Si Se Puede! Women's Cooperative, We Can Do It! Inc. was founded in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, in August, 2006, to bring together immigrant women to create a women-run, women-owned, eco-friendly housecleaning business. The cooperative is designed to create living wage jobs that will be done in a safe and healthy environment, as well as to providesocial supports and educational opportunities for our members.
When you hire a member ofSi Se Puede! to clean your home, 100% of the fee goes to the member who does the work. In contrast, when you hire someone through most other agencies, the agency takes a large percentage of the fee.
We have 23 members, all of whom have completed 10 weeks of training. Most are immigrants from Mexico and the Dominican Republic, and all members have an equal vote in decisions regarding policy and operations. In addition, members work together to promote the business and meet bi-weekly for on-going training and support.
The 14 founding members chose the name Si Se Puede! Women's Cooperative, We Can Do It! Inc. because we feel that it embodies the spirit of the group. Si Se Puede also has resonance for many of our members as the phrase is often heard in political and social change movements throughout Central and South America.
Si Se Puede! receives support and guidance from the Center for Family Life in Sunset Park, a nonprofit community-based organization providing social services for children, youth and families in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, since 1978.
Si Se Puede! in the News
Building a Solidarity Economy read article
Yes Magazine, October 15, 2009When workers take charge read article
CNNMoney.com, September 2009Cleaning Up: We Can Do It! Women's Cooperative Offers Alternative to Low-wage Jobs read article
The Indypendent, September 18, 2009Burgeoning Coops Provide Quality Services While Empowering Workers download a PDF of the article
Linewaiter's Gazette, May 21, 2009Si Se Puede! helps to clean up businesses read article
Ode Magazine, Jan/Feb 2009The Weekend Shift: Cleaning Houses read article
Weekend America, December 20, 2008"No somos empleadas, sino empresarias" download a PDF of the article
Hoy Nueva York, May 1, 2007Cleaning Cooperative Housecleaning Promotes Women's Self-Sufficience download a PDF of the article
Linewaiter's Gazette, March 2007