Brazilian Womens Group Inc

TO PROMOTE POLITICAL AND CULTURAL AWARENESS AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BRAZILIAN COMMUNITY.

WORKERS' RIGHTS: EDUCATES BRAZILIAN IMMIGRANT WORKERS ON THE RIGHTS OF WORKERS IN THE UNITED STATES, ORGANIZES A WORKERS' COUNCIL, AND OFFERED OSHA WORK ACCIDENT PREVENTION TRAININGS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BRAZILIAN WORKERS' CENTER. WORKERS ARE REFERRED TO BWG BY OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, HOSPITAL SOCIAL WORKERS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, BUT MOSTLY BY WORD OF MOUTH FROM WORKERS WHO WERE ONCE HELPED BY THIS PROJECT. ORGANIZER MET IN PERSON OR BY PHONE WITH WORKERS COMPLAINING ABOUT VIOLATION TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS BASIS TO PURSUING LEGAL ACTION. WHEN NEEDED, CASES WERE REFERRED TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, GREATER BOSTON LEGAL SERVICES, JUSTICE AT WORK, OR ATTORNEY STACEI SOBOSIK. THE BWG ALSO WORKS WITH THE MASS. ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE ON STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DOMESTIC WORKERS BILL OF RIGHTS, AND RUNS EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS FOR EMPLOYERS ON THE ISSUE, AS WELL AS WORKSHOPS AND TRAININGS FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS. AS A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKERS ALLIANCE, THE BRAZILIAN WOMEN'S GROUP BENEFITS FROM A SERIES OF VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS AND PARTICIPATE IN VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON ACTIONS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKERS BILL OF RIGHTS, IMMIGRATION REFORM AND OTHER LEGAL BENEFITS FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS. A COALITION OF WORKERS' CENTERS, CREATED IN 2020 TO SUPPORT CENTERS AND THEIR MEMBERS DURING THE PANDEMIC, IS CURRENTLY MEETING MONTHLY.IN 2021 THE WORKERS' RIGHTS PROJECT RECOUPED $36,000 IN WAGE THEFT AND OVERTIME FOR WORKERS, HAD 33 NEW CASES, AND 18 OTHER CASES REMAINED FROM 2020. WE OFFERED A SERIES OF 13 WORKSHOPS TO A GROUP OF 10 DOMESTIC WORKERS WHO WERE SELECTED AFTER AN INTERVIEWING PROCESS. THESE WOMEN WERE GIVEN A STIPEND OF $500 TO PARTICIPATE. TOPICS INCLUDED WORKERS' RIGHTS, FINANCIAL EDUCATION, AND SOCIAL MEDIA AS A MEAN OF IMPROVING YOUR BUSINESS. IN 2021 THE AGE OF THE POPULATION SERVICED BY THIS PROJECT RANGED FROM 25 TO 70 YEARS OLD.IT'S WORTH NOTICING THAT DURING THE PANDEMIC THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS DECREASED, PRIMARILY FOR TWO REASONS: THERE WAS NO OR LITTLE WORK; AND WORKERS WERE EVEN MORE AFRAID TO DENOUNCE VIOLATIONS BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT AFFORD TO BE DISMISSED. AS A RESULT, MANY OPTED FOR WORKING FOR BELOW THE MINIMUM WAGE AND IN VERY POOR CONDITIONS.

VIDA VERDE CO-OP:THE CO-OP PROVIDES GREEN HOUSECLEANING PRODUCTS, ENCOURAGES HEALTHY WORK PRACTICES, AND PROMOTES A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AMONG ITS MEMBERS. IN 2020, THE CO-OP CONDUCTED IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS WITH 8 OF THE FIRST CO-OP MEMBERS, WHO REPORTED A REDUCTION IN SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF TRADITIONAL CLEANING AGENTS AND A NEW SENSE OF MUTUAL SUPPORT. CURRENT EXPERIENCE DEMONSTRATES THE SAME RESULTS. IN 2021 WE PARTNERED WITH "FAXINA", A PODCAST OF STORIES OF DOMESTIC WORKERS. WITH FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AT LOWELL'S TOXIC REDUCTION USE INSTITUTE (TURI) PROGRAM "FAXINA" PRODUCED A PODCAST WITH THE ORAL HISTORY OF THE WOMEN IN THE VIDA VERDE WOMEN'S COOP. OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH TUFTS UNIVERSITY PRODUCED 2 ARTICLES ABOUT THE HEALTH OF LOCAL BRAZILIANS AND THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 IN THE COMMUNITY: "UNDERSTANDING HEALTH PRIORITIES, BEHAVIORS AND SERVICE UTILIZATION AMONG BRAZILIAN IMMIGRANT WOMEN: IMPLICATIONS FOR DESIGNING COMMUNITY-BASED INTERVENTIONS AND "THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE BRAZILIAN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY: RESULTS FROM A QUALITATIVE STUDY."ONE COOP MEMBER HAS JOINED THE MOTHERS GROUP FORMED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS COALITION OF DOMESTIC WORKERS, PRESENTING TRAININGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND ITS IMPORTANCE TO DOMESTIC WORKERS WORK, AND TWO SENIOR COOP MEMBERS AND CURRENT COOP MEMBERS PRESENTED SIX VIRTUAL TRAININGS ON HOW TO MAKE THE VIDA VERDE NATURAL CLEANING PRODUCTS, ATTENDED BY THOUSAND OF WOMEN. THE COOP IS CURRENTLY MADE UP OF SIX MEMBERS AND TWO SENIOR COOP MEMBERS WHO CONDUCT TRAININGS.

COVID RELIEF AND PREVENTION:1) DISTRIBUTION OF AID:COVID SUPPLIES DISTRIBUTION, SUCH AS SURGICAL AND N94/95 MASKS, HAND SANITIZER, HOME TESTS, SOAP, AND DISINFECTING SPRAYS.DIAPERS (TO 252 HOUSEHOLDS) AND FOOD BOXES (TO 99 HOUSEHOLDS);FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: PROVIDED SMALL CHECKS TO 44 HOUSEHOLDS (AVERAGE $235), TO HELP WITH EXPENSES DURING A PERIOD OF LOST INCOME. RECEIPT OF AID WAS BASED ON FAMILY SIZE AND ON FAMILY AND/OR INDIVIDUAL NEED. PEOPLE WERE REFERRED TO THE BWG BY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS STAFF, HOSPITAL SOCIAL WORKERS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, COMMUNITY AND BOARD MEMBERS. WE DID NOT TURN ANYONE DOWN. 95% WERE BRAZILIANS, WITH A LARGE MAJORITY BEING WOMEN; THE OTHERS WERE SPANISH SPEAKERS AND ASIANS. BRAZILIANS CAME FROM DIFFERENT MASSACHUSETTS CITIES AND TOWNS AND SPANISH AND ASIAN SPEAKERS FROM ALLSTON-BRIGHTON.2) VACCINATION CLINICS: FROM MARCH AND THROUGH DECEMBER 2021, HELD 10 CLINICS AND VACCINATED 705 PEOPLE. CLINICS ALSO PROVIDED INFORMATION, MASKS, CHILDREN'S BOOKS, $25 GIFT CERTIFICATES, AND SNACKS.

ANNUAL BRAZILIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY FESTIVAL:THE FESTIVAL CELEBRATES AND PROMOTES AWARENESS OF BRAZILIAN HISTORY AND CULTURE. IT PROVIDES A VENUE FOR DISSEMINATING INFORMATION ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND OTHER RESOURCES. IT INCLUDES A DAY-LONG FESTIVAL AND FILM SCREENING WITH 5000-7000 PEOPLE ATTENDING ANNUALLY. THE 27TH FESTIVAL WAS HELD IN PERSON. IT INCLUDED THE RAISING OF THE FLAG IN EVERETT AND ONE MUSICAL CONCERT AND CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES AT FRAMINGHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY, IN ADDITION TO THE OUTDOOR FESTIVAL AT HERTER PARK IN BOSTON. THE FESTIVAL IS ORGANIZED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MASSACHUSETTS ALLIANCE OF PORTUGUESE SPEAKERS AND THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF BRAZIL IN BOSTON.IMMIGRANT RIGHTS/CIVIC ENGAGEMENT:PROVIDE SERVICES AND REFERRALS FOR IMMIGRANTS. ORGANIZE, PUBLICIZE, AND PARTICIPATE IN MONTHLY FREE VIRTUAL IMMIGRATION AND FAMILY AFFAIRS CLINICS. HELPED STUDENTS APPLY AND RENEW ELIGIBILITY FOR DACA - DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS PROGRAM. ALSO HELPED STUDENTS TO APPLY FOR BRAZILIAN PASSPORTS AND POWER OF ATTORNEY. ORGANIZED GRASSROOTS SUPPORT FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM, INCLUDING MASSACHUSETTS DRIVER'S LICENSE/REAL ID, THE DREAM ACT, IN-STATE TUITION FOR IMMIGRANT RESIDENTS OF MASSACHUSETTS, THE SAFE COMMUNITIES ACT, AND THE KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER - STOP DEPORTATIONS CAMPAIGN. PROMOTE PARTICIPATION IN ELECTIONS THROUGH: CITIZENSHIP CLASSES; VOTER REGISTRATION; AND ONGOING OUTREACH PROGRAM OF COMMUNITY MEETINGS, ARTICLES, INTERVIEWS AND PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE PORTUGUESE-LANGUAGE MEDIA. HAS ON-GOING VIRTUAL ESL CLASSES AND VIRTUAL ONE-ON-ONE CITIZENSHIP TUTORING ON SATURDAYS.OTHER PROGRAMMING:1) FACEBOOK LIVE EVENTSSTARTED IN 2020 TO INFORM AND EDUCATE COMMUNITY ABOUT COVID-19. IN 2021 WE PRESENTED 238 LIVES VIEWED BY 112,805. THESE LIVES DISCUSSED TOPICS SUCH AS HEALTH, WOMEN'S HEALTH, IMMIGRATION-RELATED LEGAL ISSUES, IMMIGRANT RIGHTS, MENTAL HEALTH, HOUSING SECURITY, FOOD INSECURITY, FINANCIAL EDUCATION, WORKERS' RIGHTS, AMONG OTHERS. PRESENTERS WERE DOCTORS, LAWYERS, TEACHERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, COMMUNITY MEMBER, AND BWG STAFF AND MEMBERS.2) MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTPROVIDED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TO BOARD, COOP, AND STAFF MEMBERS AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.3) PRODUCED A WEEKLY PORTUGUESE-LANGUAGE RADIO SHOW ADDRESSING A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS OF CONCERN TO IMMIGRANT WORKERS THAT REACHES ABOUT 1,000 LISTENERS WEEKLY. 4) WORKED WITH GREATER BOSTON LEGAL SERVICES ATTORNEYS AND MANAGERS OF THE BANKRUPTCY INVESTIGATION PROCESS OF THE TELEXFREE PYRAMID SCHEME TO MAKE SURE VICTIMS RECEIVED THEIR RESTITUTIONS. 5) STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ARE AVAILABLE DAILY, ON A WALK-IN BASIS AND BY PHONE, TO RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION AND HELP IN A WIDE VARIETY OF AREAS INCLUDING: IMMIGRATION; HOUSING; HEALTH CARE; EMPLOYMENT; WORKERS' RIGHTS; DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE; EDUCATION (EARLY CHILDHOOD THROUGH UNIVERSITY), AND CLASSES IN CITIZENSHIP PREPARATION AND ESL.6) MAINTAINED A BILINGUAL WEBSITE AND DISTRIBUTE REGULAR "E-NEWSLETTERS" TO A LIST OF ABOUT 900 PEOPLE.7) MAINTAINED A WHATSAPP GROUP TO FACILITATE COMMUNICATION WITH THE COMMUNITY. THE GROUP HAS 3,455 MEMBERS.8) MAINTAINED A SMALL LENDING LIBRARY.9) PROVIDED FREE MONTHLY SCREENING OF BRAZILIAN FILMS BY ZOOM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DIGAA, A CULTURAL WEBSITE.