20 immigrant-serving organizations awarded mini-grants for We Are Boston 2022

BOSTON - To support the needs of our immigrant residents, Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) are awarding $160,000 in mini-grants to 20 immigrant-serving organizations. The mini-grants are funded through corporate sponsorships for We Are Boston, an annual reception that honors the contributions immigrants make to our City. 

“One third of Boston residents are immigrants,” said Mayor Wu. “The health and wellbeing of our immigrant communities is central to our City’s recovery and community. By making these investments now, we lay the foundation for generational change.”

“We work very closely with immigrant-serving nonprofits, and they told us what their communities need right now,” said Yusufi Vali, Director of the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement. “As we recover from this pandemic, we should seize the moment to identify disparities and close the gaps in innovative ways.”

The 20 diverse nonprofits will each receive $8,000 for operational support and capacity-building to serve immigrants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be used for a wide range of services including basic needs assistance, mental health support, child and youth development, legal services, and digital equity.

The following organizations are selected for this year’s mini-grants: 

Afrimerican Culture Initiative Inc.: Operational and capacity-building support for cultural and nutritional programs for the ‘Stay Informed’ COVID-19 campaign

Asian American Civic Association: Childcare for families who were not eligible for childcare vouchers

Asian American Resource Workshop: Sustainable groceries and legal fees assistance to immigrant families

Association of Haitian Women, Inc. (AFAB): Technology training for Haitian women and families in Dorchester, Hyde Park, and Mattapan to close the digital divide for low-income Haitian communities

CAIR-Massachusetts: Immigration attorneys for low-income Muslim families seeking assistance with asylum petitions and deportation 

Center for Cooperative Development and Solidarity-CCDS: Consciousness-raising groups and trauma-informed training for low-income immigrant women in East Boston   

Dudley Neighbors Incorporated: Vouchers for immigrant residents and homeowners on the Community Land Trust for rent, utilities, and other basic needs

East Boston Community Council: Technology equipment, access, and training for immigrant youth and families for the Digital Inclusion Program

El Centro - Catholic Charities: Cash assistance to families in urgent need of short-term rent and other basic needs 

Family Nurturing Center for Massachusetts: Family education classes and traditional Asian events to empower Vietnamese families in Dorchester to become more civically engaged in AAPI communities

Gardner Pilot Academy Foundation Inc.: Food, utilities, and other basic needs assistance to immigrant families in Allston/Brighton 

Gilbert Albert Community Center Inc.: Scholarships for ESOL classes and overdue bills

Haitian Health Institute: Weekly activities for Haitian families with children with developmental disabilities in Mattapan as part of the Haitian Family Support project

La Alianza Hispana Inc.: Basic needs assistance, parent education classes, and personalized support for low-income Latino families with children from prenatal to kindergarten

Lawyers for Civil Rights: Legal assistance for deportation defense, eviction prevention, and housing stability for immigrant families in East Boston and Mattapan as part of COVID-19 relief work

Love Your Menses Inc.: Postpartum care and emotional assistance  for immigrant mothers

Neighbors United for a Better East Boston (NUBE): Wellness and health spaces facilitated by community leaders for low-income immigrants

Soccer Without Borders Boston: Establish an indoor futsal league in East Boston to teach English and mentor immigrant youth 

Veronica Robles Cultural Center: Uplift the cultural identities of Latinx immigrant communities in East Boston

Voice of Tabernacle Multi-Service Center: Resettlement assistance for Haitian youth who are homeless or facing homelessness in Dorchester and Mattapan

These mini-grants are made possible through the generous contributions from We Are Boston 2020 sponsors including State Street Corporation, Arbella Insurance Foundation, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, and Eastern Bank Foundation. 

We Are Boston 2022: From Dreams to Action is on February 3, 2022. During the reception, we will recognize community honorees and address how government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors can work together to support the fight for equity. We are currently monitoring the COVID-19 situation to determine if this event will be in-person or virtual. Any media who wish to attend can email paien.yu@boston.gov.

The Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) strives to strengthen the ability of immigrants to fully and equitably participate in economic, civic, social, and cultural life in Boston. MOIA also promotes the recognition and public understanding of the contributions of immigrants to the City. To learn more, visit boston.gov/immigrants.

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