With the average Bostonian owing at least $6,541 in consumer debt, finding ways to better manage your finances is key to achieving a bright financial future. That’s why IBA created the College & Financial Empowerment program, to give residents in the South End and Lower Roxbury communities the tools, resources, an...
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Villa Victoria Center for the Arts is currently closed to the public until further notice. We understand that this is an inconvenience to those attending upcoming events, and we are working closely with artists to identify alternative spaces within the city, should they wish to relocate their exhibits. Here's what this closure means for our arts programming....
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IBA has long been committed to providing affordable housing to our local South End community. A key part of empowering our community is rooted in ensuring that our residents have continued access to support resources. By combining recreation, culture, health, educational and case management services, we’re able to address all of the needs of our residents. With a growing team...
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As Boston students settle into the new school year, IBA is gearing up for the next Youth Development Program (YDP) cycle, which starts in October and runs through May. IBA’s nationally acclaimed program encourages students between the ages of 14 and 19 to use the arts and civic engagement as tools to help them think critically a...
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We celebrated the end of the Youth Summer Cycle on August 16th and the energy was amazing! From the live performances, to the art on display, to the ice cream provided by the City of Boston -- all who attended had a great time. We can't wait to ring in Summer 2020. ...
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The team of passionate educators at the IBA Preschool take a personal approach to how they teach and inspire our next generation of leaders to learn. With a mission to nurture creativity and individuality in every child, the IBA Preschool has been touted as one of the Top 21 School Readiness Programs in Massachusetts, with a 100% kindergarten readiness rate. Known for its bilingual education mo...
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“I want IBA to be the biggest and best nonprofit organization in all of Massachusetts,” Linnette Speel, Executive Assistant explains. Having spent the past 4 years as an integral part of Operations, Linnette is responsible for supporting the senior management team, including IBA CEO, Vanessa Calderón-Rosado. In addition, she serves as a liaison between the management teams and external ...
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When it comes to ensuring that everything operates smoothly at IBA, Janice Nevarez makes it happen. As the Receptionist and Administrative Assistant, all requests, questions, phone calls, and emails usually come through her first. She’s been with IBA since 2017 and works closely with the facilities manager to get maintenance requests taken care of and to schedule necessary walkthroughs. But, he...
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Whether at resident meetings speaking with the community or on television talking about key issues in affordable housing, our CEO Dr. Vanessa Calderón-Rosado is constantly advocating for inclusive development, economic and educational empowerment, representative leadership, arts programming and more. This month, as we highlight the people that make IBA so special, we wanted to provide you with ...
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Michelle Brava is a renowned Puerto Rican vocalist with over 20 years of experience in the music industry, most known for her tropical music style. Starting her career as a background vocalist with Latin pop sensations, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Isabel Pantojas, and Ricardo Montaner, Michelle learned from the best. Her independently-produced album debut, Brava in 2009, which feat...
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Born in New York, from Puerto Rican parents, Gisselle began her artistic career at an early age. By the age of 15, she was dancing in important events at the Centro de Bellas Artes, the most renowned stage in San Juan, Puerto Rico, at the time. Her dancing moved audiences and landed her spots in the musical, "El diluvio que viene" and soon thereafter she was selected to be a back-up dancer for ...
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One of the talented women performing at Festival Betances this year Karla P. Rivera Lozada. Born in San Germán, Puerto Rico, Karla’s attraction to music has been lifelong, studying at the School of Fine Arts of Bayamón, then the Conservatory of Arts of the Caribbean (CAC) in Old San Juan, and currently the prestigious Berklee College of Music. We sat down to chat with Karla about her ambitions,...
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IBA started as an initiative in the late 1960’s, and has evolved into a Latino arts hub like no other. And, for the first time ever, the Festival Betances 2019 lineup is sure to please with an all Latina lineup. Featuring the sultry, soul-soothing music of 3nity, this year’s event will showcase a combination of Puerto Rican culture while also uplifting the various cultures the Boston area has t...
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On July 20th and 21st, Plaza Betances will burst with life and activity, as Festival Betances kicks off another year of cultural celebration. As the Plaza fills with families, renowned musical performances, Latin food and drink, and traditional games, we’re reminded of how the arts and spaces dedicated to housing them play a critical role in the development of healthy, pro...
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Our Resident Services program works to make every resident feel at home in Villa Victoria. From case management to neighborhood events, they build community and empower our residents. We recently spoke with one of our residents to learn more about her experience with IBA. Maria, a longtime Villa Victoria resident, has been living in our neighborhood since 1991 after moving from Guatemal...
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