Mission
Our mission is to strengthen civic and community life in Somerville by diminishing racism and empowering the city's refugee and immigrant groups. We create opportunities for residents of all backgrounds to work together to improve their social, economic, and personal well-being.
History
The Welcome Project is a community-based organization that began in the Mystic Public Housing Development in Somerville, Massachusetts in 1987, following state mandated racial integration of the development.
As new residents were arriving from Haiti, Central America, Viet Nam and other parts of the world, many were victims of discrimination and harassment where they were most vulnerable: at home. The founders of the Welcome Project, a dedicated group of tenants and community members, came together to help support and empower these new residents.
Over the past twenty two years, our organization has evolved to work with the immigrant community throughout the city, while continuing to be closely linked with Mystic Housing residents. Our overarching goal since the beginning has been to strengthen Somerville's community life by encouraging equitable access to the city's social and economic resources. In 1987, this goal was specifically linked to supporting the safe integration of the development.
Today the Welcome Project continues provides programs for immigrant and lower-income families at the Mystic and throuhout Somerville that hone leadership and personal development, provide access to employment and education, help residents to learn English and the nuances of a new culture and engage more fully in the civic life of the city.
Staff
- Warren Goldstein-Gelb, Executive Director
- Maria Landaverde, Youth Programs Coordinator
- Lisa Gimbel, ESOL Instructor
- Jeri Bayer, ESOL Instructor
Board
- Ben Echevarria (President)
- Gina Cachimuel
- Maria Ojeda
- Susan Ostrander
- Judith Perlstein
- Alex Pirie
- Janet Pula
- Raul Salinas
- Suzanne Sankar
- Debbie White
