“When my kids want to see me, they know to find me here.”

For Liliana Arteaga, Boston Community Hub School Coordinator at the Mario Umana Academy K–8, that simple statement captures what a school can be at its best: a place of learning, connection, and care.

At the Umana, school is more than a classroom - it’s a hub for opportunity. And during a recent visit, state legislators, educators, and community partners saw that impact firsthand. 

Hosted by United Way of Massachusetts Bay, in partnership with Boston Public Schools, the statewide Massachusetts Coalition for Community Schools, and MassINC, the visit highlighted how the Community Schools strategy is helping students succeed while strengthening families and neighborhoods. The tour was part of a series organized for the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business, chaired by State Representative Andy Vargas (D-Haverhill) and State Senator Adam Gómez (D-Springfield).   

“It is a special day here at the Mario Umana Academy,” said State Representative Adrian Madaro, (D-East Boston). “It's great to be uplifting the incredible work at the Umana and celebrating the community hub school model. This transformative approach knits together our schools and community-based nonprofits in partnerships and collaboration that benefits students and their families. The Umana showcases how community hub schools are an effective model for our communities."  

At Umana, that transformation is visible every day. 

From afterschool programs like Tenacity to cultural organizations, academic enrichment, ESOL classes, and adult education, the school brings together a wide range of resources, all in one place, all centered around students and families. 

At the heart of that coordination is Arteaga, whose role as Boston Community Hub School Coordinator is one of the hallmarks that makes the strategy successful. She currently manages more than 60 nonprofit partnerships and has helped bring an estimated $3 million in programs and services into the school.  

Community Schools are built on a simple but powerful idea: when schools, nonprofits, public agencies, and families work together, students are better supported, and entire communities are stronger. 

“In a time when families and students are navigating complex challenges and an unstable federal government, community and hub schools are answering the call,” said State Representative Andy Vargas. “This model links schools to the resources that already exist in the community and makes it easier for partners to plug in and make a difference.” 

During the visit, lawmakers, including State Representatives Andy Vargas, Adrian Madaro, Tara Hong (D-Lowell), and State Senator Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett), toured the school, observed programming, and met directly with educators and partners to better understand how the model works in practice. 

“Having a model in place is the first step,” said Sen. DiDomenico. “The results speak for themselves. Students are thriving, teachers are thriving, and the entire support system around them is aligned. When you see that kind of growth, it builds momentum, and you want to bring it to more communities.” 

“I enjoyed the visit to the Umana in East Boston. The dedication, energy, and love for learning was evident in both the staff and students,” said Rep. Hong.  The model the Umana Academy uses works. I am excited to bring back what I learned to Lowell to see how our schools could expand on what we offer for the success of our students.” 

“These visits underscore the importance of meeting communities where they are and building systems that work for everyone,” said Sen. Gómez. “Community Schools are helping close opportunity gaps by connecting students and families to the resources they need to succeed. It’s exactly the kind of collaborative, equity-driven approach we should be investing in statewide.” 

The visit was part of a broader effort to expand Community Schools and raise awareness for MassINC's School Centered Neighborhood Development approach a place-based strategy to strengthen student outcomes and community well-being.

Featuring a school tour, program observations, and a partner roundtable, the visit offered a clear picture of what’s possible when resources are aligned, and communities are centered. 

“When we come together—public leadership, philanthropy, schools, and families—we can solve some of the challenges we’ve struggled to address,” said Marty Martinez, CEO of United Way of Massachusetts Bay. “This work will only grow and reach more students with sustained investment.” 

The Massachusetts Coalition for Community Schools, led by United Way of Massachusetts Bay in partnership with statewide organizations like MassINC, the American Federation of Teachers and more, is advocating for a $5 million state funding request to expand Community Schools and bring this strategy to more communities across Massachusetts. 

United Way of Massachusetts Bay is helping lead this work across the region. 

Today, United Way supports 32 Community Schools across districts including Boston, Lowell, Lynn, and Haverhill, bringing together academics, health, and social services to support the whole child and the whole family. 

Through this effort: 

By aligning schools with community-based organizations, public agencies, and philanthropy, the model creates a coordinated network of support - one that meets students and families where they are and helps remove barriers to success. 

At Umana, that vision is already taking shape. 

And for families like those Arteaga serves every day, the message is clear: when a school becomes the heart of its community, everyone has the opportunity to thrive.