大學沙龍今晚(4/30)談針對亞裔的仇恨犯罪:美國聯邦調查局23年的數據告訴我們什麼

 

波士頓市府請公眾提意見 減輕自然災害

City of Boston Seeks Public Input for Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

BOSTON - Friday, April 30, 2021 -The City of Boston’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is updating Boston’s 2014 Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP). The NHMP will identify projects to reduce the potential impacts from natural hazards like severe winter weather, flooding, and extreme heat. The planning process will focus on severity, probability, location, historical occurrences, climate change, and risk, with the goal of documenting past successes and challenges to better develop solutions for tomorrow. Equity and environmental justice considerations are key parts of this process. The City is being diligent and intentional about the makeup of this plan so that it reflects the diverse communities within our neighborhoods. The City recognizes overlaps between the NHMP update and related planning processes and is coordinating with projects and initiatives including Climate Ready Boston and the ongoing Heat Resilience Planning Study. “As Mayor of a coastal city, ensuring our communities are resilient from major threats is a key priority for my administration,” said Mayor Janey. “From flooding to extreme temperatures, we are committed to working with our residents to create innovative solutions to keep our city strong and resilient in the future.”  The City is seeking input from residents, which is vital to ensure the planning process is representative. Given COVID-19 restrictions, the City will be sharing resources to connect online, and will conduct two virtual public meetings in May and June to keep the community informed. You can take the following steps today to help the City plan for a more resilient future: Take an online survey to share your experiences of extreme events and ideas to increase resilience, available in English, Español, 简体中文, Kreyòl ayisyen, Tiếng Việt, Kriolu di Kabu Verdi.  Visit the project webpage for the latest information and a fact sheet, available in English, Español, 简体中文, Kreyòl ayisyen, Tiếng Việt, Kriolu di Kabu Verdi RSVP at tinyurl.com/BostonNHMPrsvp for our virtual public meeting on May 5th at 6:00 PM. Translation and interpretation are available at no cost in Español, 简体中文, Kreyòl ayisyen, Tiếng Việt, Kriolu di Kabu Verdi, but please contact us one week before the event to make arrangements in your preferred language (EngageOEM@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov). For emergency alerts, including cold-weather alerts, residents are encouraged to sign up for Alert Boston.  Follow OEM on Twitter (@AlertBoston) and Facebook (City of Boston Office of Emergency Management), and the hashtags #ResilientBoston #BostonNHMP The NHMP update is funded by the Federal Emergency Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), which provides technical and financial support for state, tribal, and local governments to reduce risk and the potential impact of future disasters. The NHMP update will maintain the City’s eligibility for FEMA grant funding to continue protecting Boston against natural hazards. If you have any questions or would like to receive updates on this project, please contact EngageOEM@boston.gov.

波士頓市社區保存委員會撥款500萬元幫助首次購屋者

Mayor Kim Janey Announces the Community Preservation Committee Awarded $5 million to the ONE+Boston First Time Homebuyer Program The new funding will increase homeownership rates in Boston’s neighborhoods

 

BOSTON - Friday, April 30, 2021 - Building on her commitment to equity and stable housing in Boston, Mayor Kim Janey today announced that the City's Community Preservation Committee (CPC) awarded $5 million, for inclusion in the FY’21 funding round of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) to the Boston Home Center’s ONE+Boston First-Time Homebuyer Program. The ONE+Boston program gives income-qualified, first-time Boston homebuyers a greater ability to purchase a home in Boston by combining a discount on a low-interest rate mortgage product with down payment/closing assistance. The ONE+Boston program includes the City’s first affordable mortgage product to be created specifically for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers who currently live in Boston.  The vote on the Mayor's recommended slate of projects for Community Preservation Funding was approved by the Boston City Council on Wednesday, March 31st. This additional funding will create more homeownership opportunities for low- and middle-income families and families of color. The ONE+Boston program was created by a partnership between the City of Boston, the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA), and several participating banks.  “The ONE+Boston program creates opportunities to make the dream of owning a home a reality for many Boston residents,” said Mayor Janey. “I want to thank the Community Preservation Committee for their support to expand the ONE+Boston Homebuying Program for qualified first-time homebuyers. The ability for families to purchase a home for a lower rate will increase generational wealth and help address income disparity, thus creating pathways for equity and wealth building in our communities.” The City of Boston funds generated from the Community Preservation Act will finance a permanent reduction in the interest rate of a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and offer downpayment/closing cost assistance for income-eligible residents buying their first home within Boston. The interest-rate reduction means new homebuyers can afford a larger mortgage at a lower monthly payment that is still affordable to them, and ultimately, translates into more buying power for the new homebuyer. Five of the Boston Home Center’s Participating Lenders currently offer the Boston ONE+ Program: Boston Private Bank, Santander, Cambridge Trust, Citizens Bank, and the City of Boston Credit Union.  “Thousands of Boston families, including mine, have benefited from the then Soft Second, now the ONE+ program, which was originally developed 30 years ago to address racial disparities in lending,” said Symone Crawford, Director of Homeownership Education for MAHA. “Today, we are excited to build on that program with Mayor Janey, MHP, and participating banks which will help Boston residents buy in Boston and will help us make progress in closing the racial homeownership gap."  ONE+Boston was created to enhance the purchasing power of first-time homebuyers earning less than 100% of Area Median Income (AMI), or $95,200 for a two-person household. Homes purchased through this program may be market-rate, or income-restricted.  “Thanks to the commitment of CPA funds, ONE+Boston will expand our ability to help moderate-income households and people of color,” said Elliot Schmiedl, MHP’s homeownership director. “We’re thrilled to partner with Mayor Janey and the Boston Home Center to help more people build wealth through homeownership in Boston.” Since ONE+Boston was rolled out in June 2020, the Boston Home Center has received and processed more than 240 applications, and more than 70 Boston residents have successfully purchased new homes. Of these new homebuyers, more than 70% of those helped by the ONE+Mortgage Program are households of color, and 60% of the new homebuyers earned at or below 80% of AMI or $76,200 for a two-person household. "As a first time home buyer nothing is more stressful than navigating the home buying process." said Gisell Bello, a resident of Roxbury buying a home in Hyde Park. "The ONE+ Program and the Boston Home Center gave me the support, knowledge, and funding to help me purchase a beautiful new home for my family in a neighborhood I love. I would not have been able to buy this home without this program and the help of Urban Edge throughout the buying process. My children and I are so happy with the outcome. I can't thank the Boston Home Center and Mayor Janey enough for their commitment to the ONE+ Program."  The ONE+Boston program is one of several city resources available to first-time homebuyers in Boston. Through the Boston Home Center, the City’s one-stop-shop for homebuyers and homeowners, residents can receive assistance in purchasing, improving, and keeping their home through a suite of resources including training, financial help and counseling to first-time homebuyers, guidance, and funding for homeowners for home improvements, and counseling to help families avoid foreclosure. The Home Center also markets homes developed for income-eligible, first-time homebuyers.  For more information about how to apply for the ONE+Boston program, go here. About the Department of Neighborhood Development (DND) The Department of Neighborhood Development is responsible for housing people experiencing homelessness, developing affordable housing, and ensuring that renters and homeowners can find, maintain, and stay in their homes. As part of the ongoing coronavirus response, the Office of Housing Stability is also conducting tenant’s rights workshops to educate residents about the eviction moratorium and their rights. The Boston Home Center continues to provide down payment assistance to first-time home buyers and home repairs for seniors and low-income residents. The Supportive Housing Division works with various partners around the city to rapidly house individuals who are experiencing homelessness. For more information, please visit the DND website. About the Community Preservation Act (CPA) After Boston voters adopted the CPA in November 2016, the City created a Community Preservation Fund. This fund is capitalized primarily by a one percent property tax-based surcharge on residential and business property tax bills that began in July 2017. The City uses this revenue to fund initiatives consistent with statewide CPA guidelines: affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space and public recreation. The funding of any project requires a recommendation from the Community Preservation Committee and appropriation by the City. For more information, please visit the Community Preservation webpage.

麻州撥款七千萬元推暑期學習計畫

 Baker-Polito Administration Launches Summer Learning Programs, More Than $70 Million in Funding for Schools and Community Partners Across the Commonwealth 

CANTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced the establishment of summer learning opportunities and the availability of more than $70 million in funding for school districts and community organizations to offer summer learning and recreational programs that will help students, who have been impacted by a year of remote and hybrid learning, grow academically and socially.

Students at every grade level will have opportunities to take part in a mix of academic and recreational programs offered at schools, after-school providers, community colleges and recreation sites. Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Education Secretary James Peyser and Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley made the announcement while visiting Galvin Middle School in Canton, where school officials are planning to boost learning opportunities for students this summer.

All middle schools in the Commonwealth were required to return to full time in-person learning this week. Elementary schools returned on April 5, and high schools will be required to return by May 17.

“Our administration has long maintained that children are best served academically, socially and emotionally when learning in-person and in the classroom,” said Governor Baker. “After a challenging school year for students, teachers and staff, the focus must now shift to recouping any learning loss experienced remotely to ensure that our children are equipped for success in the classroom and beyond.”

“As students and teachers return to the routine of learning in classrooms, it is time to partner with schools and communities across the Commonwealth to provide opportunities to students in all grades to learn and have fun this summer,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “To support this effort, our administration has developed several options schools can choose from and will make funding available to cover the costs.”

“As important as this summer will be to jumpstarting educational recovery, we must all embrace the reality that this will not be a one-and-done project,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “It will be a challenge we will continue work to resolve for both individual children and our public education system as a whole.”

“We are providing students access to academics as well as enrichment opportunities to help them grow and keep connected to school this summer,” said Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley. “I hope all districts across the Commonwealth take advantage of these programs and this funding the Administration has made available.”

Acceleration Academies

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will help school districts launch Acceleration Academies, which allow students to learn and build skills working intensively on one subject in small, hands-on learning environments with excellent teachers.

Students benefit from small class sizes, longer uninterrupted instructional blocks, individualized attention, project-based lessons and teacher flexibility for learning time. The Baker-Polito Administration will commit up to $25 million in grants for districts to operate Acceleration Academies using federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Response (ESSER) discretionary funds. This will be a multi-year program that the Department anticipates will impact more than 50,000 students statewide each year.

Acceleration Academies will include: 

• Early Literacy Academies for incoming kindergarteners, rising 1^st and 2^nd graders; and

• Math Acceleration Academies for rising 3^rd and 4^th graders, as well as 8^th and 10^th graders.

Summer School Matching Grants

DESE will also offer summer school matching grants, up to $15 million in federal ESSER funds, for school districts to offer 4-to-6-week, in-person programs with a mix of in-person academic and recreational activities. The Department is making these funds available to schools to enhance or expand their existing summer programs while also including mental health services and additional supports for students with individualized education plans and English learners.

Summer Acceleration to College

High school graduates from the Class of 2021 will be able to participate in Summer Acceleration to College, a new program that provides recent graduates access to credit-bearing math and English courses at no cost to them as they prepare for college.

Fourteen community colleges in the Commonwealth will participate in this program, expected to be funded at $1 million. 

Summer Step Up

The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) will support school districts to offer Summer Step Up, a new program aimed at giving extra support to young learners entering school in the fall.

Young children, who have had limited in-school experiences due to the pandemic, will be able to take part in summer learning opportunities developed in conjunction with community partners to help prepare them for school. With pre-school and kindergarten enrollments down over the last year, Summer Step Up is an opportunity to engage young learners and accelerate learning while smoothing the transition to in-person learning for young children to provide them a stronger foundation for academic success. The Administration will commit up to $10 million to this program.

In addition to these programs, the Baker-Polito Administration will: 

• Provide early literacy tutoring grants this summer and during the 2021-22 school year, funded at $10 million.

• Launch a new K-8 Math Acceleration program to help teachers increase student learning over the summer and throughout the school year.

• Expand the Biggest Winner Math Challenge – which was piloted last summer – to serve approximately 2,500 gifted math students, costing approximately $2.5 million.

• Offer college courses over the summer for rising high school juniors and seniors who are enrolled in approved Early College programs, costing approximately $1 million.

• Help camps and community organizations expand educational enrichment as part of their existing summer programs by making at least $3 million in funding available.

To learn more, please contact DESESummerProgramming@mass.gov. 

空服員協會會長背書支持 吳弭宣佈設立勞工賦能長計畫

Candidate for Mayor Michelle Wu Receives Endorsement of Sara Nelson, President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, and Unveils Plan for Cabinet-Level Worker Empowerment Chief 

Photo by Chutze Chou

Press release from Michelle Wu's campaign team

Sara Nelson, President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA
endorse Michelle Wu for Mayor of Boston. Photo by Chutze Chou

Boston, MA— City Councilor At-Large and Candidate for Mayor Michelle Wu was joined today by labor leaders Sara Nelson, President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, Tom Mari, Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 25, and Timothy Lasker, President of OPEIU Local 453, to unveil a new proposal to establish a cabinet-level Worker Empowerment Chief. They were also joined by Cambridge City Councilor Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler and Brookline Select Board Member Raul Fernandez.

In recent years, the City of Boston has taken steps to legislate worker protections, but without protocols in place to proactively investigate and enforce has continued to see tragic and preventable fatalities. The responsibility for supporting workers and enforcing labor standards, as well as investing in workforce development, is currently spread across several City departments, resulting in a lack of coordination and accountability. 

As Mayor, Michelle will create a Cabinet-level Chief of Worker Empowerment with oversight and resources to advance working Bostonians -- ensuring transparency and accountability for wage theft, workplace safety, and other labor law violators; partnering with workers’ centers, unions, and community organizations to empower reporting and coordinate resources for workers to know their rights; setting policy to create sustainable career pathways in the new economy, especially for gig workers, care workers, and green jobs, and holding the city accountable to its own contracting laws. Read the full proposal HERE.

“In this pivotal moment, our economic recovery must center working families through building healthy, safe, and resilient communities. I have always been proud to stand with workers and labor unions to fight for equity, fair wages, and safe working conditions across our city. As Mayor, I will direct every resource in city government toward supporting our working families and coordinating our services for full accountability. It’s beyond time to create a cabinet-level Chief of Worker Empowerment to close gaps, elevate the dignity of work, and advance the well-being of all Boston workers and our communities,” said Michelle Wu.

“Michelle Wu’s leadership embodies Boston’s revolutionary spirit,” said Sara Nelson, President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. “Her commitment to workers’ rights, affordable housing, a free MBTA, and climate leadership, are a bold vision that will move the city forward. As we recover from this pandemic, her plan to create a new Cabinet-level Chief of Worker Empowerment should be a model for cities across the country. I stand fully behind Michelle Wu and her vision for a stronger Boston.”

“Throughout Michelle Wu’s career on the Council, her support has not wavered for our members. Teamsters Local 25 and the Rest of the Labor Movement have fought hard for the Middle Class to be able to not only live and work in the City of Boston…but thrive in the City of Boston. Michelle has not and will not waver in her commitment to Teamsters Local 25 and Organized Labor and will continue to fight side by side with us for these common values,” said Tom Mari, Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 25.

“Michelle Wu’s proposal to establish a Cabinet Position of Chief of Worker Empowerment shows her commitment to focus on critical issues at the workplace.  It will create a more transparent process in negotiating future contracts within the government and the private sector to achieve better pay and benefits and a more diversified workforce. In the long run this will create a more efficient and productive workplace environment,” said Timothy W. Lasker, President/Business Agent of OPEIU Local 453.

Michelle has a long record of standing up for workers’ rights. In 2014, she passed the Healthcare Equity Ordinance, prohibiting discrimination in health care coverage for City employees based on gender identity. In 2015, she passed the Paid Parental Leave Ordinance, providing six weeks of paid leave for new moms and dads working for the City. Her Communications Access Ordinance, passed in 2016, guarantees translation and interpretation for residents with limited English proficiency, and assistive technology for residents with hearing or visual impairments to access City services. She also filed legislation to require a Fair Work Week for workers at city-contracted companies. 

Michelle is proud to be endorsed in the Mayor’s race by Teamsters Local 25, OPEIU Local 453 and the Alliance of Unions at the MBTA, and has the most labor endorsements in the race.

Councilor Wu’s proposal for a Cabinet-level Chief of Worker Empowerment follows her bold vision to close the childcare gap, transform our public schools, Boston Green New Deal and Just Recovery Plan, Food Justice Agenda, Digital Equity Agenda and more. 

紐英崙客家鄉親"上課" 羅烈師談傳統創新文化形成

陽明交通大學客家文化教授羅烈師。

            (Boston Orange)陽明交通大學客家文化教授羅烈師在為紐英崙客家鄉親會講談「傳統、創新與認同：客家民俗節慶介紹」時，直言文化的根本離不開人們的真實生活，輾轉相傳，因地制宜後，追究客家起源，不如探討客家形成的原因。

                        紐英崙客家鄉親會近期舉辦過多場客家文化起源講座，陸續有行政院客家委員會2019年客家終身貢獻獎得主朱真一，臺灣國立聯合大學客家研究學院院長林本炫，旁徵博引闡述，稱客家血源尚無定論，讓紐英崙客家鄉親深覺上了堂大課。

  紐英崙客家鄉親會會長宋玉琴。

               從清華大學取得人類學博士學位時，博士論文題目就是「台灣客家之形成」，目前在陽明交通大學擔任客家文化教授的羅烈師，以32頁簡報，綜述客家文化中天公與伯公等傳統，桐花祭，客家十二大節慶與六堆運動會，以及義民嘉年華所展現的民俗慶祝創新與認同。

            羅烈師指出，文化是生活方式的總和，包含物質條件，社會體制和精神等各種層面，民俗與節慶都涉及文化中的整合與認同，客家民俗節慶融合了漢文化，自有其特殊性。

他還進一步從不同角度解說客家民俗，在他會後提供的簡報上還註明，物質方面有民間美術，飲食，服飾，建築，風俗方面有家族、社會制度，婚喪祭祀，遊戲，舞蹈，音樂，宗教方面有民間信仰，靈魂轉世，妖怪，占卜，巫術，民俗療法，以及口傳文學的民間故事，神話，傳說，諺語，繞口令，歌謠等。

  紐英崙客家鄉親會前會長周一男夫婦。

             若以新窯灣年度儀式來談傳統，從政月十五繞境，許福，清明，慈悲娘娘聖誕，中緣盂蘭勝會，到十二月初一的還福，這些節慶時序，無論是從馬來西亞或台灣苗栗，基本同一脈絡，從水耕農業的運作，形成社會體制，並以伯公祭祀烘托出天地人之間的三合一關係。

               

紐英倫客家鄉親們聚會聽講。

近年來，台灣已從農業轉為工商為主的社會，為吸引年輕世代傳承，就出現了桐花祭，六堆運動會等創新形式的節慶活動。關於客家人也出現新論述，包括認為平埔族客家人中有很多是平埔族和當年占領台灣者所繁衍的後代等等。羅烈師認為，就像小時候他接受的教育讓他認為自己是炎黃子孫，但他的子女卻不這麼認為，「我們是什麼人」的認同和我們接受了什麼教育有很大關係。羅烈師以之為例的說，人們因此不必對民俗節慶過分執著，情境不同，文化會也自然的流動，創新。

               會末討論時，紐英崙客家鄉親會前會長周一男饒有興趣的追問客家緣起，事蹟。現任會長宋玉琴預告該會將於5月15日舉行年會。

National ACE - What Business Owners Should Know seminar 4/30 2-3PM ET

 

波士頓市長Kim Janey拜訪華埠商家 聆聽小企業民意 (圖片)

右起，喜臨門老闆梁國忠，華人前進會榮譽主席李素影，
波士頓市長Kim Janey，波士頓市議員Ed Flynn同席暢談，(周菊子攝)

波士頓市長Kim Janey和喜臨門老闆梁國忠。(周菊子攝)

波士頓市長Kim Janey和面包工坊老闆 Wei Liang Chen。
(周菊子攝)

肥牛火鍋老闆黃華林和波士頓市長Kim Janey。
(周菊子攝)

波士頓警察局A-1區警長也趕到現場，向波士頓市長
Kim Janey報告華埠一帶治安狀況。左起依序為，華埠
主街主任和陳素貞，波士頓警察局A-1區警長，市長聯絡員
許麗莎，肥牛火鍋老闆黃華林，波士頓市長Kim Janey。
(周菊子攝)

波士頓市長Kim Janey(右二)在華人前進會榮譽主席李素影
(右起)，華埠主街主任何陳素貞，波士頓市議員Ed Flynn，
華人前進會主任陳玉珍，前任華埠主街主任，現在
波士頓市府任職的何藹茵等人一起拜訪華埠商家。
(周菊子攝)

 

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $2.1 Million in New Funding for Career Technical Initiative

 Baker-Polito Administration Announces $2.1 Million in New Funding for Career Technical Initiative

DANVERS – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced $2.1 million in new funding to 10 vocational technical high schools as part of its Career Technical Initiative, to support additional training programs for students and adults. The funds will support training and skill-building programs in the construction, trades and manufacturing spaces across 23 different career pathways. Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito made the announcement at a visit to Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School alongside members of the Governor’s Workforce Skills Cabinet, students and school staff.

“As we vaccinate our residents and reopen our economy, our Administration remains focused on supporting businesses and workers to power our recovery, and the Career Technical Initiative will be a crucial part of that effort,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our Administration was committed to expanding these training opportunities for students and adults across the Commonwealth before the pandemic, and now this initiative takes on added importance as a crucial tool to connect people with new job opportunities and meet the needs of our employers.”

“The Career Technical Initiative is an important component to our economic recovery, because it helps connect people with career pathways in high-demand fields and expand our skilled workforce so our businesses can grow and thrive,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Congratulations to today’s recipients on these new awards, and we look forward to seeing these programs provide valuable training opportunities for people in growing STEM fields across the Commonwealth.”

Initially launched in January 2020, the Career Technical Initiative aims to train an additional 20,000 skilled trades workers over the next four years to help close skills gaps and meet the needs of businesses across the Commonwealth. The program aims to provide more Massachusetts residents access to career technical training using the state’s existing resources at vocational high schools, while simultaneously helping businesses grow by increasing the population of skilled workers able to be employed in trade and construction jobs.

“Getting people back to work is fundamental to our strategy for economic recovery, and the Career Technical Initiative represents a major component that helps address skill gaps across the Commonwealth and opens doors to new career paths for students and adults looking to join the workforce,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy.  “I want to congratulate all of the CTI grant recipients for their willingness to play a key role in maintaining the strength of the Commonwealth’s talent pipeline and wish them the best as they embark on their careers in key industries powered by a skilled, growing workforce.”

"As we look towards re-employment with a collective mission of fixing inequalities in the workforce, CTI will not just help people get jobs, but help them secure jobs in sectors that will remain in high demand for decades to come,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Rosalin Acosta. "CTI could be a pivotal difference maker for eliminating opportunity gaps and helping all communities in Massachusetts access resilient good paying jobs."

“CTI is part of a larger strategy to ensure more students have access to career and vocational technical programs,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “Students in career and technical education gain not only academic knowledge and technical skills, but they also see how what they are learning applies to the needs of employers, which gives them an advantage in their future careers.”

The Career Technical Initiative takes a multi-pronged approach to increase student enrollment and includes new state funding to help adults pay for classes, boosts business involvement in program development and credentials, and reduces licensure barriers to incentivize mid-career professionals to become vocational teachers. The initiative – developed by the Governor’s Workforce Skills Cabinet – has the support of school leaders and industry stakeholders. The Baker-Polito Administration has proposed $17 million in its Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) budget for this initiative.

An additional $1,480,000 in FY21 funds are also currently available to continue to support the Career Technical Initiative. Vocational technical schools may also apply for funding available to new and existing Career Technical Schools to support additional career pathways and retraining for adult workers or for funding for planning and program design. Learn more about applying.

Since its inception five years ago, the Workforce Skills Cabinet has awarded more than $92 million in Skills Capital Grants to high schools, colleges and other educational institutions to purchase new capital equipment and it has launched early college and early career programs at 60 high schools for over 7,000 students. To address the need to upskill workers and meet talent demand of employers, the WSC has worked across Secretariats to align funding that collectively trained 2,500 workers needing support and training for jobs in health care, finance, IT, and other high demand occupations at more than 700 companies through the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund and the Learn to Earn Initiative. In addition, the Administration prioritized growth in manufacturing by aligning manufacturing training resources under the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development to train 2,004 individuals since 2016. To support companies’ growth, the Skills Cabinet has invested grant dollars in companies to upskill their workforce through more than $20 million in Workforce Training Funds grants to train existing workers at companies for more than 16,000+ existing employees working at 700+ different businesses in FY20.

Career Technical Initiative Grant Recipients:

Greater Lawrence Technical School, $375,000: Greater Lawrence Technical School will provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Biotech Lab Technician, Carpenter, Electricians, HVAC, Plumber positions. Their grant partners include: MassHIre Merrimack Valley Career Center and Workforce Board and the following employer partners: Jones General Contractors, Ginkgo Bioworks, All-Pro Electricians, Capeless Plumbing & Heating, Marceau Construction Corp., CentiMark Corporation, National Mechanical Service Inc, Central Colling & Heating Inc, Correct Temp HVAC & Millipore Sigma.

Greater Lowell Technical HS, $100,000:  Greater Lowell Technical High School will provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Welder and Plumber positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire Lowell Career Center  and the following employer partners: UpNovr. Inc, Bouley Trucking, Welfab, Inc. Precise Industries, Ayotte Plumbing, Rick Jean Plumbing and Heating, Marcoux Plumbing and Heating.

Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, $240,000: Madison Park Technical Vocational High School will provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Welder and HVAC Technician positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire Boston Workforce Board and Career Center and the following employer partners: Feeney Utility Support Group, A-plus Welding & Engineering, Inc, Newmarket Business Association, General Air & Heating.

Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District, $100,000: Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District will provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Carpenter, CNC Machine Operator positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire Metro Boston, Metro South/West, Metro North and North Central Career Centers and the following employer partners: Tecomet, Feinmann, North River Builders, Nova Biomedical, Rolls Royce.

Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, $125,000: Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School will provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Plumber, Welder positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire North Central Career Center, MassHire North Central Workforce Board and the following employer partners: Fitchburg Welding Company, Tim’s Fabricators, Airgas, Brideau, Huhtala Oil Company, Spadafore Oil & Energy.

Nashoba Valley Technical High School, $300,000: Nashoba Valley Technical HS - Community Ed/Adult Ed will be using these grant funds to provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Automotive Services Technician, Plumber positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire Greater Lowell and North Central Career Centers and Workforce Boards and the following employer partners: Triangle Service Center, Acton Toyota of Littleton, Atamian Honda, Stansfield Tire Center, Viega LLC, J. Ellis Plumbing & Heating, Eric C. Foster Plumbing & Heating, Schlager Company, Basnett Plumbing, Heating & AC, and Local 12 Plumber’ Union.

Southeastern Regional School District, $150,000: Southeastern Regional School District will be using these grant funds to provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Welder, CNC Machine Operator positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire Brockton Career Center and Workforce Board and the following employer partners: DeAngelis Iron Works, Pine Hill Equipment, Rens Welding & Fabricating.

Greater Fall River Vocational School District, $100,000: Greater Fall River Vocational School District will be using these grant funds to provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Carpenter, Welder positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire Bristol Workforce Board and Career Centers and the following employer partners: Davico Manufacturing, Dartmouth Building Supply, North Atlantic Corporation.

Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, $540,000: Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School will be using these grant funds to provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Welding, Electrical Technician, BioLab Technician, Automotive Services Technicians, HVAC, Plumber, Construction Craft positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire North Shore Workforce Board and Career Centers and the following employer partners: T.W. Webb Company, Cranney Home Services, National Mechanical Service, Tremblay Heating, Kelley Automotive Group, Mini of Peabody, Lyon Waugh Auto Group, Groom Construction, Menino Construction, Bilo Plumbing & Heating, Breen Sullivan Mechanical Services, partners: alem Metal, Inc., Krohne, Cotter Brothers Corporation, Local 22 Construction & General Laborer’s Union, Groom Construction, Harmonic Drive, Innovent Technologies, Lyon-Waugh Auto Group, Mini of Peabody, New England Biolabs.

Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, $90,000: Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School will be using these grant funds to provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for CNC Machine Operator, Welder positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire Merrimack Valley Career Center and Workforce Board and the following employer partners: Arwood Machine, Magellan Aerospace, Fairview Machine, Aero Manufacturing, Metacrafters, East Coast Welding & Metal Fabrication, Metal Tronics, LLC.

波士頓慈濟志工世界地球日清掃公園

世界地球日有新世代愛的足跡

撰文：蕭惠菁、甯靜嘉

活動前Emerald Necklace 志工(後排二位)與活動參與志工合影。

四月的波士頓  , 翠綠的大地在蔚藍的晴空下襯映出最美的春景 , 微風徐徐 , 溫暖到恰到好處的陽光 , 我們怎能放棄這大好的社區活動機會呢！慈濟波士頓聯絡處一如往年參與世界地球日的相關活動 ,  今年特別在疫情衝擊的條件下，參與 Emerald Necklace 環境保護組織，在波士頓Franklin Park Zoo附近空曠的社區公園清理垃圾，活動也依照防疫規則調整進行 , 如 : 每個時段人數的限制 , 皆在州政府規定的防疫準則下進行 , 以確保參加的社區志工達到社交安全距離的方式與人數的規範。

4/24 週六一早 , 志工們依照被分配的時間紛紛來到 , 經由 Emerald Necklace 組織協助填寫 COVID WAIVER 以確保每位民眾的健康狀況

慈濟用環保回收紙類、塑膠瓶製成相框，紐英崙中華專業人協會會長

康雅雰(左)和波士頓台灣影展協會會長蔡涵庭留影。

攝影者: 蕭惠菁

，此次慈濟波士頓聯絡處與紐英崙中華專業人員協會(NEACP)合辦 , 更是希望藉由結合社區，大家的力量一起參與環境清潔愛護地球的活動 , 並從中了解「環保 , 茹素 , 愛地球」其實很簡單 ,它就在我們生活中。隨後，慈濟志工蕭惠菁協助手套與清潔器具分發 ,  NEACP 的主辦人康雅雰協助帶隊出發，行動力陸續展開，過程中 , 就讀中醫研究所的慈濟志工陳慧盈 , 將沿路所見的藥草介紹給其他參與的志工，有如額外的尋寶遊戲，慈濟志工甯靜嘉 、林毓雅介紹「環保 , 茹素」實為一體 , 最重要是鼓勵大家盡量少用一次性用品，並將資源回收再利用，為了珍惜地球與環境保護，志工們精神抖擻，越做越歡喜。

許多參與者分享，在這麼好的天氣中，能夠全家一起出來曬曬太陽，一起做環保愛護地球的活動，真的非常開心，尤其居家防疫隔離這麼久的時間，第一次到戶外這麼長的時間，實屬難得，而且是如此有意義的活動，真的很棒！活動尾聲，大家坐在草坪上，一起享用蔬食便當，分享許久未曾面對面聊的話題，愉快的話語、笑聲為活動劃上句點，垃圾清理了，我們帶上愛環境的續航力，期待下一個再相聚的行動。

「在疫情之下 , 大家可以參與這個活動，很有意義。」—社區志工 River Yang  (慈濟波士頓聯絡處提供)

中華民俗藝術工作坊青少年參加世界地球日活動。攝影者: 甯靜嘉

慈濟志工在世界地球日貢獻一己之力。攝影者: 甯靜嘉

慈濟志工林毓雅、陳慧盈帶參與者玩大地遊戲。攝影者: 甯靜嘉

活動結束志工們歡喜享用 Ginger 日式餐廳贊助的蔬食便當
攝影者:蕭蕙菁。