Oppressed people, whatever their level of formal education, have the ability to understand and interpret
the world around them, to see the world for what it is, and move to transform it”. –
Ella Baker, Civil Rights and Human Rights Activist
Youth Ubuntu Project (YUP)
The Youth Ubuntu Project (YUP) is a collaborative project between the Center to Support Immigrant Organizing (CSIO) & African Community Economic Development Of New England (ACEDONE). Launched in 2013, YUP’s mission is to develop African, Latin American, Caribbean and Asian immigrant teen grassroots leadership in social justice efforts and build unity and solidarity among youth in Boston’s diverse immigrant communities. Read more
Grassroots Leadership Institute & Network
In September 2012, CSIO launched the Grassroots Leadership Network (GLN) for graduates of the Grassroots Leadership Institute (hacer un enlace a GLI). GLN members are GLI participants who have decided to continue to gather in order to deepen their learning and solidarity with other leaders and organizers from grassroots groups. The goal of the GLN is to build the capacity of organizers and leaders to develop grassroots leadership in social change work and to promote solidarity among communities and organizations. Sessions involve peer learning and highlight the “best practices” of groups doing grassroots leadership and organizing work. Read more
Equity Now & Beyond
Equity Now & Beyond is an immigrant health equity cohort that is coordinated by Center to Support Immigrant Organizing and led by grassroots immigrant groups Brazilian Women’s Group (BWG), African Community Economic Development of New England (ACEDONE), True Alliance Center / Haitian Americans United and Agencia ALPHA. Read more
See our updated calendar of Covid vaccine clinics that EN&B is organizing.
Organizational Development Support
CSIO brings to its organizational development work a framework for community accountability which emphasizes the importance of grassroots leadership as the core of organizational functioning. We ground our organizational support efforts in our belief that members of the immigrant constituency should be leading immigrant community-based organizations. Read more about our organizational support work.
Make Donation
Donations are accepted through Third Sector New England, our fiscal sponsor. To donate please choose CSIO in the dropdown menu on the page following the link above.
Donate NowOur Mission
The Mission of the Center to Support Immigrant Organizing (CSIO) is to support and help develop the work of individuals, groups, organizations and communities dedicated to organizing immigrants around the issues that affect their lives. Our goal is to help immigrants in the forefront of community and workplace struggles to develop their power and leadership not only to succeed in their immediate context, but also to contribute to the broader effort to build a more just and democratic society.
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. Since 1999, CSIO has worked to strengthen immigrant community capacity to organize and build grassroots leadership. CSIO work happens through a variety of programs that have emerged from our support for and dialogue with immigrant activists, organizers and directors.
Reflections on CSIO's Impact
Yusufi Vali- MOIA
Damaris Velasquez – Agencia ALPHA
Karen Chen-Chinese Progressive Association
Sairy Gonzalez – Youth Ubuntu Project
CSIO's 2022 award recognitions
Equity Now & Beyond Report
The EN&B health equity organizing is part of an array of community supports and programs that address the social and structural determinants of health – immigration advocacy, worker rights, youth organizing, women’s leadership development, housing advocacy, community economic development, and more. Please find the most recent report about the Role of Immigrant Community Based Organizations in COVID-19 Vaccine Information and Access Vaccine Information and Access. Read More…
Immigrant groups release Covid-19 research report that identifies health strategies needed moving forward to bolster immigrant health equity.
When COVID-19 vaccinations began to roll out in early 2021, it finally seemed as if there were a light at the end of the tunnel. But many immigrant communities in Boston and across the state remained in the dark as they faced misinformation and language barriers to the resources they needed to stay healthy during the pandemic. Read More…