To support the needs of our immigrant residents, Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) announced the awarding of $8,000 in mini-grants each to three East Boston organizations that serve the neighborhood’s immigrant population.
The mini-grants to the Veronica Robles Cultural Center (VRCC), the East Boston Ecumenical Community Council (EBECC) and Neighbors United for a Better East Boston (NUBE) are funded through corporate sponsorships for We Are Boston, an annual reception that honors the contributions immigrants make to our City.
The three Eastie organizations will use the $8,000 grant 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.
“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.”
The VRCC will use the funds to uplift the cultural identities of Latinx immigrant communities in East Boston.
EBECC will use its mini-grant for technology equipment, access, and training for immigrant youth and families for the Digital Inclusion Program.
Finally, NUBE will use the funds for wellness and health spaces facilitated by community leaders for low-income immigrants.
“We work very closely with immigrant-serving nonprofits, and they told us what their communities need right now,” said Director of the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement Yusufi Vali. “As we recover from this pandemic, we should seize the moment to identify disparities and close the gaps in innovative ways.”
Vali said 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. The “We Are Boston 2022: From Dreams to Action” will be held on February 3, 2022. During the reception, the city will recognize community honorees and address how government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors can work together to support the fight for equity