ABOUT | Caribbean Foundation

About Us

About the Caribbean Foundation of Boston

The Caribbean Foundation of Boston is a non-profit agency established in 1973 by Beulah Providence. The organization was founded by a group of Caribbean women who wanted to expand home care for their culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged community.

In 1973, the Caribbean Foundation began delivering human services under the name Urban Community Homemaker/Home Health Aide & Chore Services to provide services to homebound senior citizens in Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, and surrounding neighborhoods. “Urban Community Homemakers” employs homemakers who provide personal care and housekeeping services such as cooking, shopping, cleaning, bathing, dressing, etc. to the elderly and disabled. For over 50 years, the organization has aimed to train and employ local residents to provide a wide range of homemaking, home health aide, and companionship services that enable homebound senior citizens, children and the disabled to live safely in their homes.

This model of peer, “neighbor helping neighbor” service creates job opportunities and fosters a community of trainees, workers, and clients. It helps each individual to thrive and ensures homemakers, aides, and companions have first-hand knowledge of the community, which enables them to fulfill their clients’ needs in ways traditional agencies have been unable to do.

About Our Founder

Beulah Fagan Providence, known then and now as the face of the Caribbean Foundation, was the first executive director of the organization. Emigrating to the U.S. from Dominica in 1960, Ms. Providence worked as a housekeeper until 1968, when she received a scholarship to attend Northeastern University in Boston. She studied community organization and social institutions, which played a pivotal role in her founding of the Caribbean Foundation.

History

From vision to action

The Caribbean Foundation of Boston was born from necessity and courage. A group of Caribbean women saw their community struggling and decided to do something about it.

1973

The beginning

Beulah Providence and her circle of Caribbean women founded the organization to provide home care services to their culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged neighbors. It was a simple idea with profound purpose.

1980s

Expansion and growth

As word spread about the quality of our care, demand grew. We expanded our services and deepened our commitment to the families who trusted us.

2000s

Reaching further

We broadened our programs to address education, employment, and health disparities. The foundation became a comprehensive resource for Caribbean communities across Boston.

Today

Stronger than ever

We continue the work that these women started. With a dedicated team and passionate board, we serve thousands of families each year with the same care and respect that defined our founding.

Staff