波士頓移民進步辦公室通訊/ Office of Women's Advancement/ Community Preservation Act

CITY OF BOSTON

Immigrant Advancement

 

Keeping Up With MOIA

  • 2024 Citizenship Day: In partnership with Project Citizenship, the Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement hosted Citizenship Day at the Reggie Lewis Center on Saturday, April 27. Thank you to the over 200 volunteers that helped make this event possible! Over 350 permanent residents received assistance applying for citizenship on this day, and over 40 additional people were screened.
  • 2024 Community Iftar: On March 22nd, over 300 individuals, representing over 5 languages, gathered in a beautiful display of unity and solidarity for our 2024 Community Iftar held at City Hall. This occasion holds profound significance, marking a month of fasting, prayer, and spiritual growth. Ramadan is a time to embrace diversity, strengthen bonds, and foster understanding among all residents of Boston.
  • June is Immigrant Heritage Month: We're doing things different this year! We are holding our 1st Annual City of Belonging Festival for Immigrant Heritage Month in June 2024. Our city-wide festival will feature over 50 events across different neighborhoods, cultures, and expressions of belonging. From art to activism, June will showcase the beauty and bravery of our immigrant community. Over 30 organizations are coming together to make this month possible, more details to come!

IMMIGRANT PRIDE WEEK OF ACTION! MAY 28-31, 2024

The week of action is organized by the Unafraid Educators and the Office of Multilingual and Multicultural Education. Please share the flyer attached with your school communities!


The goal of the Week of Action is to send a message to students, staff, and families that our undocumented and immigrant students are welcome and will be supported in our schools. This year, we are placing special emphasis on celebrating the strength, joy, power, and resilience of our students and families, and fighting for equitable policies in the city of Boston and beyond.

Please join us for next week's events:
  • Tuesday, May 28th, 4:30-6:00pm Stories Inspiring Movements (SIM) will host a virtual info session. Learn about the organization and get connected with opportunities to support immigrant youth in Boston. Please click here to register!
  • Wednesday, May 29th, 4:30pm Join us for the Unafraid Educators Social at the Brendan Behan Pub in JP! Come join us to help fundraise for the Unafraid Scholarship, which provides financial support for students who are not eligible to receive FAFSA due to their immigration status.
  • Thursday, May 30th, 4:30-6:00pm The PAIR Project will host a PD for educators and community members on Understanding Community Immigration Issues. Details for registration to come.

Wake Up the Night Grant - Due May 28

The Office of Nightlife Economy has launched the Wake Up the Night Grant, which will award individuals and organizations up to $10,000 for free, public nighttime activities. The application deadline is Tuesday, May 28, 2024. Learn more and apply hereAll activations must obtain the required permits. Assistance may be provided upon request. For more information, visit this page.

Boston Community Opioid Response Grant - Due May 31

BPHC is seeking proposals from qualified organizations to implement community-based projects responding to opioid overdoses. The City is offering a one-time pool of $1,000,000, which can support awards of up to $200,000, to five organizations or more, depending on the funds requested and 3 proposals. Find more information here.

Pathway for Immigrant Workers Info Session - June 5

On Wednesday, June 5  from 6:00-7:30 pm, the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement and Pathway for Immigrant Workers (PIW) will hold an information session in the Commonwealth Salon at the Boston Public Library Copley Branch. PIW is a nonprofit serving local employers who would not otherwise have the means to sponsor a minimum wage worker for a green card. There will be time for questions and answers after the info session.

All interested employers and employees are welcome to attend. Interpretation will be provided as requested in advance. You can find flyers in additional languages here. Click here to register for the info session.

Next Free Immigration Consultations - June 5

Our next Free Immigration Consultations are on June 5. Volunteer lawyers work with MOIA to offer free immigration consultations on the first and third Wednesday of every month from 12pm to 3pm. You must register in advance. To schedule an appointment call (617) 635-2980 or email immigrantadvancement@boston.gov.

Appointments are currently by telephone. Interpretation and disability accommodations are available. Consultations are 15 minutes and limited to one-time only. More information and flyers in several languages can be found here.

Community Office Hours - June 6 & 18

Meet with the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement during our community office hours at the East Boston Branch of the Boston Public Library. Office hours will take place on the following days:

  • First Thursday of every month from 4 p.m.  - 7 p.m.
  • Third Tuesday of every month from 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Registration is not required, and interpretation and disability accommodations will be available.

Events and Announcements
  • May 27 - The Office of Green Infrastructure is seeking volunteers for a spring cleanup at one of the  BPS green infrastructure sites on Wednesday May 29, 2024 from 5:30-7:30 pm. RSVP here by May 27, 2024.
  • June 1 - Join the Learn-to-Bike for adults programs! These are workshops for those who have not been on a bike at all or for a long time, and for those who want to build on-street confidence. Email required to register, find dates and more information here!
  • July 13 - The Boston Unity Cup is seeking local organizations and businesses to come raise awareness about important causes to the community and to share goods, services, and resources. This year's event will be held on Saturday, July 13 from 11:00 - 1:00pm as part of the larger Street Festival and Community Celebration. Fill out the inquiry form here if you would like to table. Fill out the inquiry form here if you would like to table here.

Job Postings

The Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence is currently seeking candidates to join their diverse staff in the following positions:


Hello SPARK Family

My name is Anthony Nguyen, the new director of SPARK Boston. As a lifelong Boston resident and SPARK council member for two years, I have a deep understanding of our City and programming. I am excited to connect with all of you.  A special thank you to my predecessor Audrey Seraphin for leading the program through COVID times, several administrations and more. 

To kick off introductions, I love soccer, trying new restaurants and I could talk for days about anything really. I am looking forward to building the program to new heights and strengthening our foundations in civic engagement, community and collaboration. When you see me out in the community, please do not hesitate to connect with me.
Blocky Party Grants

Do you want to throw a party to activate your community but do not have the funds or know where to start? Sign up for block party grants. This grant can be used for food, party supplies, games and more! The City also has block party kits for residents to borrow and use at parties. These kits include: jump ropes, hula hoops, chalk, a splash tower and more. As the weather warms up, let’s get outside, meet our neighbors and hopefully, make a few new friends!

Host a Block Party!
Hyde Park Festival in the Streets

In the spirit of block parties come to Hyde Park and check out the Festival In The Streets. The whole block will be shut down for folks to enjoy. There will be music, food trucks, breweries and more. This is a ticketed event and requires purchase. Visit their website for more information!

Festival in the Streets Tickets
Join us at the Jamaica Plain Open Streets

Join us at the Jamaica Plain edition of Open Streets Boston. This marks the second annual event where everyone can enjoy streets as open pedestrian spaces. You can walk, roll or bike up and down Centre Street. This is a great way to learn more about local businesses, organizations and the JP community. Save the dates for our future Open Street events. Roxbury, we’ll see you on July 15!

Open Streets Boston
Join us at the Boston Unity Cup

We will also be at the annual Boston Unity Cup. The Boston Unity Cup is a citywide adult soccer tournament that celebrates community and partnership. Fun fact: I played in it last year. There are 50 teams this year slated to play and represent over 25 countries! Catch us at the resource fair 11 am - 1 pm.

Boston Unity Cup 2023
Boston Art & Music Soul (BAMS) Festival

This weekend is the Boston Art & Music Soul (BAMS) Festival! BAMS is back for its fifth annual festival celebrating Black music and culture in the City of Boston. The festival will be taking place in Franklin Park Playstead Field. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate Black Music Month and support our local artists. This is a ticketed event and requires purchase.

BAMS Festival
114th NAACP National Conference

Mark your calendars! The NAACP National Conference is coming to Boston July 28-August 1. The conference will take place at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC). Register today. 

114th NAACP National Conference Registration
Celebrate ADA Day 2023

July 18th is ADA Day!

Come celebrate with the Boston Disabilities Commission on City Hall Plaza from 12 - 2 pm.

Upcoming Hearings & Community Events
Parks Summer Fitness Series
Various dates, times and locations

Open Your Heart: Immigrant Stories and Music from Boston and Beyond
Friday, June 30 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM | City Hall Plaza

Boston's Urban Pride's Music and Arts Festival
July 2 at 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM | City Hall Plaza

BBG Fest
Saturday, July 8 from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM | City Hall Plaza
 
Allston-Brighton Neighborhood Concert: JP Sax Quartet
Tuesday, July 11 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM | Oak Square Common

2023 Swinging in the Fens, Featuring Jelani Bauman
Wednesday, July 12 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM | Ramler Park
 
5 Days of Chess
Various dates, times and locations

Roslindale Neighborhood Concert: Divas with a Twist
Monday, July 17 at 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM | Fallon Field

Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Concert: Northeast Groove
Monday, July 24 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM | Jamaica Pond
 
South End Neighborhood Concert: Conscious Reggae
Wednesday, July 26 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM | Blackstone Square

Mattapan Neighborhood Concert: National Night Out with Conscious Reggae
Monday, July 31 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM | Hunt Playground (Almont Park)


For more City events visit our Events Page
City of Boston Job Board
View Jobs in the City of Boston Career Center
We are only days away from our first ever ONEin3/SPARK Alumni event! I cannot wait to see familiar faces, meet new ones and see what our amazing alumni are up to.

Lastly, this year we have received tremendous interest from folks to join the upcoming 2023-2024 council. The applicant pool truly represents Bostonians from all walks of life and their passion for civic engagement. Applicants should be hearing back from us any day now. We are excited to connect and learn more about you! 


Best,


Anthony Nguyen
SPARK Boston Director
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