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Volunteers and residents urge Everett to fund LUMA’s services for Spanish-speaking and immigrant residents
Summary
Speakers representing LUMA and its volunteers asked the council for financial support to expand immigrant services; the council later referred a separate resolution asking the administration to consider equitable funding for local emergency-assistance organizations.
Several volunteers and the director of LUMA, a volunteer-run nonprofit serving Everett’s Latino community, asked the City Council for financial help and more space so the group can expand immigrant and basic-needs services.
Lucy Pineda, identified in the meeting as director of Latinos on the Move in Massachusetts (LUMA), told the council, “We don't receive government funding, and we work with volunteers and donations.” She outlined services LUMA offers, including citizenship help, utility-assistance navigation, job-support work, English and computer classes, and an annual multicultural festival.
Multiple volunteers and long-time helpers — including Julissa Guevara, Manuel Pina Rivera, Miriam, and Reina Villanueva — described a high demand for help with rent, food, translation and immigration paperwork and urged the council to consider funding or other support so LUMA can expand its space and staff. A volunteer translator noted that LUMA runs many programs on a shoestring and that limited space constrains service delivery.
Why it matters: LUMA’s work addresses immediate household needs and civic participation for Everett’s Spanish-speaking residents; speakers said the organization is operating without consistent municipal support.
Council action later in the meeting: the council referred a resolution offered by Council President Stephanie Martins asking the administration to consider providing more equitable funding to local organizations that provide emergency assistance. The motion to refer the item to the administration carried on a roll call recorded as 10 yeas, 0 nays; the council asked for a written response by the next meeting describing options to support organizations providing critical services to residents.
Ending: Speakers asked the council for tangible next steps such as small grants, space, or inclusion in funding allocations; councilors instructed the administration to return with recommendations by the next meeting.
