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 TO 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, AND CONTINUES TO MEET MONTHLY.IN 2022 THE WORKERS' RIGHTS PROJECT HAD 60 CASES, AND RECOUPED ALMOST $300,000 IN WAGE THEFT AND OVERTIME FOR WORKERS.

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 27THFESTIVAL WAS HELD IN PERSON. IT INCLUDED THE RAISING OF THE FLAG IN BOSTON AND 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 SESSIONS PROVIDING LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION ON IMMIGRATION AND FAMILY AFFAIRS. HELPED STUDENTS TO RENEW 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 LICENSES, THE DREAM ACT, IN-STATE TUITION FOR IMMIGRANT RESIDENTS OF MASSACHUSETTS, THE SAFE COMMUNITIES ACT, LANGUAGE JUSTICE LEGISLATION, 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.SUPPORT OF CHAGAS CLINIC PATIENTS: A DIRECTED DONATION PROVIDED FUNDS TO PURCHASE GIFT CARDS TO AID THE FAMILIES OF PATIENTS AT A LOCAL CHAGAS DISEASE CLINIC.OTHER PROGRAMMING:1) FACEBOOK LIVE EVENTSSTARTED IN 2020 TO INFORM AND EDUCATE COMMUNITY ABOUT COVID-19. IN 2022 WE PRESENTED 156 LIVES VIEWED BY 35,253. 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 STAFF MEMBERS AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.3) RADIO SHOWPRODUCED A WEEKLY PORTUGUESE-LANGUAGE RADIO SHOW ADDRESSING A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS OF CONCERN TO IMMIGRANT WORKERS THAT REACHES ABOUT 1,000 LISTENERS MONTHLY. 4) COMMUNICATIONS MAINTAINED A BILINGUAL WEBSITE AND DISTRIBUTE REGULAR "E-NEWSLETTERS" TO A LIST OF ABOUT 900 PEOPLE. MAINTAINED A WHATSAPP GROUP TO FACILITATE COMMUNICATION WITH THE COMMUNITY. THE GROUP HAS 3,872 MEMBERS. MAINTAINED A SMALL LENDING LIBRARY. PROVIDED FREE MONTHLY SCREENING OF BRAZILIAN FILMS BY ZOOM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DIGAA, A CULTURAL WEBSITE.5) OTHER SERVICES 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.

VIDA VERDE CO-OP:THE CO-OP PROVIDES EDUCATION ON MAKING AND USING GREEN HOUSECLEANING PRODUCTS, ENCOURAGES HEALTHY WORK PRACTICES, AND PROMOTES A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AMONG ITS MEMBERS. WE CONTINUE TO PRODUCE A PODCAST OF STORIES OF DOMESTIC WORKERS. ONE CO-OP 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.SINCE 2006, BWG HAS SPONSORED THE CO-OP, PROVIDING THE MEMBERS HELP WITH CLIENT COMMUNICATIONS AND REFERRALS, IN ADDITION TO PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, AND EDUCATION ABOUT USE OF SAFE CLEANING PRODUCTS. AT THE END OF 2022, BWG AND CO-OP MEMBERS HAVE BEEN IN DISCUSSION ABOUT TRANSITIONING TO A BECOMING A TRAINING CENTER, TO SERVE A LARGER NUMBER OF IMMIGRANT DOMESTIC WORKERS.

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.DIAPER DISTRIBUTION.FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: PROVIDED SMALL CHECKS TO 51 HOUSEHOLDS (AVERAGE $189), TO HELP WITH EXPENSES DURING A PERIOD OF INFLATION, WHILE RECOVERING FROM LOST INCOME. DISTRIBUTED FARMERS MARKET COUPONS TO 197 HOUSEHOLDS (AVERAGE $17).DISTRIBUTED GIFT CARDS TOTALING $15,975 TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ATTENDED VACCINATION CLINICS.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.2) VACCINATION CLINICS: HELD 32 CLINICS AND VACCINATED 1,214 PEOPLE. CLINICS ALSO PROVIDED INFORMATION, MASKS, CHILDREN'S BOOKS, GIFT CERTIFICATES, AND SNACKS.