In 1917, the ULEM was established to help obtain employment opportunities for black Southern migrants and Caribbean immigrants moving to Greater Boston. For more than 90 years, the Urban League has successfully provided eduction, employment skills training, job placement, and advocacy for the betterment of African Americans and other people of color.

The mission of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts is to deliver services and programs that aim to increase the economic self-reliance of African Americans and other people of color throughout our service area and to advocate for the core initiative [Empowerment through math and English] and civil rights issues that critically affect their lives.

The Need For Your Contribution

• Fifteen percent (15%) or more of Latino, Black and Asian households in Boston earn less than $10,000, well below the federal definition of poverty;
• Unemployment rate for African American within the age range of 16-19 is 17%, compared to 7% for Whites;
• The unemployment rate for Blacks and Latinos in 2003 was 12.1%, compared to 5.8% for Whites; and
• In Boston, the majority of middle grades dropouts in Roxbury are leaving with less than a 7^th grade education.

The ULEM is an independent, incorporated nonprofit organization and one of more than 100 affiliates of the National Urban League. As one of only two affiliates in Massachusetts, ULEM supports and participates in a national campaign that seeks to empower constituents in five areas: Economic Empowerment, Education & Youth, Civic Engagement & Leadership, Civil Rights & Racial Justice, and Health & Quality of Life. This national strategy provides a pool of resources and an economy of scale that benefits and guides all the affiliates, however, each responds to the unique challenges of the region served. Thus, ULEM’s current programs, as described in our Programs Section, are designed to meet the specific needs of the Greater Boston community.

We believe your contribution makes a significant impact on addressing the growing challenges facing African Americans and people of color today.

Who will benefit from my contribution?

Why should you contribution to ULEM?

• ULEM’s management and front-line staff are highly qualified in their respective field diverse, and reflective of the community that we serve. Our management team promotes a shared leadership model that incorporates constituent voices and decisions from all levels of the organization.
• ULEM’s program designs are driven by evaluation, data and best practices from the field. Our team, some who were once program participants, constantly challenge themselves to remain innovative and cutting edge.
• Our programs rely on documented success and targeted outcomes. For example, in 2006-07, the Employment & Professional Skills Training (EPST) program, designed to equip unemployed or underemployed people of color between the ages of 18-45 with vocation and life skills assessment, training, career planning, intensive case management, placement assistance and follow-up support, obtained a 65% - 70% success rate in terms of graduates successfully securing employment by the end of the program.

• ULEM’s Mature Workers Program (MWP), which specifically serves men and women age 55 plus who are at or below poverty level, with the educational training and support that MWP provides to job seekers, obtained a 100% participant-training placement rate. MWS strengthens community services by partnering with over 125 community-based organizations that serve as training sites for customers to gain a successful work track record before entering the job market.