La Colaborativa

What La Colaborativa does

La Colaborativa is a Chelsea, Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization founded in 1989 that delivers wraparound community development programs to Latinx immigrants and their families across Greater Boston, including Chelsea, Revere, Everett, Lynn, and East Boston. The organization operates eight interconnected program lines — stabilization/crisis response, health equity, housing, youth development, economic/ workforce development, education (ESOL, financial literacy, citizenship), community organizing, and entrepreneurship — delivered through four physical Chelsea sites and a community mobile support team. All services are provided free of charge, with revenue sourced from individual and corporate donations, foundation grants (Barr, Boston, Bank of America, Cummings, MassMutual, Yawkey, Smith Family, Wagner, Point32Health, Nellie Mae, EOS, Yield Giving, LIFT, CDC Foundation), United Way, and federal/state government contracts (Emergency Assistance, SNAP outreach, MassHealth enrollment, workforce development).

The service model relies on a hybrid of in-person delivery at physical centers and community-based outreach rather than a technology platform; the most notable digital artifact is MADE Up to Code, an online tenant tool for initiating housing inspections and landlord communications using sanitary-code workflows. Distribution occurs through physical centers, a community mobile support team, and a referral network that includes Mass General Brigham, NeighborHealth, North Suffolk Mental Health, Greater Boston Legal Services, Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, the Massachusetts Attorney General's Local Consumer Program, MIRA Coalition, unions, Bunker Hill Community College, Commonwealth Kitchen, Bank of America, and Eastern Bank. As the only Latina-led organization in Chelsea, the organization has cultivated 35+ years of community trust that functions as its primary defensible asset.

Operationally, La Colaborativa reports 51-100 employees under President & CEO Gladys Vega (35+ years tenure), serves 5,000+ households weekly through its food bank, has developed 4,100+ youth leaders, graduated 500+ ESOL students, taught 300+ citizenship courses, secured an 84% SNAP approval rate, and placed 8 of 10 carpentry-program interns into union jobs. The 2023 opening of a permanent headquarters at 63 Sixth Street (Survival Center, Economic Development Center, Mercado food bank) and the forthcoming Skill & Vocational Training Center at 50 Heard Street mark the most significant recent capacity expansion.

Name

La Colaborativa

Legal name

La Colaborativa

Website

https://la-colaborativa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

La Colaborativa is a Chelsea, Massachusetts-based nonprofit founded in 1989 that delivers wraparound social, educational, health, housing, and economic development programs to Latinx immigrants and families across Greater Boston through multiple community centers and partner organizations, free of charge.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Social Assistance (624), Community Food Services (62421), Community Housing Services (62422), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment) (BPADAHAI), Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ), Digital Access & Online Government Services for Immigrants (EDAAADAF), Income Support & Cash Assistance Programs (BPAIAKAE)

Keywords

• Community development services
• Immigrant social services
• Workforce development programs
• Food bank operations
• Nonprofit community organizing

Headquarters

HQ city

Chelsea

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and corporate donations from supporters who contribute to fund the organization's programs and operations. The organization actively solicits donations through its website and community outreach.
2. Foundation and Grant Funding: Funding from private foundations, government agencies, and institutional donors including Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Barr Foundation, Boston Foundation, Cummings Foundation, MassMutual Foundation, and various federal and state programs.
3. Government Contracts and Programs: Revenue from government programs including Emergency Assistance, SNAP outreach, MassHealth enrollment assistance, and workforce development programs funded by federal and state agencies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

La Colaborativa delivers free, community-based social services to Latinx immigrants and their families in Greater Boston. Its core offerings span eight integrated program areas: stabilization/crisis response, health equity (including a food bank), housing stability and tenant advocacy, youth employment and development, economic development and workforce training, education (ESOL, citizenship, financial literacy), grassroots community organizing, and entrepreneurship support. All services are delivered at no cost through physical service centers in Chelsea, MA, mobile outreach, and partner referrals.

Product overview

La Colaborativa operates as a community-based social services organization providing a comprehensive suite of interconnected programs addressing the needs of Latinx immigrants in Greater Boston. The organization functions as a unified service platform organized around eight core program areas: Stabilization Services (crisis response and triage), Health Equity Programs (food access and wellness), Housing Services (tenancy preservation and eviction defense), Youth Programs (employment and development), Economic Development (workforce training and job placement), Education Programs (ESOL and citizenship), Community Organizing (advocacy and civic engagement), and Entrepreneurship Support (small business development). Programs share a holistic approach with referral pathways between services, enabling wraparound support for individuals and families. Notable facilities include the Survival Center (244 Arlington St), Economic Development Center (63 Sixth St), and the upcoming Skill & Vocational Training Center (50 Heard St), along with a commercial kitchen facility (Cocina) for culinary entrepreneurs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stabilization Services Crisis response and case management program offering triage, emergency assistance, wraparound support, mental health referrals to North Suffolk Mental Health, and consumer protection services through the Massachusetts Attorney General's Local Consumer Program. Intended for Latinx immigrants and low-income residents in Greater Boston facing urgent needs.
• Health Equity Programs Community-based health programs providing nutritious, culturally familiar food through El Mercado food bank (with delivery for those unable to visit), preventive screenings and adult vaccinations via the Puente a la Salud partnership with Mass General Brigham, MassHealth enrollment assistance, and physical activity classes. Serves food-insecure and medically underserved Latinx community members.
• Housing Services Housing stability services including tenancy preservation, shelter placement, eviction defense referrals to Greater Boston Legal Services and Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, fair housing advocacy, RAFT assistance, and the MADE Up to Code online tool that empowers tenants to request housing inspections and communicate with landlords. Intended for low-income tenants and immigrant families facing housing instability.
• Youth Programs Year-round youth development program for ages 14-24 featuring employment placement, job training, mentorship, entrepreneurship exposure, civic engagement through the RIOT Squad youth-led community organizing cohort, and the Summer Youth Employment Program. Serves Chelsea-area youth from underserved immigrant communities of color.
• Economic Development & Workforce Training Workforce development services providing rapid re-employment support, job search and placement, certifications, and sector-specific training in construction (including a carpentry program with union partners), healthcare, green energy, and digital technology. Intended for unemployed and underemployed community members seeking stable, higher-wage careers.
• Education Programs Adult education services including contextualized ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes, technology and digital equity computer classes, monthly financial literacy workshops with Bank of America and Eastern Bank, and the Citizenship Pathways program offering 10-week courses covering 129 civics questions with MIRA Coalition application support. Serves non-English speakers and immigrants preparing for naturalization.
• Community Organizing Grassroots civic engagement and advocacy programs focused on voting rights, housing justice, consumer protection, immigrant rights, and workers' rights, delivered through community campaigns, civic education, and coalition building with Community Labor United, Lawyers for Civil Rights Boston, and MLRI. Intended for community members interested in systemic policy change.
• Entrepreneurship Program Small business development services including early childhood education training with Bunker Hill Community College, the Cocina commercial kitchen offering a 14-week culinary bootcamp with ServeSafe and EcoLab certification support and event/catering services, and maintenance and cleaning business training with certification pathways. Supports aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women launching childcare businesses and culinary innovators.

Quantifiable outcome

• 84% SNAP approval rate for hundreds of individuals
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Mass General BrighamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Mass General Brigham (MGB) to launch Puente a la Salud initiative addressing health inequities in Chelsea. Offers preventive screenings, culinary-based nutrition education, and adult vaccinations alongside wraparound support services from centrally located Survival Center.
• NeighborHealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to open the first vaccination clinic in Chelsea during COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing vaccinations for the community's seniors and most vulnerable populations.
• North Suffolk Mental HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for mental health referrals. Licensed social workers at La Colaborativa recognize mental health indicators and facilitate referrals to specialists at North Suffolk Mental Health.
• Greater Boston Legal ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal aid partner providing eviction defense for families facing eviction through the court system. La Colaborativa connects residents to Greater Boston Legal Services for legal representation.
• Harvard Legal Aid BureaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal aid partner providing eviction defense. La Colaborativa connects families facing eviction with Harvard Legal Aid Bureau for legal representation.
• Massachusetts Attorney General's Office - Local Consumer ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Colaborativa is part of the network of Local Consumer Programs (LCP) across the Commonwealth, providing consumer advocacy services addressing defective products, car sales, debt collection, landlord disputes, and utility bill disputes.
• MIRA CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with MIRA Coalition for citizenship support. Through this partnership, students receive assistance when they are ready to apply for the naturalization exam.
• Union Partners (Carpentry Program)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with unions for carpentry workforce development program. Preparing youth for high-paying union jobs with long-term job security, competitive wages, and comprehensive benefits. 8 out of 10 youth in program secured union jobs.
• Early Education & CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Early Childhood Education program. Provides guidance and support for aspiring entrepreneurs, educators, and parents to create quality employment opportunities in early education.
• Bunker Hill Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership for Early Childhood Education program. Ensures members receive top-tier education and certification aligned with their course of study.
• Commonwealth KitchencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for culinary entrepreneurship program. Supports culinary innovators in refining skills and achieving certifications.
• Bank of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial literacy workshop collaboration. Monthly workshops focused on basic financial well-being including credit building, budgeting, financial planning, and understanding loans.
• Eastern BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial literacy workshop collaboration. Monthly workshops covering topics such as credit building, budgeting, financial planning, and understanding loans.
• Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT)coreOthersState program available to undocumented families offering significant resources to repay rent and keep families housed, including help with utility bills and other housing-related expenses.
• Community Labor UnitedsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among supporters on homepage and About page.
• Greater Boston Legal ServicessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among supporters on homepage and About page.
• Lawyers for Civil Rights BostonsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among supporters on homepage and About page.
• MassHire Metro North WorkForce BoardsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among supporters on homepage and About page. Workforce development partnership.
• Cambridge Health AlliancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among supporters on homepage and About page.
• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among supporters on homepage and About page.
• MLRI (Massachusetts Law Reform Institute)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among supporters on homepage and About page.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Institute of New England (IINE): New England-based nonprofit delivering refugee resettlement, ESOL, employment, and case management services to immigrants and refugees. Highly comparable to La Colaborativa in target population (newly arrived immigrants), service mix (ESOL, workforce, social services), and regional footprint across Eastern Massachusetts.
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston: Large multi-service Catholic nonprofit operating family services, immigration legal aid, refugee resettlement, food assistance, and youth programs across Greater Boston. Direct competitor for foundation/grant dollars and overlapping client base with La Colaborativa's immigrant-serving programs.
• Jewish Vocational Service (JVS Boston): Workforce development and ESOL provider serving immigrants, refugees, and low-income residents across Greater Boston. Comparable to La Colaborativa's economic development and education programs, including rapid re-employment, sector-based training, and contextualized English instruction.
• The Welcome Project: Somerville-based immigrant-led nonprofit providing ESOL, citizenship preparation, case management, and community organizing for immigrants in Greater Boston. Closely comparable mission, immigrant-led model, and Greater Boston geography to La Colaborativa.
• Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA Coalition): Statewide immigrant advocacy and service network providing legal services, citizenship support, policy advocacy, and member-organization coordination. MIRA directly partners with La Colaborativa on citizenship pathways and represents a closely aligned service and advocacy peer.
• Brazilian Worker Center (Centro do Trabalhador Brasileiro): Allston-based worker and immigrant-rights center serving Brazilian and broader Latin American immigrant communities in Greater Boston with workforce development, ESOL, and advocacy. Highly comparable Latinx immigrant-focused, community-organizing model in the same metro area.
• Roca Inc. Massachusetts-based nonprofit delivering high-intensity workforce development and youth programming for vulnerable young adults impacted by incarceration and poverty. Comparable in employment-focused, outcomes-driven wraparound model and Mass-based footprint.

Regional players

• Project Bread: Massachusetts statewide anti-hunger organization operating food security programs including SNAP outreach and the Child Care Nutrition program. Overlaps with La Colaborativa's food bank and SNAP navigation work, and a potential upstream funder/partner in the Greater Boston food security ecosystem.
• Greater Boston Food Bank: Largest hunger-relief organization in Greater Boston distributing food to a network of pantries including La Colaborativa's El Mercado. Comparable food-distribution mission at much larger scale, and an upstream supply partner for La Colaborativa's food bank operations.

Broad incumbents

• United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley: Large funder and convener of Greater Boston human-services nonprofits, including La Colaborativa as a listed supported agency. Comparable as an established community-services umbrella that channels foundation and corporate dollars to member agencies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lacolaborativadechelsea
• Xx.com/la_colaborativa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/la-colaborativa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about La Colaborativa