(Boston Orange編譯)麻州政府7月28日宣佈，經濟發展廳（EOEC）的「社會企業資本補助計畫」（Social Enterprise Capital Grant Program）」將撥發100萬元，支持4家非營利組織擴建或修繕設施，以協助面對就業困難的身心障礙者、成癮康復者，以及低收入少數族裔等人士，獲得職業訓練，找到有薪工作。
麻州經濟發展廳廳長艾瑞克·帕利（Eric Paley）表示，這補助計劃結合薪資、實訓與配套服務，幫助麻州居民獲得長期的穩定生計機會。申請補助的非營利機構必須以發展勞動力為核心使命，提供職業培訓之外，同時經營商品銷售或服務提供等業務，而且主要培訓對象為弱勢群體。補助經費可用於購買、修繕或改善相關設施。
獲得補助的4家非營利機構，以及獲得的補助金額分別為：服務網絡公司（ServiceNet Inc.，Northfield）獲25萬美元，用於農場復育與培訓身心障礙者做農產加工的技能；GAAMHA公司（Petersham）獲40萬美元，購買永久據點，透過餐飲社會企業「Forward Fare」協助成癮康復者學習烹飪與包裝；拉丁美洲健康聯盟（LAHA，Worcester）獲25萬美元，升級「Café Reyes」這古巴拉丁餐廳廚房設備，為拉丁裔康復男性提供餐飲實習機會；區域環境委員會（REC，Worcester）獲10萬美元，翻修一樓空間，擴大都市農業與青年就業計畫「YouthGROW」。
麻州的「社會企業資本補助計畫」從2022年起逐年擴編，累計補助已逾800萬美元。麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）本月簽署的2027會計年度預算，額外追加100萬美元，以持續社會企業連結就業培訓模式，支持弱勢群體。
(Boston Orange編譯)麻州政府7月28日宣佈，經濟發展廳（EOEC）的「社會企業資本補助計畫」（Social Enterprise Capital Grant Program）」將撥發100萬元，支持4家非營利組織擴建或修繕設施，以協助面對就業困難的身心障礙者、成癮康復者，以及低收入少數族裔等人士，獲得職業訓練，找到有薪工作。
麻州經濟發展廳廳長艾瑞克·帕利（Eric Paley）表示，這補助計劃結合薪資、實訓與配套服務，幫助麻州居民獲得長期的穩定生計機會。申請補助的非營利機構必須以發展勞動力為核心使命，提供職業培訓之外，同時經營商品銷售或服務提供等業務，而且主要培訓對象為弱勢群體。補助經費可用於購買、修繕或改善相關設施。
獲得補助的4家非營利機構，以及獲得的補助金額分別為：服務網絡公司（ServiceNet Inc.，Northfield）獲25萬美元，用於農場復育與培訓身心障礙者做農產加工的技能；GAAMHA公司（Petersham）獲40萬美元，購買永久據點，透過餐飲社會企業「Forward Fare」協助成癮康復者學習烹飪與包裝；拉丁美洲健康聯盟（LAHA，Worcester）獲25萬美元，升級「Café Reyes」這古巴拉丁餐廳廚房設備，為拉丁裔康復男性提供餐飲實習機會；區域環境委員會（REC，Worcester）獲10萬美元，翻修一樓空間，擴大都市農業與青年就業計畫「YouthGROW」。
麻州的「社會企業資本補助計畫」從2022年起逐年擴編，累計補助已逾800萬美元。麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）本月簽署的2027會計年度預算，額外追加100萬美元，以持續社會企業連結就業培訓模式，支持弱勢群體。
【延伸資料】
• 人物背景：州長莫拉·希利（Maura Healey）與副州長金·德里斯科爾（Kim Driscoll）於2023年上任，重視勞動力公平與社會企業發展。經濟發展廳長艾瑞克·帕利（Eric Paley）為前創投與科技政策顧問。
• 機構背景：四家獲補助機構均為麻州在地非營利組織，服務對象涵蓋身心障礙者、成癮康復者、少數族裔及低收入青年。
• 政策沿革：「社會企業資本補助計畫」自2022年起逐年擴編，累計補助已逾800萬美元，2027會計年度預算再增100萬美元。
• 與華人讀者相關觀察：此模式可作為台灣推動「社會創新」或「地方創生」政策參考，尤其結合職訓、弱勢支持與在地農食產業鏈，類似於國內部分社企與社區協力案例。
• 原文未詳補充：補助項目中，GAAMHA的「Forward Fare」為餐飲品牌，LAHA的「Café Reyes」為古巴拉丁料理餐廳，均屬自營永續營運模式；REC的「YouthGROW」每年提供青少年暑期農場工讀與食農教育。
Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $1 Million to Expand Employment Opportunities Through Social Enterprises
BOSTON - Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $1 million in grants to four organizations through the Executive Office of Economic Development’s Social Enterprise Capital Grant Program, which funds nonprofits focused on hiring and assisting people who face barriers to employment.
"The Social Enterprise Capital Grant Program helps organizations expand their facilities so they can create more opportunities for people facing barriers to employment," said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. "These investments support nonprofits that combine paid employment with hands-on training and wraparound services, helping more Massachusetts residents access long-term economic opportunity."
Social Enterprise Capital Grants support the purchase, repair, renovation, and improvement of the facilities of nonprofit businesses that both sell goods or services and provide paid employment and supportive services to individuals facing significant barriers to employment.
To be considered, workforce development needs to be a key aspect to both the organizations mission and programming. Eligible organizations must offer paid work opportunities to low-income individuals, with priority given to socially and economically disadvantaged populations requiring intensive support. The Healey-Driscoll Administration continue to grow this program having awarded, in total, more than $8 million in grants to communities across the state of Massachusetts.
Awarded Projects:
ServiceNet Inc. (Northfield) – $250,000
This grant will support rehabilitation and renovation of Northfield Farm, strengthening ServiceNet’s farm-based social enterprise. The enterprise grows, prepares, and sells agricultural and value-added food products while providing paid work, supervision, and hands-on training for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The project will improve the farm’s facilities and infrastructure, helping participants build practical skills in agriculture, food production, and related employment pathways.
GAAMHA Inc. (Petersham) – $400,000
This grant will support GAAMHA’s acquisition of property at 211 North Main Street in Petersham, creating a permanent home for social enterprise and recovery-supportive employment activities. GAAMHA’s site will connect participants to paid work, skill development, and supportive services through their culinary social enterprise, Forward Fare. There, adults in recovery from addiction and/or navigating mental health challenges can learn job skills while preparing and packaging meals for sale.
Latin American Health Alliance (Worcester) – $250,000
This grant will support renovations and equipment upgrades at Café Reyes, LAHA’s mission-based restaurant and catering social enterprise. Café Reyes serves Cuban and Latin American food while providing paid work experience and job training for residents and graduates of the Hector Reyes House, a bilingual and bicultural residential treatment program for Latino men in recovery. Grant funds will be used to modernize the commercial kitchen, upgrade aging infrastructure, and purchase industry standard equipment needed to expand production capacity, training space, and operational efficiency.
Regional Environmental Council Inc. (Worcester) – $100,000
This grant will support renovation of first-floor social enterprise and workforce development space for REC’s food justice and urban agriculture operations. REC operates community and mobile farmers markets, urban growing programs, and YouthGROW, a youth employment and urban agriculture program that connects Worcester residents with fresh, affordable local food. The renovated space will support market operations and expand employee roles while strengthening the link between workforce development, environmental stewardship, and equitable food access.
Earlier this month, Governor Healey signed into law the FY27 Budget which offers an additional $1 million of support to social enterprises.
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