COMMUNITY-CENTERED CRISIS RESPONSE

MASSACHUSETTS MIGRANT FAMILIES RELIEF FUND

A PARTNERSHIP TO SUPPORT NEW MASSACHUSETTS FAMILIES

The Massachusetts Migrant Families Relief Fund is a partnership between United Way of Massachusetts Bay and The Boston Foundation to address the acute humanitarian crisis faced by migrants seeking asylum in Massachusetts, while also supporting the local, trusted community-based organizations directly serving new arrivals in our region.

Everyone deserves to have their essential needs met, and migrants are no different.

As the number of families being housed in shelter or motels has risen sharply, and will continue to rise in the coming weeks, the Commonwealth’s shelter system is being taxed in unprecedented ways. Cities and towns across the state are hosting families as part of the emergency assistance program, providing shelter and services to individuals and families displaced from countries such as Haiti and Venezuela by political turmoil, socio-economic instability and ongoing humanitarian crises. In Massachusetts, they see a promise of hope and support, and we want to live up to that promise.

THE FUND WILL

RAPIDLY

Rapidly deploy emergency financial assistance through a trusted network of human services and shelter organizations in the Commonwealth to ensure individuals, children, and families have access to essential needs (temporary accommodations, food access, clothing, diapers, hygiene items, and transportation).

PROVIDE

Provide operating funding to the local community-based organizations providing direct services on already-stretched budgets and staff resources.

SUPPORT

Support livelihood opportunities and assistance such as health screenings, translation services, legal assistance, work authorizations, ESOL classes, and other socio-economic and cultural integration supports.

HOW CAN YOU JOIN US?

The Boston Foundation and United Way are committed to demonstrating our Commonwealth is a welcoming place for our newest arrivals to be connected to the community-based resources and support needed to work and thrive, through Welcome Centers, social services organizations, nonprofits and community organizations. Further, we hope to provide connective resources for the State and local governments and service providers to respond to this crisis in a judicious and timely manner.

MAKE A GIFT TODAY

Let’s show our commitment to ensuring every person in Massachusetts has their essential needs met and is treated with the dignity and respect we all want for our own families. Join us in responding with urgency, compassion, and dedication to address this crisis while fostering community solidarity and support.

About The Migrant Families Relief Fund

The Massachusetts Migrant Families Relief Fund is a partnership between United Way of Massachusetts Bay and The Boston Foundation to address the acute humanitarian crisis faced by migrants seeking safe haven in Massachusetts, by supporting the local, trusted community-based organizations directly serving new arrivals in our region. This partnership leans into the strengths of both organizations to maximize the mobilization of resources and enable swift distribution of funds across the state.
United Way has an established track record of distributing more than 40 million in philanthropic and federal/state relief throughout the Covid-19 crisis. This includes partnerships with more than a dozen cities and towns including Chelsea, Haverhill and Lynn, to provide local response efforts, as well as a partnership with the Department of Early Education and Care to distribute more than $20 million for school-community Summer Step Up programming. With both an existing network of community-based organizations as well as the ability to partner with United Ways across the Commonwealth for statewide reach, United Way of Massachusetts Bay will serve as fiscal agent for the joint fund to both accept donations and swiftly deploy funds. The Boston Foundation is a leader in emergency relief philanthropy, having stood up funds for Haiti, Puerto Rico, COVID-19 relief, and a relief partnership in support of Chelsea, (Mass.) organizations, among others. With both an existing network of community-based organizations and a statewide reach, the Boston Foundation is prepared to facilitate fundraising and lend its extensive experience and deep community connections to the joint fund to both accept and distribute donations quickly and judiciously.

Migrant Fund in the News

News
Dec 1 2023

UWMB, Boston Foundation celebrate strength of public support for migrant…

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News
Sep 25 2023

UWMB and The Boston Foundation award $570,000 from the Massachusetts Mig…

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News
Aug 8 2023

Boston Foundation and United Way of Massachusetts Bay create Massachuset…

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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE FUND