About Immigrant Family Education Fund (IFEF)

In 2007 Bob Hildreth challenged Lynn’s Latino high school honor roll students and their families to join a college preparation/scholarship program at La Vida Inc, which he co-founded. In order to participate, families agreed to contribute fifty dollars a month into a savings account, which is matched by the program. Upon graduation, each student should have about $4000 in their educational savings account. Forty-five families are now registered in this savings program.

The educational and savings program at La Vida serves as the blueprint for IFEF. While this program focuses solely on the Latino population in the city of Lynn, our intention for IFEF is to make the program accessible to immigrants of all ethnic groups. We believe this program can serve as a model for any immigrant population in the U.S.

In designing its programs, the Foundation seeks the collaboration of immigrant families on multiple levels. Projects are designed to foster family involvement through both payments and decision-making around tutoring, afterschool programs, school selection, and scholarships.

Please view and download the detailed College Savings Program here: College Savings Program

Past projects that spurred the creation of the Foundation for an Open America include:
• Construction and funding of an early childhood learning school – John Silber Early Learning Center, Chelsea, MA
• Creation, direction, and expansion of an afterschool and remedial programs for Latino youth – La Vida Youth Enrichment Services (YES), Lynn, MA
• Development of a college preparatory and scholarship program – La Vida Scholars, Lynn, MA
• Overhaul of a 120 year old ship into a floating school – Schooner Ernestina, New Bedford, MA

For media coverage of our education support efforts, click here