人生一定要有的八個朋友:
推手(Builder)、
支柱(Champion)、
同好(Collaborator)、
夥伴(Companion)、
中介(Connector)、
開心果(Energizer)、
開路者(Mind Opener)、
導師(Navigator)。
chutze@bostonorange.com
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他們特別強調要討論波士頓彈性基金(Boston Resiliency Fund),波士頓租金援助基金(Boston
Rental Assistance Fund),以及波士頓小企業救濟基金(Boston Small
Business Relief Fund)的透明度,以及其發放機制,最新資金領受者的人口地理概況,未來的發放計畫等資訊。
QUINCY – Mayor Thomas P. Koch
today launched a new local grant program that will provide immediate financial
relief to dozens of Quincy small businesses most severely impacted by the coronavirus
pandemic.
Applications for the Quincy
Small Business Relief Program will open today, April 30, and provide up to
$10,000 to small businesses located in Quincy. The program will focus on businesses
with 20 or fewer employees and modest annual revenue that may not have the
resources to compete for other kinds of assistance.
“These are the small businesses – the barber
shops, the restaurants, the independent cleaners –that are facing the most serious challenges amid
this historic crisis, and it’s our hope that this modest measure of relief will
make a very real difference,” said Mayor Koch.
The grant program will be financed
by a $1 million infusion of federal Community Development Block Grant funding
that was part of the CARES Act stimulus package.The legislation included critical flexibility
on how cities could allocate the new funding, creating a pathway to make the
program possible.
“Quite simply, we wouldn’t be
able to do this without the leadership and advocacy of Congressman Lynch to
ensure cities were given the right tools to make decisions in the best
interests of their communities. I am deeply grateful for his years of
partnership, and for the work of Senators Markey and Warren for their efforts
in the Senate,” the Mayor said.
Added Congressman Lynch:
“When Congress passed the CARES Act, we understood that local Mayors
like Tom Koch had a firm grasp on what was needed and where funds should be
directed within their cities.” said Rep. Lynch. “The Quincy Small
Business Relief Program is the result of a successful working partnership
between Governor Charlie Baker, Quincy Mayor Tom Koch and all our federal
partners. I am deeply grateful for Mayor Koch’s steady leadership throughout
this process.”
The program will be
administered by the City’s Department of Planning and Community Development,
and applications and information can be found at www.quincyma.gov.Applications will only be accepted online,
but Planning Department staff will be available to assist applicants with the
process and answer any questions.
The program will not be
first-come, first-served. All applications received between April 30 and May 15
will be considered in a merit-based process. Officials encouraged potential
applicants not to rush their applications. (From City of Quincy)
AG HEALEY CALLS ON HHS TO WITHDRAW RULE ALLOWING DISCRIMINATION IN HEALTH CARE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Proposed Rule Eliminates Protections Against Discrimination for Vulnerable Populations
BOSTON – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra co-led 21 attorneys general in calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to withdraw a proposed regulation that seriously undermines critical anti-discrimination protections for communities of color, disabled people, women, LGBTQ individuals, and those with limited English proficiency in health care, at a time when they are most needed to help address the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s absurd that the White House wants to roll back protections for critical life-saving care for some of our most vulnerable communities in the middle of an unprecedented public health crisis,” AG Healey said. “The Trump Administration should focus on expanding access to care, rather than discriminating against those hit hard by COVID-19. They should withdraw this dangerous rule immediately.”
The proposed regulation specifically seeks to roll back the “Nondiscrimination in Health and Health Education Programs or Activities” rule, which implements Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In a letter sent to HHS today, the attorneys general argue that the new regulation would risk restricting access to care and aiding in the spread of the coronavirus. The attorneys general further argue that the rule will create unnecessary confusion and administrative burdens for state agencies, health care providers, and patients at a critical time for the healthcare system.
Data shows that the COVID-19 pandemic is already exacerbating racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare that the ACA attempted to address. Immigrants and communities of color have been disproportionately impacted, and recently more than 100 national and local organizations signed on to an open letter to the healthcare community about how COVID-19 may pose an increased risk to the LGBTQ population. Individuals with disabilities are at greater risk of infection, and the pandemic has created new barriers for them in accessing the care they need. The public health crisis has also exacerbated gender inequities in the healthcare system.
HHS itself has long noted that discrimination within the healthcare system contributes to poor coverage and health outcomes and worsens existing disparities in underserved communities. Individuals who have experienced discrimination in healthcare often postpone or forgo needed care, resulting in adverse health outcomes. Finalizing the rule, the attorneys general argue, will create distrust among vulnerable populations, who are at greater risk of contracting the virus.
AG Healey’s Civil Rights Division enforces federal and state civil rights laws. The Division encourages residents who feel their civil rights have been violated to call its hotline at (617) 963-2917 or file a complaint online. The AG’s Office has ramped up its outreach efforts to underserved communities that are disproportionately impacted by the pandemic to ensure that they have access to the resources and care they need. This week, AG Healey issued guidance to ensure that the rights of disabled residents are protected during the pandemic.
Visit the AG’s COVID-19 resource page for information about how the AG’s Office can provide support during this crisis. For multilingual resources on protecting your civil rights click here.
Joining AG Healey and AG Becerra in sending the letter are the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington, as well as the District of Columbia.
慈濟波士頓聯絡處會址為:15 Summer St., Newton MA 02464,電話:617-762-0569。
Based on information from MA
VOAD, there are thousands of babies in the City of Chelsea are urgently in need
of baby diapers (any size) and baby formula (infant/ toddler).The Tzu Chi Foundation Boston Service Office
is now calling for donation of the above mentioned resources.
Whoever is able to help with meeting Chelsea
babies need, please leave your donation of baby diapers and baby formula in
front of the basement door at Boston Tzu Chi office.Please also leave donor’s name and contact
information to allow Boston Tzu Chi to express its gratefulness.