Resource Guide

CVI was established to reverse an apathetic voting populous and to demonstrate the power of a vote. Since CVI’s inception, we have registered hundreds of new voters, increased voter turnout and increased the leadership of the Collaborative’s members through their participation on various City boards and commissions.

The Collaborative launched the Community Fund in late 1990s by matching a $750,000 challenge grant from the Clipper Ship Foundation. Many Chelsea businesses and individuals were instrumental in providing funding to match, dollar for dollar, the $750,000. Since the fund’s establishment, dozens of Chelsea organizations have benefitted from the more than $500,000 given out in grants.

Chelsea Latino Immigrant Committee (CLIC) was organized in 1998 to respond to needs expressed by the Latino immigrant community. The major focus of CLIC’s efforts is workers’ rights specifically the elimination of hazardous working conditions, discrimination and unfair wages. CLICalso assists in navigating confusing immigration processes and advocating for immigrant rights and leadership opportunities.

SCA began when Collaborative organizers were conducting interviews with Chelsea residents through a social capital initiative. The organizers came across members of the Somali Bantu community who said they did not have access to resources and yet their community was in need of many services. The Collaborative opened its doors to the Somali Bantu community and helped them fundraise to hire part-time staff to further their efforts. Soon thereafter SCA formalized. Now, SCA members are getting the services they need, are participating in Leadership Institutes, becoming citizens and partnering with Harvard School of Public Health on a research study. Much work remains to be done, but SCA has accomplished much in a few short years.

Provides referrals to any family in the community with children under the age of 18, as well as used children’s clothing, book and equipment available at their office. “Fun Bus” provides family field trips primarily in summer to encourage positive family experiences. Offers a 15-week “Nurturing Program” in English (in Spring session) and Spanish (in Fall session) to help parents develop parenting skills.

Committed to providing a full-range of safe, secure, suitable, and appropriate affordable housing opportunities to extremely low, very- low, and low-income family, elderly, and disabled households in a fair manner.

The Kiwanis Club is one part of Kiwanls International, a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one community and one child at a time.

Meets every Thursday at 12:15PM at the Wyndham Hotel, 221 Everett Avenue, Chelsea