Mental Health Mini-Grants Awarded To Six Immigrant-Serving ...

Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) are awarding $39,000 in mini-grants to 6 immigrant-serving organizations. The funds will help organizations expand mental health programming for immigrant communities.

“Accessing traditional mental health services can be challenging for immigrant communities because of barriers from language and culture,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “These nonprofits are providing mental health support in a way that meets residents where they are, and I am grateful that the City can support their important and timely efforts.”

“COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted our immigrant communities,” said Yusufi Vali, Director of the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement. “As we address recovery efforts, we must prioritize mental health and explore innovative ways to help people heal.”

The six diverse, immigrant-serving nonprofit organizations will each receive $6,500 for mental health programming. The programs include different services like storytelling, healing circles, and arts fairs.

The following organizations are selected for the MOIA Mental Health Mini-Grants:

Asian American Resource Workshop (AARW): Hold monthly community wellness and mental health support sessions with Asian immigrants in Dorchester

Brazilian Worker Center: Expand their Mulheres Vencedoras initiative with an 8-week program that promotes daily stress management and emotional wellness

Chica Project: Use training and conversations to address social and cultural factors that contribute to mental health challenges and suicide risks in Latinx and Black female students

Community Healing Center Project with Mutual Aid Eastie: Host art fairs and training sessions focused on healing practices like peace circles in East Boston

Family Nurturing Center for Massachusetts: Hold two monthly Nurturing Circles and provide weekly opportunities to access affordable healthy foods for Cape Verdean immigrants in Dorchester, Allston, Brighton, Hyde Park, and Roslindale

Somali Parents Advocacy Center for Education (SPACE): Provide 10 small group sessions in Roslindale and Roxbury for Somali immigrant families with children with disabilities

Anyone interested in joining these programs can reach out to the organization directly.

MOIA will partner with the Leah Zallman Center for Immigrant Health Research to learn how the awardees improve mental health resources for immigrants. The results could help guide the City’s future investments.

About the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement

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.