The MetroWest Housing Coalition (MWHC), in partnership with SMOC, MetroWest Mediation Services, and MetroWest Legal Services, recently concluded a four-part Spanish-language workshop series in Marlborough focused on housing search strategies, housing mediation, and tenants’ rights.
As a new public education initiative for the Housing Coalition, the series provided valuable insights into how community-based organizations can make housing information more accessible and impactful for immigrant and Spanish-speaking residents.
One of the most important takeaways was the value of offering workshops entirely in Spanish. By eliminating language barriers, participants were able to engage directly with facilitators, ask questions in real time, and share their personal experiences with others facing similar housing challenges. As one partner noted:
“It has been wonderful to see the attendees of the series learning, asking questions, and feeling empowered to address their housing needs and concerns.”
The series also highlighted the importance of listening to community feedback. The first workshop, held at 5:00 p.m., saw limited attendance. After hearing from participants that a later start time would be more accessible, subsequent workshops began at 6:30 p.m. Attendance increased immediately, demonstrating how scheduling can significantly influence participation.
Location played an equally important role. Hosting the workshops at the Marlborough Public Library created a welcoming and familiar environment for attendees. Many participants noted connections to nearby community institutions, including a neighboring church, while families appreciated the library as a comfortable space where children were welcome.
To further support participation, the Housing Coalition provided food, beverages, and activities for children, helping remove barriers for working parents. Participants also shared that incentives, including Visa and Lyft gift cards, were especially meaningful for families balancing demanding work schedules and household expenses.
Another key lesson from the series was the power of trusted networks and word-of-mouth outreach. Information about the workshops was shared through community partners, including Marlborough Public Schools, which helped distribute details about the sessions to local families. Attendees who participated in early workshops encouraged friends, neighbors, and relatives to attend future sessions, contributing to steadily growing participation throughout the series.
As one partner reflected:
“It has also been great to see how attendance improved over the course of the series, as families who attended the first session came back and brought friends and neighbors with them.”
This experience reinforced the importance of trusted sources of information, particularly for immigrant families who may be reluctant to engage with unfamiliar institutions due to concerns about immigration enforcement and deportation.
The final workshop, focused on housing search resources and strategies, generated particularly strong community interest. Reflecting on its impact, a Framingham Public Schools Wraparound Coordinator shared:
“We were so, so happy to hear that the last workshop was well attended! The housing search workshop was definitely the one we felt like was needed the most and would have the biggest impact in our community, so I’m so glad we were able to get that information out to so many families!”
The workshop series demonstrated that maximizing accessibility requires thoughtful consideration of language, timing, location, and family needs. Providing supportive resources—such as childcare activities, refreshments, and transportation or financial incentives—can make a meaningful difference in participation and engagement.
MWHC is grateful to its partners, participants, and community supporters for helping make this initiative a success. The lessons learned through this series will help inform future outreach and education efforts as we continue working to ensure that all residents have access to the housing information and resources they need to thrive.