Eastern Bank Foundation commits $10 million to English-language training for immigrants
Foundation board chair Bob Rivers, who spoke at the State House event, said in an interview that it's just a coincidence that the dollar amounts are the same.
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The Eastern Bank Foundation recently hired Eva Millona as a foundation fellow to help lead this new initiative, with assistance from Jerry Rubin, the former chief executive of Jewish Vocational Service and another foundation fellow. Millona is back in Boston after serving in the Biden administration, in the US Department of Homeland Security. Previously, she led the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition as its president for 13 years.
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The foundation's initiative will include new curriculum design work based on assessing existing programs and identifying needs with employers and other stakeholders. The foundation is also investing in training and support for English proficiency teachers, with plans to implement these classes through existing nonprofits that already support career-focused English training.
With more than one-fifth of the Massachusetts workforce born in another country, Millona said, this type of investment is crucial .
'I see this as a fairly critical part of economic integration,' Millona said. 'When I speak about it, I really refer to how successful immigrants are able to participate. Language fluency is really a critical part of their success.'
MassINC chief executive Joe Kriesberg said he was impressed to see the foundation's financial commitment to this cause, saying it 'supercharges' the Healey administration's efforts.
'It's certainly of a scale that you do not see very often from any kind of foundation or philanthropy,' Kriesberg said. 'Coming to fruition during this time frame makes it more important than ever, and [it's] courageous for Eastern ... to take this leadership role at a time when not everybody is standing up to support our immigrant communities.'
This is an installment of our weekly Bold Types column about the movers and shakers on Boston's business scene.
Jon Chesto can be reached at
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