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Brazilian COIs in Massachussets
REPORT July 29, 2021
Cultural or Historical Interests
The Brazilian community is very connected by their language, food and products. They are very religious and use the churches as a important place to meet people, find help or food. There’s also a online radio station based in the Cape that help and inform immigrants. As said before, this new group of immigrants (that now are US citizens) could bring more diversity and opportunities to the Brazilian community, they probably will get more education than their parents and will invest in business or services in Cape cities. Their past is very similar and we can understand their willing to progress in the Cape Cod area.
Community Activities and Services
The Brazilian community in Cape Cod is smaller if we compare to other regions in MA. With this new government taking power we notice a new group of immigrants arriving, they are the children of older immigrants who have born in the Cape but have left to Brazil. Now this group is comming back to study and live in Cape Cod region, mostly teenagers, they now are students in public schools. Brazilian are distributed in Barnstable, Hyannis, Fallmouth, Orleans and Martha' Vineyard The immigrants see Cape Cod as tourist destination full work opportunities. The most common gathering places are Public Schools, restaurants, churches, little markets, car auto shop and the new help center.
Economic or Environmental Interests
This community work mostly in the service industry – restaurants, beauty salons, construction, etc. They also have several Family-owner business. The region economy is very dependent on tourism and during the winter season find work is a challenge for many immigrants.
Community Needs and Concerns
For the big part of immigrants documents are still a big issue, the fear exist and is part of their daily life. The driver’s license is an important topic as well, driving a car is crucial to work and live in the Cape, not been able to have a registration make life hard for so many immigrants. Climate change is real and a challenge for the Cape Cod region, lots of people could lose their Jobs and homes.
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Brazilian COIs - Everett

Brazilian COIs in Massachussets
REPORT July 29, 2021
Cultural or Historical Interests
Language, Religion, music, food and dance are the most important ways for this group to bond. Like others Brazilians in MA, the majority came from Minas Gerais State in Brazil. The Bakery, the Brazilian barbecue, te capoeira (tradition dance/fight) are important for that community to keep their traditions. Brazilian events such as music concerts and the Brazilian Independence day are very important to keep showing the importance of this community for Everett’s developing.
Community Activities and Services
The Brazilian community in Everett is one of the largest in MA, very conservative, very religious and less educated. The immigration wave Started in the 80’s and city keep receiving new immigrants till today. The evangelical church have a huge impact in this population and is a important space for the majority of Brazilians. The most common places are Churches, Public Schools, restaurants, little markets, car dealership, beauty salon, etc. Its important highlight that the biggest group of Brazilian business are in the main roads of the city. As a city of minorities these different groups of immigrants live together and are distributed in the hole city.
Economic or Environmental Interests
Entrepreneurship is a big characteristic in the Brazilian community, driving Broadway avenue we can see a big offer of Brazilian business and services. They also work in different fields such as domestic workers, beauty salons, restaurants, as social workers, translators, Uber drivers, etc. Construction is a big source of employment for this group.
Community Needs and Concerns
Representation is very important, many undocumented immigrants still think they are invisible to the government and are afraid to answer the Census, because of that Everett probably has more people than it seems and struggle during the pandemic. As a religious and conservative group it is a challenge to make they speak loud and be notice. It seems like Malden is very close and redistricting could put more liberal people from there in the Everett districts, that could change this scenario and bring more fair representation.
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Brazilian COIs - Framingham

Brazilian COIs in Massachussets
REPORT July 29, 2021
Cultural or Historical Interests
The first Brazilian immigrants that came to Framingham were drawn to the low rents and strong economic potential, allowing them to pursue new commercial activities or business ventures. Population loss in the 90s meant that newly arrived immigrants were able to create a strong community of their own while growing their businesses. Most of these immigrants come from the Minas Gerais region, which drives deeper bonds of unity among them. Following their lead, friends and family soon followed, resulting in an even larger and more tight-knit community.
Community Activities and Services
The highest concentration of Brazilian immigrants can be found in Framingham. The first wave began in the 80s-90s, but since the year 2000 there has been an influx in new arrivals. Around both the southern part of the city and Ashland, there are abundant Brazilian-owned businesses and services. This includes restaurants, accounting services, dentists, etc. It’s common to hear Portugese on the street; there is a strong sense of immigrant community here. Similar to other Brazilian communities in Massachusetts, community help centers and churches are of utmost importance. This includes places like The Brazilian American Center – BRACE, the Saint Tarcisius Parish, and the MAPS.
Economic or Environmental Interests
The Brazilian community has created numerous family-owned businesses, but it also comprises a strong workforce in the restaurant industry, supermarkets, car dealerships, house cleaning services, etc. Most of them are employed and require a car to work. In general, the older immigrant population has a more stable life and livelihood. Many of these men work in construction, whether they’re employed by someone else or own their own business. Unemployment is a large concern for this group, particularly in the context of the pandemic. As more new immigrants arrive, increasing numbers of women and children have sought out assistance from the community help centers and churches.
Community Needs and Concerns
This community is concentrated around the southern areas of Framingham and Ashland, and they represent the largest group of Brazilian immigrants in the greater community. As a result, they hold distinct power as it relates to political organization and voting. They are a strong group and want to keep it that way. Stolen wages, uncompensated labor, and barriers to obtaining a driver’s license are the primary issues faced by the state’s growing population of Brazilians, both documented and undocumented. Lack of legal status leaves them in limbo. Additionally, immigrants with specialized skills - such as those who previously worked in the medical field - are forced to take on menial work.
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Brazilian COIs - Somerville

Brazilian COIs in Massachussets
REPORT July 29, 2021
Cultural or Historical Interests
The primary sources of community building are food, language, and Brazilian products. There are many Brazilian supermarkets in Somerville, as well as restaurants, beauty salons, capoeira and jiu-jitsu schools. These places serve to bring people together. It’s estimated that the majority of Brazilian immigrants come from Minas Gerais, an area rich in mica which was an important mineral for the United States during the war. Therefore, the exchange between Massachusetts and the Minas Gerais region has a long history and helps explain why so many Brazilians emigrated from the same place.
Community Activities and Services
The Brazilian community in Somerville comprises older immigrants who came to the Boston area in the 80’s-90’s, indicated by relative stability as well as age. Their children went through the public school system and now are graduating from university. The most common gathering places for this group are public schools, restaurants, jiu-jitsu and capoeira schools, neighborhood markets, car dealerships, etc. Sommerville boasts quality community centers and churches that are a safe place for immigrants to gather, for example: Scalabrini Cultural & Assistance Center, MAPS, Saint Anthony of Padua Church, Mira Coalition, Somerviva, etc. Brazilian Times, a Brazilian newspaper was found here too.
Economic or Environmental Interests
In Somerville, this group of older immigrants that created a community of family-owned and small businesses provided a support network to newly arrived friends, family, and other undocumented folks. The growing clientele led to even more growth and development for the small business sector. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unexpected losses in traffic and revenue, leading to business closures.
Community Needs and Concerns
The extension of the Green line is a good example of the potential changes that could take place, not only for Brazilian businesses but also for the vulnerable immigrant community. An increase in rents could push them out toward more affordable areas.
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Brazilian COIs - Allston-Brighton

Brazilian COIs in Massachussets
REPORT July 29, 2021
Cultural or Historical Interests
The community comprises older immigrants that started coming to the US in the 80’s and the subsequent generations. However, newly arrived immigrants are increasingly present in this community and have a hard time integrating. A common shared experience is that the majority of this group is undocumented. Language, music, and food are the primary pillars that create an instant bond. We can use the Brazilian Independence Day Festival at Soldiers Field as a great example of the power of community.
Community Activities and Services
The Brazilian community is more likely to be found at Little Brazilian markets, Brazilian shops, and bakeries. This neighborhood has different Immigrant Centers that help the majority of Brazilians such as the Brazilian Women's Group, Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers, Brazilian Work Center, Allston-Brighton Family Support Network, Allston Brighton Health Collaborative, etc. We could also say that churches are important sources of information that provide help to immigrants. The Saint Anthony Parish has a community center and offers services in Portuguese. The community uses public and private transportation; the area is served by bus lines 501, 57, 65, and train and subway.
Economic or Environmental Interests
The Brazilian community is entrepreneurial and you can see them working across different fields. It is common for them to be domestic workers, beauty salons employees, and food service workers, as social workers, translators, Uber drivers, etc. Many Brazilians also work in trade and construction; they also work as painters, for siding and roofing companies, etc. Here, one of the most pressing issues is related to accidents in the workplace and barriers to fair wages and compensation.
Community Needs and Concerns
Fear is still a common emotion among the community. As we talk about immigration status and documented people, we can see the fear in their eyes. It’s clear that most of them want legal documentation status to start a new life; their biggest dream is to open their own business or go back to school, things that seem impossible without proper documentation. Another key problem is obtaining a driver’s license, as a majority of people have lost their jobs or need to use a car to work. This fact that immigrants cannot obtain a driver’s license is a pressing issue for many within the Brazilian community.
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