亞美社區發展協會慶30週年 "社區之心"表揚波士頓市長

亞美社區發展協會行政主任劉安琪。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)亞美社區發展協會(ACDC)今(28日)早在龍鳳酒樓舉辦"社區之心"早餐宴，頒”啟發獎”表揚波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)，以視頻短片回顧華埠社區30年，強調該會成立宗旨是建可負擔住宅，為移民社區服務。

波士頓市長幕僚長高丹尼(Daniel Koh)。(周菊子攝)

               今早的這活動，由WCVB地5號頻道電視台記者伍沅媚(Janet Wu)擔任司儀，亞美社區發展協會董事長李保華，行政主任劉安琪，董事陳咏梅等人先後致詞，並以伍少文(Ken Eng)拍攝，訪問該會歷年董事，包括張黃玉鷹，李燦輝，盧桂齡，王英健等人的視頻短片，回顧華埠過去這30年來的演變。

               會上，亞美社區發展協會特地邀請波士頓市市長幕僚長高丹尼(Daniel Koh)來介紹今年的”啟發獎”得獎人，波士頓市長馬丁華殊，藉以反映他重用年輕人，給波士頓帶來的蓬勃朝氣與改變。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Marty Walsh)。(周菊子攝)

               馬丁華殊表示，他競選市長時，就有心要帶領波士頓走上一個新方向，也因此就任後在自己身邊重用，環繞了一批年輕人。三年來締造了不少成績。包括建造了更多可負擔住宅，有了歷年來最多的一級，二級學校，在城市發展上也走向了不只發展，更計畫發展這條路。

亞美社區發展協會董事長李保華(左一)，行政主任劉安琪(右二)
和波士頓市長幕僚長高丹尼(右一)一起頒發啟發獎給波士頓市長
馬丁華殊(Marty Walsh)。(周菊子攝)

他坦言從亞美社區發展協會的誌記30週年影片，看到那麼多波士頓早年樣貌，很是感慨。前一陣子，他和波士頓鄰里發展局局長席拉狄倫才討論到華埠的變化，也知道有些人因為這些改變而無法繼續住在華埠。今後市府將更加盡力，不但推動華埠繁榮，還要促進華埠團結。

               他強調，波士頓市很特殊，是因為有多元族裔，例如北端(North End)的小義大利，南波士頓的愛爾蘭人社區，華埠的華人等，內涵才更豐富。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Marty Walsh，左)和摩頓市市長葛帝生
(Gary Christenson)。(周菊子攝)

               亞美社區發展協會董事長李保華在華埠出生，6年級開始，跟隨父母搬家不下4次，親眼見證了華埠的轉變，也見到一代又一代新移民，不斷重複著來自異地他鄉，需要適應，融入當地生活的模式。他強調，成立於1987年的亞美社區發展協會，因此抱持宗旨，要為新移民服務，並致力保留華埠這個族裔社區。

               亞美社區發展協會行政主任劉安琪指出，過去30年來，該會為華埠社區發展C地段，24號地段，建造了華信屋，信義大廈，綠茵苑等大樓，帶給地方居民近千戶住宅單位。近年來該會也深入昆士市，辦理選民登記，鼓勵投票等活動，最近也在擴展服務近摩頓市。該會的服務還包括全麻州唯一用中文授課的購屋101課程，帶領青少年熟悉華埠文化，建築，培養領袖力的AVoice等等。

李保華憶述早年。(周菊子攝)

               下週一，亞美社區發展協會的綠茵苑(One Greenway)第二期51戶可負擔住宅，將從收到約1500份申請書中，抽籤抽出幸運兒。

東方銀行副總裁暨亞美社區發展協會董事陳咏梅。(周菊子攝)

紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊(右)和彼得孟肯白(左)。(周菊子攝)

蘇宇寅(左)和陳咏梅(中)。(周菊子攝)

亞美社區發展協會現任行政主任劉安琪(左三)，前任主任陳潔瀅(右一)
和波士頓鄰里發展局局長席拉狄倫(右二)等人。(周菊子攝)

中華頤養院董事陳秀英(左)和昆士市市議員梁秀婷(右)。(周菊子攝)

中華頤養院董事長雷偉志(左)和亞美社區發展協會前董事盧桂齡。(周菊子攝)

Rep. Chu Introduces SAFE SEAT Act to Protect Passengers from Overbooking and Airline Abuse

Rep. Chu Introduces SAFE SEAT Act to Protect Passengers from Overbooking and Airline Abuse

   

Washington, D.C. – On April 9, David Dao, an Asian-American doctor, was forcibly dragged off of a United Airlines flight due to overbooking, sustaining serious injury. In response to the shocking incident, and the community outrage that followed, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) has introduced the Saving All Flyers from Ejection and Securing Everyone’s Access to Travel (SAFE SEAT) Act. The SAFE SEAT Act prohibits airlines from forcibly removing a passenger after boarding an aircraft unless necessary for safety or security; requires that all overbooking issues must be resolved prior to letting passengers board; and requires that before any individual is denied boarding a flight, the airline must offer the regulatory maximum amount of compensation  to anybody willing to voluntarily give up their seat. Rep. Chu released the following statement:

“Like most Americans, I was shocked and alarmed by the footage of Dr. Dao being violently dragged off a plane after he had already been allowed to take the seat he had paid for. As United has now recognized in public statements and a legal settlement with Dr. Dao, they failed their customer. But no passenger should be treated like Mr. Dao in the first place. We need to prevent the need for future apologies entirely. And that means addressing the problem of overbooking with common sense solutions.

“While I understand that overbooking flights is a part of the airlines’ internal business model, it cannot be a part of the passenger experience. Nor can it be an excuse for disruption or even violence. That is why my bill prohibits the use of force, with exceptions for safety and security, and requires airlines to resolve overbooking issues before letting passengers board. Finally, it creates an incentive for problem solving by requiring airlines to offer at least the highest amount of compensation required to passengers willing to give up their seats. I hope that we can act quickly on this measure to resolve these problems and give passengers a safer, more reliable, and more enjoyable flying experience.”

台美專業人士協會請蘇宇寅爐邊暢談(圖片)

台美專業人士協會(TAP)會長舒其馨(前右一)和部分出席者與講者蘇宇寅(Ian So，後右六)合影。(周菊子攝)

雞肉飯傢伙(Chicken & Rice Guy)創辦人蘇宇寅。(周菊子攝)

Newton Mayor Setti Warren and Newton-Wellesley Hospital Announce Partnership to Combat Opioid Epidemic

Newton Mayor Setti Warren and Newton-Wellesley Hospital Announce Partnership to Combat Opioid Epidemic

Newton, MA – The City of Newton and Newton-Wellesley Hospital are establishing an innovative partnership to combat the opioid epidemic in Newton and the region.

Led by Dr. Antje Barreveld, NWH Anesthesiologist and Medical Director of Pain Management Service, the new Substance Abuse Disorders Service (SAS) team will expand clinical education and training programs for providers, provide coordinated, safe, multi-modal treatment for patients with chronic pain and substance use disorders and help patients transition to long-term care when needed. The team will be comprised of a Director, Associate Director, Social Worker, Medical Assistant, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, and Recovery Coaches.

“We are excited to continue our work with Newton-Wellesley Hospital as we look to address the opioid epidemic here in Newton,” said Newton Mayor Setti Warren. “The resources and experience that NWH brings, both in treating substance abuse and working in our community, are invaluable as we try innovative programs to help those most in need. By providing long-term care through recovery coaches and other support services, this new program will give those suffering from addiction the treatment they need for a successful recovery.”

This new program builds on the well-established partnership between the City of Newton and NWH to address the opioid epidemic. Three doctors from the Hospital participate on the City’s Newton PATH team and NWH provides Narcan doses to Newton’s first responders.

“Since our founding in 1881, Newton-Wellesley Hospital has played an important role caring for the health and well-being of our community and beyond,” said Michael R. Jaff, DO, President, Newton-Wellesley Hospital. “We look forward to building on our important partnership with the City of Newton to address the deepening and deadly substance abuse crisis in our community.”

“I am very encouraged by this program,” said Newton Police Chief David MacDonald. “We are seeing this crisis play out on the front lines in our community, impacting people of all ages and backgrounds. The focus on prevention and treatment are also the priorities of NPD as we seek to serve and protect the Newton community and we look forward to working with Newton-Wellesley Hospital as a resource and partner.”

BPHC Partners with BPD to Promote Safe Disposal of Prescription Drugs

BPHC Partners with BPD to Promote Safe Disposal of Prescription Drugs

BPHC and BPD encourage residents to utilize prescription drug disposal kiosks this National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

BOSTON - Friday, April 28, 2017 - The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) and the Boston Police Department (BPD) are encouraging Bostonians to play a role in curbing the abuse and theft of prescription drugs by dropping their unused or expired prescription drugs at 11 medication disposal kiosks located around the city during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 29, 2017. "Take Back Day is another great opportunity for us to encourage residents to safely dispose their unwanted medication, which we know reduces opportunities for misuse of those drugs," said BPHC Executive Director Monica Valdes Lupi, JD, MPH. "Proper disposal of medication minimizes the risk to children, family members, and the environment."  "Properly disposing of unwanted or expired medications reduces opportunities for these drugs to end up being consumed by children or misused by adults. Take Back Day provides a safe and convenient method for the public to dispose of these items," said BPD Commissioner William Evans. The kiosks are available through a partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the City of Boston, the Boston Police Department (BPD), BPHC, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Bureau of Substance Abuse Services. This kiosk service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked. Kiosks are open to all residents 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and available at any of the following locations: Downtown: 40 New Sudbury St. Boston, MA 02114 East Boston: 69 Paris St. East Boston, MA 02128 Roxbury: 2400 Washington St. Roxbury, MA 02119 Mattapan: 1165 Blue Hill Ave. Dorchester, MA 02124 South Boston: 101 West Broadway South Boston, MA 02127 Dorchester: 40 Gibson St. Dorchester, MA 02122 Back Bay: 650 Harrison Ave. Boston, MA 02116 Brighton: 301 Washington St. Brighton, MA 02135 West Roxbury: 1708 Centre St. West Roxbury, MA 02132 Jamaica Plain: 3345 Washington St. Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 Hyde Park: 1249 Hyde Park Ave. Hyde Park, MA 02136 For a map of Boston disposal kiosks, visit http://www.bphc.org/whatwedo/Recovery-Services/community-mobilization/Pages/Med-Return-Locations.aspx  For more information on the types of prescriptions that can be disposed of in prescription drug disposal kiosks, visit http://www.bphc.org/whatwedo/Recovery-Services/community-mobilization/Pages/Drug-Take-Back.aspx

About the Boston Public Health Commission

The Boston Public Health Commission, the country's oldest health department, is an independent public agency providing a wide range of health services and programs. It is governed by a seven-member board of health appointed by the Mayor of Boston.   Public service and access to quality health care are the cornerstones of our mission - to protect, preserve, and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, particularly those who are most vulnerable. The Commission's more than 40 programs are grouped into six bureaus: Child, Adolescent & Family Health; Community Health Initiatives; Homeless Services; Infectious Disease; Recovery Services; and Emergency Medical Services.

CAPAC Chair Chu’s Statement on Trump’s First 100 Days

CAPAC Chair Chu’s Statement on Trump’s First 100 Days

WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 29, 2017 marks the 100th day of President Trump’s presidency. Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), released the following statement regarding the impact of President Trump’s first one hundred days on the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community:

“Over the past 100 days, we have seen President Trump take a series of risky actions that have undercut the safety and security of all Americans – including millions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the country. His anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric has fueled a disturbing surge in hate violence targeting our communities, particularly those in the South Asian, Sikh, Muslim, Arab, and Middle Eastern communities. This surge in hate has been exacerbated by his Muslim travel ban, which continues to target AAPIs and other communities of color, creating great fear and anxiety.

“Moreover, his draconian immigration enforcement actions are targeting millions of Americans – including DREAMers and DACA recipients – and separating families. President Trump’s desire to move America from a family-based immigration system to a merit-based system will not only tear families apart, but disproportionately impact AAPI communities.

“Furthermore, Trumpcare puts the two million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who gained coverage under the Affordable Care Act at risk of losing critical healthcare. Rather than address health disparities impacting minority communities, President Trump wants to make healthcare more expensive and force families to pay more for less.

“In President Trump’s first 100 days, we have seen nothing but alarming incompetency and broken promises that undermine our values as a nation. The American people deserve better, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus will continue to defend the rights of AAPI communities and all Americans nationwide.”

National AAPI Business Summit 5/16

僑委會鼓勵海外僑營旅業者協推台灣觀光

僑委會鼓勵海外僑營旅業者協推台灣觀光

為推廣台灣觀光產業，僑務委員會28日舉辦台灣觀光亮點說明會，向海外僑營旅遊業者介紹台灣觀光資源。僑委會委員長吳新興表示，向世界推廣台灣觀光「時機已經成熟」。

說明會共有13個縣市觀光部門派員出席，並分別簡報觀光亮點。吳新興在致詞時表示，台灣有豐厚的觀光資源，值得向全世界推介；配合新南向政策，政府除了將台灣物美價廉的觀光資源推銷到東南亞，更希望台灣的美好能藉由僑營旅遊業的協助，推廣到世界每個角落。

吳新興說，推展台灣觀光需要各部會政府、民間，尤其是僑界業者一起努力，協助政府在海外吸引國際觀光客，為自己的故鄉貢獻心力，他感激大家對行銷台灣旅遊的關注及支持。

交通部觀光局執行秘書蔡明玲在簡報時表示，交通部推動觀光從多方面著手，包括善用如台商與留學生組織的友台團體，並鼓勵產業南向，鼓勵原住民、僑生投入導遊行業。

此外，也要加強東協十加二雙邊模式，並加速推動免簽、電子簽，整備接待環境，特別爭取穆斯林旅客等。

僑委會組織「2017年海外僑營旅遊業者推廣台灣觀光參訪團」以推動僑胞來台觀光旅遊，計有來自六大洲16國的30位海外僑營旅遊業者負責人或高階主管參加。訪台期間，預計赴宜蘭、新竹、苗栗、台中等地參訪。

波士頓安徽同鄉會請訴訟律師講法庭制度

大波士頓安徽同鄉會會長張文君(右一)，副會長汪亞若(左起)，志願者
任娜娜後送紀念品給兩名訴訟律師姜家， Frank Smith。(周菊子攝)

(Boston Orange 周菊子劍橋市報導) 大波士頓安徽同鄉會4月26日晚在麻省理工學院舉辦公益講座，請得兩名訴訟律師闡釋美國法庭制度。30多名出席者，提問踴躍。

大波士頓安徽同鄉會成立於2016年11月11日，今年1月才辦過新年聚會，26日晚秉持公益精神，舉辦解析美國法庭制度的講座。

目前在律師事務所工作的安徽同鄉會副會長汪若亞指出，無論是留學生或移民，來到異地他鄉的美國，一但遭遇狀況，即使是小如處理交通罰單，因應租房糾紛，或醉酒駕車，可能都得和法庭打交道，但人生地不熟，既不熟悉這兒的法律及法庭制度，又擔心律師費太貴，於是焦灼萬分，甚或蒙受損失。該會因此舉辦這講座，希望為有需要者提供諮詢管道。

當晚應邀主講的訴訟律師為曾任地區助理檢察官的Frank Smith，以及曾為持證法庭傳譯，能通普通話，廣東話，台山話，英文的姜家。

他們兩人指出，麻州的法庭系統按類別，有波士頓市法庭，地區法庭，房屋法庭，土地法停，高等法庭，青少年法庭，遺囑認證及家事法庭等至少7種初級法庭。在這些法庭解決不了的問題，再升級到審判法庭，上訴法庭，以及高等法庭。上法庭的案件，又分刑事法，民事法，前者處理犯罪問題，後者多半和金錢糾紛有關。

Frank Smith指出，在美國的民主制度中，任何人都可因為任何事，向法院提出告訴，並申請法官聆聽案件，一般來說要先付費25元，50元，才會開庭。等法官判決後，控辯雙方還要各自付律師費。

Frank Smith 也指出，要記得，無論甚麼案件，在法官判決後，提出控訴的或者被告的涉案者，都有權要求上訴。

由於美國的法庭制度的處理案件過程，曠日廢時，涉及私人糾紛的案件，法官多半會建議涉案者找仲裁來解決問題。

他根據經驗告訴出席者，麻州警察在處理家庭暴力案件時，一定會逮捕或帶走涉案雙方的其中一人，以避免可能發生更進一步，甚至導致死亡的暴力。

他也以自己曾經處理過的房東房客糾紛指出，麻州非常保護租客，當房東碰到壞房客時，告上法院往往不如以其他方法處理更省事省錢。有個例子就是一名每月房租1600元的房客欠租9個月，房東決定逼遷，告上法庭，結果法官雖然判房東贏了，房客得至少賠8000元，但只規定房客每月至少付250元的來償還。

席間，出席者提出不少問題，包括有人想當法庭傳譯，有人問休班警察開私家車撞到過路行人，卻說自己在執行公務，有罪還是沒罪，刑事案件或民事案件的法庭檔案，是否可以消除，或封存，雇主有沒權利在洗手間也安裝監視器等等。

汪若亞表示，波士頓安徽同鄉會從成立迄今，已有二百多會員，也開設了微信公眾號，方便老鄉聯絡，希望在波士頓的安徽人都能加入行列。

MAYOR WALSH, THE BOSTON FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE GRANT FOR CHILDREN'S SAVINGS ACCOUNT PROGRAM

MAYOR WALSH, THE BOSTON FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE GRANT FOR CHILDREN'S SAVINGS ACCOUNT PROGRAM

BOSTON - Thursday, April 27, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that Boston Saves, the City of Boston's children's savings account program, has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the Boston Foundation to help fund the next two years of its three-year pilot. The funding will help support a financial incentives program to encourage families to save for their children's future, an online platform where families can track their savings, and school programming around financial education and family engagement. "Boston Saves has already reached 246 kindergartners, helping hundreds of Boston families expand their financial capabilities and setting up our children for a brighter future," said Mayor Walsh. "I thank the Boston Foundation for their partnership and shared vision to provide more opportunity for our city's children to succeed." Mayor Walsh launched Boston Saves last fall with the goal of helping families of Boston Public Schools (BPS) kindergartners save money for their children's college or career training. Boston Saves provides each participating kindergartner with an account that is automatically seeded with $50. Using an online platform, families can also earn financial incentives for consistent saving and tracks all their savings for their child in one place. Participating schools host family events and classroom activities to promote saving as a fun, community-wide effort. In the first year of its pilot, Boston Saves has so far provided seeded accounts to 246 kindergartners at five participating Boston Public Schools: George H. Conley Elementary School in Roslindale Harvard-Kent Elementary School in Charlestown Donald McKay K-8 School in East Boston James Otis Elementary School in East Boston Franklin D. Roosevelt in Hyde Park The next two years of the pilot are projected to add another 1,100 children to the program. By Fall 2019, the initiative is slated to begin roll-out to all Boston's public school K2 kindergarten classes. Research suggests that children's savings account programs can encourage college attendance and completion. Low-income children with $500 or less in a savings account dedicated to higher education have been shown to be three times more likely to enroll in college and four times more likely to graduate from college. By 2020, 77 percent of jobs in Boston are projected to require some form of post-secondary education or training. "The Boston Foundation has long recognized that post-secondary education is a key driver of economic mobility and equity," said Paul S. Grogan, President and CEO of the Boston Foundation. "We're proud to partner with the City of Boston in an effort that will help families plan for their children's future success at the very earliest stages in the education pipeline." The Boston Foundation's $150,000 contribution marks a significant addition to the $800,000 that the Eos Foundation, the City of Boston, and other funders have invested in Boston Saves.   The Office of Workforce Development is an affiliate of the Boston Planning & Development Agency. About the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development The Mayor's Office of Workforce Development (OWD) is an innovative agency within the Boston Planning & Development Agency that seeks to ensure the full participation of all Boston residents in the city's economic vitality and future. The OWD funds and oversees programs that promote workforce development through education, jobs training, apprenticeships, financial coaching, career pathways, literacy initiatives, and the like. Please visit OWD.Boston.Gov to learn more about the OWD's work. About The Boston Foundation The Boston Foundation, Greater Boston's community foundation, is one of the largest community foundations in the nation, with net assets of some $1 billion. In 2016, the Foundation and its donors made $100 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and received gifts of more than $107 million. In celebration of its Centennial in 2015, the Boston Foundation launched the Campaign for Boston to strengthen the Permanent Fund for Boston, the principal endowment fund focused on the most pressing needs of Greater Boston. The Foundation is proud to be a partner in philanthropy, with more than 1,000 separate charitable funds established by donors either for the general benefit of the community or for special purposes. The Boston Foundation also serves as a major civic leader, think tank and advocacy organization, commissioning research into the most critical issues of our time and helping to shape public policy designed to advance opportunity for everyone in Greater Boston. The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI) The Philanthropic Initiative, a distinct operating unit of the Foundation, designs and implements customized philanthropic strategies for families, foundations and corporations around the globe. For more information about the Boston Foundation and TPI, visit tbf.org or call 617-338-1700.

波士頓市 5/1 辦招聘會

English classes for immigrant parents strengthen schools, build communities

English classes for immigrant parents strengthen schools, build communities

Boston Public Schools to Highlight ESOL for Parents Classes and Community-School Partnerships

BOSTON, MA - April 26.  In the weeks since the inauguration, many Boston educators are grappling with how to best support students of immigrant backgrounds facing anti-immigrant sentiment and rapidly changing immigration policies. According to the "BPS: We Dream Together" website, nearly half of 57,000 students in Boston Public Schools (BPS) speak a language other than English at home and represent 139 countries.

On May 1 from 9:00-11:00am at the BPS School Committee Chambers, an innovative approach to engaging immigrant parents of BPS students that uses adult English classes will be showcased at "Building Community-School Partnerships through Parent ESOL Classes."

The event will provide an overview to the ESOL for Parents Initiative while emphasizing the impact at the individual, family, school and district levels. It will include a presentation of awards to students participating in Parent ESOL classes, as well as a stakeholder panel to provide current research and context to explore integral partnerships, focus, challenges and successes associated with immigrant families trying to engage more deeply with their children's education.

Boston Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Tommy Chang underlined the timeliness of this event. "It is important that we continue to foster the relationships with all families so they can be even more engaged in our school system and city," Dr. Chang said. "English language classes for parents and caregivers are central to strengthening these relationships and building an inclusive community." 

Dr. Frances Esparza, Assistant Superintendent for English Language Learners, will present the awards. Students and recent graduates of ESOL for Parents classes, including parents from El Salvador, China, Nigeria, Haiti, and Somalia, will also speak to attendees on the specific impacts these customized English classes have on their lives.  

Istahil Ali, a Somalian mother of two Boston Public School students who is enrolled in an ESOL for Parents class at the Blackstone Elementary School, said, "I learned how I can speak to my child's teacher with confidence if something happens, or when I should speak to the principal."  Istahil also now is active in the Blackstone Parents' Council.

English for New Bostonians' (ENB) ESOL for Parents and Caregivers Initiative supports customized English classes to help immigrant parents gain English skills to support their children's educational success. Currently, ENB provides funding and technical assistance to six ESOL for Parents partnerships serving 150 parents in Boston. Community-based ESOL programs partner with elementary schools, pre-school programs and BPS' Newcomer Assessment and Counseling Center. BPS' Department of Adult Education also offers ESOL for Parents and family literacy classes through its Adult Learning Center.

Event hosts ENB, BPS Office of English Language Learners, and the Cabot Family Charitable Trust hope that by demonstrating the impact these classes have on immigrant parent engagement in Boston's schools, the event will build the momentum required to expand these classes to more schools serving large numbers of immigrant families.

"With immigrant families feeling threatened right now, communication and relationships are key," said Claudia Green, Executive Director of ENB. "ESOL for Parents classes help parents get comfortable with the vocabulary, with asking questions, and with using their voice as their child's first teacher, as supporter and as advocate." 

A panel discussion will include BPS Assistant Superintendent for Engagement Monica Roberts; a Nigerian mother of eight who enrolled at BPS Adult Ed; and Susan Klaw, who developed the ESOL for Parents and Caregivers curriculum on behalf of ENB and also teaches a class at the Blackstone.

The event is free and open to the public. The School Committee Chambers are located at BPS headquarters in the Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building (2300 Washington St, Roxbury, MA). Attendees are encouraged to RSVP ahead of time via ENB's website (www.englishfornewbostonians.org).

打擊人口走私 麻州總檢察官計畫罰瞟客

IN PUSH TO END DEMAND THAT DRIVES SEX TRAFFICKING, AG HEALEY PARTNERS WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CHARGE SEX BUYERS

AG’s Efforts Part of a National Initiative to Reduce Demand, Raise Awareness about Sexual Exploitation

BOSTON – As part of a national initiative aimed at reducing demand for commercial sex and raising awareness about the exploitation of victims in human trafficking, Attorney General Maura Healey has partnered with local law enforcement across the state to charge sex buyers.

Since March, the AG’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police’s Human Trafficking Unit worked with local law enforcement in Barnstable, Cambridge, Northampton and Springfield to arrest a total of 29 individuals in connection with attempting to purchase commercial sex during sting operations.

“We know that demand for commercial sex is the driving force behind sex trafficking,” said AG Healey. “We hope that this initiative raises awareness that human trafficking is not a victimless crime. It is the exploitation of human beings. We will continue to work with local law enforcement to end the victimization of vulnerable people and put an end to these crimes.”

“Massachusetts law enforcement agencies know that to stop sex trafficking, we have to stop sex buyers,” said Dhakir Warren, the Director of Network Learning and Engagement at Demand Abolition. “No buyers means no business. AG Healey’s leadership in this fight to end this exploitative industry is critical to our success in the Commonwealth. The partnership with law enforcement departments and the AG’s office mirrors the way our CEASE (Cities Empowered Against Sexual Exploitation) Network coordinates with cities throughout the country. Together, we are developing innovative tactics to identify and arrest buyers who harm society’s most vulnerable.”

“The pain, trauma, and degradation of human trafficking is happening in our communities in Massachusetts,” said Lisa Goldblatt Grace, Co-Founder & Director of My Life My Choice. “Survivors here are incredibly lucky to have a champion in AG Healey—someone who is dogged in her determination to make a difference and who understands that we must target the buyers to create real systemic change.”

“We can’t address sex trafficking without working to end prostitution,” said Cherie Jimenez, Founder of The EVA Center. “We can do this by heightening demand efforts and ensuring exit services for all who need them.”

These operations are a part of the National John Suppression Initiative (NJSI), an annual series of stings conducted by law enforcement across the country, aimed at reducing demand for commercial sex and raising awareness about the exploitation of individuals that occurs in human trafficking. Since its inception in 2011, participating law enforcement agencies from across the country have arrested more than 6,500 sex buyers and traffickers.

In December, Boston’s CEASE Network held a kickoff and training event to encourage Massachusetts law enforcement partners to reduce sex buying within their jurisdictions by participating in the NJSI.

The local operations were conducted by the MSP’s Human Trafficking Unit in conjunction with Barnstable, Cambridge, Northampton, and Springfield Police Departments.

“We are proud of the results of this collaborative initiative with the Attorney General’s Office, our law enforcement partners, and the assistance provided by the Special Investigations Unit of the Cambridge Police Department,” said Deputy Superintendent Steven DeMarco of the Cambridge Police Department. “We recognize that human trafficking is a serious crime and has no borders. Hopefully this initiative and others we support in the future will raise proper awareness of the social harm it has in our communities. We will continue to take the necessary enforcement action, advocate on this issue and encourage the public to be vigilant about reporting any related activity in the future.” 

“The Northampton Police Department greatly appreciates the commitment being made by the Attorney General’s Office to combat the many faces of sex trafficking within the Commonwealth, and the assistance they provide to the victims in these types of crimes,” said Detective Lieutenant Alan Borowski of the Northampton Police Department. “We as an agency will continue to support any efforts to remove sex buyers from our community and the get the victims in these cases the help and services that they deserve.”

“The Springfield Police Department always prides itself on cooperating with different law enforcement agencies,” said Sergeant John Delaney of the Springfield Police Department. “The teamwork on this initiative was second to none. Attempting to end human and sex trafficking is a high priority with this Department. We will continue to work diligently on these crimes.”

According to research done by Demand Abolition, which used accounts from survivors, law enforcement, and online search data, sex buyers often look for purchasing opportunities during business hours or using company equipment. 

In Boston, it’s estimated that more than 20,000 ads selling people for sex are posted online every month, with each ad receiving an average of 52 responses, according to research by Demand Abolition. There are over 9,000 searches for sex buying opportunities happening in Boston each day.

AG Healey has made combatting human trafficking a priority of her office. The AG’s dedicated Human Trafficking Division focuses on policy, prevention and prosecution and includes a team of specialized prosecutors, victim advocates and Massachusetts State Police troopers who handle high impact, multi-jurisdictional human trafficking investigations and prosecutions across the state. The division also works closely with other state, federal and local agencies and NGOs in the development of policy initiatives and training programs.

Through the Human Trafficking Division, the AG’s Office has charged more than 30 individuals in connection with human trafficking since the law went into effect in 2012.

The AG’s Office indicted a Boston man in March on charges of human trafficking, rape and witness intimidation in connection with supplying multiple women with drugs and trafficking them for commercial sex in communities across the state. 

In February, the AG’s Office indicted four individuals in connection with trafficking women at ‘massage parlors’ in Western Massachusetts after law enforcement dismantled the criminal operations in a major multistate law enforcement takedown in December.

Also in February, two New Hampshire women were charged in connection with trafficking women for commercial sex in Massachusetts communities through an online “escort” service.

The AG’s Office continues to work with local authorities, Demand Abolition, and CEASE Network to reduce the demand of sex purchasing by criminalizing buyers and providing support services to those who are trafficked.

This initiative was led by the AG’s Human Trafficking Division, including Division Chief Elizabeth K. Keeley, Deputy Division Chief Jennifer Snook, and Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bourgeois, as well as Amy Karangekis, Deputy Regional Chief of the AG’s Western Massachusetts Office, Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Vasiliades, of the AG’s Western Massachusetts Office and Criminal Bureau and Assistant Attorney General Eric Haskell, of the AG’s Criminal Bureau. Also involved in this initiative were Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, the AG’s Digital Evidence Lab, and the Barnstable, Cambridge, Northampton and Springfield Police Departments.