided and no artistic experience necessary! Pride Celebration (August 2026, stay tuned for updates!) - SRP is hosting a local pride celebration for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and allies south of the Fraser River, featuring drag performers, entertainers, artists, and community leaders. Connect with local organizations, access community resources, and enjoy an evening of queer joy, visibility, and community connection!
More info about events to be announced on their Instagram! Follow their Eventbrite page and join SRP’s Newsletter Mailing List! |
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Let Her Talk is also filling the summer with events for relationship building and peer support for self-identified racialized women. In the spring, they collaborated with some amazing workshop leads including, Glammed by Gurleen led the workout in a makeup class, Parminder from Healing Heart Counselling who facilitated a disussion around menopause, and Yeshvi from Bolly Fusion who taught a dance class!
Let Her Talk has lots of events coming up this summer, such as a conversation on PCOS/PMOS in collaboration with Sher Lotus and Dr. Jess Nazareth and a polymer clay workshop with Amaze Arts Studio.
Follow them on IG to stay up to date: @lethertalkca |
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| Salam Central’s fifth annual Summer Camp started this week! Salam Central hosts a summer camp for youth ages 6 to 12 supported by United Way’s School’s Out Program. As per usual, their registration filled up within 24 hours of opening. Their summer camp creates an engaging, and faith-centered environment for youth. Through exciting activities, team games, and community-building experiences, kids develop friendships, confidence, leadership skills, and a stronger connection to their values in a safe and welcoming space. |
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We work, study, and live in a region south of the Fraser River which overlaps with the unceded traditional and ancestral lands of the Kwantlen, Musqueam, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen, Qayqayt and Kwikwetlem peoples. |
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