IBA Boston

Mission

IBA empowers individuals and families to improve their lives and achieve socio-economic mobility through:

• High-quality affordable housing
• Education and early childhood programs
• Financial and resident empowerment services
• Arts and cultural programs

Vision

IBA's affordable housing community is an inclusive and welcoming space that provides safe and healthy homes for low- and moderate-income individuals and families in Boston. Founded by Puerto Rican activists, IBA today welcomes and celebrates a culturally diverse community while preserving and promoting Latino culture and heritage.

By bringing together housing, education, the arts, and financial empowerment, IBA serves as a national model for integrating affordable housing with comprehensive community programming.

History

• Origins in Parcel 19 (1968): Members of the Puerto Rican community in Boston's South End (Parcel 19) organized to resist displacement caused by urban renewal. Their organizing efforts, supported by many community allies, led to the creation of IBA.
• Creation of Villa Victoria: IBA developed Villa Victoria ("Victory Village"), an affordable housing community in the South End that has become a national model for civil rights, community organizing, affordable housing, education, and arts programming.
• Growth of Affordable Housing: Over more than 50 years, IBA has expanded its affordable housing portfolio to 667 units, paired with supportive programming to increase social and economic mobility for residents.

Core Values and Guiding Principles

IBA's work is grounded in the following beliefs:

• Justice, equity, and inclusion in relationships with staff, residents, and partners
• Safe and sustainable affordable housing as the foundation of a healthy community
• Equitable access to education and other tools of socio-economic mobility as key to empowerment
• The arts as a way to celebrate and honor Latino identity, history, and impact, along with the diverse cultures of the broader community
• Developing leaders within the organization and the community
• Expanding impact through partnerships aligned with IBA's mission

Impact Focus

IBA focuses on providing evidence-based programs for children, youth, adults, and seniors. The goal is to:

• Increase quality of life for residents and participants
• Create opportunities for social and economic mobility
• Foster a healthy, safe, and culturally vibrant community environment

IBA's work focuses on three interconnected pillars:

1. Affordable Housing and Community Development – Developing and managing safe, sustainable, and affordable housing for low- and moderate-income individuals and families.
2. Education and Financial Empowerment – Providing evidence-based education programs and financial empowerment services that support socio-economic mobility.
3. Arts and Culture – Offering arts programs that celebrate Latino identity and heritage while embracing the diverse cultures of the broader community.

Program Categories

IBA's programs, as described on its website, include:

• Affordable Housing and Development – An affordable housing portfolio that has grown to 667 units, rooted in the Villa Victoria ("Victory Village") community in Boston's South End.
• Resident Services – Supportive services for residents to help them remain stably housed, access resources, and improve quality of life.
• Early Education – Early childhood education in a bilingual, multicultural environment.
• Youth Development – A Youth Development Program (YDP) that supports young people's academic, personal, and leadership growth.
• Financial Empowerment – Programs and services that provide tools and education to improve financial stability and support socio-economic mobility.
• Arts Program – Arts programming, performances, and visual arts initiatives that celebrate Latino culture alongside the identities and histories of the wider community.
• Community Technology Center – Technology-focused resources and programming to support learning and access to digital tools.

Who IBA Serves

• Low- and moderate-income individuals and families in Boston
• Residents of IBA's affordable housing communities
• Community members seeking education, arts, financial empowerment, and supportive services in a bilingual and multicultural environment

For detailed, up-to-date information about any specific program (such as eligibility, schedules, or how to apply), please consult the corresponding program page on ibaboston.org or contact IBA directly.

If you would like to reach a specific staff member, call the main office and request to be connected, or refer to the staff directory on IBA's website.

Visiting IBA

IBA's main office is located within the Villa Victoria affordable housing community in Boston's South End. Visitors should check in at the main office during regular business hours.

General Inquiries

For general questions about IBA's programs, services, or housing, community members can:

• Call the main office at (617) 927-1707 during office hours
• Visit the Contact page on ibaboston.org for additional contact options

According to ibaboston.org, IBA generates income through:

• Individual donations
• Corporate donations and sponsorships
• Grants
• Supporter fundraising events

Community support helps IBA continue to offer high-quality affordable housing and programs for children, youth, adults, and seniors.

Making a Donation

• IBA accepts donations from individuals and organizations.
• The website features a Donate option where supporters can make financial contributions.
• Campaigns and appeals may be highlighted on the site (for example, campaigns to protect Youth Development Program spots affected by budget cuts).

For the most current donation methods and any active fundraising campaigns, please visit the Donate section or relevant announcements on ibaboston.org.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Businesses and organizations interested in sponsoring IBA's work or events can reach out directly.

• Sponsorship contact email: development@ibaboston.org
• Sponsorship phone contact: (617) 535-1719

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, you are invited to contact IBA's development team using the email or phone number above.

Other Ways to Support

Supporters can also:

• Attend IBA events and arts programs
• Share information about IBA's mission and programs
• Follow IBA on social media for updates on community events and campaigns

For complete and up-to-date information on how to support IBA, please refer to the Sponsors, Donate, and Announcements sections on ibaboston.org.

As described on ibaboston.org, La CASA is available to host:

• Meetings
• Celebrations
• Workshops
• Performances

It is presented as a welcoming, community-focused space designed to bring people together.

Availability and Inquiries

• IBA invites community members and organizations to host events at La CASA.
• The website includes an option to check availability and share details about your event.

For the most current information on availability, rental guidelines, and any fees or requirements, please:

• Visit the La CASA or event rental information on ibaboston.org, and/or
• Contact IBA's main office at (617) 927-1707 and ask for the Rental Space Coordinator.

Rental Coordination

• Rental Space Coordinator: Alex Saavedra (as listed in the Staff Directory)

The Rental Space Coordinator can provide details about space features, scheduling, and next steps for booking La CASA.

IBA's Board of Directors is composed of community and professional leaders who support and guide the organization's mission.

• María Vasallo – President
• Javier F. Flores – Vice-President
• Jennifer Fauth – Treasurer
• Wendy Meléndez – Clerk
• Vadim Kuksin – Member
• Robert Goldstein – Member
• Patrick Greene – Member
• José Fernández – Member
• Sharon Bonet – Member
• Divya Mani – Member
• Laurie Gould – Member
• Andrés Colón – Member
• Kira Taforo – Member

_Last updated on the website: January 2026._

Key Staff Leadership

Administration

• Vanessa Calderón-Rosado – Chief Executive Officer
• Mayra I. Negrón-Roche – Chief Operating Officer
• Pedro L. Saurí-Rosado – Chief Program Officer
• Xavier Chavarria – Chief Human Resources Officer
• Janice Nevarez – Operations Manager
• Christian Triunfo – Executive and Communications Manager
• Joel Ramos – Data Manager
• Fares Escobar – Operations Coordinator
• Alex Saavedra – Rental Space Coordinator

Philanthropy

• Miguel Doran – Chief Philanthropy Officer
• Nicole Rich – Grant Writer

Finance

• Amanda Puricelli – Financial Consultant
• Karthik Raju – Controller
• Ana Suárez – Accountant

Program Areas (Selected Roles)

• Resident Services Program
• Yahaira Objio – Resident Services Program Director
• Virgenmina Cosme – Resident Services Coordinator

• Youth Development Program
• Genesis Bautista – Youth Development Program Director
• Adel Velez – Youth Development Program Coordinator

• Financial Empowerment Program
• Leesandra Merced – Financial Empowerment Program Director
• Justin Gonzalez – Financial Empowerment Coordinator

• Early Education Program
• Joanna Fuentes – Program Manager
• Valerie Y. Laboy-Ramos – Education Manager
• Yovanny Ramírez – Lead Cook
• Yanira Pagan – Infant and Toddler Educator
• Jeillys Alvarez – Infant/Toddler Educator

• Arts Program
• Ashley Martinez – Visual Arts Residency Coordinator
• Miguel Ortiz – Arts Performance Coordinator

_For other staff members not listed here, please refer to the full Staff Directory on ibaboston.org._

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.