Cambridge Historical Society: Where is Cambridge From?

Student Speakers: Shahnawaz, Deborah, and Oumaima

Who is welcome and safe here? The Cambridge Historical Society delved into questions of identity, belonging, and welcoming at their Fall Forum.

Three Enroot students presented their stories of immigration from India, Haiti, and Morocco to the United States. Students focused on the struggle to learn English, navigate a new school system, and find community in a new city.

A group of panelists discussed historical and contemporary dimensions of immigration in Cambridge, which became a Sanctuary City in 1985. The panel discussion featured Cambridge Police Superintendent Christine Elow, Nestor Pimienta of Harvard Divinity School, Charles Sullivan from Cambridge Historical Commission, and moderated by Reverend Irene Monroe.

Somerville Students ask Commissioner Jeff Riley questions about the State of Latino Education

On October 10th, students, staff, and community members participated in a town hall on the State of Latino Education in Somerville with Jeff Riley, the Massachusetts Commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Somerville students asked critical questions about the state of education for immigrants and Latino students, ranging from the high cost of college for students without documentation in Massachusetts to creating a more inclusive curriculum showcasing diverse and representative writers and historical figures.

Riley was asked by parents and teachers to address the disparity in MCAS scores for Latino, English Language Learners, and black students. He responded that while Massachusetts ranks number one in education in the United States for some students, it is not effectively serving all students and that Massachusetts has some of the largest achievement gaps. Riley described his work in Lawrence and his plans to address disparities at the state level through partnerships with communities and families. Somerville Superintendent Mary Skipper included Enroot as one of the partners she looked forward to working with in ensuring more English language learners were admitted to honors and advanced placement courses. The town hall structure provided an opportunity for Enroot students to ask questions and engage with the education system.

Thank you to Latinos for Education and Somerville Public Schools for putting the event together. We appreciate the leadership of Commissioner Jeff Riley and Superintendent Mary Skipper as they look to make education more equitable for all.

Commissioner Jeff Riley responds to questions.

Enroot staff and students pictured with Somerville Mayor Curtatone before the Town Hall.

From College Access to College Success

We are about to embark on a new journey: supporting Enroot students for two additional years after high school to ensure all of our students have the resources to transition to post-secondary education, graduate from a 2 or 4 year college, and grow in a meaningful career. English Language Learners have the lowest college completion rate compared to any other student group, and we believe that it is essential to not just invest in college access in high school, but in our students' continued success upon high school graduation.

With are grateful to the generous support from the Lafferty Family Foundation and The Philanthropy Connection, for making this possible. The program will include mentoring, 1:1 coaching, and support navigating the higher education system.  We are thrilled to announce Enroot AmeriCorps Massachusetts Promise Fellow, Georgia Lederman, will be leading this effort as our Manager of College Success and Alumni Engagement! 

“College Success programming is essential in expanding opportunities for traditionally marginalized individuals and communities and Enroot is uniquely positioned to do this work alongside our students. I could not be more excited to manage Enroot’s College Success Program, which will include academic, career,  financial and social-emotional coaching, ultimately leading to an increase in the number of first-generation immigrants who graduate from college and enter the workforce ready to succeed.”

— Georgia Lederman, Manager of College Success & Alumni Engagement

Enroot student Jarna pictured at freshman orientation. She will study Fashion Design and Marketing at Framinham State University. We look forward to working with Jarna and students like her in our College Success program!