URBAN LEAGUE OF EASTERN MASSCHUSETTS INC
ULEM 88 WARREN STREET, ROXBURY, MA 02119 www.ulem.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: THE MISSION OF THE URBAN LEAGUE OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS IS TO ENABLE ADULTS IN EASTERN MA TO OVERCOME RACIAL, SOCIAL BARRIERS, ECONOMIC INEQUITIES, SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TO EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES. FOR 100 YEARS, ULEM'S PROGRAMS AND SERVICES HAVE GIVEN HOPE TO PARTICIPANTS AND MADE A LASTING, IMPACTFUL STATEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY. IT IS A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE, INC. (NUL) AND A MEMBER OF THE UNITED WAY OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.

TO DELIVER JOB TRAINING SERVICES AND PROGRAMS THAT AIM TO INCREASE THE ECONOMIC SELF-RELIANCE OF AFRICAN AMERICANS AND OTHER PEOPLE OF COLOR THROUGHOUT ITS SERVICE AREA AND TO ADVOCATE FOR THE CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUES THAT CRITICALLY AFFECT THEIR LIVES.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (WFD) TRAINING PROGRAMS: MSIMBO ULEM CODING ACADEMY MSIMBO, WHICH MEANS "CODE' IN SWAHILI, EMBRACES THE RICH HISTORY OF ULEM ADVANCING CULTURE. THE 20-WEEK INTENSIVE MSIMBO CODING ACADEMY, EQUIPS ADULTS WITH THE TOOLS, SKILL SET AND CONFIDENCE TO GAIN ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY IN THE COMPETITIVE FIELD OF PROGRAMMING. SUPPORTED BY BANK OF AMERICA AND THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, THE MSIMBO CODING ACADEMY AT ULEM, IS AN OPEN DOOR WITHIN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR OFFERING A PATHWAY TO COMPETITIVE CAREERS IN IT. WITH SMALL CLASS SIZES AND NEARLY AN 80% RETENTION RATE, MORE THAN HALF OF MSIMBO ALUMNI ARE SUCCESSFULLY PLACED AND GAINFULLY EMPLOYED IN IT POSITIONS EARNING A SALARY, ON AVERAGE UPWARDS OF 80,000. DIGIUL DIGITAL DESIGN LAB DIGIUL DIGITAL DESIGN LAB IS A CREATIVE SPACE WHERE STUDENTS ENGAGE AND PRACTICE THE LANGUAGE AND TECHNIQUES OF PROFESSIONAL GRAPHIC DESIGN. IN "THE LAB" STUDENTS RECEIVE HANDS ON INSTRUCTION DELVING INTO DISCUSSION AND APPLICATION OF: VISUAL COMMUNICATION, USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN, ADVANCED AND INTERACTIVE TYPOGRAPHY, DESIGN HISTORY AND LANGUAGE, AND INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY. EMERSED IN VISUAL ARTS TECHNOLOGY AND GRAPHIC DESIGN, THIS 16- WEEK INTENSIVE, IS FAR MORE THAN A CREATIVE OUTLET FOR STUDENTS OF COLOR. FOR MANY, IT ALLOWS THEM TO ENVISION THEIR TALENT FAR BEYOND CREATIVE EXPRESSION AND INTO ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT. EQUIPPED WITH INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR PORTFOLIO MATERIALS AND REVIEW, 100% OF ALL DIGIUL ALUMNI ARE EQUIPPED TO TRANSITION INTO A HOST OF DIGITAL DESIGN POSITIONS. EMPLOYMENT RESOURCE CENTER AS THE WORLD CONTINUOUSLY TRANSITIONS INTO A DIGITAL MARKETPLACE; EMPLOYMENT TOO, FUNCTIONS MAJORLY AS AN "ONLINE ONLY" EXPERIENCE. ONLINE ONLY ACCESS TO JOB POSTINGS, AND THE ABILITY TO APPLY; LOCKS THE DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY FOR MANY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. THE EMPLOYMENT AND RESOURCE CENTER (ERC) SERVES AS A VIABLE EXTENSION OF THE URBAN LEAGUE OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS' EFFORT TO SERVE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR GAIN ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY. THE ERC IS MADE AVAILABLE TO PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND THE COMMUNITY; OFFERING A MULTITUDE OF SERVICE AREAS RANGING FROM: ONLINE JOB SEARCHES, RESUME SUPPORT, UPDATED INFORMATION ON JOB LISTINGS AND ACCESS TO THE JOB BOARD. DURING THE PANDEMIC AND CONSISTENT IN ITS MISSION, THE ERC MADE CERTAIN THAT REGISTERED JOB SEEKERS RECEIVED CURRENT JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS AND INFORMATION DIRECT FROM THE AGENCY WEBSITE; AND WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN ASSISTING THE U.S. CENSUS SECURE QUALIFIED CANDIDATES TO ENSURE "EVERYONE COUNTED". ADDITIONALLY, THE ERC PARTNERED WITH GROW WITH GOOGLE TO ASSIST MINORITY, SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS MANAGE THEIR BUSINESSES REMOTELY IN THE PANDEMIC. THIS PARTNERSHIP GARNERED A SUCCESSFUL TURNOUT OF OVER 50 BUSINESS OWNERS GAINING INFORMATION TO ASSIST THEM KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC. JOB PLACEMENT THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AT THE URBAN LEAGUE OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS IS PROUD OF OUR PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR ABILITY THRIVE IN AREAS IN WHICH THEY RECEIVED CERTIFICATES OF COMPLETION. UPON GRADUATION FROM ANY OF OUR PROGRAMS, WE WANT CANDIDATES TO SECURE THE RIGHT JOB, NOT JUST FIND A JOB. TO ENSURE A PROPER FIT IS OBTAINED, PARTICIPANTS ARE ASSIGNED TO A JOB PLACEMENT SPECIALIST (JPS). THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM DURATION, PARTICIPANTS MEET REGULARLY WITH THEIR JPS TO ASSIST IN A PLACEMENT WHERE BOTH THE CANDIDATE AND EMPLOYER ARE MUTUALLY SATISFIED. ALL PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE ONGOING SUPPORT FROM THEIR JPS FOR UP TO 12 MONTHS AFTER GRADUATION AND/OR PLACEMENT. THESE EFFORTS RESULT IN OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM GRADUATES GAINING LONGEVITY IN SINGLE COMPANY EMPLOYMENT WITH INCREASED BENEFITS. WE REPORT THAT OUT OF THE 75 INDIVIDUALS PLACED, ALL WERE PLACED IN FULL TIME POSITIONS, MAKING ON AVERAGE 10 ABOVE FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE DURING THE PANDEMIC, EFFORTS CONTINUED WITH A FOCUS ON INFORMATION TO CONTINUE OUR JOB PLACEMENT MOMENTUM. THIS WAS ACHIEVED, IN PART THROUGH ULEM'S MONTHLY WEBINAR SERIES LEADERS OVER LUNCH. LEADERS OVER LUNCH INVITED GUEST, SECRETARY ROSLIN ACOSTA OF THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (EOLWFD) FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. THIS CONVERSATION RESULTED IN AN EOLWFD REPRESENTATIVE BEING ASSIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO ASSIST ULEM MEMBERS WITH UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AND CHALLENGES THAT THEY MAY ENCOUNTER IN THE PANDEMIC. CASE MANAGEMENT CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL PARTICIPANTS ENROLLED IN OUR WFD PROGRAMS. CASE MANAGEMENT IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ASSET AND STRONGEST COMPONENT OF ULEM'S PROGRAMS, ACCORDING TO FEEDBACK RECEIVED FROM PARTNERS AND EMPLOYERS. WE BELIEVE THIS IS BECAUSE OUR STAFF IS REFLECTIVE OF THE CONSTITUENTS THAT WE SERVE AND ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE RESOURCES TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES TO EMPLOYMENT. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS HIGHLIGHTED DISPARITIES IN HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS, EDUCATION, BUSINESS, AND WEALTH ATTAINMENT WITHIN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH AND OUR NATION. DURING THE PANDEMIC, THE URBAN LEAGUE REACHED OUT TO ITS RESOURCES TO PROVIDE SOME RELIEF AND COMFORT TO THE COMMUNITY. LEADERS OVER LUNCH THE URBAN LEAGUE OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS' LEADERS OVER LUNCH SERIES PROVIDES AUDIENCE MEMBERS WITH UNIQUE AND DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES FROM A DIVERSE GROUP OF GUESTS AND PANELIST. THE MONTHLY SERIES, HOSTED BY ULEM'S INTERIM PRESIDENT/CONSULTANT, DR. KEITH MOTLEY GIVES VOICE TO CONCERNS AND ISSUES THAT IMPACT LARGELY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. THE VIRTUAL PLATFORM SERVES TO KEEP COMMUNITIES OF COLOR INFORMED AND CONNECTED TO SERVICES, RESOURCES AND PROVIDES INSIGHT ALIGNED WITH THE ULEM MISSION TO EMPOWER COMMUNITIES, CHANGE LIVES.

DOMESTIC/SEXUAL VIOLENCE PROJECT THE DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE PROJECT IS A CULTURALLY SPECIFIC SERVICES PROGRAM DESIGNED TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE VICTIMS/SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE PROJECT'S IMPACT IS MULTI-FACETED: 1.PARTICIPANTS ACCESSING ULEM'S JOB TRAINING, PLACEMENT AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT SERVICES ALSO HAVE THE ABILITY TO ACCESS SERVICES AND FIND SUPPORT FOR TRAUMA RELATED TO DOMESTIC AND/OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE. 2.CONNECTIONS TO CULTURALLY STRONG INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS CHURCHES AND ULEM CONTINUE TO BE VITAL ACCESS POINTS WHERE VICTIMS/SURVIVORS RECEIVE SUPPORT, ASSISTANCE, INFORMATION, TRAINING, AND REFERRALS. HERE, VICTIMS/SURVIVORS CAN RECEIVE SUPPORT THROUGH TRAUMA AND ABUSE FROM A FAITH-BASED PERSPECTIVE. SUPPORT IS PROVIDED DIRECTLY BY REV. TRACI JACKSON ANTOINE, THE PROJECT FOUNDER AND THROUGH A COMMUNITY OF FAITH LEADERS WHO HAVE RECEIVED DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE TRAINING AS IT RELATES TO COMMUNITIES OF FAITH AND TRAUMA. THROUGH THIS NETWORK, TRAUMA SURVIVORS CAN RECEIVE AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY RESPONSE AND REFERRALS TO SERVICES FROM LEADERS THEY KNOW AND TRUST. 3.DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO ADDRESS AND MEET THE NEEDS OF VICTIM/SURVIVORS OF COLOR, THE PROJECT ALSO MAKES AN IMPACT THROUGH EDUCATION. WHEN THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE IS EDUCATED IN THE AREAS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL VIOLENCE, AND TRAUMA; RED FLAGS, WARNING SIGNS AND PATTERNS ARE MORE EASILY RECOGNIZED AND IDENTIFIED. WITH THAT, SOME MAY AVOID ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS, WHILE OTHERS MAY SEEK HELP EARLIER. IN ADDITION, THROUGH NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF LAW, REV. TRACI PROVIDES CULTURAL COMPETENCY AND DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE TRAINING TO STUDENT ATTORNEYS. THE TRAINING IS EFFECTIVE IN ADDRESSING PERCEPTIONS ABOUT COMMUNITIES AND PEOPLES OF COLOR THAT CAN ULTIMATELY IMPACT HOW VICTIMS/SURVIVOR ARE REPRESENTED IN COURT. WORKING LARGELY IN COURTS WITHIN BOSTON'S URBAN AREAS OF DORCHESTER AND ROXBURY; STUDENT ATTORNEYS ARE SUPERVISED AND BECOME BETTER EQUIPPED TO RECOGNIZE AND ADDRESS BIASES WHILE VICTIM/SURVIVORS BENEFIT BY RECEIVING PRO BONO, CLIENT CENTERED REPRESENTATION. 4.WHEN COMMUNITIES WITHIN OUR CITY SEE TRUSTED, CULTURALLY SPECIFIC INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE URBAN LEAGUE OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS TAKE A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN PROVIDING ACCESS TO SERVICES THROUGH THE DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE PROJECT, VICTIMS/SURVIVORS OF COLOR ARE ACKNOWLEDGED AND PROVIDED WITH A STRONGER, UNIFIED VOICE TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE FOR THEMSELVES, FRIENDS, AND FAMILY. AS THE PROJECT EXPANDS, SO DOES THE VOICE AND SUPPORT OF VICTIM AND SURVIVORS OF COLOR IN BOSTON IN 2020 THE DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE PROJECT SERVED, TRAINED AND PROVIDED COMMUNITY EDUCATION TO THE FOLLOWING: "103 VICTIM/SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC/SEXUAL VIOLENCE "21 STUDENT ATTORNEYS TRAINED/NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW "17 FAITH LEADERS TRAINED "26 COMMUNITY MEMBERS PROVIDED WITH COMMUNITY EDUCATION "19 LOCAL ADVOCATES/SHELTER WORKERS/SHELTER OR HOTLINE VOLUNTEERS

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