Blog

Inspiring Children to Become Activists: IBA's Afterschool and Summer Learning Program

Inspiring Children to Become Activists: IBA's Afterschool and Summer Learning Program

IBA’s Afterschool and Summer Learning Program is an integrated academic and arts program that help students develop language skills and self-esteem, and equips them for academic success. The focus on both academics and arts allows for the freedom to follow their own interests, while also enhancing what they’re learning in school. Our program focuses on a different theme every year, with ...

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Cultural Awareness, Community, and Diverse Classrooms: What Parents Love About IBA's Preschool

Cultural Awareness, Community, and Diverse Classrooms: What Parents Love About IBA's Preschool

As the first bilingual preschool in Massachusetts, our preschool program has been serving our community for over 40 years. A parent favorite, our program preserves students’ culture while also preparing them for school. Our bilingual program makes a big difference for parents, with our multicultural curriculum and diverse classrooms making up 38% of why parents send their kids to our pr...

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Hurricane Maria – One Year Later: Where Are We Now?

Hurricane Maria – One Year Later: Where Are We Now?

On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, leaving extensive devastation in its wake. As we near the one-year anniversary of the storm, it’s important that we reflect upon the impact of the Hurricane and understand efforts underway to protect and aid the recovery of Puerto Rico. How did Hurricane Maria impact Puerto Rico? Puerto Rico suffered ex...

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20 Years to Today: The Impact of IBA's Preschool

20 Years to Today: The Impact of IBA's Preschool

To honor our 50th anniversary, we’re taking a look back at the history of IBA’s Preschool program! In 1976, a group of local Latino parents came together to present to the Massachusetts State Government the need to provide services to Spanish-speaking families. One of these services included a bilingual preschool for children. The parents’ effo...

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Youth in Action: Peer Leader Summer Graduation

Youth in Action: Peer Leader Summer Graduation

IBA’s Peer Leader Summer Graduation had it all; laughter, heartfelt thanks, and even a few backflips! The event was focused on the Youth Development Program, celebrating the end of another successful summer. Kicking off the event, youth from each workshop shared their testimony about what they learned this summer, and how it affected them. “I ha...

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Annual Cookout & Community Health Fair Brings Resources to Plaza Betances

Annual Cookout & Community Health Fair Brings Resources to Plaza Betances

Rainy skies couldn’t stop our community from coming together for the Annual Cookout & Community Health Fair, organized by our incredible Resident Services team! Plaza Betances was filled with residents enjoying the food and games while taking advantage of the health resources available. As kids played in the bounce house and got their faces painted, adults were able ...

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Power to the People: Video Recap

Power to the People: Video Recap

In April 2018, we invited Bostonians to learn more about how an unlikely group of activists who rallied against local government to avoid being pushed out of their homes. We were humbled by the sheer number of people who came out to this event to share their connection to IBA and our community. As th...

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A Look Back at Our Foundation: The Conditions that Gave Rise to IBA

A Look Back at Our Foundation: The Conditions that Gave Rise to IBA

“It was a long struggle to make the residents believe that, if we united ourselves, nobody could take our rights for better housing and better living standards” -Victor Feliciano The South End of today looks strikingly different than it did 50 years ago. High-end retail and polished townhouses line the sid...

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History All Around Us: Festival Betances 2018

History All Around Us: Festival Betances 2018

Nearly half a century ago, Latino members of the South End community organized to dedicate one July weekend to the celebration of their heritage with music, dancing, food, and activities for all ages. Over the years, what started as a neighborhood block party has grown into our annual Festival Betances! Each year we’re proud to welcome more than 3,000 attendees—and this year was no different!...

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Mid-Year Update: The Status of Affordable Housing in Greater Boston and What’s Next

Mid-Year Update: The Status of Affordable Housing in Greater Boston and What’s Next

During his second inaugural address, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh recommitted himself to tackling Greater Boston’s housing shortage, vowing to “increase [Boston’s] targets for low-income homes, moderate-income homes, senior housing and overall units.” Now that we are over halfway through the year, we’ve pro...

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OneHood Spotlight: Hoops and Hope

OneHood Spotlight: Hoops and Hope

As we finish up our month-long endeavour to feature our outstanding Youth Development Program, we decided to sit down with Youth Coordinator Angel Lopez and star player Erik Ramirez to talk about their involvement with the OneHood Peace Basketball League. Angel coached for nine years before taking on responsibility of coordinating the entire league. Now in its ...

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YDP Alum: Building Bonds Through Mentorship

YDP Alum: Building Bonds Through Mentorship

IBA’s Youth Development and Afterschool & Summer Learning Programs foster independence, creativity, and academic growth among children and teenagers. This month, we will highlight IBA youth on our social media and website to celebrate their achievements. We interviewed a previous YDP participant to provide some insight on what we do. Tell us a little about yourself....

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Fighting Displacement: What We’re Watching

Fighting Displacement: What We’re Watching

The ability to afford housing is a daily struggle for thousands of American families and individuals. According to Bloomberg, approximately 900,000 renters received eviction notices in 2016 alone and more than 20 million households currently dedicate more than 30 percent of their income towards housing costs. Numerous factors, from federal budgeting to local development grants, ...

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College and Financial Empowerment Celebrates Success

College and Financial Empowerment Celebrates Success

Last week, the College and Financial Empowerment Program had the absolute pleasure of recognizing, celebrating, and honoring our program participants in all component areas: Academic, Financial Empowerment, and Technology. We were pleased to welcome a full house of family and friends, whose support made the event feel truly special. Program Direc...

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The Importance of Preserving Retail Diversity

The Importance of Preserving Retail Diversity

When gentrification enters a community, it doesn’t just impact low-income individuals and families. Rather, the small retail businesses, or mom-and-pop storefronts, that contribute to the vibrancy of a local economy are often pushed to the peripheries. For instance, according to a recent WBUR s...

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