Blog

The Consequences of Hitting Pause: How Government Shutdowns Impact Ordinary Residents

The Consequences of Hitting Pause: How Government Shutdowns Impact Ordinary Residents

U.S. residents are familiar with Congress and the President using government shutdowns as a way to push a legislative agenda. However, the most recent government freeze lasted for the longest time in U.S. history at 35 days, placing unnecessary financial stress on low- and moderate-income families and individuals without a nest egg, as well as the organizations and programs that support them....

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"Salsa is in my DNA": A Conversation With Kianí Medina

"Salsa is in my DNA": A Conversation With Kianí Medina

Father-daughter duo Kianí and Jerry Medina are some of the most talented and requested voices of Puerto Rico. Jerry, also a trumpeter, has spent over 40 years making music, collaborating with the likes of Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Calle 13, and more. Singing professionally since the age of 16, Kianí is part of the group Viento de Agua and is currently performing on the Residente Tour. ...

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2018: IBA By The Numbers

2018: IBA By The Numbers

Honoring the work we’ve done over 50 years made for an impactful year, but so did the work we do everyday. All of our programs continued to serve our community as diligently as they have for the past half century, and we’re proud to look back at 2018 with you. Over 900 people attended IBA’s programming, a 13% increase from 2017. From arts to financial empowerment, we’re proud to su...

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CaFE Program Director Joins Social Innovation Forum Executive Coaching Class

CaFE Program Director Joins Social Innovation Forum Executive Coaching Class

We are so proud to announce that our own College and Financial Empowerment Program Director, Tiana Bonner, has been selected to join The Social Innovation Forum Executive coaching class of 2019! Through a 12-year partnership with William James College (formerly Mass School of Professional Psychology) The Social Innovation Forum works with a sma...

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Homelessness Increases in Massachusetts: The Reasons Why & What Must Be Done

Homelessness Increases in Massachusetts: The Reasons Why & What Must Be Done

During the winter, it’s easy to be consumed by thoughts of slippery roads, bitter winds and unpredictable snow storms. But it’s just as easy to forget that such cold weather also threatens the lives of thousands who don’t have a safe shelter. This past year, homele...

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Unlocking the Affordable Housing Gridlock: Three Approaches to Fostering Accessible Community Development

Unlocking the Affordable Housing Gridlock: Three Approaches to Fostering Accessible Community Development

Over the past year, significant strides have been made to expand affordable housing opportunities throughout Greater Boston and Massachusetts. For instance, Boston City Mayor Martin J. Walsh recently increased Imagine Boston 2030’s housing goal to 69,000 new units, 15,820 of which will be income-...

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Celebrate the Holidays by Giving Back

Celebrate the Holidays by Giving Back

Many families have holiday traditions, whether it’s a special food to a family activity they can all enjoy. This year, why not create a new tradition? Giving back to our community is what makes it so vibrant and strong, and there are so many ways to take part. Volunteering over the holidays can make a big impact on those who benefit from it, whether it’s their next meal, or a safe home for thei...

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Looking Forward to IBA's Future

Looking Forward to IBA's Future

As IBA celebrates the end of its 50th year, we are already looking to the future. We have already begun building our next half century, and we are excited to see how our community grows. From affordable housing and arts programs to support for our residents, our future is bright! By the end of this year, we will acquire, rehab, and renovate 146 units of affordable housing to add to IBA’...

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Persistent Inequality: Boston’s Boom Must Serve Everyone

Persistent Inequality: Boston’s Boom Must Serve Everyone

November kicked off in observance of Latina Equal Pay Day, calling attention to the fact that, on average, Latinas earn 53 cents to every dollar earned by non-Hispanic white men. This fact and this day expose a blatant reality: that wealth and power are not shared equally nationwide and even within our city. A recent report f...

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"No Nos Mudaremos de la Parcela 19!": Celebrating 50 Years of IBA

"No Nos Mudaremos de la Parcela 19!": Celebrating 50 Years of IBA

We’ve been celebrating 50 years of IBA, from our anniversary kickoff almost one year ago, through our gala earlier this month. The gala was an incredible event, the culmination of 50 years of supporting our community through housing, the arts, and more. We were honored to welcome our 50 honorees, esteemed guests, and fantastic chefs to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute on the evening of November ...

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Gala Snapshot: 50 Honorees in Our Community

Gala Snapshot: 50 Honorees in Our Community

As our year of celebration comes to a close, we’re proud to honor 50 of our community members for the work they’ve done. From aiding survivors of Hurricane María to supporting the Latinx community here in Boston, our honorees make a difference every day. We look forward to honoring each of them at our gala on November 3rd! For more than 25 years, Aixa Beauchamp has worked in th...

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Transforming Music through Cultural Fusion: An Interview with Miguel Zenón Revisited

Transforming Music through Cultural Fusion: An Interview with Miguel Zenón Revisited

We’re excited to host the world renowned saxophonist who is transforming the jazz tradition by infusing it with Puerto Rican folkloric music: Miguel Zenón, a Puerto Rican native, along with Spektral Quartet, a string quartet based in Chicago. This multiple Grammy nominee, Guggenheim Fellow, and MacArthur (Genius) Fellow, is not only a master of balancing and blending musical traditions into a n...

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A Look Back at 2017: IBA's Impact Last Year

A Look Back at 2017: IBA's Impact Last Year

For the past 50 years, IBA has been committed to providing affordable housing and opportunities for social and economic empowerment in our community. From arts events to credit counseling, we serve our community members of all ages with the programs we offer every day. Here’s just a quick look at some of the efforts we’ve made over the past year: ...

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“Housing a Changing City”: Boston’s Affordable Housing Goals Climb with Updated 2030 Vision

“Housing a Changing City”: Boston’s Affordable Housing Goals Climb with Updated 2030 Vision

Boston’s population continues to grow – and at a faster rate than originally anticipated. According to researchers, Boston is expected to reach 759,727 residents by 2030. That’s 50,000 more people than predicted just four years ago. On September 26, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced that the City has adjusted its “Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030” goals to accommodate this new estimate, wh...

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International Flavors from Boston Chefs

International Flavors from Boston Chefs

An all-star lineup of Boston-area chefs awaits attendees of our 50th anniversary gala! Chef Rodney Murillo of Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse and Chef Jose Duarte of Taranta will be co-chairs, bringing their signature blend of Caribbean and Italian cuisines. Although our chefs are all Boston-based, their food is inspired by cultures from around the world. With a focus on Latinx food, our ch...

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