History of CSIO

CSIO was founded in 1999 in response to an assessment of the barriers to organizing for social and economic justice in immigrant communities in the greater Boston area. This assessment, which took the form of interviews and focus groups with over 100 immigrant organizers, leaders and directors of immigrant organizations, pointed to a tremendous need for training, organizational support, peer networking and other capacity building supports in immigrant communities. CSIO’s programs emerged out of this dialogue.

Since receiving initial funding in 2000, CSIO has developed various initiatives within this framework. Over the past two years, we have been able to build upon our history and relationships with immigrant organizations and organizers to develop collaborative projects across communities. We have become more conscious about linking to national efforts to share our lessons learned, in order to help build the field of capacity building for immigrant leadership development, organizing and organizational development. We have expanded our reach to African American organizers and groups beyond greater Boston. We have developed an umbrella of activities with key immigrant organizing groups, building networks in which groups can share resources, learn from each other, and advance immigrant organizing and organization-building together.