supporting newly arrived immigrants

As of October 2, 2023, more than 6,700* families were living in emergency shelters across Massachusetts; about half of those are recent immigrants seeking shelter and safety from the unimaginable conditions they faced in their home countries, including Haiti and Venezuela.

As support organizations work to welcome and support newly arriving families, the strains on the state’s emergency shelter system – which was not designed for this level of capacity – are extreme, and there is need for immediate support.

ECCF is in contact with our nonprofit partners working directly with these families and individuals. And on Sept. 22, 2023, we gathered a panel of nonprofit leaders to discuss the needs and challenges; the immigrant experience in Massachusetts; and ways to support the work being done right now to meet this moment. We’d like to give a special thanks to our panelists:

• Gerald Gabeau, Founder and Executive Director, Immigrant Families Services Institute
• Carolina Trujillo, Executive Director, Citizens Inn
• Kelly Turley, Associate Director, Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless
• Alexandra Weber, Chief Advancement Officer, Senior Vice President, International Institute of New England

We invite you to read the event recap, view the recording of this discussion and take action.

Take Action:

ECCF has developed a full list of local, vetted nonprofit organizations seeking support and/or volunteers for their work to address the needs across Essex County. You can also donate to the Massachusetts Migrant Families Relief Fund – a statewide fund organized by the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and The Boston Foundation

This is an evolving situation, and we’ll continue to update this page with additional resources and information as it becomes available.

Thank you for your generosity.

*This data is updated frequently by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

Wraparound supports, case management: 

• New American Association of MA (NAAM) – based in Lynn
• Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI) – based in Boston, with offices in Methuen and across the state
• International Institute of New England (IINE) – based in Boston, supporting families in Methuen and beyond
• Welcome Immigrant Network (WIN) – grassroots organization based in Salem
• Lynn Rapid Response Network (LRRN) – grassroots network of volunteers and nonprofits focused on immigrants in the Lynn area

Immigration/Legal Services:

• Northeast Justice Center – offices in Lawrence, Lynn, and Lowell

Emergency shelter providers (many working with partners to connect families to services and provide basic necessities, transportation, etc.):

• Centerboard – based in Lynn, supporting families in Danvers, Peabody, and Salem
• Citizens Inn – based in Peabody
• Community Teamwork – based in Lowell, supporting families in Methuen and beyond
• Emmaus – based in Haverhill
• Lynn Shelter Association – based in Lynn
• North Shore Community Action Programs (NSCAP) – based in Peabody
• Wellspring House – based in Gloucester

Policy and advocacy

• Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) – Boston-based policy and advocacy coalition promoting the rights and integration of immigrants and refugees across New England
• Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless – Lynn-based organization working to advocate for and support families and individuals who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness

*If you have a donor advised fund (DAF) at ECCF, and you’d like to make a donation to any of these organizations, simply use the organization or fund name in the online portal. Please do not hesitate to call ECCF if you have any questions or need assistance.