Jesús Gerena joined Family Independence Initiative (FII)–Boston as its first director in 2010, bringing more than 15 years as a community organizer. He has brought FII’s family-led transformation model to low-income communities in Boston. Prior to joining FII, he served as director of community development and organizing, then as deputy director, of Hyde Square Task Force.
In 2012, Jesús helped develop and launch the Community Fellows Program at the Institute for Nonprofit Management and Leadership, then at Boston University. He co-chairs the board of English for New Bostonians Oversight Committee and serves on the boards of the New England Grassroots Environment Fund and the Boston Foundation for Architecture. He grew up in Puerto Rico and graduated from UMass Amherst.
Helping by Not Helping
An interview between Barr’s Deputy Director Melinda Marble and Jesús Gerena of Family Independence Initiative, with Stefan Lanfer, knowledge officer.