By 2008, the organization had moved its offices to neighboring Brentwood, sharing modest space in the office of one of its Board members. More important, by that time Yerbabruja had expanded its geographical reach beyond Central Islip, and had incorporated other performing, as well as visual, arts in its efforts to promote constructive social change among Long Island’s increasingly diverse youth and other residents. (For details see Current Schedule.) By that time Yerbabruja was widely acclaimed … awards, for example, having been received from the Latin American Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Islip, and Suffolk County Legislator Ricardo Montano … for its varied means of engaging those residents in a myriad of experiences that help to create social spaces conducive to the development of empowering relationships and a positive, secure sense of community … from workshops that collaboratively explore theatre production, to programs that provide opportunities for emerging artists and audiences to engage one another, using the arts as vehicles for building bridges among its increasingly diversified residents, and to address the glaring lack of parks, libraries and other public space within the communities so necessary for affirming the communities’ future and well-being. Also, Yerbabruja had begun initiating some cultural program partnerships with others whose focus was the communities’ economic development, another factor critical to creating and sustaining thriving diverse communities.

And in 2008, Yerbabruja began working to transition into an organization with the resources to impact its communities on a long-term, and even more significant, basis. This is expected to include a permanent home where, in addition to administrative space, local performing and visual artists can create and present their work and, together with Yerbabruja, hold classes and workshops to teach and learn from each other and from others