BRAZILIAN WORKER CENTER INC
Programs
Program 1 [2020]
BRAZILIAN WORKER CENTER, INC. HAS ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS A REPUTABLE, ENGAGED, GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION THAT REPRESENTS, SUPPORTS, AND ORGANIZES THE BRAZILIAN AND WIDER IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY TO TAKE LEADERSHIP IN DEFENDING AND ADVOCATING FOR THEIR RIGHTS, AS WORKERS AND IMMIGRANT RESIDENTS OF THE STATE AND NATION. IT IS A STRONG WOMEN-LED ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES BOTH MEN AND WOMEN IN THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY WITH A CONCERN FOR FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, CULTURAL COMPETENCE, AND COMPASSION.BWC'S THREE MAIN PROJECT AREAS FOR THE LAST NINE YEARS CONTINUE TO BE: 1) OUR TRADITIONAL WORKERS' RIGHTS PROJECT; 2) THE DOMESTIC WORKER ORGANIZING INITIATIVE, EXTENDING BWC'S HISTORIC ACTIVITIES AS A WORKERS' CENTER TO SERIOUSLY INCLUDE WOMEN WORKERS; AND 3) IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ORGANIZING. 1) IN OUR WORKERS' RIGHTS PROJECT, WE ARE IN OUR 10TH YEAR OF OFFERING PORTUGUESE AND SPANISH-LANGUAGE WORKPLACE SAFETY COURSES TO IMMIGRANT WORKERS, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION ("OSHA"). UNDER SUPPORT OF A SUSAN HARWOOD CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT, WE MOSTLY OFFER TRAINING IN FALL PREVENTION FOR CONSTRUCTION, AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS LINE OF WORK FOR A LARGE NUMBER OF IMMIGRANT MEN IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE CONTINUE OUR CORE PROGRAM OF SUPPORTING WORKERS IN FIGHTING FOR RESTITUTION IN CASES OF WAGE THEFT AND VIOLATIONS OF LABOR LAWS AFFECTING THEM, THROUGH DIRECT MEDIATION WITH EMPLOYERS, REPORTS TO STATE AND FEDERAL LABOR AUTHORITIES, AND REPRESENTATION IN COURTS. IN THE LAST ELEVEN YEARS, THROUGH COMPLAINTS FILED WITH THE WAGE AND HOUR DIVISION OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ALONE, WE ASSISTED WORKERS TO RECEIVE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF BACK WAGES AND OTHER RESTITUTION. RECENTLY WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY USING SMALL CLAIMS COURTS TO SEEK ADJUDICATION OF MANY CLAIMS FOR WORKERS. OUR NEW "BUILDING JUSTICE" WORKER COMMITTEE IS BREAKING NEW GROUND IN WORKER-LED FIGHTS AGAINST WAGE THEFT IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING INDUSTRIES.2) IN OUR RELATED DOMESTIC WORKER ORGANIZING PROJECT, WE NOW WORK ACTIVELY ON IMPLEMENTATION AND PUBLIC EDUCATION ABOUT THE NEW MASSACHUSETTS BILL OF RIGHTS. WE HAVE COMPLETED THREE DIFFERENT RESEARCH PROJECTS ON DOMESTIC WORKERS, TWO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOCIOLOGICAL INITIATIVES FOUNDATION (IN BOTH MA AND CT), AND ANOTHER IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OSHA REGION ONE, USING THEM TO SHAPE TRAINING AND PROGRESSIVE LABOR LEGISLATION. WE HAVE A HISTORY OF USING PUBLIC ART PROJECTS FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION ABOUT DOMESTIC WORKERS: OUR STILL ONGOING TRAVELING PORTRAIT PHOTO EXHIBIT, "INVISIBLE NO MORE: DOMESTIC WORKERS, NEW LABOR LAWS, AND A CHANGING CULTURE," WAS MOST RECENTLY ON DISPLAY AT THE CONNECTICUT GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, AND AT THREE COMMUNITY EVENTS AROUND THE STATE. BETWEEN 2012 AND 2020 WE WERE ACTIVE IN THE CONNECTICUT CAMPAIGN FOR A DOMESTIC WORKER BILL OF RIGHTS FROM OUR OFFICE IN BRIDGEPORT AT ST. JOHN'S FAMILY CENTER. WE LEGALLY SEPARATED FROM THAT ORGANIZATION ON AUGUST 30, 2021.3) IMMIGRANT RIGHTS. FINALLY, WE ARE IN STRONG DEMAND TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY IN IMPROVING THEIR SECURITY AS IMMIGRANTS. THE MAJORITY OF OUR COMMUNITY LACK SECURE STATUS. WE WORK WITH CONSTITUENTS IN DETENTION AND DEFEND THOSE CHARGED WITH INFRACTIONS FOR DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE. WE ARE A CORE ORGANIZATION IN BOSTON'S IMMIGRANT DEFENSE PROJECT THAT LINKS IMMIGRANTS IN NEED WITH SUPPORTIVE LEGAL HELP FOR THEM IN DEFENDING THEIR RIGHTS. WE WORK HARD TO BE A RESOURCE FOR THE ENTIRE BOSTON AREA. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS ON CASES OF FAMILY SEPARATION AT THE BORDER, AND THEIR REUNIFICATION, AND OTHER CASES INVOLVING DEFENDING FAMILIES UNDER ATTACK BY CURRENT FEDERAL IMMIGRATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES. BWC IS A KEY MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY BOARD OF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT ADVANCEMENT. ALL THIS IS NEEDED BECAUSE BRAZILIANS NOW REPRESENT THE LARGEST SINGLE FOREIGN-BORN NATIONAL GROUPING IN BOSTON. WE ARE CONTINUING RACIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE INVOLVING EDUCATING MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT ISSUES IN UNDERSTANDING RACE, RACISM, AND RACIAL JUSTICE IN THE U.S. CONTEXT, A MATTER THAT AFFECTS THEM IN THEIR LIFE IN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES, AND ALSO THEIR RELATIONS INSIDE THE BRAZILIAN COMMUNITY.NEW PROGRAMS INITIATED DURING 2020:BECAUSE OF THE ONSET OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, OUR COMMUNITY WAS SEVERELY IMPACTED BY UNEMPLOYMENT, HUNGER, AND FINANCIAL EMERGENCIES - LARGE AND SMALL - FOR THEIR FAMILIES. IN APRIL 2020, WE PIVOTED OUR OPERATIONS TO ADD THE FOLLOWING NEW PROGRAMS IN SERVICE OF THE COMMUNITY: A) A WEEKLY FOOD PANTRY ("FOOD FOR ALL IN SOLIDARITY") OPERATION THAT TYPICALLY SERVED 600 OR MORE FAMILIES, OR ABOUT 2,000-3,000 COMMUNITY MEMBERS PER WEEK. WE WERE LEADERS IN INITIATING THIS RELIEF TOGETHER WITH THE CITY OF BOSTON, PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERS, AND THE MASSACHUSETTS IMMIGRANT COLLABORATIVE, A COALITION OF 15 IMMIGRANT SERVING ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE CO-FOUNDED, AND ON WHOSE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WERE SERVED THROUGH THE PANDEMIC. WE ALSO AWARDED SMALL CASH GRANTS TO FAMILIES TO USE TO MEET EMERGENCY NEEDS, FOR SUCH ITEMS AS PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND UTILITY BILLS.B) A YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, ENTITLED "DREAMERS' FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM," INAUGURATED IN THE SUMMER OF 2020 (THAT WOULD LATER BE REPEATED TWICE MORE IN 2020). THE PROGRAM FOCUSED ON HIGHER EDUCATION, JOB, AND CAREER COUNSELING; COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK; AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. THIS SUMMER 2020 PROGRAM WAS FUNDED BY THE BOSTON RESILIENCY FUND.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$1.4MEmpowerment Programs for Immigrant Workers
THE BRAZILIAN WORKER CENTER IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT CAPACITATES IMMIGRANT WORKERS TO LEARN ABOUT WORKPLACE RIGHTS, IMMIGRATION, AND HEALTH EQUITY. THE ORGANIZATION EMPOWERS IMMIGRANTS WITH KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND RACIAL JUSTICE FOR ALL. THE BWC HAS ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS A REPUTABLE, ENGAGED, GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION THAT REPRESENTS, SUPPORTS, AND ORGANIZES THE BRAZILIAN AND WIDER IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY TO TAKE LEADERSHIP IN DEFENDING AND ADVOCATING FOR THEIR RIGHTS, AS WORKERS AND IMMIGRANT RESIDENTS OF THE STATE AND NATION. IT IS A STRONG WOMEN-LED ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES WITH A CONCERN FOR FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, CULTURAL COMPETENCE, AND COMPASSION. BWC'S SERVICE CATEGORIES INCLUDE 1) KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WORKSHOPS, 2) HEALTH AND WELLNESS INITIATIVES, 3) COALITION BUILDING AND CAMPAIGN ORGANIZING, 4) BUILDING JUSTICE, 5) LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND 6) COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WORKSHOPS: THE BRAZILIAN WORKER CENTER OFFERS IN PERSON WORKSHOPS FOR WORKERS AND DOMESTIC WORKERS ON WORKERS' RIGHTS AND LABOR LAWS EVERY 15 DAYS AT OUR OFFICE LOCATED AT 14 HARVARD AVE, 2ND FLOOR, ALLSTON. OUR WORKERS' RIGHTS PROJECT IS OUR CORE PROGRAM AND IS THE FOUNDATION FOR ALL THE INITIATIVES, ACTIVITIES, EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS, AND TRAINING THAT TAKE PLACE AT BWC. IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS WE HAVE RECOUPED APPROXIMATELY $3.5 MILLION IN RESTITUTION FOR WORKERS, BY DIRECT MEDIATION, THROUGH COMPLAINT REFERRALS TO STATE AND FEDERAL LABOR AUTHORITIES, OR IN SMALL CLAIMS COURTS. HEALTH AND WELLNESS INITIATIVES: MULHERES VENCEDORAS IS A WOMEN-LED PROJECT DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED BY THE BRAZILIAN WORKER CENTER, INC. THIS MINDFULNESS-BASED PROJECT INTERVENTION AIMS TO DISSEMINATE THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS AMONG IMMIGRANT WORKERS WHO MAY EXPERIENCE CHRONIC HEALTH ISSUES, INCLUDING CANCER AND ANXIETY, AMONG OTHERS.LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: AT BWC, WE ASSIST IMMIGRANTS WITH GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE US LEGAL SYSTEM AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FEDERAL AGENCIES AND OFFER MULTIPLE PROGRAMS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR CAPACITY BUILDING. AMONG PROGRAMS OFFERED ARE: OSHA PROGRAMS - THE BRAZILIAN WORKER CENTER HAS CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE DELIVERING OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH TRAINING TO WORKERS IN SEVERAL INDUSTRIES COMMON AMONG IMMIGRANT WORKERS IN OUR COMMUNITY. UNDER THE SUPPORT OF SIX SUSAN HARWOOD TARGETED TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS SINCE 2011, WE HAVE GIVEN PORTUGUESE- AND SPANISH-LANGUAGE FALL PREVENTION TRAINING FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION. AS OF 2021, WE ARE ALSO OFFERING INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND COVID-19 PROGRAMS FOR WORKERS.DREAMERS: EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM FOR IMMIGRANT YOUTH - THE DREAMERS PROJECT AIMS TO CAPACITATE IMMIGRANT YOUTH, PARTICULARLY SPANISH- AND PORTUGUESE- SPEAKING LATINOS WITH VARIOUS KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NECESSARY TO BECOME EMPOWERED AND PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS IN THE GREATER BOSTON AREA. BWC HAS CO-FOUNDED THE MASSACHUSETTS IMMIGRANT COLLABORATIVE (MIC). THE PURPOSE OF THE COLLABORATION IS TO ADDRESS IMMIGRANT FAMILIES' MOST URGENT NEEDS BY PROVIDING DIRECT FINANCIAL RELIEF AND OTHER RESOURCES. JOINING FORCES HAS ALLOWED MIC TO SERVE MORE THAN 13,000 IMMIGRANTS SINCE APRIL 13, 2020. COALITION BUILDING AND CAMPAIGN ORGANIZING: COALITION BUILDING AND CAMPAIGN ORGANIZING ARE TWO VERY IMPORTANT COMPONENTS OF THE BWC'S WORK. BWC CO-CHAIRS THE DRIVING FAMILIES FORWARD COALITION ON BEHALF OF THE WORK AND FAMILY MOBILITY ACT AS WELL AS THE COALITION TO ADVANCE THE WAGE THEFT BILL IN COLLABORATION WITH AFL-CIO. BWC WAS ALSO A KEY LEADER IN THE FOUR-YEAR CAMPAIGN TO ACHIEVE A MASSACHUSETTS DOMESTIC WORKERS BILL OF RIGHTS IN 2014. SINCE THEN, BWC CREATED THE DOMESTIC WORKER ADVOCACY PROJECT (DWAN) TO EDUCATE WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE NEW LAW. BWC'S DOMESTIC WORKER RIGHTS BOOKLET IS USED IN THIS WORK; WITH PARTNERS SUCH AS STUDIO REV OF NEW YORK, AND NORTHEASTERN NU LAW LAB, BWC ALSO CREATED A KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND WORKPLACE SAFETY HOTLINE FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS; AND, DEVELOPED A NEW OSHA SAFETY AND HEALTH COURSE FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS IN 2015. COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES: HOUSING PROGRAM - IMMIGRANTS WHO RESIDE IN THE GREATER BOSTON AREA CAN REACH OUT TO AND VISIT THE BRAZILIAN WORKER CENTER TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE WITH APPLYING FOR RENT SUPPORT WITH LOCAL RENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. BWC CAN ASSIST WITH MAKING PHONE CALLS AND READING AND INTERPRETING CORRESPONDING FORMS.FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES - ARRIVING IN A NEW COUNTRY CAN BE VERY CHALLENGING ESPECIALLY WHEN IMMIGRANTS HAVE SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN. THE BRAZILIAN WORKER CENTER CAN CONTACT LOCAL SCHOOLS ON BEHALF OF FAMILIES AND STUDENTS AND ASSIST WITH SCHOOL REGISTRATION. ADDITIONALLY, THE ORGANIZATION CAN SUPPORT RECENTLY ARRIVED FAMILIES WITH CHECK-IN AND COMMUNICATION VIA PHONE AND EMAILS WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES, WHEN NEEDED; SUPPORT FAMILIES OF DETAINEES WHO NEED ASSISTANCE WITH REGISTERING A COMMISSARY ACCOUNT AT DETENTION CENTERS; PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO PAY FINES AND HOW TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT ONLINE; SUPPORT WITH RESPONDING TO JURY DUTY; AND, GIVE FAMILY ORIENTATION SESSIONS ABOUT HOW TO MAKE BANK TRANSFERS AND SEND MONEY TO INMATES; AMONG OTHER SERVICES.IMMIGRANTS - THE BRAZILIAN WORKER CENTER CAN ASSIST IMMIGRANTS WITH MAKING PHONE CALLS WITH EMPLOYERS IN RESPONSE TO WAGE THEFT CASES AND OTHER TYPES OF INJUSTICE TOWARDS EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS WITH REFERRING IMMIGRANTS TO LOCAL PRIVATE ATTORNEY PARTNERS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES THAT CAN PROVIDE CONSULTATIONS AND MEDIATIONS, WHEN NEEDED.FACILITATING READING COMPREHENSION AND INTERPRETING DOCUMENTS AND MAKING PHONE CALLS IN ENGLISH - LANGUAGE BARRIERS CAN BE VERY CHALLENGING. THEREFORE, THE BRAZILIAN WORKER CENTER OFFERS SUPPORT BY ASSISTING MEMBERS OF OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY TO READ AND INTERPRET VARIOUS DOCUMENTS AND FORMS, WHICH MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE, AS WELL AS WITH MAKING PHONE CALLS IN ENGLISH, WHEN NEEDED.PUBLIC NOTARY SERVICES - IF OUR FELLOW IMMIGRANTS REQUIRE PUBLIC NOTARY SERVICES, THEY CAN VISIT US AT 14 HARVARD AVENUE, 2ND FLOOR, ALLSTON, MA 02134, OR SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT VIA PHONE AT 617-783-8001 OR EMAIL AT [email protected] JUSTICE: BUILDING JUSTICE IS AN INNOVATIVE WORKER COMMITTEE, FUNDED BY THE BRAZILIAN WORKER CENTER IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JUSTICE AT WORK (J@W), RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING AND TAKING ACTION ON WAGE THEFT CASES IN THE COMMUNITY.FOOD PANTRY: BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES WERE SEVERELY IMPACTED BY UNEMPLOYMENT, HUNGER, AND FINANCIAL EMERGENCIES - LARGE AND SMALL - FOR THEIR FAMILIES. IN 2021, BWC IMPLEMENTED A WEEKLY FOOD PANTRY ("FOOD FOR ALL IN SOLIDARITY") OPERATION THAT TYPICALLY SERVED 600 OR MORE FAMILIES, OR ABOUT 2,000-3,000 COMMUNITY MEMBERS PER WEEK. WE WERE LEADERS IN INITIATING THIS RELIEF TOGETHER WITH THE CITY OF BOSTON, PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERS, AND THE MASSACHUSETTS IMMIGRANT COLLABORATIVE, A COALITION OF 15 IMMIGRANT-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE CO-FOUNDED, AND ON WHOSE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WE SERVED THROUGH THE PANDEMIC. WE ALSO AWARDED SMALL CASH GRANTS TO FAMILIES TO MEET EMERGENCY NEEDS, FOR SUCH ITEMS AS PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND UTILITY BILLS. THE EMERGENCY COVID-19 SUPPORT ENDED DURING 2022.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2022 – Dec 31, 2022Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$914.9K
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