Partners

Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development & Public Policy

The Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development & Public Policy was established at the University of Massachusetts at Boston through the initiative of the Latino community activists, academicians, and the Massachusetts State Legislature, in response to a need for improved understanding of Latino experiences and living conditions in Massachusetts. The task of the Institute is to inform policy makers about issues vital to the Commonwealth's growing Latino community and to provide this community with information and analysis necessary for effective participation in public policy development. Through a range of activities, the Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy works to increase the number of Latino researchers and professionals with expertise in areas relevant to community development and public policy; to focus the expertise of Latino and non-Latino researchers on areas vital to the Latino community of the state; and to make academic research relevant and useful to policy-makers and Latino groups.

Nuestra Comunidad

In 1981, residents of the Dudley Neighborhood created Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation to take control of their community. Since then it has built or rehabilitated over 220 units of affordable housing and 8 commercial spaces and, responded to residents needs for organizing and providing human services.

Mission: "To provide housing opportunities for low and moderate income families. To reuse vacant land. To create jobs through economic development. To involve community residents in the process of development. To assure continued affordability of housing despite gentrification.

Nueva Esperanza

A community-based organization was founded in the late 1970s and incorporated in 1982. It originated out of the struggle of South Holyoke neighbors battling to save their homes and neighborhood. At the time, the construction of a federal highway, federal and state urban renewal programs and city-ordered demolition threatened the neighbors with displacement. Nueva's mission to promote community participation, involvement and control was vital in that struggle. Then, the organization's primary interest involved issues of revitalization in South Holyoke, the Flats, Churchill, and Prospect Heights. Today, Nueva pursues several goals, including the delivery of affordable housing, development of community leadership, neighborhood economic development, and promotion of accessible community education and human service programs. Nueva's employs a holistic approach to serving its constituency. It acts as an umbrella organization for a whole range of services related to health, substance abuse prevention, education, community services, housing and economic development.

Centro Las Americas

Centro Las Americas was born in 1977 out of the commitment and effort of a group of voluntary workers. From its inception, the goal was "to promote leadership and opportunities in the Latino community as well as to promote and celebrate the Latino rich cultural heritage". It provides advocacy and direct intervention services in the following areas: housing, education, employment, legal assistance, domestic violence, and health. Furthermore, in the nineties, Centro also entered the economic development area which has become central to its strategy. Its two most important programs in this area are job placement and support to small business development.

Coalition for a Better Acre

Coalition for a Better Acre is Lowell's only community-based development organization and is regarded as one of Massachusetts' most successful and unique development group. Since 1982, Coalition for a Better Acre has developed hundreds of permanently affordable housing opportunities including the Triangle Homeownership Project and the nationally recognized redevelopment of the North Canal Apartments.

Mission: To strengthen local small business economy by offering financial and technical resources that stimulate quality job creation for lower income residents, reinvestment of profits in the local economy, and long term stability for local businesses and community residents.

The Lawrence Minority Business Council

The Lawrence Minority Business Council has played an integral role in contributing to meaningful and lasting solutions to the needs of minority business enterprises. In 1994, the Lawrence Minority Business Council joined efforts with the Latino Economic Development Center in fostering a climate of increased coordination and cooperation dedicated toward increasing the economic well-being of Latinos in Lawrence. The Lawrence Minority Business Council has played an integral role in contributing to meaningful and lasting solutions to the needs of minority business enterprises.

Springfield Latino Economic Development Office

In 1994, as a result of a grant from the Executive Office of Economic Affairs, the Latino Economic Development Center established an adjunct office in the City of Springfield. The Center has provided technical and management assistance to Latino-owned businesses in the North End of Springfield. In addition, it played an integral role in planning, developing and advocating for greater participation by the Latino community in local and statewide economic development initiatives. Recently, the Springfield office of the Center, reconstituted itself as the Mariana Braceti and Rincon de Gautier Institute, Inc. The principal mission of the Institute is to support the Latino community by providing management and technical assistance, supporting projects in which the community takes the lead, and implementing projects which aim to combat the economic deterioration and improve the quality of life in the communities it serves.

Egleston Square Neighborhood Association

Egleston's primary responsibility is to the economic and physical development of the community's residents, particularly its youth, elderly and women. Additional goals include: To support local businesses by conducting a campaign to educate residents to buy locally as part of a campaign to increase overall economic literacy. To increase pre-job training/intern opportunities, especially for youth, so that as new entry levels jobs are created our youth are job ready. To develop resident skills at assessing both consumer needs and employment skills and developing a resident-driven agenda which supports the development of those businesses. To expand the physical base of the commercial district to include areas as buildings which have previously been used commercially, but currently bear the brunt of economic dis-investment and abandonment.

Chelsea's Commission on Hispanic Affairs, Inc

Chelsea's Commission on Hispanic Affairs, Inc. was founded in 1989 by an independent volunteer group of Hispanic residents of Chelsea, with the goal of empowering the Hispanic Community to be more active in city affairs. The organization is run by 13 Hispanic Chelsea residents and is supported by 87 Associate Members. Specifically, CCOHA researches, plans, and initiates projects to address community concerns. Through community organizing, the Commission on Hispanic Affairs works towards the inclusion of Hispanics in public affairs, advocates for equitable services and proportionate representation on municipal boards, for respect of the Hispanic language, culture, and traditions, and for human rights of all Chelsea Hispanic residents.