Cooperatives have existed for centuries, creating processes for sustainable and healthy communities.

Cooperation is defined as working together towards the same end, and joining forces to accomplish a task that one can't achieve alone. Simply put, co-ops provide the framework that allows people to get what they want in a way that better meets their economic, social, and cultural needs.

Cooperation builds strong bonds between the people who use products and the people who supply them, so co-ops offer a way to transform the way business is done. Co-ops give you the opportunity to get the products and services you need on a daily basis while strengthening the community around you.

Modern cooperatives around the world generally operate according to the same core principles and values, adopted by the 1995 General Assembly of the International Co-operative Alliance. Cooperatives trace the roots of these 7 principles to the first modern cooperative founded in Rochdale, England in 1844.

An animated info-graphic demonstrating just a few of the social, economic, and environmental impacts that food co-ops have on their local communities. How does your grocery store check out?

Co-ops of all kinds are all around you. More than 800 million people around the world belong to cooperatives, and at least 100 million of them are employed by co-ops. And more often than you probably realize, co-ops play a vital part of your everyday life.

Housing:

The Santa Barbara Student Housing Cooperative (SBSHC) provides low-rent cooperative housing for students attending post-secondary educational institutions in Santa Barbara County.

Pilgrim Terrace Cooperative Homes provides retirement home, low income-affordable, assisted living to seniors in Santa Barbara, CA.

Education:

San Marcos Parent-Child Cooperative preschool (San Marcos Parent-Child Workshop) is a not-for-profit, cooperative preschool, afternoon child care program and education class for children aged 2 1/2 to 5 years old, and their parents.

Services:

The Regenerative Landscape Alliance, LLC, ReGen.coop, is a full-service landscape contracting company. A member owned cooperative, they are dedicated to a collaborative process that leverages the diversity of perspective, expertise, and strength that their team brings to bear.

Credit Unions:

Golden 1 Credit Union
KeyPoint Credit Union
Kinecta Federal Credit Union
Santa Barbara County Federal Credit Union
Santa Barbara Teachers Federal Credit Union

information source: www.strongertogether.coop