Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $5 Million to Support Mental Health Among Young Children

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $5 Million to Support

Mental Health Among Young Children

 

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that they are awarding $5 million in Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Grants to organizations that support the social-emotional development and behavioral health of children in early education and care programs across Massachusetts. This funding will go to six organizations that serve early education programs by training providers and improving program processes to promote the developmental, social-emotional, and behavioral well-being of infants and young children in their care. These grants support the healthy development of the youngest students and aim to reduce the suspension and expulsion rate in early education and care settings and promote school success and community health.

 

“We have a mental health crisis that has only been made worse by the pandemic, particularly for our youngest kids,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These grants will provide early education and care programs with the tools and resources needed to help educators identify those who are struggling and support families in accessing care.” 

 

“Early education and care programs play a vital role in supporting the foundation for infant and child mental health that will serve our students throughout their lives. We are pleased to provide this funding so that our early educators can access the resources they need to help young children learn about and manage their feelings, supporting healthy social and emotional development in their classroom and beyond,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.  

 

These grantees serve and support early education and care programs in many ways, including improving policies, procedures and practices to be trauma-informed and center the social-emotional and behavioral well-being of children; developing strategies for staff self-care; strengthening skills to identify children with or at-risk for behavioral, developmental, or mental health difficulties and supporting the implementation of positive behavior interventions and supports using evidence-based practices. These mental health grantees will also help early education and care programs build stronger relationships with families to support children both in the classroom and their homes, including with individualized behavior support plans for children and referrals to other community-based services. 

 

“As I travel around the state, I often hear about the mental and behavioral health challenges happening in our early education and care programs. These grants, in addition to the STREET trainings EEC and the OCA rolled out earlier this year, will support early childhood educators become more trauma-informed and responsive, enabling them to better support the healthy development of all children,” said Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler.

 

“The awardees of the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Grants are doing critical work to strengthen the foundation of well-being for our youngest learners,” said EEC Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “By equipping early education programs with expert guidance and responsive support, these partners are helping educators manage challenging behaviors, support families, and create nurturing environments where every child can thrive. We are proud to invest in their leadership and the transformative impact they bring to communities across the Commonwealth.”

 

Addressing the youth mental health crisis is a priority for the administration. The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) in February launched Strategies for Trauma Responsive Early Educator Training (STREET), which provides virtual and in-person trainings intentionally designed for the early education and care workforce to strengthen early childhood educators' skills in social-emotional learning as an essential part of a child’s development. The administration is also working to develop an early education through higher education mental health framework for students. 

 

Learn about social emotional learning, behavioral and mental health supports, and early special education services resources available for early education and care programs on EEC’s website: mass.gov/early-childhood-resources.

 

“This grant funding is an important investment in our young learners," said State Representative Ken Gordon (D-Bedford), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “Supporting the social-emotional development and behavioral health of our children from the start will set them on a path of long-term success."

 

“These grants will support our youngest students and their families as well as the dedicated providers and educators caring for them,” said State Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “With this funding from the Legislature, more early education organizations will be able to improve their training and programming to promote the development and mental health of their students.”

 

The 2025 Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Grant Awardees:

 

• Behavioral Health Network, Inc.: $938,956

Cities and towns served: Adams, Agawam, Alford, Amherst, Ashfield, Athol, Becket, Belchertown, Bernardston, Blandford, Buckland, Charlemont, Cheshire, Chester, Chesterfield, Chicopee, Clarksburg, Colrain, Conway, Cummington, Dalton, Deerfield, East Longmeadow, Easthampton, Egremont, Erving, Florida, Gill, Goshen, Granby, Granville, Great Barrington, Greenfield, Hadley, Hampden, Hancock, Hatfield, Hawley, Heath, Hinsdale, Holyoke, Huntington, Lanesborough, Lee, Lenox, Leverett, Leyden, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Middlefield, Monroe, Monson, Montague, Monterey, Montgomery, Mount Washington, New Ashford, New Marlborough, New Salem, North Adams, Northampton, Northfield, Orange, Otis, Palmer, Pelham, Peru, Petersham, Phillipston, Pittsfield, Plainfield, Richmond, Rowe, Royalston, Russell, Sandisfield, Savoy, Sheffield, Shelburne, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Southampton, Southwick, Springfield, Stockbridge, Sunderland, Tolland, Tyringham, Ware, Warwick, Washington, Wendell, West Springfield, West Stockbridge, Westfield, Westhampton, Whately, Wilbraham, Williamsburg, Williamstown, Windsor, and Worthington

 

• Community Health Link, Inc.: $733,492

Cites and towns served: Ashburnham, Ashby, Auburn, Ayer, Barre, Bellingham, Berlin, Blackstone, Bolton, Boylston, Brimfield, Brookfield, Charlton, Clinton, Douglas, Dudley, East Brookfield, Fitchburg, Franklin, Gardner, Grafton, Groton, Hardwick, Harvard, Holden, Holland, Hopedale, Hubbardston, Lancaster, Leicester, Leominster, Lunenburg, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Northbridge, Oakham, Oxford, Paxton, Pepperell, Princeton, Rutland, Shirley, Shrewsbury, Southbridge, Spencer, Sterling, Sturbridge, Sutton, Templeton, Townsend, Upton, Uxbridge, Wales, Warren, Webster, West Boylston, West Brookfield, Westminster, Winchendon, and Worcester

 

• Empower, Inc.: $554,244

Cites and towns served: Acton, Arlington, Ashland, Belmont, Boxboro, Canton, Dover, Foxborough, Framingham, Hingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Concord, Marlborough, Maynard, Medfield, Millis, Littleton, Natick, Newton, Norfolk, Northborough, Norwell, Norwood, Plainville, Scituate, Sharon, Sherborn, Southborough, Stow, Sudbury, Walpole, Watertown, Wayland, Westborough, Westwood, and Wrentham

 

• Justice Resource Institute, Inc.: $901,840

Cites and towns served: Abington, Acushnet, Aquinnah, Attleboro, Avon, Barnstable, Berkley, Bourne, Brewster, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Chatham, Chilmark, Dartmouth, Dennis, Dighton, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Eastham, Easton, Edgartown, Fairhaven, Fall River, Falmouth, Freetown, Gosnold, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Harwich, Holbrook, Kingston, Lakeville, Mansfield, Marion, Marshfield, Mashpee, Mattapoisett, Middleborough, Nantucket, New Bedford, North Attleborough, Norton, Oak Bluffs, Orleans, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Provincetown, Raynham, Rehoboth, Rochester, Rockland, Sandwich, Seekonk, Somerset, Stoughton, Swansea, Taunton, Tisbury, Truro, Wareham, Wellfleet, West Bridgewater, West Tisbury, Westport, Whitman, and Yarmouth

 

• Massachusetts Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Children: $1,154,471

Cites and towns served: Amesbury, Andover, Bedford, Beverly, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Boxford, Danvers, Dracut, Dunstable, Essex, Everett, Georgetown, Gloucester, Groveland, Hamilton, Haverhill, Ipswich, Lawrence, Lexington, Lincoln, Lowell, Lynn, Lynnfield, Malden, Manchester, Marblehead, Medford, Melrose, Merrimac, Methuen, Middleton, Nahant, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, North Reading, Peabody, Reading, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Salisbury, Saugus, Stoneham, Swampscott, Tewksbury, Topsfield, Tyngsborough, Wakefield, Waltham, Wenham, West Newbury, Westford, Wilmington, Winchester, and Woburn

 

• Walker, Inc.: $716,997

Cites and towns served: Boston, Braintree, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Cohasset, Dedham, Hull, Milton, Needham, Quincy, Randolph, Revere, Somerville, Weston, Weymouth, Winthrop, and Wellesley

 

Senate Acts to Reform Child Custody Law to Conform with National Standards

Senate Acts to Reform Child Custody Law to Conform with National Standards

New law supports safety and well-being of children, brings national uniformity to child custody cases

 

(BOSTON—7/17/2025) Today the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed legislation to modernize laws that protect children and families going through child custody proceedings.

 

The legislation, S.2550, would ensure Massachusetts courts follow the same procedures as the other 49 states in the country, bring laws up to date with international best practices, and simplify the process for families going through multi-state custody cases.

 

More specifically, this legislation creates clear rules for multi-state custody cases and prioritizes the home state of the child when determining custody jurisdiction, thereby preventing forum shopping by a parent seeking a more-favorable outcome in another state. It also updates the law to streamline case registration and enforce out-of-state determinations, enhances protections for children and families who are going through custody proceedings in Massachusetts, and boosts flexibility for families through the creation of hearing notice requirements and by allowing remote participation in proceedings.

 

“Today’s legislation aims to simplify a process that is already difficult for children and families,” saidSenate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Bringing Massachusetts in line with other states will provide families clarity and, we hope, decrease the stress of what is already a stressful situation. I’m grateful to Majority Leader Creem for her continued advocacy for this legislation, and to Chair Rodrigues and Chair Edwards for their support.”

 

“I’m proud that the Senate has once again taken decisive action to advance S.2550, which would finally bring Massachusetts in line with the rest of the country by passing the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act,” said Senate Majority Leader Cindy Creem (D-Newton). “This legislation reflects years of collaboration and calls from advocates to adopt this code and better protect the rights of parents during this already difficult time. I’m grateful to my colleagues for supporting a measure that brings clarity and fairness to our custody laws and helps ensure that families navigating these disputes are not further burdened.”

 

“This bill streamlines the child custody process and puts the Commonwealth in line with other states that already have adopted uniform laws regarding child custody. These cases are stressful enough for children and families, so anything we can do to make the process involving out-of-state custody cases smoother is beneficial for all parties,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This legislation also prioritizes the home state of the child, enhances protections for these children, and allows remote participation, a crucial component in multi-state proceeding where distance is a factor. This bill is the result of persistent advocacy by Majority Leader Creem and Chair Edwards, and all children and families involved will feel the impact of this legislation.”

 

“Today’s unanimous vote sends a strong message: Massachusetts is committed to protecting children and families with clear and consistent custody laws,” said Senator Lydia Edwards (D-East Boston), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. “By aligning our procedures with every other state and international best practices, this legislation will reduce confusion, enhance protections, and bring much-needed clarity. These updates are about making the process more efficient, and ultimately more focused on the best interests of the child. I want to thank Senator Creem for her continued leadership on this legislation and Senate President Spilka and Chair Rodrigues for their support.”

 

The standard for child custody jurisdiction was established under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), drafted in 1997 by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. If passed, Massachusetts would join all other states in adopting the uniform laws.

 

The legislation was reported out of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary on June 12, 2025, and from the Senate Committee on Ways and Means on July 10, 2025. Votes of both committees are available online, along with a full summary of the legislation and a recording of the Senate’s livestreamed debate and vote on the bill.  

 

Having passed the Senate, the bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

MAYOR WU, CITY, STATE OFFICIALS CELEBRATE FIRST 100+ UNITS CONVERTED FROM OFFICES NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN BOSTON

 MAYOR WU, CITY, STATE OFFICIALS CELEBRATE FIRST 100+ UNITS CONVERTED FROM OFFICES NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN BOSTON

BOSTON - Thursday, July 17, 2025 - Mayor Wu, along with City and State officials, today celebrated the first 141 homes that are currently under construction and being converted from former vacant office buildings, as part of the City of Boston’s Office to Residential Conversion Program, 26 of which will be income-restricted. These buildings include 263 Summer Street, 129 Portland Street, 615 Albany Street, and 281 Franklin Street. The building at 281 Franklin Street, which will create 15 homes, will have tenants move in at the end of the summer.

“Boston is building the foundation for a stronger, more vibrant downtown through our dedication to housing, public safety, and economic growth. As cities across the country look to revitalize and reenergize their downtown neighborhoods, in Boston downtown foot traffic is up and commercial vacancies have been nearly cut in half with a focus on safety, business recruitment, and activation,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “The Office to Residential Conversion program is critical to this momentum. Today marks a major milestone for housing creation, with 780 units in the pipeline for the Office to Residential Conversion program and a groundbreaking for 141 of those new homes. Working with the state, the business community, and neighborhood partners, we’re bucking national and local trends and transforming underutilized office space into homes for over a thousand new residents.”

“Acknowledging the challenges in the construction industry today, it is extremely exciting that we can celebrate the conversion of multiple office buildings into new homes in our Downtown,” said Chief of Planning Kairos Shen. “This program is one part of our multi-pronged approach to expand housing options Downtown to respond to post-pandemic economic shifts and create a vibrant, 18-hour, mixed-use neighborhood.”

The building at 263 Summer Street will create 77 homes in the historic district of Fort Point. As part of the conversion, the building will preserve the historic Boston Wharf Co. sign. At 60,000 SF, this is the first Article 80 Large Project to go through the Office-to-Residential Conversion Program and is located in close proximity to South Station, easily connecting it to the rest of the region. 

“I want to thank Mayor Michelle Wu for her unwavering commitment to addressing Boston’s office vacancy and housing shortages — not as separate problems, but as one extraordinary opportunity,” said Owner of Burns Realty & Investments, Adam Burns. “Your leadership has turned what could have been a crisis into a catalyst for reinvention, and we are proud to stand with you in that effort with this project at 263 Summer Street to redevelop this historic office building into 77 new homes.”

The project at 129 Portland Street in the Bulfinch Triangle will create 25 homes. This is the first conversion project in the Bulfinch Triangle, made possible by recent zoning changes that made residential an allowed use in the neighborhood, which will help to facilitate more office-to-residential conversion projects. 

The project at 615 Albany Street in the South End will create 24 homes. It is the first conversion project adding an additional floor on top to increase the number of housing units, while remaining consistent with the surrounding buildings in the historic South End neighborhood, and preserving what was originally the old Naval Blood Research Laboratory building.

“We feel extremely lucky to be able to participate in Mayor Wu's Office to Residential Conversion program,” said Owner of Construo Development Greg McCarthy. “We are excited to bring dozens of new homes to both the Bulfinch triangle neighborhood and the South End, while also hopefully bolstering the activity in these neighborhoods. We are currently working with staff on two more conversion projects that will hopefully have the same or even stronger impacts on the community. I believe this program provides solutions to multiple issues that are critical both now, and for the future of Boston.”

“Revitalizing the downtown area by converting office space to residential units will be a tremendous boost to the area and will help create more housing units throughout the city,” said Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means (D-Boston). “I want to thank Mayor Wu and her administration for the vision and foresight into making these conversations a reality. I look forward to more events like this as we work together to create more much needed housing units across the city.”

  

The program, which formally launched in October of 2023, has so far received 16 applications to create a total of 780 units of housing, 142 income-restricted, across 21 buildings and convert 620,000 SF of office space to residential space. Of those applications, 595 units have been approved by the BPDA Board. More than 100 units are also expected to begin construction this fall.

“We are thrilled to see the progress the Wu Administration has made on the Office-to-Residential conversion program in Downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods,” said President of the Downtown Boston Alliance Michael J. Nichols. “The proximity our workforce lives to their Downtown jobs is the single strongest correlating factor in catalyzing higher rates of office visitation, while adding residences near Downtown offers improved local foot traffic to support Downtown restaurants and retailers. This program is making a meaningful difference in providing workers and families with new opportunities to live in the heart of our city and continues to have our full support.” 

The Office to Residential Conversion Program provides a 75% tax abatement for 29 years as an incentive to developers to convert vacant office spaces into residential units.This spring, the City expanded the program to include student and workforce housing. The goal of this program is to support owners and developers of older commercial office building spaces in converting them to residential units, while also increasing the housing stock in Downtown Boston. The program is also designed to respond to post-pandemic economic shifts that will prioritize expanding housing options Downtown, creating an 18-hour, mixed-use neighborhood. 

The application will remain open through the end of the year, with approvals given on a rolling basis. Applicants to the program would commit to pull a full building permit and start construction by Dec 31, 2026 to get these much needed units built as fast as possible. 

Senate Acts to Protect Consumers from Predatory Debt Collection

Senate Acts to Protect Consumers from Predatory Debt Collection

New law would lower interest rates, strengthen wage protections, and ban imprisonment for unpaid consumer debt.

 

(BOSTON—7/17/2025) Today, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed the Debt Collection Fairness Act to protect consumers and keep people from being pushed into financial ruin if they are sued for financial debt. The new law would make debt collection practices fairer, protect wages, and make clear that no person can be imprisoned for unpaid consumer debt.

 

The legislation, S.2537, would strengthen consumer protections to ensure that individuals can retain some financial security when they are sued for debts that are frequently old and potentially bought by debt collection companies for pennies on the dollar.

 

The bill would protect thousands of families across Massachusetts—including many in communities of color—by reducing the interest rate on consumer debt from 12 per cent to 3 per cent, exempting most wages and child support from garnishment, and establishing a five-year statute of limitations for legal claims.

 

The bill also prohibits employers from penalizing employees due to wage garnishment or personal debt, and adds further protections for individuals coping with financial hardship.

 

“Families already in the grip of debt should not have to choose between putting food on the table and paying the exorbitant costs charged by debt collection companies—or fear imprisonment,” saidSenate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “It is a story we hear too often, and far too often in our communities of color. An equitable Commonwealth is one where we have people’s backs, and I’m proud that the Senate is taking action today to do just that. I am also thankful to Chair Rodrigues, Chair Feeney, and Senator Eldridge for their work.”

 

“I’m pleased the Senate has passed this commonsense consumer protection measure,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This long overdue legislation will protect individuals from being pushed over a financial cliff due to unsavory debt collectors who prey upon people experiencing financial hardship, with marginalized communities often being disproportionally affected. It’s more important than ever for the Commonwealth to stand up and protect these basic consumer rights in the wake of protections disappearing at the federal level. I thank Chair Feeney, Senator Eldridge, and Senate President Spilka for their determined effort to bring this important legislation to the Senate floor for passage.”

 

“Those caught in the grip of a debt cycle know all too well the often-predatory practices used by debt collectors, and the crippling reality of staring down a ballooning debt that seems insurmountable,” saidSenator Paul Feeney, Chair of the Joint Committee on Financial Services (D-Foxborough). “While the Debt Collection Fairness Act will not eliminate debt or an obligation to pay, the bill does provide a lifeline and opportunity for hope for those caught in the deepest depths of this spiral so that families have some room to breathe, to move forward and break this debilitating cycle. I am grateful to Senator Jamie Eldridge for championing this and for his strong advocacy, the many stakeholders and advocates who brought this bill forward, and for the leadership of Chair Michael Rodrigues and Senate President Karen Spilka for their commitment to empowering working people and protecting our constituents from shady practices.”

 

“President Trump is dismantling federal government agencies dedicated to protecting consumers,” said Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough), primary sponsor of the legislation. “Here in Massachusetts, I am proud that the state Senate is voting on my bill—the Debt Collection Fairness Act—to provide protections from the predatory practices of debt collectors for working class families. I’d like to thank Senate President Karen E. Spilka, Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Michael J. Rodrigues, and Financial Services Senate Committee Chair Paul R. Feeney for their steadfast support for this bill.”

 

The legislation was reported out of the Joint Committee on Financial Services on June 20, 2025, and from the Senate Committee on Ways and Means on July 10, 2025. Votes of both committees are available online, along with a full summary of the legislation and a recording of the Senate’slivestreamed debate and vote on the bill.  

 

Having passed the Senate, the bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES FREE ARTS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMING COMING TO CITY HALL PLAZA

 

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES FREE ARTS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMING COMING TO CITY HALL PLAZA  Events will foster community connections, celebrate local talent, and strengthen Downtown Boston.

BOSTON – Thursday, July 17, 2025 – Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture today announced an expansive lineup of free cultural programming coming to City Hall Plaza, featuring over 25 events that will transform the iconic downtown space throughout the summer and fall. Now in its third year, this series is made possible through the City's innovative City Hall Plaza Engagement grant program, which showcases Boston's thriving artistic diversity while providing a vital platform for local creatives and organizations to reach new audiences in the heart of downtown.   “We are thrilled to welcome such talented artists and creatives this season, reflecting our city’s rich diversity and contributing to City Hall Plaza as a welcoming spot throughout the year,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “We look forward to seeing everyone on the Plaza.” The season delivers an extraordinary range of programming, from an all-female hip-hop showcase to a celebration of Boston's culinary heritage to intimate spoken word performances and chess workshops led by local chess masters. Several of the events feature cross-cultural collaborations, with many organizations and artists coming together for the first time to create an even larger creative footprint. All of the events reflect the city's ongoing commitment to amplifying diverse voices and creating accessible cultural experiences for all residents. “I am so excited to step into a third year of successful programming at City Hall Plaza,” said Billy Dean Thomas, City Hall Plaza Engagement Director. “The momentum we have built in partnership with local artists, organizations, and vendors has created a new energy surrounding the Plaza. Folks are so excited about the lineup of free events that they travel from other cities like Springfield, Hartford, and NYC to attend! This year, we continue our commitment to support changemakers who are overlooked and underfunded, such as LGBTQ+ creatives, women of color, and our elders.” The programming emerged from a highly competitive selection process, with the City's open call drawing over 115 applications from local artists and organizations citywide. Each selected group received City funding along with comprehensive production support and technical assistance to bring their vision to life. “With this funding, we can ensure that our event is inclusive, accessible, and professionally produced — elevating the visibility of our neighborhoods and ensuring that every story is heard,” said Annie Le, Director of Boston Little Saigon. “City Hall Plaza is a symbolic and central gathering space that represents the heart of civic life in Boston. Hosting Boston Cultural Districts Festival: One Boston, Many Stories here sends a powerful message: that the cultural richness of neighborhoods like Roxbury, the Latin Quarter, Fenway, and Boston Little Saigon belongs at the center of our city’s narrative. For our communities, it means recognition, representation, and pride. It affirms that their histories, art, and voices are not only vital to the local fabric but also worthy of being celebrated on a prominent, public stage.” “Being awarded the City Hall Plaza Engagement Grant supports our major goals and milestones by allowing us to provide a larger platform to Boston's incredible creative women,” said Sadiq Ervin, founder of The Blair Project.” The Blair Project has been highlighting creative women across the city of Boston for the past three years, so to be able to have our work be recognized and be permitted to inject more resources into our platform means the world to us.” This marks the third year of programming at the renovated City Hall Plaza, building on remarkable momentum that has established the space as a cultural cornerstone. Over the past two years, the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture has presented over 50 events at the plaza, drawing over 21,000 attendees.  This year’s lineup includes:  Cultural Districts: One Boston, Many Stories Festival - July 20, 2025 A vibrant, city-wide celebration of the rich cultural heritage that defines Boston's neighborhoods. This dynamic festival brings together the heartbeats of four unique cultural districts — the Latin Quarter, Fenway Cultural District, Roxbury Cultural District, and Boston Little Saigon — for a day of music, art, food, storytelling, and connection. Slam Theatre - July 24, 2025 An outdoor Great American Variety Show featuring 10-minute plays, dance, live jazz, and spoken word performances featuring the new Poet Laureates of Boston and Massachusetts, Emmanuel Oppong-Yeboah and Regie Gibson. Bridgeside Cypher - August 2, 2025 A freestyle rap cypher in the heart of City Hall Plaza, with the goal of building bridges between people of different backgrounds through hip-hop. Reclaiming Our Past, Building Bridges to the Future - September 7, 2025 Access Culture is partnering with the North American Indian Center of Boston (NAICOB) and the Museum of African American History to highlight the important contributions of Black and Native communities to City Hall Plaza, formerly known as Scollay Square. The event will feature music, dance, and a ceremonial cleansing of City Hall Plaza. Fiesta En La Plaza - September 28 and October 12, 2025 Over two days, talented artists from across Latin America, who now call Boston home, will share their cultural roots through music, dancing, film, a panel on an Afro-Latin identity and more! Spicetoberfest  - October 18, 2025 A harvest-inspired cultural marketplace and festival celebrating spice, culture, and food! This family-friendly event showcases the city's rich culinary diversity through live cooking demonstrations by local chefs, a marketplace with spicy food vendors, and exciting spicy food challenges. Experience cultural storytelling sessions, interactive workshops, arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, and creative spicy mocktails and cocktails. Rock The Plaza - October 26, 2025 An intergenerational celebration featuring a lineup of performances highlighting senior women in rock music.  The Blair Project - October 31, 2025 Combining Halloween festivities with an all-women line-up of hip-hop artists and DJs, the Blair Project celebrates the rich cultural contributions of women to Boston's art, music, and entertainment communities. Boots With The Fur - November 2, 2025 An all-day dance convention from 617 Country featuring a mix of country western dance and soul line dance that provides space for queer folks of all ages. Visual Language: An evening of projection art and poetry - November 13, 2025 Artists for Humanity teens will be showcasing a series of portraits celebrating historical figures as 3D projections onto the facade of City Hall Plaza. Each projection will be accompanied by live music, poetry readings, and will celebrate inspirational leaders, trailblazers, and innovators throughout history.  Recurring Events: 3 Days of Chess: August 3, 10 and 17, 2025.  An all-ages series from Jamaica Plain Chess offering workshops led by Boston-based chess masters and an unrated chess tournament open to the public. "If you can Feel it, you can Speak it" - July 13, August 10, September 14, October 12, November 9, December 14, 2025 An open mic series dedicated to the voices and experiences of LGBTQIA2+ communities of color and allies. FREE VERSE Presents “Spotlight Sessions” - August 28, September 25, October 23, November 20, December 18, 2025 A series of dynamic, interactive, and community-driven events designed to foster integration of emerging youth artists alongside more established artists. Each event will create a space for mentorship, shared creativity, and engage in critical social conversations amongst local artists. Featuring open mic performances in poetry, music, visual art, dance, comedy, and more, the series will explore themes of social justice, personal growth, creativity, and cultural celebration. To learn more, visit boston.gov/cityhallplaza.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Disappointed by Supreme Court Decision Allowing the Dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 17, 2025

CONTACT:
Aleisha Flores (DC) aflores@advancingjustice-aajc.org

Liana Liang (CA), lliang@ajsocal.org 

Grace Pai (IL), gpai@advancingjustice-chicago.org 

James Woo (GA), jwoo@advancingjustice-atlanta.org 

 

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Disappointed by Supreme Court Decision Allowing the Dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education 

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Monday, the Supreme Court, without any explanation, allowed the Trump Administration to move forward with gutting the U.S. Department of Education (ED), a move that undermines Congressional authority and will effectively prevent the implementation of statutory requirements. 

 

Asian Americans Advancing Justice, an affiliation  of four independent civil rights organizations, issues the following statement in response: 

 

“We were deeply troubled by the President’s Executive Order directing the closure of the Department of Education back in March. The nation’s highest court permitting this to happen without an explanation and before a decision on the merits is especially alarming. The eradication of ED will be detrimental to students nationwide, especially the 2.7 million Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students we serve.  

 

“For the last forty years, the Department has provided equitable opportunities for students to learn and thrive. Without ED’s critical funding, civil rights enforcement, school environment guidance, language access support, and research—among many other services—the futures of millions of students, their families, and educators are uncertain. Without policies that protect and advocate for their success, AANHPI students will be vulnerable to discrimination and be at risk of being overlooked in the classroom. While we are disappointed by the Court’s shadow docket permitting the interim dismantling of ED, we can assure our community that we will continue to defend equitable and accessible education for all. We remain hopeful that a final decision on the merits will vindicate the rule of law and the rights of federal workers, allowing ED to continue serving the needs of students everywhere.” 

 

大波士頓文協2025 BBQ. 祖孫三代共ㄉ締近200人盛況

大波士頓中華文化協會2025 BBQ近200人出席。（文協提供）

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文協野餐合影。（文協提供）

Boston Orange周菊子麻州報導）大波士頓中華文化協會（GBCCA）7月12日在Auburndale Cove公園舉辦的年度夏日野餐，在會長趙寧吆喝，熱心志工傾力相助中再創盛況，老中青幼近200人歡聚一處，寒暄敘舊，結交新友，開心十分。

文協會長趙寧（左起）用喇叭宣佈抽獎的中獎者。韓蓮芳，吳德惠坐鎮接待桌。
（周菊子攝）

文協近年面對傳承挑戰，許多老會員退休後遷居，以至會員人數從最盛時期的數百人驟減至80餘人，會內分支雲鶴社，倒是由於多數活動在網上舉行，散居美國，甚至台灣的老友們都鼎力支持，頻繁辦講座，甚至比文協還活躍。

抽獎時忙得人仰馬翻。（周菊子攝）

12日這天會這麼熱鬧，則是一因會長趙寧決定與紐英崙青少年夏令營合作，加強長輩與後輩之間交流，於是有了80多名年輕人參加，一是雲鶴社的龍俐麗，湯耀武，葛佑梅，胡世沛等台柱們，以及蔣宗壬，陳瑞虹等文協前輩們，紛紛出席支持，以至於參加活動人數從100開始，不斷跳升至高達170多人。12日那天還又有波克萊台灣商會會長陳奕如，活動組組長夏承賢等好多人臨時參加的來到會場。

文協會長趙寧在野餐會後發感謝文，直言這次活動，有近200人參加，能夠順利舉辦，全靠陳玉瑛、陳韻潔、韓咪咪、王豫靈、楊羅東、徐宗玲、吳德惠、吳宇懷、薩芝楠等文協幹部分工合作，甚至有人從台北提供問卷的來出點子，討論，分工，底定各項細節。

大波士頓文協今年的ＢＢＱ會場。（周菊子攝）

活動當天，又有副會長吳德惠和韓蓮芳、徐宗玲坐鎮接待桌，迎迓陸續抵達的參加者，前會長賴超強和楊曉華從文協運了十張長桌，許多椅子到現場，紐英崙青少年中文夏令營的營長Christopher率領了一批年輕力壯的「搬運手」，一下子就把會場佈置得有模有樣，從餐館訂來的素炒海帶，煮玉米，炸雞塊等中餐，配上熱狗，漢堡，燒烤，韓咪咪做的仙草茶，文協準備的檸檬茶，西瓜等等，讓參加野餐活動的人圍桌而聚，暢敘種種，開心非常。

吃喝得差不多時，現場還有譚繼欣、談宗儀母女示範耍棍，張越麒帶跳Zumba

活動高潮之一是張越騎（前左）帶動跳。（周菊子攝）

，文協合唱團團員周映秋打趣說，該請團長姜詮也帶大家唱唱歌。野餐快結束時，會長趙寧主持抽獎，其中一名抽中獎品的女士開心的說，是「東坡茶」耶。

會長趙寧說，這天最難得的是，有好幾家是祖孫三代出動。創辦「余心樂農場」的郭延鐸，這天就是和父親郭中一，女兒真真一起來參加，讓他感動，太感動的看到了文協永續發展的潛力無窮。

譚繼欣（又）和女兒談宗儀示範耍棍。（周菊子攝）

文協志工負責分餐。（文協提供）

波士頓房東協會創辦人潘樹仁（右）當臨時義工，為波克萊台灣商會活動組組長
夏承賢（左）乘一碗仙草茶。（周菊子攝）

陳瑞紅（左起）和賴惠、鄒篤岑（右）。

蔣宗壬（右）在會場和老友寒暄。（周菊子攝）

葛幼梅。（周菊子攝）

周映秋（中）要文協合唱團團長姜詮（右）帶頭唱歌。（周菊子攝）

波克萊台灣商會會長陳奕如（左起）和商會活動組組長夏承賢，
理事陳玉瑛、羅靖春來張商會合影。（周菊子攝）

左起，韓蓮芳，吳德惠、徐宗玲坐鎮接待台。（周菊子攝）

胡世沛（右一）等人圍聚一桌。（文協提供）

楊羅東（左二）、劉建靖（右一）等人圍桌聚談。（文協提供）