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Impact

Listening and collaborating with the community so that everyone can thrive.

We make space for change. We take an active role in improving the communities we’re part of, and we create environments where people can be themselves, dream big, and do world-changing work.

APPROACH

Empowering Youth Through Learning

At Rafi, we believe learning has the power to transform lives. We support projects and initiatives that educate and empower young people, from the Dojo @ Somernova, Somerville’s long-awaited and first-of-its-kind youth center, to Somerbot, a non-profit designed to support STEAM education in Somerville including the middle and high school robotics programs.

Rafi’s Managing Director, Collin Yip, is a strong advocate for youth education. He’s a member of BU’s advisory board and also serves on the governing board of Eliot School.

Collin Yip Takes on Advisory Roles at Boston University and Eliot School, Contributing to Youth Education and Empowerment
Collin Yip’s strong advocacy for STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and...

Collin Yip Takes on Advisory Roles at Boston University and Eliot School, Contributing to Youth Education and Empowerment
Collin Yip’s strong advocacy for STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) has led him to serve on the Advisory Boards for Boston University, Innovate@BU, and the Eliot School.
Through the BU Advisory Board, he is able to ensure the academic standard at BU is being upheld. His dedication to entrepreneurship and learning led him to co-found and serve on the board for Innovate@BU; a University-wide initiative that enables all BU students to become drivers of innovation in their own lives, careers, and communities with signature programs that foster an entrepreneurial mindset.
Eliot School, classified as a Boston Public Innovation School, has charted its own course to high achievement, focusing on evolving instruction to excite curiosity and holistically immerse students in their learning. Part of its success is its STEAM education program which RAFI and Collin support with the understanding that education is the foundation for understanding differences and positive change.

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Rafi launches SOMERBOT to support STEAM education in Somerville
Rafi is a co-founder and multi-year supporter of Somerbot, a nonprofit organization created to promote STEAM education in Somerville. Somerbot supports the...

Rafi launches SOMERBOT to support STEAM education in Somerville
Rafi is a co-founder and multi-year supporter of Somerbot, a nonprofit organization created to promote STEAM education in Somerville. Somerbot supports the Somerville High School Highlanders robotics team (FRC 6201) as well as the Somerville robotics league and developmental programs for students in grades 5-8.
Since Rafi co-founded Somerbot in 2020, the team has grown from 12 to 34 students, nearly 50% of the team members are female, and a handful of individuals working at companies in Somerville’s Innovation Hub have joined the FRC 6201 mentor program.

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The Dojo @ Somernova
The Dojo is an experimental space and platform designed to connect local youth interested in robotics, coding, engineering, art, and design with entrepreneurs, companies, and learning opportunities. Its...

The Dojo @ Somernova
The Dojo is an experimental space and platform designed to connect local youth interested in robotics, coding, engineering, art, and design with entrepreneurs, companies, and learning opportunities. Its mission is to facilitate and inspire a collaborative and positive culture for local youth.
The Dojo is a collaboration between Somernova and Somerville Public Schools. Initial funding for Dojo programming has been provided by Somernova.

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Rafi Invests in the North End Music & Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC)
NEMPAC is a new state-of-the-art school in Boston’s North End. “The arts provide people with community and belonging in a world that’s becoming...

Rafi Invests in the North End Music & Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC)
NEMPAC is a new state-of-the-art school in Boston’s North End. “The arts provide people with community and belonging in a world that’s becoming more and more dominated by impersonal technology,” explains Collin Yip, Rafi’s Managing Director. “Ensuring that art and music programs are accessible to all clearly brings people together. The new community music and arts center will allow NEMPAC to scale and tremendously increase its positive impact on future generations.”

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RAFI Supporting Students Striving for Change
Rafi supports the Somerville High School students who are striving to enact positive change within the community by participating in student-led initiatives like DLAB and the...

RAFI Supporting Students Striving for Change
Rafi supports the Somerville High School students who are striving to enact positive change within the community by participating in student-led initiatives like DLAB and the Peace March.
DLAB, aka ‘design lab,’ is a group of students from Somerville High School seeking to create Somerville’s very first youth center in order to help alleviate the problems facing Somerville youth. Working in partnership with SOMERNOVA, DLab analyzes the needs of the local youth and gathers data about what they need or would like to see within the community.
The Peace March was an event led by the student committee of Somerville High School to raise awareness about the violence that has been happening in and outside of school. Through this event, they sought to inspire action from the city and local community in order to prevent future violence.

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THE POWER
OF
PLACE
AND
COMMUNITY

Places that promote an open culture of collaboration, discovery, and possibility.

Initiatives

We bring people together to celebrate creativity and innovation, meet their neighbors, support local businesses, eat delicious food, and enjoy live entertainment.

Somerville Open Studios

Every year, the artists of Somerville, Massachusetts welcome the public into their studios. We help sponsor this event and provide space for the artists to set up shop.

Fab 16 Maker Festival

Hosted by Somernova, our Somerville innovation hub, this yearly celebration of making, innovation, art, and manufacturing features activities, food, and entertainment.

What the Fluff?

This eclectic fest honors the invention of Marshmallow Fluff in Somerville. As a major event sponsor, we assist in planning and partner with local groups, including the Somerville High School robotics team.

Union Square Holiday Stroll

This December tradition gets Somerville into the holiday spirit and drives revenue to local businesses. We sponsor and co-organize the annual event, adding Somernova to the stroll to offer art and light installations, live music, food, and drinks for everyone.

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Our people make us who we are.

Interested in collaborating? Email us.

Some of Our Tenants

Our tenants are changing the world. We support them from behind the scenes, providing a convenient, inspiring campus experience that lets them focus on the important stuff.

Boston Bouldering

WELLNESS

Greentown Labs

Green Tech

Form Energy

CLEAN ENERGY

The Engine by MIT

TOUGH TECH

Tasting Counter

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Riverside Community Care

HEALTHCARE

Aeronaut Brewing Company

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Boston Bouldering

WELLNESS

bostonboulderingproject.com

Established in 2013, Brooklyn Boulders Somerville is now the Boston Bouldering Project. The Bouldering Project reimagines the fitness facility as a community center by combining climbing, athletics, arts, music, and culture under one roof. Founded in 2011, the Boston Bouldering Project offers locally relevant, best-in-class, inclusive climbing experiences; sliding-scale memberships make the gym accessible to everyone in the community. 

The Boston Bouldering Project is part of a network of Bouldering Projects in Brooklyn, Washington D.C., Seattle, Austin, Minneapolis, and Salt Lake City. All Bouldering Project members have access to climbing, yoga, and fitness classes at every location.

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