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Jamaica Plain, Roslindale organization among six to receive mental health mini-grants

Organizations in Jamaica Plain and Roslindale that are working with the immigrant community were among six organizations in the the City of Boston to receive a mental health mini-grant from Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA). 

Mayor Michelle Wu made the announcement this week that the Chica Project, the Family Nurturing Center for Massachusetts and the Somali Parents Advocacy Center for Education will each receive $6,500 to help expand mental health programming for immigrant communities. 

“Accessing traditional mental health services can be challenging for immigrant communities because of barriers from language and culture,” said Mayor Wu. “These nonprofits are providing mental health support in a way that meets residents where they are, and I am grateful that the City can support their important and timely efforts.”

The Chica Project will use the grant for trainings and conversations to address social and cultural factors that contribute to mental health challenges and suicide risks in Latinx and Black female students

The Family Nurturing Center for Massachusetts will use the money to hold two monthly Nurturing Circles and provide weekly opportunities to access affordable healthy foods for Cape Verdean immigrants in Roslindale, Dorchester, Allston, Brighton and Hyde Park.  

Finally, the Somali Parents Advocacy Center for Education (SPACE) will use the grant money to provide 10 small group sessions in Roslindale and Roxbury for Somali immigrant families with children with disabilities

“COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted our immigrant communities,” said Yusufi Vali, Director of the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement. “As we address recovery efforts, we must prioritize mental health and explore innovative ways to help people heal.”

MOIA will partner with the Leah Zallman Center for Immigrant Health Research to learn how the Community Healing Center Project with MAE and other awardees improve mental health resources for immigrants. The results will be used to guide the City’s future investments in programming. 

John Lynds:
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