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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(BOSTON—4/30/2026) The Massachusetts Senate advanced its version of the PROTECT Act today—a major legislative package to protect the rights of all Massachusetts residents, particularly immigrants, young children, and victims of crimes. Below are statements of support.
Members of the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy
Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Senator William N. Brownsberger (D-Belmont), Senator Joanne M. Comerford (D-Northampton), Senator Cynthia Stone Creem (D-Newton), and Senator Pavel M. Payano (D-Lawrence):
“The actions of federal immigration enforcement officials, at the direction of President Trump and Congressional Republicans, have brought fear and chaos to neighborhoods across Massachusetts and our nation. These actions must be met with a policy response that makes clear that we will defend both the people and the values of this Commonwealth—and which goes as far as we can as a state to deliver protections to the residents of Massachusetts, especially our immigrant communities.
“The Senate version of the PROTECT Act, which builds off the work of Governor Healey and our colleagues in the House of Representatives, is the product of countless conversations with immigrants’ rights advocates, government officials, law enforcement stakeholders, residents of the Commonwealth, and our colleagues in the Senate.
“These conversations have shaped the Senate’s version of this bill, which would:
•Ensure sensitive locations remain places of trust where all residents have the safety they deserve;
•Prohibit state and local law enforcement from engaging in civil immigration enforcement;
•Ban government entities from entering into new 287(g) agreements;
•Protect residents from direct actions by federal law enforcement that violate individual protections under the United States Constitution; and
•Prohibit state and local law enforcement from unnecessarily questioning a person about their immigration or citizenship status or stopping a person because of their citizenship or immigration status.
“We owe it to our residents to stand up for all who call Massachusetts home and live up to the values we aspire to—liberty and justice for all.”
BOSTON – Thursday, April 30, 2026 – Mayor Michelle Wu today joined the development team from Pennrose, members of the Hyde Square Task Force (HSTF), MassDevelopment representatives, local elected officials, and community partners to celebrate the groundbreaking for the redevelopment of the historic Blessed Sacrament Church in Jamaica Plain’s Hyde Square neighborhood. Built in 1913, Blessed Sacrament has been vacant since 2004. Through this redevelopment, the 71,000-square-foot church will be transformed into a mixed-use, mixed-income community while preserving its historic façade and exterior details.
“Blessed Sacrament Church has long been a symbol of both history and hope for our community,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “The City of Boston is proud to support this redevelopment, which will preserve a cherished historic landmark, create deeply needed affordable housing, and provide a community performance space. This project ensures that the heart of Hyde Square continues to serve as a gathering place for residents for generations to come.”
The project will create 55 new homes, ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments, reserved for residents earning between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Six of the apartments will be reserved for individuals exiting homelessness. The redevelopment will also introduce new community amenities, including a multipurpose performance space with a capacity of more than 200 people and a new resident community room located in the historic cupola. Hyde Square Task Force, Pennrose’s nonprofit development partner, will use the 6,500-square-foot redeveloped church nave as a multipurpose performance space for Afro-Latin youth and artists and as a cultural hub for Boston’s Latin Quarter. The space will host youth arts programs, workshops, after-school programming, community events, rehearsals, and live performances for participants and neighborhood residents.
"The adaptive reuse of Blessed Sacrament Church is a powerful example of preserving community history while meeting today's housing needs," said Juana Matias, Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities. "The transformation of this landmark into 55 new affordable homes saves an important piece of Jamaica Plain history while ensuring that more families have a stable and affordable place to live in the community. The Healey-Driscoll Administration is proud to support this project."
“This project is a huge win for Jamaica Plain that is primarily the result of the Hyde Square Task Force refusing to give up their fight for local affordable housing and to preserve the soul of Boston’s Latin Quarter,” said City Councilor Ben Weber (District 6).
“After years of conversations and work to get housing built in the old Blessed Sacrament Church, we finally are breaking ground on what will be 55 affordable units in Jamaica Plain,” said State Representative Sam Montano. “Hyde Square Task Force is an essential partner in our community and city and for them to be the organization that made this project finally happen is a testament to the power of organizations that are rooted in people and culture. I can’t wait to welcome all our new neighbors to the community.”
Following the groundbreaking, Mayor Michelle Wu also signed the City’s Transfer Fee Home Rule Petition, a proposal to create a new local funding source for affordable housing. Passed by the Boston City Council on April 15, 2026, the petition will now move to the State Legislature for consideration. The proposal would allow Boston to apply a fee of up to 2% on real estate transactions over $2 million, with the first $2 million exempt to limit impacts on middle-class homeowners. Revenue from the fee would support the creation and preservation of affordable housing at a time when federal resources are declining. The petition also increases the City’s senior property tax exemption from a minimum of $1,000 to $1,500 and expands eligibility to households earning up to 50% of Area Median Income. The Mayor has advanced similar proposals in 2021 and 2023 and continues to pursue the transfer fee as a tool to help build more affordable housing across Boston.
“This Home Rule Petition proposes a modest, targeted contribution from sales of high-value real estate to fund urgently needed affordable housing for our City while also expanding tax relief for seniors,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “If this measure had been adopted by the state legislature the first time it was advanced by the City, we would have been able to deploy an additional $160 million to build new housing and create thousands of new homes by now. I’m grateful to sponsor Councilor Henry Santana and Council colleagues for approving this proposal and to State Representative Brandy Fluker-Reid for filing this at the State House as we fight for every tool and resource to create more housing and more affordability in our city.”
By creating new local funding for affordable housing, the transfer fee would help advance developments like the Blessed Sacrament redevelopment, bringing new homes and community spaces to Boston neighborhoods.
The Church has long served as more than a place of worship, standing at the center of community life in Jamaica Plain and playing a particularly important role for the neighborhood’s Latino community. Often referred to as Boston’s “Latin Cathedral,” the church became a vital cultural and social hub where generations of residents gathered for worship, celebrations, and community support. This deep connection to the neighborhood was especially evident in 2003 and 2004, when the Archdiocese of Boston announced plans to close the church. In response, parishioners, community leaders, youth, local businesses, and advocacy organizations mobilized to oppose the closure, emphasizing the church’s importance to hundreds of families and its role as a cornerstone of Latinx community life.
Following the official closure in 2004, a broad coalition of stakeholders organized to ensure that the future of the Blessed Sacrament campus would reflect community needs and preserve its role as a neighborhood anchor. In 2005, with overwhelming community support, the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC) was able to outbid private buyers and acquire the entire campus. The Blessed Sacrament campus stands as a rare and powerful example of community-led activism shaping equitable development and preserving a historic space for affordable housing, cultural expression, and neighborhood cohesion.
The redevelopment of Blessed Sacrament Church builds on a long-standing effort to revitalize the campus while providing housing opportunities and community resources. The Blessed Sacrament Campus has been the site of multiple successful affordable housing projects, including Creighton Commons Housing (2009), Dona Betsaida Gutierrez Cooperative Housing (2010), and the Sister Virginia Mulhern House (2011), which provides housing for formerly homeless individuals.
After many attempts to redevelop the church without success, the Hyde Square Task Force announced that it was selling the property. After soliciting proposals from developers, the Hyde Square Task Force partnered with Penrose to develop income restricted housing and realize the original vision to preserve the church and create a hub for arts, culture, and neighborhood engagement.
The redevelopment was made possible in part by funding from the Mayor’s Office of Housing, MassDevelopment, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), the Community Preservation Act (CPA), and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.
“Blessed Sacrament has been a cornerstone of Hyde Square for more than a century, and this redevelopment reflects what is possible when preservation and housing come together with purpose,” said Sheila A. Dillon, Chief of Housing. “By creating 55 new homes and investing in this important community space for youth, this project helps ensure that Jamaica Plain and Boston’s Latin Quarter is a vibrant home for our families, while supporting Hyde Square Task Force’s long-standing work to foster youth leadership, creativity, and cultural expression.”
“This redevelopment highlights the potential of restoring and reusing historic landmarks for housing,” said Charlie Adams, President of Pennrose. “By combining affordable housing, community space, and historic preservation, we’re investing not only in a building, but in the future of Hyde Square and the mission of our partner Hyde Square Task Force.”
“Our goal has been to ensure that the Blessed Sacrament redevelopment not only helps alleviate the affordable housing crisis in our neighborhood, but also establishes a creative home for young artists and performers, and a gathering space for the community," said Celina Miranda, Executive Director of HSTF. “We are proud to see this vision move forward to support residents of Boston's Latin Quarter, and reinforce HSTF's role as a center for arts and culture.”
“The Blessed Sacrament redevelopment is a prime example of how creative, innovative housing solutions can address multifaceted community goals, including preserving an underutilized historic landmark, investing in cultural facilities, and improving housing accessibility,” said Karmen Cheung, regional vice president at Pennrose. “It is an honor to help create much-needed affordable rental housing in a resource-rich, transit-oriented neighborhood.”
The Blessed Sacrament Church redevelopment reflects years of planning and advocacy for affordable housing and community facilities in Hyde Square, and supports Mayor Michelle Wu’s commitment to making Boston a home for everyone. Under Mayor Wu’s leadership, Boston has made historic progress toward creating and preserving homes that residents can afford. Since the start of her first term, the City has produced or begun construction on more than 18,000 new homes, including thousands of income-restricted units, and has launched new policies to make it easier, faster, and less expensive to build housing across every neighborhood. Mayor Wu has directed record levels of investment to prevent displacement, expand affordable homeownership, and support renters and homeowners who face housing instability.
Through innovative programs like the Housing Accelerator Fund, Welcome Home Boston, and the Housing with Public Assets initiative, the City is finding new ways to create housing on public land, convert vacant buildings into homes, and support residents in building wealth and stability. The Mayor’s focus on climate and health has also made Boston a national leader in green and energy-efficient housing. Together, these efforts are helping to make Boston a city where every resident can have a safe, stable, and affordable home, and where communities can grow stronger for generations to come.
波克萊台商會第13任會長陳冠中很有心，接任後寫了篇「薪火相傳，邁向新紀元：波克萊台商會的蛻變與成長」文章，廣告周知大波士頓華人社區，該會從游勝雄創辦，一路傳承到他接任前的陳奕如，每一屆會長都用心經營，守護在地台灣人，如今不但成功年輕化，還成立波克萊商會基金會（BTCF），要從2026年開春後，積極發揮「台灣能幫忙（Taiwan Can Help）」的影響力。
Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $1.4 Million in Registered Apprenticeship Grants for 250+ Early Childhood Educators
NEW BEDFORD – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $1.4 million in Grants for Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities in Workforce (GROW) grants to five organizations to train and place 256 apprentices in early childhood education careers across Massachusetts. This new announcement is part of a series of strategic investments by the Administration to strengthen the early childhood workforce, including a $5 million award from the U.S. Department of Labor last September to scale Registered Apprenticeship Programs and as well as a $1.8 million investment announced last December to expand the educator talent pipeline.
Since January 2023, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has awarded $13.5 million in Registered Apprenticeship GROW grants, of which $4.7 million has supported Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs. Registered Apprenticeship provides individuals with paid work experience including classroom instruction and on-the-job training combined with securing nationally recognized credentials, progressive wage increases, and economic mobility and advancement.
“Early childhood educators are essential to our economy and to working families across Massachusetts. That’s why our administration is making real investments to grow this workforce and create clear pathways into these careers,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Through registered apprenticeship programs, we are helping people earn while they learn, supporting providers who want to expand, and making it easier for families to access the high-quality early education they depend on. This is how we strengthen our workforce and build a more affordable, competitive Massachusetts.”
“Access to a skilled workforce is essential to meeting the growing demand for early childhood educators,“ said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “By combing classroom and on-the-job experience, registered apprenticeships are helping us prepare a workforce that our communities rely on.”
Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones made the announcement at Little People’s College, an early education and childcare provider partnering with Fisher College, which received a $250,000 grant to register a new early childhood education apprenticeship program and enroll four apprentice cohorts with co-sponsors in Brockton, New Bedford, Watertown, Fall River, Plymouth, and Dartmouth.
“The Healey-Driscoll administration continues to expand registered apprenticeship to create careers for residents and connects employers to skilled workers,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “As we invest in a more affordable, accessible, and quality child care system to drive the state’s economic competitiveness, growing the number of early childhood educators in Massachusetts 1) benefits caregivers in need of this infrastructure so they can work, 2) prepares our youngest learners at an early age, and 3) jumpstarts careers for untapped talent interested in becoming educators.”
The Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS) is responsible for helping employers develop and maintain a successful registered apprenticeship program on behalf of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. DAS supports over 900 active apprenticeship programs. Construction and building trades apprenticeships comprise the majority of programs with nearly a quarter of registered apprentices in expansion industries such as health care, education, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing.
“One of the objectives of Governor Healey’s Inter-Agency Early Education and Child Care Task Force is to find ways to build a more robust and diverse early childhood workforce,” said Secretary of Education Steve Zrike. “These registered apprenticeship programs create meaningful, career-connected pathways into early childhood education, while ensuring our youngest learners are supported by well-prepared, highly skilled educators.”
“We can’t expand access to early childhood education without an early childhood workforce. Registered apprenticeship gives employers a proven way to hire, train, and retain talented educators,” said Undersecretary of Labor Josh Cutler.
“We are so excited to continue investing in Registered Apprenticeship Programs that strengthen and expand the early childhood education workforce. saidDirector of the Division of Apprentice Standards Lara Thomas. These grants will create pathways that help individuals build meaningful careers while ensuring families have access to high-quality care and education.
Expanding registered apprenticeship for early childhood education is a priority among the Administration’s “whole of government” Early Education and Child Care Task Force recommendations. The Division of Apprentice Standards and the Department of Early Education and Care have worked collaboratively over the past year to engage and scale registered apprenticeship.
“Registered apprenticeships in early education and care are the fastest growing in the state, reflecting both strong demand and growing interest in the field,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “Investing in this model gives aspiring educators the chance to earn while they learn — building skills, gaining experience, and strengthening the workforce that supports our youngest learners.”
GROW Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship Grant Recipients:
The following is a list of the 5 grant recipients, totaling $1.4 million projected to register, hire, and place 265 apprentices:
Community Teamwork (Lowell, MA): $100,000 to register a new ECE apprenticeship program and enroll a cohort of 20 apprentices at their Lowell location.
Fisher College (Boston): $250,000 to register a new ECE apprenticeship program and enroll 4 apprentice cohorts into co-sponsors in Brockton, New Bedford, Watertown, Fall River, Plymouth and Darthmouth.
G3 Works (Methuen): $249,970 to register a new ECE apprenticeship program and recruit and train 60 new apprentices to work in communities identified as childcare facilities in Northeastern and Southeastern MA.
Neighborhood Villages (Boston): $220,000 to enroll 35 new apprentices in Greater Boston.
YMCA Greater Boston (Boston): $600,000 to enroll 100 new apprentices throughout Greater Boston
More Massachusetts Employers Use Governor Healey’s Apprenticeship Tax Credit to Hire and Train Workers
Expanded Registered Apprenticeship Tax Credit lowers costs for businesses and expands access to career pathways
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration released new data today highlighting the success of the expanded Registered Apprenticeship Tax Credit, which Governor Healey expanded eligibility for as part of the administration’s historic 2023 tax cuts. In 2025, the Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS) approved $988,800 in registered apprenticeship tax credits to 50 employers who hired 206 apprentices, more than double the number in previous years. In 2024, DAS approved $480,000 to employers who hired 100 apprentices. Employers used the tax credit to hire apprentices in growing industries like clean energy, health care, and education.
“We expanded this tax credit to make it easier and more affordable for employers to hire and train workers—and the results speak for themselves. More businesses are using this tool to grow their teams, build a skilled workforce, and create pathways to good-paying jobs across Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This is a win for employers and workers alike, helping businesses invest in talent while giving more people the chance to earn a paycheck, gain real experience, and build a career. Registered apprenticeships are a proven way to meet workforce needs, expand opportunity, and help our businesses compete and succeed.”
“The Registered Apprenticeship Tax Credit allows employers to invest in their employees while putting money back into their businesses,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “It’s great to see more employers embracing the registered apprenticeship model and expanding opportunities for workers to earn while they learn.”
The Registered Apprentice Tax Credit supports the growth of apprenticeships in key Massachusetts industries, offering employers a refundable tax credit of up to $4,800 per qualified apprentice.
“Registered Apprenticeship develops untapped talent, creates jobs, and connects Massachusetts employers to skilled workers,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “By expanding the Registered Apprenticeship Tax Credit to include more industries, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is helping employers reduce the cost of doing business, attract more employers to leverage registered apprenticeship as a proven, effective hiring strategy, and connects more residents to careers right here in Massachusetts.”
For tax year 2025, as of April 15, 2026, DAS approved $988,800 in registered apprenticeship tax credits to employers who hired 206 apprentices, double the amount from 2024. Of employers who claimed the credit, to date, includes:
Clean Energy employers leveraged the tax credit after hiring 54 apprentices, compared to 26 in 2024.
Education employers, particularly in the child care sector, hired 45 apprentices in 2025, compared to 36 in 2024.
Health care employers leveraged the tax credit after hiring 52 apprentices in 2025, compared to 20 in 2024.
Advanced Manufacturing employers leveraged the tax credit after hiring 38 apprentices in 2025, compared to 18 in 2024.
“This tax credit is delivering real results—more employers hiring more apprentices across a wider range of industries,” said Undersecretary of Labor Josh Cutler. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration is making it easier for businesses to invest in apprenticeships while expanding direct pathways to high-quality, in-demand careers.”
These efforts are part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s efforts to make Massachusetts more affordable and competitive for employers. In January, the administration lowered the annual program fee for Registered Apprenticeship sponsors from $300 to $250 and also expanded eligibility for the Registered Apprenticeship Tax Credit to include occupations featuring AI-related credentials, defense manufacturing, and additional manufacturing occupations.
Statements of Support
James E. Rooney, President & CEO, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce:
"The Chamber is proud to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week with the Healey-Driscoll Administration, and we appreciate the transformative leadership of Secretary Lauren Jones to create the new Registered Apprenticeship Tax Credit, which will help employers continue to leverage important apprenticeship programs. As we continue our work expanding the Massachusetts Apprentice Network, we are seeing how apprenticeships are catalysts for our local employers and our workforce, strengthening workplaces while expanding economic opportunity for all in the Commonwealth.”
Mike Tamasi, President and CEO, AccuRounds:
“The apprenticeship tax credit plays a critical role in strengthening our workforce by supporting employee participation in registered apprenticeship programs. It helps offset the substantial time and financial investment required, allowing us to expand access to high-quality, job-specific training.”
Mary Judson, HR Generalist, Trinity Solar:
“Participation in the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS) program has had a clear, positive impact on both Trinity Solar and our apprentices. The associated tax credit and educational reimbursement help offset schooling and tool costs, allowing apprentices to pursue licensure while working full time and enabling the company to invest in long‑term workforce development. The program has strengthened retention, improved field quality, and supported the continued growth of licensed electricians within the company. We value our partnership with DAS and its role in building sustainable career pathways in the trades.”
BOSTON - Wednesday, April 29, 2026 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Office of Small Business today announced Small Business Month, an annual opportunity to highlight local businesses shaping our neighborhoods and the vast economic support system surrounding them. Throughout May, the City and partners will host a slate of events, resources, and curated social media content grounded in the theme “Exploring Possibilities. Creating Opportunities.” The City of Boston is home to over 18,000 small businesses that employ 127,000 people and generate close to $28 billion each year.
“Small businesses are the backbone of Boston’s neighborhoods, creating jobs, connecting communities, and powering our local economy,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “The City is proud to continue supporting entrepreneurs at every stage and ensuring Boston remains a place where small businesses can thrive.”
Through the Office of Small Business, the City seeks to provide support to business owners to enhance their economic impact on our communities. Since 2022, the City has provided over 11,608 hours of one-on-one Technical Assistance for over 530 businesses; funding over 70 storefront signage and facade renovation projects; and streamlining the process and reducing financial barriers for participation in the annual Outdoor Dining program.
Next month, the Office of Small Business will celebrate its impact on supporting businesses throughout the city. The Office has outlined its accomplishments in a report entitled “Standing on Business: The Office of Small Business 2025 Year in Review.” Highlights from the report include 178 businesses participating in the 2025 Outdoor Dining program, 96 businesses opening or expanding within the Main Street districts, and designating 30 longstanding small businesses as Legacy Businesses.
One new feature this year is a small business BINGO card, encouraging residents to shop local and small, to learn more about our office, and local businesses in our neighborhoods. Once residents have achieved BINGO, they can enter into a drawing for a prize by contacting smallbiz@boston.gov.
During Small Business Month, the Office of Small Business will launch the BizUnlocked Boston pilot program. BizUnlocked Boston is a business access program that connects small business owners to the resources, expertise, and relationships they need to build lasting businesses that create jobs, stability, and sustainability in our local communities, and unlock their full potential from the start. The program, orchestrated and led by the City of Boston's Office of Small Business and Tessi Consulting, blends collaborative in-person workshops, interactive virtual sessions, and group technical assistance with small business experts.
“We’re grateful to the Office of Small Business for the support they’ve provided my family as we work to stabilize and grow our business,” said Uche Egesionu, Owner of Kornfield Pharmacyin Roxbury. “We’ve received assistance from multiple staff members, including support through a funded Technical Assistance project. I’m encouraged that Small Business Month will continue bringing valuable resources to businesses like ours.”
Throughout Small Business Month, events will celebrate and support the small business ecosystem across Boston. All City-led programming is posted on the Small Business Month webpage.
“During the month of May, we celebrate Boston’s small businesses, their local impact, and the strong business support ecosystem,” said Aliesha Porcena, Director of Small Business for the City of Boston. “We are committed to exploring possibilities and creating opportunities through support, educational programming, networking, and more. The work of supporting businesses never ends. In my office, we work year-round to ensure businesses are connected with vital resources. This month is just a sample of what’s possible. Together, we’re making sure businesses thrive in this city.”
In addition to the events spearheaded by the City, Small Business Month will also feature 20 events funded by the Small Business Month Activation Grant Program, a grant opportunity for community-led activations. The Office of Small Business awarded organizations up to $9,500 for events that provide small business owners and entrepreneurs with the resources they need to grow, thrive, or celebrate success.
“We are honored to be among the 20 proposals selected and are eager to contribute to the energy and growth of Boston’s entrepreneurial ecosystem this May,” said Bobby Boyd, Executive Director of The Record Co. “This support is vital to our mission, and we are ready to get to work.”
The selected recipients of the Small Business Month Activation Grant Program submitted proposals that demonstrated a knowledge of Boston’s multifaceted small business community and proposed innovative activations in education, retail opportunities, and platforms for collaboration. Throughout the month, the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion will also share information about Small Business programs, connecting entrepreneurs with the tools and guidance to successfully start, grow, and build their business in Boston.
Governor Healey, Attorney General Campbell and Auditor DiZoglio Announce Marisol Garcia as Next Child Advocate
Experienced child welfare attorney and policy leader to begin June 1, 2026
BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and State Auditor Diana DiZoglio today announced that they have selected Marisol Garcia to serve as the next Child Advocate for Massachusetts, following a joint appointment process established in state law.
Marisol Garcia brings more than 30 years of experience advocating for children and families, including more than two decades representing children in court and a decade of executive leadership advancing child welfare and behavioral health policy. She will begin her five-year term on June 1, succeeding Maria Mossaides, who is retiring at the end of May after more than a decade of service.
“Every child in Massachusetts deserves to be safe, supported and given the opportunity to live a happy and healthy life,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Marisol Garcia has spent her career fighting for children and families, especially those navigating our most complex systems, and she brings the experience, compassion and leadership this role demands. We are proud to appoint her as the Child Advocate and look forward to working together to strengthen oversight, improve service and ensure every child is supported.”
“Marisol Garcia has a proven track record of standing up for children and families, bringing both compassion and deep legal expertise to some of the most difficult moments in their lives,” said Attorney General Andrea Campbell. “Marisol understands not only the law, but the real impact our systems have on young people. I am proud to join my fellow appointing authorities in appointing her as Massachusetts’s Child Advocate, and I’m confident that she will be a fierce, thoughtful leader who will fight to ensure that every child in Massachusetts is supported and protected.”
“Protecting vulnerable children is our shared responsibility,” said Auditor Diana DiZoglio. “Marisol Garcia has dedicated her life to advocating for kids and families, building collaborative partnerships focused on child welfare, and developing innovative strategies to help improve the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of children and their caregivers. As our next Child Advocate, she will continue working toward our collective goals of identifying systemic gaps, strengthening safeguards and ensuring that no child in Massachusetts is left behind.”
Garcia currently serves as Deputy Director at Health Law Advocates, where she developed and led the Mental Health Advocacy Program for Kids, a statewide legal services program that has represented thousands of families to overcome barriers to mental health care for children. Under her leadership, the program expanded from a small pilot into a statewide initiative -- improving children’s access to care, reducing reliance on emergency services, and keeping children out of the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
Prior to her time at MHAP for Kids, Garcia directly represented children in court for more than two decades. She has worked across the child welfare, behavioral health, juvenile justice and education systems, giving her deep, firsthand experience navigating the systems this role oversees.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Commonwealth's next Child Advocate," said Marisol Garcia. "As an attorney, as an advocate, and as the leader of a non-profit service provider, I have seen first-hand the harm that multi-generational system involvement, racial disparities, and a lack of services has caused many children and families in our Commonwealth. Yet, I have also seen the transformational change that timely, effective services – from mental health services to educational interventions to financial supports – can have when they reach a family at the right moment. As the next Child Advocate, I will focus on ensuring that children who need it, particularly those involved with the Commonwealth’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems, receive that kind of support in a way that honors their multi-faced and richly diverse identities.”
Throughout her career, she has built strong partnerships with courts, state agencies, health care providers and community organizations to advance policies and programs that improve the lives of children. Her work spans child welfare, juvenile justice, behavioral health, disability services and special education.
Garcia was selected following a comprehensive public process led by a 14-member nominating committee convened by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (HHS). The committee included policymakers, legal experts, clinicians, and child welfare professionals, and conducted a series of open meetings before submitting finalists to the appointing authorities in February 2026.
The Massachusetts Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) is an independent executive branch agency established in 2008 to ensure that children across Massachusetts — particularly those who are most vulnerable and at risk — receive high-quality, timely, and appropriate services. The Child Advocate leads this work through oversight, system reform, collaboration, and public accountability.
Statements of Support
Danna Mauch, PhD, President and CEO, Massachusetts Association for Mental Health (MAMH)
“We salute Marisol Garcia as the Commonwealth’s choice to lead the Office of the Child Advocate. Marisol brings deep commitment and knowledge informed by decades of hands on experience developing integrated solutions for children and youth who live with complex needs that often cut across the domains of multiple Massachusetts State government branches, secretariats, and agencies. Marisol’s capacity to collaborate skillfully with public officials and community stakeholders will advance the opportunity to thrive for our most at risk and vulnerable children.”
Nancy Allen-Scannell, Executive Director, Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children
“The Commonwealth is truly fortunate to have Marisol Garcia as the Child Advocate, especially at this challenging moment in time. She is a smart, fierce advocate for the rights and well-being of children and families. She has a clear-eyed understanding of the systems of care, strong cross sector relationships and deep regard for the voices and experiences of youth and their caregivers. She is a strong effective leader who will ensure that all children in the Commonwealth receive the services and support they need to overcome challenges, grow and thrive.”
Pamela Hooks Sager, JD, Executive Director, Parent/ Professional Advocacy League
"Mari is a dedicated advocate and collaborator for the mental health wellbeing of all children and families. She is child and family-centered and understands the need for safety, training, education, and support of all stakeholders."
