La Colaborativa

Programs

La Colaborativa runs programs for the “Latinx” community in Chelsea and nearby areas. The Economic Development program provides job placement, rapid re-employment, and entrepreneurship support in fields like early childhood education. Its education program includes English classes, citizenship help, and financial independence training. Community wellness focuses on food insecurity, nutrition, and fitness. Policy change involves community organizing, voter mobilization, and legal advocacy for “social justice.” Additional efforts cover stabilization services for urgent needs, “health equity” through exercise and diet, housing aid against evictions, and youth programs with job training and mentorship. The group has distributed over 100,000 meals, recovered millions in “stolen wages,” and trained more than 4,100 youth leaders. ⁵

In 2019, the Women’s March in Cambridge was co-organized by La Colaborativa and several other left-of-center advocacy groups including Massachusetts Peace Action (MPA), the ACLU Massachusetts, Amplify Latinx/Latina Circle, Mass NOW, the Boston Women’s Fund, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, NAACP – Boston, and NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts. ⁶

Financials

In 2024, La Colaborativa reported revenues of $17,345,761, expenses of $10,975,932, net income of $6,369,829, and net assets of $17,739,222. Revenues primarily came from contributions ($15,603,163, or 90 percent) and other revenue ($1,032,008, or 5.9 percent). Program services generated $810,000 (4.7 percent), while investment income added $116,974. Expenses included executive compensation of $448,049 and other salaries and wages of $3,404,260. Total assets were $23,995,285, with total liabilities of $6,256,063. From the fiscal year of 2023 to 2024, total revenues for the organization rose by 134.4 percent, driven by a 140.8 percent rise in total grants and contributions. ⁷

Government grants and contributions for the fiscal year of 2023 to La Colaborativa totaled $9,068,342, or 52 percent of revenue. ⁸

In 2023, the Metro North Workforce Board reported a $1,161,029 grant to La Colaborativa for “job training and placement.” ⁹

In 2023, the Boston Foundation (TBF), a grantmaking group in the Boston area, reported a $203,600 grant to La Colaborativa for “operating support,” and another $100,000 grant for “housing and shelter.” ¹⁰

In 2023, the Atrius Health Equity Foundation reported a $10,000 grant to La Colaborativa for “completion of final application for youth as health care change agents funding opportunity.” ¹¹

People

Gladys Vega has worked for La Colaborativa since 1990, rising from receptionist to community organizer, to president and chief executive officer of the organization in 2006, shaping its programs over three decades. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Chelsea, Massachusetts, she focuses on empowering the “Latinx immigrant community” through community organizing. Her leadership role has prioritized expanded rights for immigrants, low-income families, and “people of color,” aligning with “social justice” initiatives. ¹²