IFSI 2025 SYMPOSIUM

Heritage Point

108 Myrtle Street

Quincy, MA, 02171

 

Agenda

  • 9:00 to 9:30 am

  • 9:30 to 10:00 am

    Opening remarks
    Del-Rio - 4 years later - IFSI documentary

  • 10:00 to 10:30 am

    Brazilian Worker Center - Acedone - Agencia Alpha- True Alliance Center

    Health Care For All: Jamila Xible

    MIC - Mass Immigrant Collaborative Frank Devito

  • 10:30 to 11:000 am

    MIRA - Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition 

    MLRI- Mass Law Reform Institute -  Benefits updates- Heather Young-  

    LCR - Lawyer for Civil Rights- Lawsuit updates

    ORI- Office of Refugees and Immigrants -  Cristina Aguilera - Housing/ESOL updates -Hotels/Shelters

  • 11:15 -12:15 am

    Breakout Sessions: 

    • Legal and Advocacy

    • Health (physical and Mental)

    • Education and Training/Workforce Development

    • Government, Public Benefits, and Housing

    • Philanthropic, Nonprofit, and Faith-Based 

  • 12:15 to 1:00 pm

    Participants will be able to visit service provider tables at this time, as well as from 2:00 to 3:00 PM

  • A representative of each breakout discussion group will report back to the plenary session.

  • 1:30 to 2:15 pm

    45 minute panel discussions led by representatives from various sectors.

    We will all engage in an interactive Q&A. It will be an opportunity for immigrant services providers, and community members to engage with difficult issues, clarify any misunderstanding.

  • 2:15 p.m. 2:45 p.m

    Alternative future for each department

    Surprise future

    Actionable steps forward

  • 2:45 - 3:00

    Boston City Council President: Ruthzee Louijeune

SPEAKERS

IFSI-USA Leaders

  • Dr. Geralde Gabeau

    Chief Executive Officer, IFSI-USA

  • Jennifer Pamphile

    Chief of Programs
    Chief of Staff, IFSI-USA

  • Dr. Edner Cayemite

    Education Advisor, IFSI-USA

Legal & Advocacy

  • Elizabeth Sweet

    Executive Director, MIRA

  • Heather Yountz

    Senior Immigration Staff Attorney, MLRI

  • Patricia Baker

    Senior Benefits Policy Advocate, MLRI

  • Jacob Love

    Senior Attorney, Lawyers for Civil Rights

  • Miriam Albert

    Senior Attorney, Lawyers for Civil Rights

  • Christina Anguilera Sandoval

    Executive Director, Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants

  • Patricia Sobalvarro

    Executive Director, Agencia Alpha

  • Susan Church

    Chief Operating Officer, State of Massachusetts

  • Jill Seeber

    Executive Director, Mabel Center for Immigrant Justice

  • Frank J. DeVito

    Executive Director, Massachusetts Immigrant Collaborative

Healthcare & Mental Health

  • Dr. Carlot Celestin

    Wellness and Counselling Director, IFSI-USA

  • Jamila Xible

    Director of Community Engagement, Healthcare For All

  • Lisette Blondet

    Executive Director, MA Association of Community Health Workers

  • Matthew Garland

    MD, Director, MGH Asylum Clinic

Education & Workforce Development

  • Alce MK Henry

    Workforce Development Director, IFSI-USA

  • Dr. Regine Philippeaux-Pierre

    Senior Director, Excellence for All - Boston Public Schools

  • Gina Ottenbrit

    Legal intern, Pathways for Immigrant Workers

  • Gina Benjamin

    Associate Director
    Clinical and Community Services Center for Workforce Development, William James College

  • Brooke Machado

    Senior Program Manager for Adult Education, Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development

  • Claudia Green

    Executive Director, English for New Bostonians

Immigrant Landscape (by community)

  • Damaris Velasquez Lopez

    Co-Founder, Agencia Alpha

  • Clare Louise Okalani

    Chief Operations Officer, ACEDONE

  • Lenita Reason

    Executive Director Brazilian Workers Center

MAKE A DIFFRENCE

Your generous donation to IFSI-USA fuels our mission to advance critical initiatives and create lasting impact in the community. By supporting our activities and Symposium, you become a vital part of driving positive change and empowering those who need it most.