灣聲樂團波士頓演出 僑胞熱情起立鼓掌

「灣聲樂團」在古色古香的聖約教堂中演奏。 (灣聲樂團提供)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 標榜「家己聲音，世界來聽」，強調只演奏臺灣人寫的音樂，和以臺灣為素材音樂的「灣聲樂團」 ，4月25日晚，在波士頓的聖約教堂搏得滿堂采聲，一連安可了「望春風」等兩支曲目，觀眾才依依不捨離去。

灣聲樂團」指揮李哲藝(右起)和波士頓僑務委員郭競儒，
以及徐中欣、徐小玲，陳奕如合影。(周菊子攝)

             創辦「灣聲樂團」，曾獲傳藝金曲獎的指揮李哲藝直言，該團成員全都在古典樂界學有所成，卻願意響應該團理念，發揮各人技藝，藉由創作或改編，重新詮釋音樂，把臺灣的文化，臺灣人的心聲化為古典樂音符，希望以與眾不同樂音，串聯整個世界，讓人看見台灣更豐富的內涵。

             25日這晚，李哲藝指揮著音樂家們用11把小提琴家，3把中提琴，1把大提琴，演奏了《草螟弄雞公》、《天公落水》、《綠島小夜曲》、《月亮代表我的心》，以及美國經典歌曲《We are the word (四海一家) 》、《Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree (老橡樹上的黃絲帶)》的改編版等曲目。

「灣聲樂團」指揮請大提琴單獨演奏一段。(周菊子攝)

             波克萊台灣商會會長陳奕如直言好喜歡「灣聲樂團」的演奏。她從小就喜歡莊永明介紹大稻埕，以及那段歷史與相關民謠給人的感覺，這天聽到樂團把幾首她耳熟能詳的台灣民謠串聯起來，呈現全新味道，讓人為該團的用心感動。

大波士頓國樂團指揮陳志新(右)和古箏演奏家楊信宜(左)會後和李哲藝交流。

             麻州麥特福市(Medford)市議員曾御宸的父母曾皇鈞和徐中欣，這晚也特地趕來廳這場音樂會。曾皇鈞稱讚指揮李哲藝，能讓樂團每個聲部各自發揮特色的都有表現，不像一般樂團會偏重某一兩種樂器。徐中欣更說這名指揮的心一定很美，很豐富，讓人很快樂，為了來聽這場音樂會，她手邊的實驗才做了一半，都得擱下，的確很值得。

波士頓台灣影展協會主席康麗雪等人會後購買樂團出版品。(周菊子攝)

             波士頓僑界這晚許多人出席捧場。波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮，波士頓僑務委員郭競儒，前任僑務委員蔣宗壬，波士頓慈濟聯絡人長金滿，臺灣人公共事務會全美副會長鍾佳君，波士頓台灣影展協會董事會主席康麗雪，共會長林致中、Andrew Lin，北一女校友會會長林麗珠、前會長吳杏玫，波克萊台灣商會前會長徐小玲，中華民俗藝術工作坊創辦人張昆，大波士頓國樂團指揮陳志新和古箏演奏家楊信宜也都紛紛稱許「灣聲樂團」的演出。

             「灣聲樂團」今年的美加巡演共有五站，從西雅圖起，溫哥華、休士頓，一路來到波士頓後，27日晚將在紐約演出。

灣聲樂團有許多出版品。(周菊子攝)

來自台灣的僑胞聽到熟悉樂曲都很有感。(周菊子攝)

曾皇鈞、徐中欣都非常欣賞灣聲樂團的表現。(周菊子攝)

顧問公司建議昆士市長Tom Koch年薪應漲至30萬元以上

 

昆士市長Tom Koch 2024年宣誓就位連任，伍振中致賀。(檔案照片，周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 一旦調查公司建議通過，麻州昆士市市長柯奇 (Tom Koch) 將成為全美年薪最高的市長，漲幅132%，飆高至37萬元。

             昆士市愛國者報 (Patriot Ledger)早前報導了此事。

             由於柯奇市長已將近10年未調薪，。昆士市府聘請了一家公司來做首長薪資研究。4月底，這份薪資調查報告呈交給了昆士市議會。

             調查公司的調查員查看全美類似規模城市情況，把通貨膨脹因素考慮在內後，做出建議。該報告稱，根據 ICMA（國際城市/縣管理協會）編制的背景和當前的通貨膨脹趨勢進行評估，昆士市執行長的薪資似乎遠低於合理水平

             做這報告的公司，Dorminson Consulting, LLC表示，基於柯奇市長在位16年，考慮全美許多其他在位時間長市長通常每年加薪1.5%，他們建議的加薪幅度為29萬8957元至37萬元。

             昆士市政府花了9500元做的這報告，還列舉了去年波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 年新20萬7000元，紐約市市長Eric Adams年新25萬8041元來做比較。報告中也包括了劍橋市市經理的年薪為33萬元。

             在該調查報告中，波士頓市人口66萬5945，市長吳弭年薪20萬7千元；紐約市人口834萬，市長Eric Adams年新25萬8041元；洛杉磯人口380萬，市長Karen Bass年新30萬1千元；芝加哥人口267萬，市長Brandon Johnson年新22萬1052元；休士頓人口230萬，市長John Whitmire年新23萬6189元。劍橋市人口11萬7962，市經理黃義安年薪34萬4274元。

             昆士市人口約10萬，柯奇上次加薪是2015年，加了28%，約增加3萬6271元。

             Dorminson Consulting的Jack Dorminey告訴昆士市議會，他認為從任何角度來看，柯奇市長都已經有很長一段時間沒有加新，而最近物價變動又那麼厲害。

             該報告還包括了最近就任行政首長的調查，昆士市長的15萬9141元年薪，比另外2各人口少得多的城市行政首長少。人口只有5676的Bolton是17萬元，人口670.3的鱈魚角市鎮Chatham是20萬1281元。

該報告也調查了昆士市市府員工的薪資，而柯奇市長的薪資排第204名，現在已退休的昆士市警察局局長Paul Keenan領的薪資最高，38萬6796元，那包括了休假，以及未使用的病假日給付。有些部門主管的薪資也比市長高，包括自然資源局，以及公共樓宇局，年薪都有17萬1千元。

昆士市去年聘用Gallagher顧問公司調查，並在2023到2024會計年度預算中，為幾名部門首長加了薪，其中加得最多包括市長幕僚長Chris Walker，加了3萬元，石匠及樓宇局局長Paul Hines加薪2萬6千，營運主任Helen Murphy 加薪3萬4千元。

             昆士市議員David McCarthy說，市長的薪資早就應該檢視了。

             昆士市市長的一名發言人指出，這薪資建議來自一個第三方的一群經濟學者，而且這建議並不表示已經有這樣的提案存在。

麻州慶祝植樹節種下第4000棵樹 推「納涼走廊」新計畫

(Boston Orange編譯) 麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey)為慶祝植樹節 (Arbor Day) ，今 (26) 日率隊前往Chicopee的Stefanik小學，種下「綠化門戶城市」項目的第4000棵樹，並宣佈擴大實施促進社區環境正義的種樹計畫，改名「納涼迴廊 (Cooling Corridor)」。

「綠化門戶城市」項目在26個門戶城市中的23各城市中運作，新的「納涼迴廊」計畫則將擴大行動，連這26個門戶城市以外的地方，也會去種樹。

麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey)表示，沒有比進入社區種樹更好的方式來慶祝地球週和植樹日了。「納涼迴廊」將不只有助於降低城鎮氣溫，位居民節省能源開銷，增加務業價值，還能創造薪資好的工作機會。

「綠化門戶城市」是環境及能源事務廳 (EEA)、保護級娛樂廳( DCR)合作，能源及資源署 (DOER)，住宅及宜居社區廳  (EOHLC) ，以及地方市鎮政府和草根社區組織協辦的種樹計畫，旨在降低市鎮的熱島效應，從雀喜市(Chelsea)、Holyoke市和秋河市,( Fall River)開始，如今已在26個門戶城市中的23各城市種樹。

這些樹由DCR的美化森林及城市和社區森林組聘請地方社區人士承辦，種6英尺到10英尺高的樹，目標是把特定鄰里的5%地表，都覆蓋上樹蔭，一般都在4至6月的春天，以及9到11月的秋天種植。在人口密集的城市區，平均每英畝面積種職5棵樹，可至少幫15到25戶人家更為陰涼。依照這樣的種樹速度，估計8年可增加1%的綠蔭覆蓋率，30年增加到5%的覆蓋率。

在1971到2000年間，麻州有過4天氣溫超過華氏90度，但是跨入本世紀中葉，氣溫衝到這種高度的日子，多達10到28天。

In Celebration of Arbor Day, Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces New Program to Expand Tree Plantings in Environmental Justice Communities 

Cooling Corridors will build on the successful Greening the Gateway Cities Program, which planted its 40,000^th Tree  

"We're thrilled to take part in this event, celebrating the achievements of the Greening the Gateway Cities program. General John J. Stefanik School was honored to plant the 40,000th tree, showing our support for this initiative. Hosting this ceremony at our school fills us with pride, and we were delighted to welcome so many visitors. The expansion of this program, along with the introduction of Cooling Corridors, reaffirms our dedication to creating sustainable urban environments and enhancing the quality of life for all Chicopee residents. At Stefanik, our stars truly shine the brightest,” said Gen. John J. Stefanik Memorial School Principal Amanda L. Theriault.  

The GGCP is a partnership between EEA, DCR’s Urban & Community Forestry Program, the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), along with gateway cities and local grassroots organizations. These tree planting efforts help decrease the urban heat island effect, reduce energy use, address flooding from stormwater runoff, and improve the quality of life in these cities. The program began in Chelsea, Holyoke, and Fall River. Since then, the program has expanded into 23 of the original 26 gateway cities. GGCP plants trees in Environmental Justice areas within gateway cities that generally have lower tree canopy, older housing, and larger renter populations. The program is currently active in Barnstable, Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Quincy, Revere, Salem, Springfield, Taunton, Westfield, and Worcester.   

Trees are planted by DCR’s Bureau of Forestry and Urban & Community Forestry crews hired from their local communities. The program plants trees ranging from six feet to 10 feet in height with a goal of covering five percent of the target neighborhoods in new tree canopy cover. Trees are planted from April to June in the spring, and from September to November in the fall, weather permitting. In high-density urban neighborhoods, planting an average of 5 trees per acre (roughly one third of a block) will provide benefits to 15-25 households, depending on building density. Planting this number of trees will increase canopy by an estimated 1% in eight years and 5% in 30 years.  

 Tree planting is an important strategy as the climate warms. Between 1971 and 2000, the Commonwealth experienced four days with temperatures over 90°F. By midcentury, it is expected to experience between 10 and 28 such days. Environmental justice populations are particularly at risk from extreme temperature–related health effects because they reside in temperature hotspots. Trees near a home directly shade structures, significantly lowering surface temperatures, while trees up to 1,500 feet away from a home still provide a benefit. Additionally, in the winter months, mature tree trunks and branches help to randomize wind patterns and decrease heat loss by air infiltration in poorly insulated homes. 

麻州政府撥款55萬元資助公校畢業生申請聯邦補助

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $550,000 to Gateway Cities to Boost FAFSA Completion for Schools in Massachusetts 

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration is providing grants to more than 100 Massachusetts public schools serving Gateway Cities to help high school seniors complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These grants, totaling more than $550,000, follow an announcement that the state’s priority deadline to apply for Massachusetts financial aid via MASSGrant has been extended from May 1 to July 1, 2024. The awards today are also intended to support schools amid unique nationwide challenges with this year’s FAFSA. As of April 2024, 168,489 students or prospective students in Massachusetts have completed the FAFSA, a decrease from 232,560 in April 2023.
 
“We want high school seniors to know that there is still time to complete the FAFSA and pursue higher education this coming fall,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These additional funds will help reach students who have yet to complete the FAFSA but who aspire to attend college and may benefit from the significant financial aid programs available in Massachusetts.”
 
“These grants allow us to support schools in a final push to reach seniors before they graduate,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Students may have considered a college education but not begun or completed the FAFSA. We know how dedicated our school counselors are to helping these students, and the Administration is working to support them through these funds and by shifting the priority deadline for state financial aid.”
 
The FAFSA completion grants will be issued to public high schools at which 70 percent or more of the students served are from Gateway Cities. The funds are also granted to Massachusetts high schools taking part in the federal Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) program. High schools will receive grant amounts equal to $30 per 12th grader.
 
“The Healey-Driscoll Administration has made historic investments in financial aid, but for many students the challenges of FAFSA completion pose barriers to accessing that aid,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “It’s not too late for high school seniors to complete the FAFSA, and these grants support schools’ ongoing efforts to help students attend college affordably in the upcoming academic year.”
 
The grant funds for schools are being distributed by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education in collaboration with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. School leaders and counselors can dedicate grant money to FAFSA completion events or celebrations, and they can purchase prizes such as gifts cards and school-branded merchandise for students who complete the FAFSA or the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA). Students who cannot complete the FAFSA due to their citizenship status should complete the MASFA.
 
“Students who complete the FAFSA by July 1 and qualify for need-based financial aid are guaranteed some financial support to attend college,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “We encourage students not to leave money on the table. We hope these grants will provide schools with meaningful support as they work with students who have yet to apply for financial aid, but who have the talent and drive to succeed in college.”
 
“We hope schools will use these grants to help encourage students to fill out the FAFSA or MASFA and take that concrete step toward college,” said Russell D. Johnston, acting commissioner of elementary and secondary education. “While many students may have already applied for financial aid, there is still money available.”
 
Along with the later statewide deadline for FAFSA completion, colleges and universities are also moving their deposit deadlines to accommodate students who have yet to apply or have not received financial aid packages that are crucial making college-going decisions. Students should check college or university websites or reach out directly to individual campuses for information about deadlines.
 
Massachusetts public schools receiving funds to support FAFSA completion:

District	Award Amount
Attleboro	Attleboro Community Academy: $570; Attleboro High: $12,690; Attleboro Virtual Academy: $390
Barnstable	Barnstable High: $9,660
Brockton	Brockton High: $19,980; Brockton Virtual Learning Academy: $450; Edison Day Academy: $600; Edison Evening Academy: $1,680; Huntington Therapeutic Day School: $300; New Heights Charter School of Brockton (District): $2,190
Chelsea	Chelsea High: $10,320; Chelsea Opportunity Academy: $2,250; Chelsea Virtual Learning Academy: $510; Phoenix Academy Charter Public High School: $390
Chicopee	Chicopee Academy: $300; Chicopee Comprehensive High School: $8,490; Chicopee High: $6,480; Hampden Charter School of Science East: $1,650
East Boston	East Boston HS- GEAR UP students only: $5,130
Everett	Devens School: $150; Everett High: $14,940; Pioneer Charter School of Science: $1,140
Fall River	Argosy Collegiate Charter School: $1,560; Atlantis Charter (District): Atlantis Charter School: $1,560; B.M.C. Durfee High: $14,700; Diman Regional Vocational Technical High, $7,440; Resiliency Preparatory Academy, $1,680; Stone PK-12 School, $240
Fitchburg	Fitchburg High, $7,770; Goodrich Academy, $2,610; Sizer School: A North Central Charter Essential School, $990
Haverhill	Gateway Academy, $300; Greenleaf Academy, $90; Haverhill High, $13,980
Holyoke	Holyoke High, $12,210
Lawrence	Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical, $11,400; High School Learning Center, $4,350; Lawrence High School, $21,630; Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School, Lawrence, $180; RISE Academy, $840 School for Exceptional Studies, $330
Leominster	Center For Technical Education Innovation, $3,660; Leominster Center for Excellence, $840; Leominster High School, $8,880; Leominster Personalized Virtual Learning Academy (LPVLA), $120
Lowell	Collegiate Charter School of Lowell, $750; Dr. Janice Adie Day School, $120; Greater Lowell Regional Vocational Technical, $13,380; Leblanc Therapeutic Day School, $270; Lowell High, $22,890; Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School, $870; The Career Academy, $960
Lynn	Classical High, $10,590; Fecteau-Leary Junior/Senior High School, $750; KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School, $3,570; Lynn English High, $14,520; Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, $7,920
Malden	Malden High, $13,170
Methuen	Methuen High, $13,830
New Bedford	Global Learning Charter Public School, $750; Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical, $10,980; New Bedford High, $18,120 Trinity Day Academy, $300; Whaling City Junior/Senior High School, $1,260
Peabody	Peabody Personalized Remote Education Program (Peabody P.R.E.P.), $570; Peabody Veterans Memorial High, $8,820
Pittsfield	Eagle Education Academy, $30; Pittsfield High, $5,400; Taconic High, $5,670
Quincy	North Quincy High, $10,980; Quincy High, $10,740
Revere	CityLab Innovation High School, $540; Revere High, $12,270
Salem	New Liberty Innovation School, $600; Salem Academy Charter School, $1,890; Salem High, $6,360; Salem Prep High School, $30
Springfield	Baystate Academy Charter Public School, $1,530; Conservatory of the Arts, $1,290; Gateway to College at Holyoke Community College, $420; Gateway to College at Springfield Technical Community College, $330; High School of Commerce, $7,020; John J. Duggan Academy, $1,950; Liberty Preparatory Academy, $30; Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School, Springfield, $300; Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, $9,330; Springfield Central High, $16,050; Springfield High School, $2,880; Springfield High School of Science and Technology, $5,730; Springfield International Academy at Sci-Tech, $30; Springfield International Charter School, $2,700; Springfield Public Day High School, $180; The Springfield Renaissance School an Expeditionary Learning School, $1,860; The Springfield Virtual School, $630
Taunton	Taunton Alternative High School, $2,310; Taunton High, $13,680; Taunton Public Virtual Academy (TPVA), $180
Westfield	Westfield High, $7,470; Westfield Technical Academy, $3,300; Westfield Virtual School, $450
West Springfield	Hampden Charter School of Science West, $1,020
Worcester	Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School, $2,340; Burncoat Senior High, $8,970; Claremont Academy, $2,070; Doherty Memorial High, $9,270 North High, $9,930; South High Community, $12,960; University Park Campus School, $1,350; Worcester Technical High, $9,780

波士頓市長吳弭慶祝麥特潘青年及家庭中心重新開幕

MAYOR MICHELLE WU CELEBRATES THE REOPENING OF THE BCYF MATTAHUNT COMMUNITY CENTER

BOSTON - Friday, April 26, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu yesterday joined Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF), the Human Services Cabinet, the Public Facilities Department, elected officials, and Mattapan residents to officially reopen the BCYF Mattahunt Community Center which underwent a $12.7 million renovation. The center’s pool will reopen shortly in May. The multi-year renovation of the BCYF Mattahunt and its pool builds on Mayor Wu’s commitment to make Boston a home for everyone.  The Mattahunt pool reopening marks the latest in a number of recent pool renovations and investments. Because of a collaboration between Boston Public Schools, Boston Centers for Youth & Families, the Public Facilities Department, and the Property Management Department, investments of City funding, and improved facilities assessment, the City is on track to have more pools open this year than in previous summers, including the BCYF Clougherty, Draper, Hennigan, Marshall, and Perkins pools. BCYF Marshall Community Center pool opened this fall. The Draper, Hennigan, and Perkins are expected to be open this summer as is the Clougherty Pool, which is undergoing a two-year renovation. This fiscal year, Mayor Wu allocated $34.3 million in the FY24-FY28 capital plan for repairing and renovating the city's pools. “The reopening of the BCYF Mattahunt Community Center and the upcoming reopening of the pool reflect our dedication to connecting families with the necessary resources and giving our youth the joy and lasting memories that come from these community centers,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I am grateful for the team members that contributed to this and I am excited to see how this beautiful space will be used.” The renovations include the removal and replacement of floors and windows, the repairing and painting of the gym, lobby, vestibule, and multipurpose rooms, the addition of an accessible bathroom and accessible stage, a recording studio, the renovation of the gymnasium and pool area, a new fire suppression system to the building, and new furniture, fixtures, equipment, and lighting. The City of Boston’s Public Facilities Department managed the construction project working with STUDIO ENÉE architects and Paul J. Rogan Company, inc. general contractors.

“We are thrilled to be able to reopen this beautiful space and to restore programming to both this school community and the surrounding neighborhood of Mattapan,” said José F. Massó, Chief of Human Services. “This renovated BCYF center will provide endless opportunities for youth and families to explore sports, arts, and other enrichment activities.” “We are delighted to welcome everyone to the newly renovated Mattahunt Community Center,” said Director of Public Facilities Kerrie Griffin. “It is now fully equipped to cater to the needs of every visitor. With updated floors, windows, and a freshly painted gym, complemented by an accessible bathroom and contemporary furniture and lighting, it serves as a hub where individuals of all ages can come together to collaborate, learn, and have fun.” “BCYF staff have been working hard to curate a range of diverse and enriching programs and events that cater to the interests and needs of the community members,” said Marta E. Rivera, Commissioner of Boston Centers for Youth & Families. “We can’t wait to get this center open and welcome back the families of Mattapan and beyond.” The center is designed to serve all ages and will offer diverse and enriching programs and events that cater to the interests and needs of the community members. Programming will include aquatics programming, basketball, soccer, badminton, rugby, and other sports and fitness programs for youth, along with enrichment courses such as music and STEM. There is currently no charge for membership or programming but visitors need to create a membership at Boston.gov/BCYF-Registration. Registration for classes and programs can be found on the center’s webpage, Boston.gov/BCYF-Mattahunt.

APIAVote推出紀念性亞美選民參與2024選舉週期活動

 APIAVote Launches Monumental Asian-American Voter Engagement Effort for 2024 Election Cycle

More Than $5 Million Effort Includes GOTV Activations, Presidential Town Hall, Voter Fact Sheets, Voter Surveys, Campus Partnerships, and a Youth Ambassador Program 

WASHINGTON, DC — Following the record-breaking turnout of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voters in the 2020 elections, APIAVote is launching its most ambitious voter engagement and education campaign for the 2024 election cycle. Partnering with 60 organizations across 30 states, APIAVote aims to sustain and build upon growing civic participation in AAPI communities through a multi-layered strategy, including a multi-lingual direct mail campaign targeting 1.5 million AAPI households in key states, targeted phone and text banking, digital ads, a voter protection hotline, a presidential town hall, and on-the-ground GOTV efforts, among other activities and initiatives. 

“Asian Americans have been the fastest growing group of eligible voters in the U.S. over the past two decades, growing by 15 percent in the last four years alone, and Asian Americans have turned out in record numbers in every federal election since 2016,” said Christine Chen, Executive Director and Co-Founder of APIAVote. “This is all despite a historic lack of engagement by political campaigns and parties. In a year when voters across the board appear more disaffected and disillusioned than ever, our focus at APIAVote is to show that AAPI voters remain engaged in the democratic process and that political candidates and parties should never take them for granted.”  

Through generous support from donors including the Yield Fund, the Wallace H, Coulter Foundation, and Open Society Foundations, APIAVote is planning to spend more than $5 million during the 2024 election season, including $3 million in subgrants to local partner organizations’ civic engagement programs.  

Among the activities and initiatives APIAVote has planned during the 2024 election are:  

· Operating a dedicated, multi-lingual AAPI voter protection hotline (888-API-VOTE)

· A multi-lingual voter education video series will cover voting rights and registration procedures tailored to AAPI voters across 30 states via several local partner organizations

· Strategic multilingual digital ad campaigns to reinforce the importance of voting

· A multilingual direct mail campaign targeting 1.5 million AAPI households in collaboration with partners in key states

· Recruit and train student ambassadors from 50 college campuses nationwide to serve as APIAVote’s 2024 Youth Ambassadors and implement on-campus voter engagement programs

· Recently released AAPI Voter State Fact Sheets, which offer insights into voter engagement indicators for all 50 states and the District of Columbia

· Expanding APIAVote’s capacity to monitor and analyze disinformation trends as they pertain to voting rights, elections, democracy, anti-Asian hate, and harmful narratives about or originating from within the AAPI community

APIAVote will also convene a National AAPI Leadership Summit from July 11-12 and host its Presidential Town Hall in Philadelphia on July 13, providing a crucial forum for engagement. Timed to the Summit and Presidential Town Hall, APIAVote will also release its biannual Asian American Voter Survey — the oldest and longest running pre-election survey that reveals key elections issues that matter most to Asian American voters including priority issues, political leanings, voting preferences and favorability scores on candidates. 

 APIAVote’s Norman Y. Mineta Leadership Institute (NYMLI) will also work with partners across the country to host trainings to equip community organizers with the skills and knowledge to drive impactful voter engagement and education initiatives. Focusing mainly on nonprofit staff, community leaders and volunteers, NYMLI is dedicated to engaging AAPI communities in successful electoral campaigns. The Institute hosts highly localized trainings to ensure that voting laws in each state are accounted for in order to share best practices and strategies specific to each locale.  

APIAVote Executive Director Christine Chen has been a champion for the empowerment of AAPI communities from the start of her career and has taken on organizing and leadership roles with organizations like Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) while also offering expert consulting and guidance services through Strategic Alliances USA — a firm built on her broad and deep pool of relationships and skills in the AAPI community and in government. Chen is the foremost expert on the important role the AAPI community plays in today’s political landscape. She currently serves on the Kennedy Center Community Advisory Board and the Center for Asian American Media and is also a member of the Election Assistance and Policy (EAP) Standing Committee at the American Political Science Association.  

This more than $5 million effort from APIAVote is just the latest in the leading AAPI civic and voter education nonprofit’s work to effectively engage the near 20 million Asian Americans across the United States who have been historically neglected and overlooked in mainstream political polling, campaign and party outreach efforts and other key conversations in election coverage. APIAVote has cultivated and amplified the rapidly-growing voter turnout and political participation of AAPI communities since 2007, investing in their capacity and infrastructure to mobilize voters. This investment, as well as proactively training and resourcing community leaders across the country, paid off in the 2020 election cycle and Census.