Building Connected Communities: Mujeres Unidas Avanzando

Partnering to Support Latina and Immigrant Survivors

As Sexual Assault Awareness Month comes to a close, BARCC remains committed to Building Connected Communities with our partners. Our partnership with Mujeres Unidas Avanzando (MUA) allows us to make meaningful strides toward ending sexual violence and supporting Latina survivors.

For over forty years, MUA has helped prepare low-income Latina women and girls for educational, career, and personal opportunities and success.  Every year, nearly 350 families receive free educational and social services, including HiSET preparation, English as a second language classes, and free daycare for mothers.

Two years ago, BARCC began partnering with MUA on a Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) grant because of MUA’s incredible work serving the Latina community in Dorchester and beyond. Together, BARCC and MUA created a bi-monthly workshop series for MUA students in Spanish and English. 

Each workshop covers a broad variety of important topics for survivors, such as public benefits for immigrant survivors, work authorization and taxes, VAWA petitions, and asylum. Maria Vidano, managing attorney of BARCC’s Immigration Program, also hosts a free immigration clinic every month at MUA, where attendees can learn about local resources. All workshops are held virtually during the evenings to increase accessibility.

During each workshop, students also learn about other resources available at BARCC, like the 24/7 hotline, webchat, counseling, case management, and counseling and how to access them. After taking our workshops, some student survivors decided to seek BARCC services. Similarly, BARCC has also referred survivors seeking English classes, job preparation, and more to MUA.  

“Working with MUA has allowed BARCC to expand our reach to meet the needs of more LatinX survivors and provide crucial immigration education and resources to survivors,” says Maria.

Thank you, Mujeres Unida Avanzando, for all you do to support survivors and the Latina community.  We are so grateful for our work together these past two years and look forward to what is to come.

Photo Credit - https://muaboston.networkforgood.com/projects/22088-latina-bright-futures-fund