Photos (Dropbox) | Livestream (Facebook)

BOSTON – Yesterday, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) visited La Colaborativa in Chelsea to celebrate the $300,000 in federal community project funding that she delivered for La Colaborativa’s COVID Employment Recovery Program (CERP) as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 funding bill. Rep. Pressley was joined by Executive Director Gladys Vega, Chelsea City Manager Tom Ambrosino, The Neighborhood Developers, and Chelsea workers and families at a roundtable discussion and press conference to highlight how this federal funding will help support a just and equity-focused pandemic recovery for Chelsea residents.

“I was proud to celebrate the $300,000 in direct federal funds that we delivered for La Colaborativa and The Neighborhood Developers to support workforce development initiatives for Chelsea residents,” said Rep. Pressley. “These community organizations have been on the front lines of this pandemic, and we cannot expect them continue this life-saving work on their own. They need and deserve robust investments, and they need that commitment by every level of government – city, state, and federal. I’m so grateful to my friend Gladys Vega, City Manager Ambrosino, and Senators Warren and Markey for their partnership and helping us deliver these critical resources.”

“This is a celebration of dignity for immigrant workers and the funding of hope, the funding of need, and funding that will allow us to be seen,” said La Colaborativa Executive Director Gladys Vega. “This funding today helps us tremendously in making sure that every resident of Chelsea has an opportunity to break through generational poverty, to access critical jobs, and to receive the wraparound services they need and deserve. Thank you Congresswoman Pressley for these resources, for hearing our stories, and for always thinking of us as you go about legislating.”

“Thank you, Congresswoman Pressley for your tremendous work in delivering these federal funds to La Colaborativa and the City of Chelsea,” said Chelsea City Manager Tom Ambrosino. “Rapidly re-employing our residents who were hit hardest by COVID is really critical to the city’s ability to recover itself, and I know that with La Colaborativa and The Neighborhood Developers involved in this effort, these funds will be well spent.”

View photos from the event here and watch the recorded livestream here.

Rep. Pressley championed funding for 10 projects that will directly benefit her constituents in the Massachusetts 7^th Congressional District by mitigating the impact of climate change, investing in workforce development, addressing the opioid crisis, expanding access to quality education, and more. For more information on each project that will receive funding, click here.

###