Secretary Santiago Pays Tribute to Vietnam Veterans in Worcester, Visits Project New Hope Inc.

 Secretary Santiago Pays Tribute to Vietnam Veterans in Worcester, Visits Project New Hope Inc.

WORCESTER, MA -- Commemorating the 50^th 

anniversary of the United States’ withdrawal of troops from Vietnam, Executive Office of Veterans’ Services Secretary Jon Santiago paid tribute to the service and sacrifice of Massachusetts veterans at the Vietnam War Veterans’ Day ceremony in Worcester on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. Secretary Santiago was joined by local officials including Mayor Joseph Petty, City Manager Eric Batista and City of Worcester Veterans’ Services director Alex Arriaga.

 

Santiago spoke to an audience of Vietnam veterans and their families about the importance of honoring the sacrifices of those who served and rededicating ourselves to the ideals of sacrifice and service. After the speaking program, Santiago, joined by Gold Star Wives, laid a commemorative wreath at the Memorial site in memory of the more than 1,500 Massachusetts men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War.

 

“Like the families of those who lost a loved one and our Vietnam Veterans, each one of us here today bears a responsibility to live a life that honors that sacrifice, and to ensure that it was not lost in vain,” said Santiago. “Today’s Vietnam Veterans’ Day is a poignant reminder of the need to expand services and resources to support our veterans.”

 

“I want to recognize the organizers of today’s event and thank Secretary Santiago for attending,” said Mayor Joseph M. Petty. “I’m proud that the City of Worcester is home to the Commonwealth’s Vietnam Memorial and I want to recognize the continued contribution from the state delegation who keep this memorial beautiful.”

 

“I am grateful to Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans’ Services Jon Santiago for his visit to Worcester to learn more about the needs of our veteran community and honor our Vietnam veterans on National Vietnam War Veterans’ Day,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “The City of Worcester is proud to host the Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans' Memorial at Green Hill Park and remains committed to preserving the memory of all veterans who have bravely served our country.”

 

“I would like to thank Secretary Jon Santiago for visiting the City of Worcester today and engaging in meaningful conversations with our community partners, veterans, and their families to learn about the needs in the city,” said Worcester Director of Veterans’ Services Alex Arriaga.

 

“We were honored that Secretary Santiago was able to visit and tour Project New Hope to meet with our staff and learn about our veteran retreats, Sully’s Baby and Food Pantries, Connecting the Dots Case Management and other resources we provide in Central Mass. As a fellow veteran, Secretary Santiago understands the needs of veterans and our families. I am thankful for his enthusiasm to meet three weeks into his term as Secretary and look forward to working with him and his team to serve our veterans each day here in Central Mass,” said Bill Moore.

 

For more information about the Executive Office of Veterans’ Services, visit mass.gov/veterans.

Advancing Justice – AAJC Mourns the Lives Lost and Harmed in Ciudad Juarez Migrant Detention Facility Fire, Calls for Action on Behalf of Immigrants and People Seeking Asylum

Advancing Justice – AAJC Mourns the Lives Lost and Harmed in Ciudad Juarez Migrant Detention Facility Fire, Calls for Action on Behalf of Immigrants and People Seeking Asylum

 

Washington, D.C. – Earlier this week, a fire broke out in a migrant detention facility along the U.S. southern border in Ciudad Juarez, resulting in the deaths of at least 38 people and 29 injured. According to reports, the migrants were confined to a cell intended for a maximum of 50 people and deprived of access to drinking water.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC issues the following statement:

“Our hearts are broken by this tragedy that has left dozens of people dead, dozens more injured, and countless more in mourning. We offer our deepest condolences to the families of the fallen victims and are praying for the survivors.

“Immigrants, frontline defenders at the border, and advocates have always said human lives are the cost of restrictive border policies. But instead of heeding their warnings, the U.S. continues to keep punitive policies of deterrence in place and put more on the table, while some members of Congress persist in a campaign to end asylum altogether.

“Many of these migrants died exercising the human and legal right to seek safety. Other innumerable lives have been and will be lost because of U.S. immigration policies that embrace cruelty over humanity.

“It is painfully clear deterrence policies do not stop people fleeing violence and persecution from needing to seek asylum or make it safe for them to wait in danger or return to the conditions they escaped from. Policies of deterrence do, however, push migrants into vulnerable situations and cause harm.

“Our elected leaders must ensure there is not one more tragedy. The Biden Administration must end policies restricting access to asylum, such as Title 42 and the use of expedited removal, and abandon plans for any other harmful regulations, including the proposed asylum ban. Congress must not consider any legislation that propels or keeps such policies in place. Detention, deterrence, and asylum bans simply hurt the most vulnerable.

昆士市鼓勵居民申請在自家門前種樹

          (Boston Orange) 昆士市3月29日呼籲市民申請在自家門前種樹，可洽該市自然資源局 (Department of Natural Resources)。

               昆士市長柯奇 (Tom Koch) 曾在市府預算中撥款40萬元，種植新的街道樹木，因此一直未能滿足居民請求種樹的申請，名單於是每年重建。

              最近昆士市自然資源局將與公共工程局合作，正在翻新並重新沿街種樹，而且看起來可以應付額外的種植工作。

               昆士市自然資源局局長Dave Murphy表示，「很感謝柯奇市長和市議會持續支持我們在鄰里內種樹的工作，過去4年來，我們已經每年種了500顆新樹，希望今秋也能種到同樣數目，就看預算如何。

               自然資源局將調查每個要求地點，以確認會影響種植樹種及地點可能引起的任何問題，包括了解地下水電設施，頭頂管線，鄰近樹木，視線，以及其他考慮。自然資源團隊會根據這些因數來挑選最適合的種類及地點，以給這些樹最好的生長環境。

               獲選為下一輪種植的樹木種類，將包括秋焰風、甜樹膠、日本丁香、阿姆斯壯紅楓、東方紫荊、雪雁櫻桃、千層楓和黑膠等，將種在公園和墓地中。

               居民查詢可洽617-376-1251，獲發電郵給Mike Caslinelli到mcasinelli@quincyma.gov來索取新樹。

City Compiling Street Tree Planting Requests

QUINCY, MA – March 29, 2023 The Department of Natural Resources is encouraging residents

that want a tree planted in front of their property to contact the department and get on a future

planting list.

For the past number of years, Mayor Koch has appropriated $400,000 in the City budget for the

planting of new street trees. As a result, the list of requests from residents has been consistently

fulfilled and rebuilt every year. The Department of Natural Resources will be working with the

Department of Public Works to plant along streets that have been recently renovated but will likely

have the ability to accommodate additional requests.

“We are grateful to Mayor Koch and the City Council for their ongoing support of our efforts for tree

planting in our neighborhoods,” said Natural Resources Commissioner Dave Murphy. “We have

planted more than 500 new trees every year for the past four years and hope to do the same this Fall,

pending the budget process.”

The Department of Natural Resources will investigate each requested location to identify any issues

that would influence the species planted and specific location of planting. Issues investigated include

underground utilities, overhead wires, adjacent trees, sight lines, and other considerations. The DNR

team will select the most appropriate species and location based on those factors in order to give the

tree the best opportunity to thrive.

Species selected for planting in the next round of planting include: Autumn Blaze Maple, Sweet Gum,

Japanese Lilac, Armstrong Red Maple, Eastern Red Bud, and Snow Goose Cherry. Paperbark Maple and

Black Gum will be planted in parks and cemeteries.

Residents can call (617) 376-1251 to request a new tree or email Mike Casinelli at

mcasinelli@quincyma.gov.

波士頓市長吳弭宣佈投資400萬元擴辦波士頓的免費社區學院計畫

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)

              (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 和工人賦權內閣3月30日宣佈，投資 400 萬美元擴辦免學費社區學院 (TFCC) 計劃。所有波士頓市居民，不分年齡，或身份狀態，申請並獲准進6所社區學院中的任何一所者，都可享有最多3年的免學費等優惠。

                        為因應越來越高的業界認可文憑需求，TFCC現在也為在合作學院修讀諸如醫療健保，再生能源、資訊科技等短至6個月的任何業界認可文憑課程費用。

                      工人賦權長 (Chief of Worker Empowerment) Trinh Nguyen表示，波士頓市把TFCC計畫的資格，擴大給所有居民，將增加社區學院的註冊量，為關鍵工業提供更高技能人才，鼓勵以前的社區學院學生重新入學。

                    這6所社區學院為邦克丘 (Bunker)、Massasoit、MassBay、Roxburt等社區學院和波士頓市區學院 (Urban College of Boston)，以及班傑明法蘭克林科技學院 (Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology)。

                    波士頓市府聲明稱，申請入學者，不再需要分別填寫申請表，合作院校發現收入符合資格的波士頓居民，都會主動代為申請這些財務資助。波士頓市府也將和一個為移民服務的非牟利機構合作，。

                     TFCC計畫現在還將支付申請者修讀短期文憑課程的費用，如果有學生因為未清債務無法再次註冊入學，TFCC將開始為這些學生償還最高2500債務。TFCC也將繼續支付每學期250元的津貼給獲選學生。

                   波士頓市府稱，從2016年迄今，TFCC計畫共協助了1000多名學生。

                    波士頓市政府擴辦免費社區學院計畫的經費，有300萬元來自聯邦美國援救計劃法 (ARPA)，100萬元來自國會議員普利斯萊 (Ayanna Pressley)去年爭取來的社區計畫經費。

                    波士頓市府同時宣佈，和麻州藝術設計學院 (Massachusetts College of Art and Design) 合作一試驗計畫，為符合 PELL和TFCC計畫資格，曾獲該校錄取的學生，以轉學生身份從合作的社區學院轉學入讀該校，讓中低收入學生有更多機會以可負擔價格完成學市學位課程。

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES $4 MILLION INVESTMENT TO EXPAND BOSTON’S TUITION FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE PLAN  All residents are now eligible to pursue an associates degree program or a short-term certificate program free of cost at one of six partner community colleges

 

BOSTON - Thursday, March 30, 2023 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Worker Empowerment Cabinet today announced a $4 million investment to expand the Tuition-Free Community College (TFCC) Plan, a City initiative that pays for up to three years of college for Boston’s income-eligible students. The expanded plan will cover costs for all residents – regardless of their year of graduation, income, or immigration status – enrolled in an associate degree program or a short-term certificate program at one of six partner colleges. Mayor Wu made this announcement today at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), a new institution that has launched a pilot program in partnership with the City of Boston.  "Expanding Boston's Tuition Free Community College is a critical step in ensuring more of our city's residents are eligible to pursue a higher education right here in the City. This funding will  increase community college enrollment, and connect more residents with quality jobs," said Mayor Michelle Wu. "I want to thank Congresswoman Pressley for her leadership and all of our partner institutions for their critical work ensuring that we are closing gaps and expanding access to education for all.”  Managed by the Office of Workforce Development (OWD), a department within the Worker Empowerment Cabinet, the Tuition-Free Community College (TFCC) Plan covers the balance owed after financial aid and other funding has been applied and provides students with a stipend at six partner community colleges: Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology, Bunker Hill Community College, Massasoit Community College, MassBay Community College, Roxbury Community College, and Urban College of Boston. TFCC will continue providing selected students with a $250 stipend per semester for up to three years.  This $4 million investment is funded by $3 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and an additional $1 million investment is made possible through the Community Project Funding secured by U.S. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley last year. With this new investment, TFCC will now start paying off up to $2,500 of debt for students with an outstanding balance at a partner college if the balance prevents them from re-enrolling.   “Not only will expanding Boston’s tuition-free community college program help more students earn a college degree, but it will also help us address the college affordability crisis,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. “I am proud to have secured these federal funds to expand this program, and I’m grateful to Mayor Wu, Mayor Janey, community leaders, and our students for their close partnership.”  “By spending Boston’s American Rescue Plan funds on tuition-free community college, we’re making a long-term investment in Boston’s greatest resource, our people,” said City Councilor Kenzie Bok, chair of the Council’s Committee on Boston’s Covid-19 Recovery. “I’m very proud that the Council and the Mayor could work together with Congresswoman Pressley to expand resident access to free high-quality educational opportunities, which is critical to bridging economic and racial inequality while meeting the needs of our growing industries. This initiative will have huge positive ripple effects in our local economy and community.”  This expansion aims to address the pandemic’s impact on community college enrollment, completion rates, and eliminate barriers to re-enrollment for aspiring students. Since 2016, the program has served over 1,000 students. With these investments, TFCC’s eligibility requirements will now include all Boston residents, including older adults and undocumented immigrants. The City of Boston will be partnering with an immigrant-serving organization to provide support directly to undocumented students seeking to take advantage of the program.  “All immigrants are key members of our community who contribute to our vibrant culture and economy,” said Monique Tú Nguyen, Executive Director of the Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement. “They kept our essential industries running throughout the pandemic, despite the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on our BIPOC communities. Providing equal access to all residents, regardless of migratory status, honors their current contributions and invests in their potential in shaping Boston’s future. Now that all Bostonians are eligible to take tuition free community college classes – we hope many undocumented residents will enroll in this program.”  In an effort to meet the growing demand for industry-recognized certification, TFCC will now cover costs for any short-term certificate programs at its partner colleges that lead to an industry recognized credential. Certifications offer a pathway to in-demand, quality employment but are often not covered by federal financial aid. With the addition of short term certifications, students have the opportunity to receive credentials in industries such as healthcare, renewable energy, and information technology in as little as six months.   "Boston is expanding TFCC eligibility to include all residents, which will increase community college enrollment, facilitate upskilling in key industries, and re-engage former community college students by incentivizing them to re-enroll," said Trinh Nguyen, Chief of Worker Empowerment. "Everyone deserves access to higher education and credentials that lead to quality, good paying jobs."  The City has also launched a pilot program in partnership with the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt). The program will cover tuition, fees, and mandatory supplies for PELL-eligible students transferring from a partner community college to a bachelor's degree program at MassArt. The college will also provide wrap-around services and coaching for students through their existing transfer support program. The MassArt pilot program is open to students who meet the transfer admissions and TFCC eligibility requirements. This partnership aims to make the completion of a bachelor's degree more accessible and affordable for low to moderate income students.  “As MassArt celebrates its 150th anniversary, we are proud to partner with Mayor Wu and the City of Boston to provide access to a world class education in art, design and art education that is affordable to everyone admitted here,” said Dr. Mary Grant, MassArt President. “Removing economic barriers for these students ensures that these future artists, designers, makers, and innovators will enhance the economic, creative, and cultural vitality of the City and beyond.”  This announcement complements Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston Public Schools’ (BPS) announcement last year regarding a partnership with higher education institutions and employers across Boston, adding six new Early College and Innovation Pathway programs for the 2022-2023 school year. These programs provide new opportunities for BPS students to gain foundational college credits and work experience while still in high school in fields ranging from life sciences and health care, to computer science and finance. Since that announcement, Boston Public Schools continues its efforts to expand high-quality college and career pathways, most recently celebrating the designation of fourth new Early College pathways at Boston Community Leadership Academy, Brighton High School, Fenway High School, and New Mission High School set to launch in the 2023-2024 school year.   Early College programs are a critical strategy in increasing the number of Boston Public Schools graduates who enroll in post-secondary education and obtain a first credential of value and we are seeing tremendous gains across the Commonwealth.   "Expanding access to tuition-free community college in Boston is a vital milestone in equipping our city's residents with the tools they need to pursue their dreams and secure a brighter future,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper. “By removing a financial barrier, this investment adds another option for our students to access a postsecondary opportunity immediately following high school graduation and increase our overall college-going rates. Having a professional certification and credentials will also enable individuals to access high-quality jobs in high-demand industries. I extend my gratitude to Mayor Wu and Congresswoman Pressley for their unwavering commitment to this cause and our partner institutions' tireless efforts to close gaps and advance equitable access to education."  There is no longer a separate application required for the Tuition Free Community College (TFCC) Plan. Students simply need to apply and be admitted to their desired program, and the partner colleges will identify Boston residents and apply the funds as a part of their financial aid process. This approach streamlines the implementation of the funds by eliminating administrative barriers.   To learn more about the TFCC Plan expansion, visit boston.gov/tuition-free.

麻州文化協會撥款185萬元資助740個文化項目

Mass Cultural Council Awards 740 Cultural Projects, Programs & Festivals $1.85M in Grant Support

BOSTON – Mass Cultural Council today announces the 740 recipients of FY23 Festivals & Projects grant program. The $2,500 awards are going to cultural projects, programs, and festivals across the Commonwealth, totaling $1,850,000.

“Community festivals, local arts programming, and creative projects are essential to celebrating, understanding, and sharing our vibrant cultural assets across Massachusetts,” said Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council. “I am thrilled to support these creative initiatives and look forward to participating in many of them and encourage all residents and visitors to engage in these events and activities as they take place in communities near you.”
 
Mass Cultural Council, an independent state agency, is charged with bolstering the Commonwealth’s creative and cultural sector. The Agency’s efforts advance economic vitality, support transformational change, and celebrate, preserve, and inspire creativity across all Massachusetts communities. 
 
The Festivals & Projects program awards $2,500 grants to support publicly available cultural activities taking place between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023. The program is often an entryway for organizations who have not previously received Mass Cultural Council funding; fifty-two percent (52%) of the FY23 Festivals & Projects recipients are receiving a Mass Cultural Council grant for the first time.
 
“I’m pleased to note that we are funding every eligible first-time applicant as well as all eligible applicants who had previously applied for Agency support but were unsuccessful,” said Bobbitt. “I am so glad to welcome these new grantees and I hope they will continue to engage with our programs and services.”
 
Eligible projects, festivals, or activities for funding are primarily focused on promoting access, diversity, or education in the arts, humanities, or interpretative sciences and are available to the public in Massachusetts.
 

Examples of Festivals & Projects grant recipients this year include:

Community Celebrations

North Adams Pride Night (North Adams) - This grant will be used for a project to help foster a sense of community and support for LGBTQIA+ individuals and their allies in the Northern Berkshires by producing a Pride parade, educational and celebratory community event, and dance party. 
 
Westborough Cultural Council's Arts in Common (Westborough) - "Inspiring Creative Expression" Arts in Common, sponsored by the Westborough Cultural Council since 2009, brings together people from all over New England to experience and celebrate creativity in all forms of artistic medium and expression such as visual arts, culinary arts, music and more. By using the universal language of art, the community works to ignite creative expression in children and adults. 
 

Cultural Festivals

Asian Festival (Worcester) - The Asian Festival is an annual event hosted by the Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts to celebrate Worcester’s cultural diversity and the more than 14 local Asian communities represented in the area. The festival is a community-based cultural event which celebrates Worcester’s diversity, reconnects community members to their cultural roots, and provides an opportunity to learn about the cultures and traditions of Southeast Asia. 
 
Puerto Rican Festival of MA (Boston) - The annual Puerto Rican Festival brings together people from all heritages to share Puerto Rican culture. The festival consists of live performances by local and international artists, kiosks selling typical Puerto Rican food, local arts and crafts, mechanical Rides, and different activities for the entire family.  
 

Food

Marshfield Lobster Festival (Marshfield) - Hosted by the Marshfield Chamber of Commerce, Inc., Marshfield Lobsterfest is a celebration of the local coastal community and the Town's rich fishing and lobstering history while supporting small businesses.  Their goals are to highlight and support our local fishermen, to provide educational materials, interactive learning activities and to highlight the vibrant arts landscape in the area. 
 
Martha’s Vineyard Flavors: A Food History Symposium (Tisbury) - Martha’s Vineyard Flavors is the first-ever convening focused on tracing the diverse cultural influences on the island’s food history, from early Wampanoag lifeways through the contributions of colonial European settlers, Portuguese Cape Verdeans, African Americans migrating from the American South, Brazilians, and Caribbeans. Hosted by The Martha's Vineyard Museum, Inc., the event will link past, present, and future through participatory experiences with MVM collections and archives, demonstrations and workshops, and discussions on stewardship for healthy, just food systems. 
 

Humanities

Wampanoag Heritage and Archaeology Fair (Middleborough) - The Massachusetts Archaeological Society will use this grant expenses related to hosting the Wampanoag Heritage and Archaeology Fair and the Massachusetts Archaeological Society Annual Meeting, two free, public events that introduce visitors to Wampanoag cultural history through archaeological artifacts, traditional crafts, foods, tours, and discussions, highlighting members of the Wampanoag community themselves, who interpreted displays and activities in accord with their cultural values. 
 

Interpretive Sciences

First Day Hikes Cape Cod (Barnstable) - This grant will be used by the Barnstable Land Trust, Inc. to support First Day Hikes Cape Cod 2023, the only regional collaboration of its kind in the nation representing 10 nonprofit conservation/environmental organizations, which encourages all people to get outdoors and connect to the land in new ways through free guided walks and special activities as they explore Cape Cod’s parks, trails, and natural resources on the first day of the new year. 
 
Lowell Learning Sustainability Trail (Lowell) - Lowell City of Learning will use this grant to support a project that maps and creates an urban Learning Trail that highlights and increases awareness of sustainability practices and challenges in Lowell. Focusing on science, art, and history, the Trail will be self-guided or a guided “Lowell Walk,” and will draw in partners such as the Lowell National Historical Park, and UMass Lowell’s Sustainability Office. 
 

Public Art

Northampton Public Art Festival (Northampton) - The Northampton Public Arts Festival is a unique 2-day event hosted by the Paradise City Cultural District aimed at promoting public arts through live mural painting, street art workshops for the community, and permanent mural installations. The festival will bring local and nationally recognized street artists and muralists to convene and create beautiful public art for the city of Northampton. 
 

Small Business Grantees

From Jazz to Hip-Hop: A Black Music Month Celebration (Holyoke) - This grant will be used by Genuine Culture, LLC to produce a public show featuring local Jazz and Hip-Hop artists and connect the community through music in the heart of Holyoke. 
 

Next Funding Opportunity

Mass Cultural Council plans to offer a FY24 Festivals & Projects grant round, subject to appropriation by the state Legislature and the approval of a FY24 Spending Plan by the Agency’s governing Council. Those interested in applying should note the following key dates:
 

Tuesday, April 25, 2023 – FY24 Festivals & Projects Application Opens

Thursday, June 8, 2023 – FY24 Festivals & Projects Application Deadline

 
FY24 Program Guidelines, FAQs, and additional information will be available on MassCulturalCouncil.org, and program staff will host informational webinars for potential applicants. For more information sign up for Mass Cultural Council’s monthly Power of Culture E-newsletter or follow the Agency on social media @MassCultural.

紐英崙伍胥山公所訂8月11-13日在波士頓辦第18屆全美懇親大會

伍胥山公所美東總長伍煥華宣佈第18屆全美懇親大會訂8月11至13日
到波士頓舉行。(周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 紐英崙伍胥山公所3月26日中午在波士頓華埠泰勒街會址祭祖，隆重宣佈等了26年，每4年一度的第18屆全美伍胥山公所懇親大會，訂8月11-13日來到波士頓舉行，籌備工作正如火如荼進行中。僑委會委員長徐佳青預定屆時出席。

紐英崙伍胥山公所為懇親大會做準備，試拉橫額。 (出席者提供)

              26日晚，紐英崙伍胥山公所工作團宗親和黃氏宗親會誼親，紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝，波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮等少數嘉賓在帝苑大酒樓聚餐，試拉懇親大會橫額，及各埠宗親會名牌，獻花、頒獎，感謝為懇親大會揮毫，寫就所有名牌，重新製作公所牌匾的伍振中，以及操持翻修公所廚房壁櫃，公所管線的伍經廉等宗親。

黃伍兩姓宗親和嘉賓也來試拉橫額，預沾喜氣。 (出席者提供)

              全美伍胥山公所美東總長伍煥華十分激動，這天情緒高昂。中午祭祖前，他舉出一本懇親紀念冊，直言如今物價陡升，舉辦懇親大會的費用也水漲船高，所以得以敦請宗親捐款，出售紀念冊廣告等方式籌款。好在紐英崙伍氏宗親人數雖然不多，但是都很熱心，從300元到2000元不等，已有伍碧香等不下20名宗親捐款。紐英崙伍胥山公所也將撥款5000元，黃氏宗親會斥資購買紀念冊廣告。

伍氏宗親會主席伍偉業(左起)，伍輝民及美東總長伍煥華(右一)頒獎感謝
西文書記伍振中夫婦(右二、三)不收費用，為公所製作新的招牌，
並以書法寫就所有名牌、賀詞。 (伍氏公所提供)

              祭祖儀式十分傳統，黃伍兩姓一家親的宗親首長，包括黃氏元老黃官羨，黃國威，主席黃健國、黃光沐，以及伍氏自己的主席伍偉業，伍輝民等人，和到賀宗親及嘉賓，在四壁掛滿 「光宗耀祖」、「建堂紀念先人為盡孝思、非恃財雄爭出色」、「勒石留芳後代同垂景仰，因懷義氣得留名，」等牌匾，警語的氛圍中、上香、敬酒、燒紙錢，獻金豬。

              紐英崙伍胥山公所歷年來出過2位全美伍氏元老，一為已辭世的伍育俊，一為同時具有美國洪門致公堂元老身分的伍伯和。今年全美懇親大會落幕之後，伍煥華也將升級，成為紐英崙伍胥山公所第3位全美元老。

(部分內容轉載自僑務電子報，https://ocacnews.net/article/336156?cid=2)

伍氏宗親會主席伍輝民(左起)，伍偉業及美東總長伍煥華(右一)頒獎感謝伍經廉
夫婦(右二、三)不收費用，為公所翻新廚房壁櫃，重新安裝所有管線。
(伍氏提供)

在司儀主禮下，伍氏主席伍偉業，伍輝民，總長伍煥華，元老伍伯和，以及
黃氏誼親，元老黃國威，主席黃光沐等人一起為祖先上香。
(周菊子攝)

伍氏公所主席伍輝民(右)和元老伍伯和(左)與紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝
 (中)都已相識多年。(周菊子攝)

伍振中夫婦親自試試伍振中為懇親大會寫得各部名牌。 (周菊子攝)

李伍碧香 (右二)等人熱心捐款支持全美伍氏懇親大會來波士頓舉辦。
(周菊子攝)

伍氏主席伍偉業(右)、外交伍少武(左)都是伍氏公所
年輕一輩的生力軍。 (周菊子攝)

波士頓慈濟人文學校宣佈成立台灣華語文學習中心 12週課程才300元

波士頓慈濟人文學校台灣華語文學習中心揭牌，左起，紐約慈濟執行長蘇煜升，
波士頓慈濟負責人長金滿，波士頓慈濟人文學校校長彭淑敏，駐波士頓台北經濟
文化辦事處處長孫儉元、波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮等人一起揭牌。(周菊子攝)

                      (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州牛頓市報導)波士頓慈濟人文學校開辦25年後再上層樓，3月25日揭牌，成立台灣華語文學習中心 (Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning)，將從3月30日起至6月19日，推出第一期12週課程，學費才300元。

與會嘉賓們一起慶祝波士頓慈濟人文學校台灣華語文學習中心成立。
(周菊子攝)

            波士頓慈濟人文學校校長彭淑敏和教務主任柳品貝在揭幕式中一搭一唱，忍不住自豪地說，該校的台灣華語文學習中心有幾大特色，師資好，課程豐，文化強，不但可客製化設計，還費率實在佛心，在新英格蘭地區絕對捨我其誰的要稱第一。

彭淑敏直言，波士頓慈濟人文學校決定向僑委會申請設立台灣華語文學習中心，實在是因為校內師資太強了，75~80%都具有專業教育背景，譬如教務主任柳品貝來美前是台灣的高中老師，慈濟9年級老師宋永麒創辦有遠智教育顧問公司，還有副教務主任廖素圓，以及王素芬，陳佳蓓等老師，其中一位老師丈夫是捷克人，僑居丹麥時，創辦過一所中文學校。

波士頓慈濟人文學校台灣華語文中心成立後，最大特色將是不但有

陳裕逢 (左起) 奉茶給潘昭榮、孫儉元、蘇煜升、長金滿、游勝雄、彭淑敏。
眾人一同舉杯，祝賀波士頓慈濟人文學校台灣華語文學習中心獲得游勝雄
允諾捐款一千元。 (周菊子攝)

語文課，還有文化課，更能夠開「家教課」，提供客製化學習內容。彭明敏指出，該校成人班，多半是台灣媳婦或女婿的洋人學生們，背景不一，需求不同，學習熱誠卻都很高，在堅強師資陣容配合下，該校將提供因材施教選擇。

波士頓慈濟人文學校校長彭淑敏(右)和教務主任柳品貝(左) 說明該校成立
台灣華語文學習中心的過程、願景。 (周菊子攝)

                     波士頓慈濟人文學校的台灣華語文學習中心課程，一期12週，每週3小時，共有2個上課地點，一個在波士頓慈濟人文學校所在的貝德福高中 (Bedford)，一個在位於牛頓市的波士頓慈濟會所，除了語文課之外，還開有文化課，包括陳裕逢的茶道、黃素玲的花道，許聰玲的國畫及書法，以及介紹台灣節慶的傳統民俗課。

前排右起，彭淑敏校長，蘇煜仁執行長、孫儉元處長，潘昭榮主任，長金滿負責人，
游勝雄(第2排左起)、陳玉英、波士頓僑務委員郭競儒等嘉賓，欣賞舞獅表演。
(周菊子攝)

                  25日這天，出席嘉賓包括駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元、波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮、波士頓僑務委員郭競儒、紐約慈濟執行長蘇煜仁，波士頓慈濟聯絡處負責人長金滿，波士頓慈誠游勝雄，曾任波克萊台商會會長的陳玉瑛等人。

                     紐約慈濟執行長蘇煜仁指出，慈濟最大特色就是把人文精神帶進教育之中，他很高興這天看到慈濟成人班的洋學生們表演舞獅，展現了文化學習成果。他透露，美國慈濟共有25所人文學校，僑委會去年推出華語文學習中心計畫後，有4所慈濟學校爭取到僑委會補助，包括紐約長島，加州Santimas，佛羅里達邁阿密。麻州波士頓慈濟是美國慈濟第一所開幕的台灣華語文中心。

                     在波士頓經營商業地產有成，最近出版了傳記的游勝雄，當場允諾捐款1000元，以示支持波士頓慈濟人在教育志業上的熱心、努力。 (部分內容轉載自僑務電子報，https://ocacnews.net/article/336151?cid=2 )

波克萊台商會創辦人游勝雄(右)具慈誠身份，當天慨捐一千元。左為波士頓
僑務委員郭競儒。 (周菊子攝)

波士頓慈濟人文學校成人班的洋學生表演舞獅。(周菊子攝)

黃素玲師姐向波士頓經文處處長孫儉元、紐約慈濟執行長蘇煜升
講解插花知道。 (周菊子攝)

陳裕逢示範茶道。 (周菊子攝)

波士頓慈濟負責人長金滿 (中)來看看教務主任柳品貝(右)
等人布置的台灣節慶攤位。 (周菊子攝)

許聰玲允諾為波士頓慈濟台灣華語文學習中心教國畫。
(周菊子攝)

慈濟成員黃湘霏(右二)和姊姊來自馬來西亞，這天親自做了馬來西亞糕點
款待出席嘉賓。 (周菊子攝)

波士頓慈濟人文學校校長彭淑敏介紹該校華語文學習中心。
周菊子攝))

紐約慈濟執行長蘇煜升特地趕到波士頓。

慈濟成員黃湘霏(右二)和姊姊來自馬來西亞，這天親自做了馬來西亞糕點
款待出席嘉賓。 (周菊子攝)