AG’S OFFICE TO HOST COMMUNITY ACTION HOURS FOR MUSLIM COMMUNITY IN WEST SPRINGFIELD

AG’S OFFICE TO HOST COMMUNITY ACTION HOURS FOR MUSLIM COMMUNITY IN WEST SPRINGFIELD

Staff from AG’s Office to Hold Information Session and Answer Questions from Community Members

BOSTON – Continuing her commitment to fight for and protect the civil rights of all residents of Massachusetts, Attorney General Maura Healey announced her office will be holding Community Action Hours for the Muslim Community in West Springfield this week.

On Thursday, staff from the AG’s Office including attorneys, advocates and investigators will be on hand to answer questions from community members on a variety of topics including civil rights, workers’ rights, housing, health care, consumer issues and insurance. Staff will also be conducting an information session for community members outlining their civil rights protections.

WHAT:          Community Action Hours for Muslim community

            WHEN:          Thursday, April 14

                                    5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

WHERE:       Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts

377 Amostown Road

West Springfield, MA

Following the terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California last winter, and the growth of anti-Muslim rhetoric, the AG’s Office held Community Action Hours for the Greater Worcester Muslim community in January. Prior to the action hours, staff from the AG’s Office met with leaders from the Muslim community in Worcester to foster a dialogue to ensure a peaceful and supportive environment for all communities.

Community Action Hours, an initiative under the AG’s Community Engagement Division, brings the resources of the Attorney General’s Office directly into communities at times that are convenient for working people and their families.

The event is open to the public and is being offered free of charge.

Building on “Week of Action” White House to Recognize It’s On Us “Champions of Change”

Building on “Week of Action” White House to Recognize It’s On Us “Champions of Change”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, April 14, during National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, the White House will recognize ten students from across the country as “It’s On Us White House Champions of Change.” The event follows last week’s It’s On Us week of action across the country. Vice President Biden visited three campuses and the campaign held over 220 events around the country in more than 30 states. More than 340,000 individuals have now taken the pledge to stop sexual assault at ItsOnUs.org.

Key It’s On Us partners have also stepped up with key commitments including:

-       Tumblr is engaging its Creatrs to promote and capture the It's On Us message, and to integrate it into the 1 year anniversary of Post it Forward, Tumblr's campaign to counter the stigmas around mental and emotional health through community-building and conversation. In addition, Tumblr will be soliciting questions from its users in advance of the event via the "Ask box" on the Its On Us Tumblr as well as promoting the event on its platform all day Thursday.

-          The NCAA continued its partnership, playing student athlete PSA’s at championships across the country, through strong engagement with the Student Athlete Advisory Committees, and through Division I and III student athlete PSA contests.

-          iHeartMedia is airing the NCAA’s It’s On Us PSA on over 300 radio stations around the country throughout the month of April.

-          Snapchat created filters that were used at each of the campuses the Vice President visited to spread the word about It’s On Us and created a nationwide filter used during the Vice President’s appearance at the Academy Awards.

The “It’s On Us White House Champions of Change” event on Thursday continues the April push. The event will recognize ten student champions, and will feature remarks by Vice President Biden and Tina Tchen, Assistant to the President and Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls. The program will also feature actor Matt McGorry.

The ten individuals were selected by the White House as “Champions of Change” for their leadership in mobilizing others to change the culture around sexual assault and dating violence and to create systemic changes on their campuses and beyond.

The “It’s On Us” campaign seeks to engage college students and all members of campus communities in preventing sexual assault. Launched by President Obama and Vice President Biden in September 2014, the campaign builds on the recommendations put forth by the White House’s Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault, and is part of the ongoing commitment that President Obama and Vice President Biden have made to ensuring that each of us – both men and women – is part of the solution. Since its launch, “It’s On Us” has engaged students at over 500 schools in 48 states, had more than 340,000 people sign the “It’s On Us” pledge, and worked with community members and celebrities alike to support survivors and change the culture around sexual assault.

The White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault has taken several steps to strengthen the support and resources available to survivors and to combat sexual violence on college and university campuses. Led by the Vice President and the White House Council on Women and Girls, the Task Force was created by President Obama to promote an interagency effort to address sexual violence in educational settings. Since its inception on January 22, 2014, the Task Force has provided recommendations and resources for schools, encouraged collaboration within communities, and launched a public awareness campaign and cultural movement to better address this issue. The Task Force released its first report in April 2014 and a resource guide in September 2015, which can be found on www.notalone.gov.

The Champions of Change program was created as an opportunity for the White House to feature individuals doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities. The event will be live streamed on the White House website at www.whitehouse.gov/live/ on Thursday, April 14, at 2:00 PM ET. Follow the conversation at #WHChamps.

Pablo Das

Hometown: Washington, District of Columbia

School: Boston University

Pablo Das is a senior at Boston University studying in the Pardee School of Global Studies. He is the founder and chair of “16,000 Strong,” BU's first and only student-run sexual assault prevention campaign. Pablo created 16,000 Strong to spearhead a movement against sexual assault on BU's campus and to create an educated, united community to stand against such acts. In just over two years, 16,000 Strong has worked with BU to tighten its sexual assault reporting procedures, promoted dialogue and activism among prominent student groups such as Greek life and Varsity athletics, and garnered thousands of signatures on its awareness pledge. Under Pablo's leadership, 16,000 Strong has become a well-known campaign across campus and is collaborating with the local community and businesses to strengthen off-campus safety measures as well.

Jessica Davidson

Hometown: Fort Collins, Colorado

School: University of Denver

Jessica Davidson is the Student Body Vice President at the University of Denver (DU), where she is earning her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Masters of Public Policy Analysis. Jess has led the DU Undergraduate Student Government in comprehensive sexual assault prevention education and policy, including: creating a program to give students access to safe walks home during orientation week, mandating bystander intervention training for student organizations, and working towards affirmative consent policies. Jess believes survivor narratives lead the charge on policy change; this year, she told her story as a survivor on the front page of the Huffington Post in her article, My Rapist Might Not Know He's a Rapist, in which she made a call to action for universities to adopt clear affirmative consent policies. Her advocacy has amplified survivor voices, establishes pathways for student leaders to create meaningful change, and used her own story to spark discussion and deepen understanding of sexual assault on college campuses.

Valerie Halstead

Hometown: Indialantic, Florida 

School: University of Miami

Valerie Halstead, BSN, RN, is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies. Her passion and research interests include women’s health, violence prevention, and health promotion, especially pertaining to young adults and the college population. Ms. Halstead’s dissertation study focuses on exploring the characteristics of sexual violence practices by student health centers located on institutions of higher education. Her hopes are to ensure that these facilities are implementing best practices so that students receive appropriate and comprehensive care. Further, Ms. Halstead works determinedly within her own campus community in efforts to address sexual violence. She serves on the larger President’s Campus Coalition on Sexual Violence and Prevention as well as two sub-committees, the Resource Committee and the Campus Climate Survey Committee. In addition, Ms. Halstead is honored to be part of Futures Without Violence Campus Leadership Program as well as a Jonas Nurse Leader Scholar.

Malayna Hasmanis

Hometown: White Lake, Michigan

School: Grand Valley State University

Malayna Hasmanis is currently an undergraduate student at Grand Valley State University, where she is studying Special Needs Education with an emphasis in cognitive and emotional impairments. She is the founding member and president of Greeks Against Sexual Assault on the Grand Valley campus, where she has worked in collaboration of the Women's Center, the Division of Inclusion and Equity, a plethora of Greek organizations, as well as with the It's On Us initiative to try and unify the student body to demonstrate their stance in being active bystanders and informed individuals in this fight against sexual assault. She is currently working on revamping the It's On Us initiative so that it demonstrates full Greek body support, and working more closely with the peer education student organization, Eyes Wide Open, to unify these bodies to go above and beyond to break the walls and barriers that prevent these means of open communication in regards to consent, sexual assault, rape culture, etc.

Claire Kelling

Hometown: Morrow, Ohio

School: Virginia Tech

For the last four years, Claire Kelling has coordinated Take Back the Night at Virginia Tech, the largest event for raising awareness of gender-based violence on campus, and has advocated for this movement at the regional, national, and international levels. Claire also serves as the president of Womanspace+, the longest-running feminist activist organization at Virginia Tech. Claire volunteers in her community through the Clothesline Project, which is a visual testimony to the shattering effect of gender-based violence and its impact on society. In Fall 2016, Claire will begin pursuing her PhD in Statistics in an effort to bring the power of data analytics to social and economic justice issues.

Celene Lopez

Hometown: Arcata, California

School: Humboldt State University

Celene Lopez is a Psychology Major at Humboldt State University and CHECK IT’s Volunteer Coordinator. On campus, she is working toward creating a more consent-centered and accountable community. Celene, along with other students and groups, built a student led initiative called CHECK IT, which sets consent-based norms on campus and creatively empowers students to take action when they witness potential moments of sexual assault, dating violence, and/or stalking, tangibly challenging the violence happening in their community. CHECK IT provides the campus community with tools for intervening in ways that are realistic and match people’s unique personalities, identities, and communication styles.

Cody McDavis

Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona

School: University of Northern Colorado

Cody McDavis is a December 2015 graduate of University of Northern Colorado, where he was a member of the men’s basketball team. Cody was also a member of the National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, where he engaged with the It’s On Us campaign. He serves as the lead of the It’s On Us National Video Competition, which was created in 2014 in recognition of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) partnership with the White House to spread awareness of sexual assault on collegiate campuses. In the two years since the competition began, it has actively engaged college campuses across the nation by challenging students to create a video addressing sexual assault intervention in a creative and unique way. Ultimately, this competition has the goal of establishing collegiate students whom actively intervene in situations where sexual assault could occur and can provide resources to fellow students.

Lisa Napper

Hometown: Aurora, Colorado

School: Howard University

Lisa Napper is a student leader at Howard University from Aurora, Colorado. She co-produced a documentary on the experiences of African American women who are survivors of sexual assault and the challenges they deal with upon arriving on campus. Lisa also hosted Howard’s first Take Back the Night event where the documentary was screened and she facilitated a discussion on the issue of sexual assault on Howard’s campus and around the world. The following year, she expanded the event to Take Back the Night week, with a survivor’s yoga session, a panel with mental health professionals, an open mic night, and an “It’s On Us” pledge drive. Lisa is an advocate for engaging men on the conversation on sexual assault and ensuring that victims are empowered to view themselves as survivors. Lisa was invited to share her perspective at a student voices session with former Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan. Lisa has worked as a program’s intern for Moms Demand Action against Gun Violence, and as an intern, in the Office of the Chair at the Democratic National Committee.

Cadet Carson Warnberg

Hometown: Dallas, Texas

School: United States Military Academy at West Point

Cadet Carson Warnberg is a First Class Cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Carson currently serves as the Education Officer for the Cadets Against Sexual Harassment Program (CASHA). He has been involved with the program since 2013 and has worked at the Company, Regimental, and Brigade levels.  As the Education Officer, Carson is responsible for creating education aimed at eliminating sexual harassment and sexual assault, training and educating, and fostering a culture of bystander intervention in the Corps of Cadets. 

Meghan Yap

Hometown: La Jolla, California

School: University of California, San Diego

Meghan Yap is a senior at the University of California San Diego, double majoring in biological anthropology and global health. She is a College Ambassador, Resident Assistant, and a research assistant at the university. Meghan was first exposed to the effects of sexual and domestic violence while rendering care as an emergency medical technician in Los Angeles. Following her own experience of campus sexual assault, Meghan made it her personal and professional mission to improve the lives of survivors through research and activism. As an intern at UC San Diego Medical School’s Center on Gender Equity and Health, Meghan is developing policy and best practice recommendations for the university to address sexual violence. She has been reviewing recommendations from state and national coalitions against sexual assault and conducting an analysis of campus policies to assess their adherence to these coalition-recommended approaches. On campus, Meghan collaborates with administrators and resource centers to promote evidence-based, trauma-informed policies and practices, in an effort to advocate for greater sensitivity and prevent re-victimization of survivors. Meghan is a first generation college student, and after graduating from UC San Diego in June 2016, she plans to pursue a Masters of Public Health and PhD in global health, emphasizing gender-based violence.

第6屆白宮科學展表揚美國下一代發明家 華裔約9人

(Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導)美國白宮4月13日將舉辦2016年白宮科學展，表揚100多名美國下一代發明家。根據名單，其中約9人為華裔或亞裔，最年輕的才9歲。

            為了鼓勵青少年投入數理科學研究，美國總統奧巴馬今年將於4月13日主持他的第六屆，也是最後一屆白宮科學展，歡迎一百多名在科學，技術，工程及數學上有傑出表現的學子，展示他們的發明將如何改變美國未來。

在獲選參展者中，有些是個人發明，有些是團隊成績。9名獲選華人或亞裔，來自以下6個項目。

“火盔甲（The FireArmor）“是2015年的“康納德創新精神挑戰（Conrad Spirit of Innovation Challenge）獎”五名得獎者之一。該獎項鼓勵高中生應用數理科技發展可商業化產品，解決世界上的真實問題。“火盔甲”團隊發明的是以無機，可吸熱纖維製作，在攝氏1000度的高溫環境中，都可以保護消防員或任何人約5分鐘的衣服。來自俄亥俄州的四人團隊中，18歲的陳華樂莉（譯音，Valerie Chen），和17歲的孫馬修（譯音，Matthew Sun）應為華裔。

搖它（Rock-It）是個來自北卡羅來納州達勒姆（Durham）的業餘火箭隊，2013和2104年，都打入了美國火箭挑戰隊全國比賽的決賽，獲得到航太總站（NASA）實習機會。連航太總站工程師都關注他們研究的荷載系統。在這四人團隊中，17歲的鄭茱蒂（譯音，Judy Cheng）應為華裔。

“泥力（Mud Power）“是紐約曼哈薩（Manhasset）高中同學，泰金巴莉（譯音，Kimberly Te）和雲克莉絲汀（Christine Yoo）的 “微生物燃料電池（microbial fuel cell (MFCs)）”項目。從小學一年級開始就是好朋友的這兩人，曾以名為“自然，以具有成本效益陽極優化沈澱微生物燃料電池：製作創新的收集能源及清理石油污染地區的方法（Natural, Cost-Effective Anodes for Optimized Sediment Microbial Fuel Cells: Engineering a Novel Approach to Harvesting Energy and Cleaning Up Oil-Polluted Regions）”的項目，得過全國性西門子科學大賽大獎。他們用學校實驗室做出的“泥力”，能夠用天然的微生物做材料來生產能源，提高產量，有效清理油污，而且成本效益很高。

來自內華達州拉斯維加斯的三人團隊，在參加未來城市全國比賽時，失去了原有的輔導老師，但他們卻能克服困難，創作了一個可持續，無廢物的自製城市，贏得能夠融合文化及歷史資源的未來城市獎。三名團隊成員中，13歲的林雪莉（譯音，Sydney Lin）應為華裔。

來自紐約市，成員中包括18歲倪思雅（譯音，Si Ya “Wendy” Ni）的三人團隊，發明了能夠沿著鐵路路軌清理礫石，讓每天搭車上學的學童們，有個更為清潔，有效率的交通系統可用。

華盛頓州西雅圖的9歲金巴莉，11歲瑞貝卡這兩名翁（Yeung）姓姐妹，用箭頭及木屑做出宇宙飛行船，透過氮氣球送進平流層。記錄位置座標，溫度，速度，壓力，並把數據送回到在地面上的她兩手中。他們希望讓其他小孩看到，科學及工程不只小孩子做得到，還做得有趣得多。

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON EQUAL PAY DAY

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT

ON EQUAL PAY DAY

Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Museum

Washington, D.C.

11:35 A.M. EDT

     THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you very much, everybody.  (Applause.) Thank you.  Thank you.  Everybody, please, have a seat.  Have a seat. 

Well, hello, everybody.  (Applause.)  Thank you to Chitra for the introduction.  It should be noted that today is Equal Pay Day, which means a woman has to work about this far into 2016 just to earn what a man earned in 2015.  And what better place to commemorate this day than here at this house, where some of our country’s most important history took place, and where this history needs to inform the work that remains to be done.

I want to thank some of the leaders who’ve worked to keep the house standing.  We’ve got members of Congress like Senator Barbara Mikulski, who’s fought to preserve this site for years and has been the longest-serving woman in the United States Senate.  (Applause.)  We are so proud of her.  Our Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, and her team, as we celebrate the 100th birthday of the National Park Service this year.  (Applause.) 

One of our greatest athletes of all time, one of the earliest advocates for equal pay for professional female athletes, and a heroine of mine when I was still young and fancied myself a tennis player -- (laughter) -- Billie Jean King is in the house.  (Applause.)  And the National Woman’s Party Board of Directors, Page Harrington, and the Executive Director of the House and the Museum.  (Applause.)  Over the years, Page and her staff have built a community and cared for this house, repairing every cracked pipe and patching every leaked roof.  We are grateful for their stewardship.  I know it was not easy.

Equal pay for equal work should be a fundamental principle of our economy.  It’s the idea that whether you’re a high school teacher, a business executive, or a professional soccer player or tennis player, your work should be equally valued and rewarded, whether you are a man or a woman.

It’s a simple ideal.  It’s a simple principle.  It’s one that our Leader of the Democratic Caucus in the House, Nancy Pelosi, has been fighting for, for years.  But it’s one where we still fall short.  Today, the typical woman who works full-time earns 79 cents for every dollar that a typical man makes.  And the gap is even wider for women of color.  The typical black woman makes only 60 cents, a Latino woman 55 cents for every dollar that a white man earns.  Now, if we truly value fairness, then America should be a level playing field where everyone who works hard gets a chance to succeed.  And that’s good for America, because we don’t want some of our best players on the sidelines.

That’s why the first bill that I signed as President was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.  Earlier this year, on the anniversary of that day, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Labor acted to begin collecting annual data on pay by gender, race, and ethnicity.  And this action will strengthen the enforcement of equal pay laws that are already on the books, and help employers address pay gaps on their own. 

And to build on these efforts, Congress needs to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act to put sensible rules in place and make sure -- (applause) -- and make sure that employees who discuss their salaries don’t face retaliation by their employers. 

But I’m not here just to say we should close the wage gap.  I’m here to say we will close the wage gap.  And if you don’t believe me, then -- (applause) -- if you don’t believe that we’re going to close our wage gap, you need to come visit this house, because this house has a story to tell.  (Applause.)

This is the story of the National Women’s Party, whose members fought to have their voices heard.  These women first organized in 1912, with little money but big hopes for equality for women all around the world.  They wanted an equal say over their children, over their property, their earnings, their inheritance; equal rights to their citizenship and a say in their government; equal opportunities in schools, in universities, workplaces, public service, and, yes, equal pay for equal work.  And they understood that the power of their voice in our democracy was the first step in achieving these broader goals.

Their leader, Alice Paul, was a brilliant community organizer and political strategist, and she recruited women and men from across the country to join their cause.  And they began picketing seven days a week in front of the White House to demand their right to vote.  They were mocked.  They were derided.  They were arrested.  They were beaten.  There were force-feedings during hunger strikes.  And through all this, women, young and old, kept marching for suffrage, kept protesting for suffrage. 

And in 1920, they won that right.  We ratified the 19th Amendment.  But the suffragists didn’t stop there.  They moved into this historic house and they continued their work.  From these rooms, steps away from the Capitol, they drafted speeches and letters and legislation.  They pushed Congress and fought for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.  They advocated for the inclusion of women in the U.N. Charter and the 1964 Civil Rights Act.  They campaigned for women who were running for Congress.

This house became a hotbed of activism, a centerpiece for the struggle for equality, a monument to fight not just for women’s equality, but ultimately, for equality for everybody.  Because one of the things we’ve learned is, is that the effort to make sure that everybody is treated fairly is connected. 

And so, today, I’m very proud to designate it as America’s newest national monument -- the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument, right here in Washington, D.C.  (Applause.) 

We do this to help tell the story of these suffragists.  In these rooms, they pursued ideals which shouldn’t be relegated to the archives of history, shouldn’t be behind glass cases, because the story of their fighting is our story.  I want young girls and boys to come here, 10, 20, 100 years from now, to know that women fought for equality, it was not just given to them.  I want them to come here and be astonished that there was ever a time when women could not vote.  I want them to be astonished that there was ever a time when women earned less than men for doing the same work.  I want them to be astonished that there was ever a time when women were vastly outnumbered in the boardroom or in Congress, that there was ever a time when a woman had never sat in the Oval Office.  (Applause.)

I don’t know how long it will take to get there, but I know we’re getting closer to that day, because of the work of generations of active, committed citizens.  One of the interesting things, as I was just looking through some of the rooms -- there was Susan B. Anthony’s desk.  You had Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s chair.  And you realize that those early suffragists had proceeded Alice Paul by a generation.  They had passed away by the time that the vote was finally granted to women.  And it makes you realize -- and I say this to young people all the time -- that this is not a sprint, this is a marathon.  It’s not the actions of one person, one individual, but it is a collective effort, where each generation has its own duty, its own responsibility, its own role to fulfill in advancing the cause of our democracy. 

That’s why we’re getting closer, because I know there’s a whole new generation of women and men who believe so deeply that we’ve got to close these gaps.  I have faith because what this house shows us is that the story of America is a story of progress.  And it will continue to be a story of progress as long as people are willing to keep pushing and keep organizing, and, yes, keep voting for people committed to this cause and to full equality for every American.

And so I’m hoping that a young generation will come here and draw inspiration from the efforts of people who came before them. After women won the right to vote, Alice Paul, who lived most of her life in this very house, said, “It is incredible to me that any woman should consider the right for full equality won.  It has just begun.”  And that’s the thing about America -- we are never finished.  We are a constant work in progress.  And our future belongs to every free woman and man who takes up the hard work of citizenship, to win full equality and shape our own destiny. 

That is the story that this house tells.  It is now a national monument that young people will be inspired by for years to come.  It would not have happened without the extraordinary efforts of many of the people in this room -- not only their active support of this house and preserving it, but also the outstanding example that they are setting, that you are setting.

I’m very proud of you.  Congratulations.  Thank you very much, everybody.  (Applause.)

State House Leaders Issue Statements on Ten Year Anniversary of Universal Health Care in Massachusetts

State House Leaders Issue Statements on Ten Year Anniversary of Universal Health Care in Massachusetts

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Stan Rosenberg today issued the following statements in recognition of the ten year anniversary of universal access to health care in Massachusetts:

“Ten years ago, Massachusetts led the country by creating a landmark health care coverage law and today we are pleased that 96.4 percent of the state’s population is insured,” said Governor Baker. “Through our state-based marketplace, individuals and families have the ability to choose their best coverage options, and while there is still more work to be done to increase accessibility and transparency for consumers, we have taken many steps in the right direction.” 

"At the time, I think everyone in the legislature knew that bill would be a big deal.  But it’s amazing to look back at it ten years later and think about how in hindsight our efforts became the model for the country’s universal health care law," House Speaker DeLeo said. "In Massachusetts, we often say that we lead the way for the rest of the nation.  This bill is proof of that notion."

   

"Healthcare reform began in Massachusetts ten years ago and has increased access to high quality healthcare for our residents. The evolution of its passage serves as a reminder of how cooperation between political parties can produce meaningful public policy that makes a real difference in the lives of millions of people,” said Senate President Stan Rosenberg.  “It now serves as the model for our national healthcare law which is bringing people, some for the first time in their lives, access to healthcare across the country.  As we move forward our focus now is to bring down costs and produce better outcomes for our residents. “

AG HEALEY OPENS APPLICATION PERIOD FOR GRANTS FOR HEALTHY SUMMER YOUTH JOBS

AG HEALEY OPENS APPLICATION PERIOD FOR GRANTS FOR HEALTHY SUMMER YOUTH JOBS 

AG’s Healthcare Settlements Provide $300,000 in Grant Funding for 200 Summer Jobs that Promote Good Health for Youth from Communities Across the State

BOSTON – Aimed at providing young people in underserved communities with opportunities for employment that will impact public health, wellness and disease prevention, Attorney General Maura Healey has opened the application period for grant funding for an estimated 200 summer jobs across Massachusetts.

The Healthy Summer Youth Jobs Grant Program is funded with $300,000 recovered by settlements the AG’s Office reached with pharmaceutical companies Johnson & Johnson and GlaxoSmithKline. Beyond increasing youth employment, the grants will focus on promoting physical wellness and disease prevention among the state’s young people.

“We want to give young people in Massachusetts a great opportunity to work in their communities this summer and promote healthy living and wellness in their neighborhoods,” said AG Healey. “This grant program is designed to directly benefit underserved communities by providing interactive and healthy jobs and increasing awareness of public health and disease prevention across the state.”

Between 2000 and 2014, the national teen employment rate dropped from 45 percent to 30 percent, according to the US Department of Labor. Additionally, research has shown that health and wellness factors are strongly tied to income levels and that children from lower-income homes are more likely to be overweight and in poorer health than those from higher-income homes.

Examples of healthy summer youth jobs that could receive funding could include, but are not limited to:

·         Working as a coach, team leader or mentor for a pre-existing sports  or fitness activity for low-income youth

·         Working at a community health center;

·         Collaborating on a public health or health-related environmental justice project;

·         Working as a teacher or teacher’s assistant for an exercise or physical fitness class for low-income youth or seniors;

·         Activities that are directly related to health care or the management or prevention of chronic diseases for low-income youth.

The AG’s Office will issue grants to municipalities, other agencies and nonprofits within the state that serve low-income and/or at-risk youth.

Grant awards will fund youth employment from July 5, 2016 through Aug. 26, 2016. Interested applicants can visit the AG’s website, www.mass.gov/ago/grants, for more information and for application instructions. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 6, 2016.

波市府提醒民眾今日（4/12）有特別選舉 請出席投票

CITY OF BOSTON ISSUES REMINDER FOR APRIL 12 SPECIAL STATE PRIMARY ELECTION FOR FIRST SUFFOLK AND MIDDLESEX SENATE DISTRICTS

BOSTON - Monday, April 11, 2016 - The City of Boston Election Department announced today that polls will be open tomorrow from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.for the Special State Primary on Tuesday, April 12. Ballots have been printed for Boston's 51,864 registered voters who live in the 1st Suffolk and Middlesex Senate District; which includes 22,720 in the Democratic Party, 5,174 in the Republican party, 213 in the United Independent Party, 48 in the Green-Rainbow Party, and 23,709 voters who are not enrolled in any political party (unenrolled are often referred to as Independents) and may chose one party's ballot to vote with on April 12th, 2016.  All polling places will be equipped with an Automark machine, which assists voters with sensory and physical limitations in marking their ballots; this device also provides translation assistance. The following languages will be available at the polls and through a central translator telephone bank: Spanish Chinese (both Mandarin and Cantonese dialects) Vietnamese Haitian Creole Cape Verdean Creole Russian The department has recruited and trained more than 165 poll workers to staff more than 18 polling locations, covering approximately 25 precincts. From answering calls from residents, to working the polling locations, to counting ballots, poll workers play a vital role in the success of Election Day. To help boost civic engagement, residents are encouraged to use hashtag#BostonVotes on social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, with photos of "I voted" stickers. Election results will be posted online at www.boston.gov after the polls close at 8:00 p.m. Updates on turnout will be provided periodically via Twitter:@BostonElections, and the City of Boston Elections Department's Facebook account. Please use the Election Department's website to receive additional information regarding the election; registered voters are able to use the site to locate polling locations. Members of the media are encouraged to adhere to the following guidelines: Interviews of voters are not allowed inside polling locations and must be carried out at least 150 feet away from the site Interviews with election officers at the polling locations are not allowed Interview requests for the Election Commissioner must be directed through the Press Office at (617) 635-4461 Photos and b-roll shots will be allowed under the supervision of each poll's warden Photographers are reminded that zooming in on voter ballots and shots over the shoulders of voters will not be allowed; please respect every voter's right to a private ballot The City of Boston Election Department will also be available for b-roll shots starting at 7:30 a.m. on April 12, 2016.