司徒宗達當選世界鳳倫公所會長 設宴新月宮感謝僑界支持 (圖片)

世界鳳倫公所會長司徒宗達在新月公設宴，
感謝僑界燈報刊赫的支持。 (周菊子攝)

司徒宗達稱都靠關麗莎打理一切事務，讓每個人都稱讚懇親會辦得好，
他才得以當選為世界鳳倫公所會長。 (周菊子攝)

司徒宗達致詞，感謝僑社各界，台下起哄，要他先謝關麗莎。 (周菊子攝)

司徒宗達 (右三)和關麗莎感謝好朋友們支持。右起，阮紹良，林文健，梅少華，阮浩鑾。

紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝(左)恭喜司徒宗達，稱許他為波士頓僑社增光。

100多名僑界人士為司徒宗達當選世界鳳倫公所會長，6月3日齊聚新月宮。

藝聯慈善社元老黃賢池 (右起)，伍胥山公所美東總理伍煥華，伍胥山公所主席
伍偉業，黃氏宗親會議長黃國麟等人聽到後面的梅惠聰起哄，要司徒宗達
在感謝僑社之前得先謝謝關麗莎，都開懷而笑。 

美國總統拜登今晚7點直播談國債

 This evening, President Biden will deliver remarks on averting default and the passing of the bipartisan budget agreement. The President defeated Republican hostage taking, securing a two-year debt limit agreement while protecting his historic accomplishments of the last two years, along with health care, retirement security, and key investments in the American people.

 

Join us tonight at 7pm ET as the President addresses the nation.

Watch Live: President Biden Addresses the Nation on Averting Default and the Bipartisan Budget Agreement

麻州全民安居聯盟率近百人上州政府遊說租金管制

             (Boston Orange) 華人前進會率領數十居民，6月1日和相關組織聯袂走進州政府，拜會議員，並集結在州政府大樓前，籲請州政府通過管制租金法，把租金漲幅限制在2%至5%以下。                                                                             以「麻州全民安居聯盟遊說日」為主題的這一活動，發言者包括華人前進會主任陳玉珍。                                                                                                              遊說民眾高舉標語牌，表達述求。標語牌上字句包括，「租金漲幅上限5%」，「人民先於利益」，「我支持租金管制」，「無逼遷區 (Eviction Free Zone)」，「居住是人權 (Housing is Human Right) 」等等。

            

麻州政府宣佈撥款130萬元資助市鎮種樹

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Tree Planting Grants

 

BOSTON – In an effort to help communities build resilience and mitigate the harms of the climate crisis, the Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $1.3 million in grants to support tree plantings in Gateway Cities across Massachusetts. Eight municipalities and two non-profit organizations will receive awards totaling $988,300 through the Greening the Gateway Cities (GGCP) Implementation Grant Program, and an additional 15 projects are receiving awards totaling $313,571 through the GGCP’s Partnership Grant Program. 

 

“Recently, I got my hands dirty in Malden planting trees. I saw firsthand the tremendous benefits the Greening the Gateway Cities Program has on communities,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration is proud to announce we’re investing in our future by creating more tree canopy in Gateway Cities across Massachusetts to ensure we are providing healthy and livable communities for generations to come.”   

 

“As a former mayor, I know how important the partnerships between municipalities and key stakeholders are in this program, not only by planting trees but also maintaining them,” added Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By employing residents in each community, we’re fostering good stewards and providing them skills applicable to future employment in green industries.”   

 

The GGCP is a partnership between the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Urban & Community Forestry Program, the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), along with Gateway Cities and local grassroots organizations. These tree planting efforts help decrease energy use, reduce flooding from stormwater runoff, and improve the quality of life in these cities.  

 

“Our Gateway Cities are on the front lines of the climate crisis,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “With summers getting increasingly hotter, it’s critical that Massachusetts curbs the urban heat island effect. Planting more trees provides a cooling effect in neighborhoods, and is especially important in environmental justice communities where there’s less tree canopy, older housing stock, higher wind speeds, and larger rental populations.”

 

“Planting more trees in our Gateway Cities helps shield our environmental justice communities from the extreme heat driven by the climate crisis,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “Last year the Greening the Gateway Cities Program reached a milestone of 35,000 trees planted across the Commonwealth and we are excited to work with our partners create more urban tree canopies and green spaces in our communities that need them the most.” 

 

“The Greening the Gateway Cities initiative has brought new trees to urban areas across Massachusetts, and I am thrilled that One Holyoke CDC is receiving this funding through the GGCP to plant trees throughout Holyoke,” said State Senator John Velis (D-Westfield). “Tree canopies bring enormous benefits to our communities, from mitigating climate change to reducing energy usage, and I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their commitment to this important program.”

 

“One Holyoke CDC has once again tapped into its neighborhood's fundamental needs by investing in trees,” said State Representative Patricia Duffy (D-Holyoke). “Trees add to our densely populated cities' quality of life with shade, cooling, and beauty. I am so grateful for this work in my city.”

 

The GGCP Implementation Grant and Partnership Grant awards will facilitate tree planting in 16 Gateway Cities by funding municipalities and non-profit organizations seeking to maximize tree planting in urban residential areas of Gateway Cities to augment tree planting that DCR is actively pursuing within designated planting zones. The GGCP Implementation Grant awardees are:  

 

• City of Everett – $100,000 to plant 65 trees.  
• City of Fall River – $99,650 to plant 190 trees in three parks with aging canopy in need of rebalanced age diversity.  
• City of Fitchburg – $88,650 to plant an estimated 50 trees in 3 parks and pursue arborist training to certify 2-3 staff.  
• City of Haverhill - $100,000 to plant 300 trees and disseminate educational brochures pertaining to the benefits of a healthy tree canopy and tree care.  
• City of Holyoke – $100,000 to plant 60 trees in tandem with community outreach conducted with OneHolyoke CDC in the Flats, Downtown and Churchill Neighborhoods.  
• City of Malden – $100,000 to plant 154 trees in partnership with the Mystic River Watershed Association.  
• City of Quincy – $100,000 to plant 60 trees in the Quincy Point neighborhood, as well as create or expand an estimated 40 tree pits in coordination with DCR.  
• City of Salem- $100,000 to plant 105 trees in Environmental Justice communities and urban heat islands within Wards 1, 4, 6, and 7 with outreach conducted by Salem Sound Coastwatch. 
• Groundwork Lawrence – $100,000 to this community-based non-governmental organization to plant 350 trees in the South Lawrence West neighborhood impacted by the Columbia Gas line explosion, and the Tower Hill neighborhood. 
• New England Botanic Garden - $100,000 to expand the "Get a tree, Plant a tree" program, and complete 200 more residential tree plantings in the Grafton Hill, Main South and Bell Hill neighborhoods of Worcester.  

 

The Partnership Grant awards advance DCR tree planting in 14 Gateway Cities by funding municipalities that partner with DCR to prepare sites for tree planting, as well as non-profit partners conducting outreach to identify residents and business owners willing to receive free trees. The GGCP Partnership Grant awardees are:  

 

• City of Chelsea – $30,000 to purchase and install two catch basin tree pits to intercept storm water runoff and support tree growth.  
• City of Fitchburg - $12,944 to prepare 16 tree pits within the DCR planting zone.  
• City of Holyoke – $30,000 grant award to prepare 19 tree pits in the Flats, Downtown, and Churchill neighborhoods of Holyoke.  
• City of Salem – $29,990 grant award to prepare 46 new tree planting sites in the Church Street and Riley Plaza parking lot areas.  
• City of Quincy – $30,000 grant award to prepare 40 3'x8' tree pits for street trees within the DCR planting zone.  
• Groundwork Lawrence – $20,000 to conduct door-to-door canvassing, literature mailings and tabling at community events to raise awareness of GGCP tree planting within the Haverhill DCR tree planting zone and communicate the benefits of urban canopy.  
• Groundwork Southcoast – $15,000 to conduct door-to-door canvasing and disseminate literature in the New Bedford DCR tree planting zone, as well as increased awareness of the program via social media. 
• Growing Places – $33,862 to grow community awareness of the GGCP in both Leominster and Fitchburg; connect DCR foresters with new landowners for tree planting in the DCR planting zones; and increase knowledge of the many benefits of urban tree planting within the community.  
• Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust – $20,000 to provide a series of programs to engage community residents in the GGCP-Lowell tree planting program and identify high priority planting locations to increase the city’s canopy.  
• One Holyoke CDC - $20,000 to disseminate information to residents in One Holyoke CDC properties in the planting zone via door-to-door canvassing, educational events focused on the GGCP, as well as assist with Spanish translation for outreach materials.  
• Regreen Springfield - $40,000 to install city bus shelter wraps along the major roadways in the GGCP neighborhoods to highlight the tree planting efforts of the GGCP and encourage residents to apply for a tree as well as to produce several short videos that raise awareness of the importance of urban trees and introduce the GGCP effort in Springfield.  
• Salem Sound Coastwatch – $20,000 to conduct outreach and generate interest in the GGCP program, and recruit residents to have tree(s) planted on their property as well as identify high priority planting locations across the designated planting zone in coordination with DCR.  
• Westfield Puerto Rican Association - $11,775 to strengthen partnerships and address environmental justice concerns through community outreach in coordination with the DCR tree planting team and conduct door-to-door outreach to raise awareness of the GGCP, as well as co-host an education session at the local library, and by table at the Westfield Farmers’ Market.  

 

For more information regarding the Greening the Gateway Cities Program, please visit the program’s webpage. 

 

Attached photos can be credited to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Photos depict an April 2023 event wherein Governor Maura Healey and Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper joined state and local officials and kids from youth organizations and programs in the City of Malden to help the Department of Conservation and Recreation plant 23 trees around Newman Park. 

City of Boston Funding updates

 

The Funding Update

Click Here to Subscribe FEDERAL GRANTS The National Park Service, 7/11/2023 Program Preserves Equal Rights History, grants up to $750,000.00 Joint Office of Energy & Transportation – USDOT & USDOE, Concept Paper, 6/16/2023 & Full Proposal 7/28/2023 Electric vehicle (EV) charging resiliency planning for continuity of operations and services for all EV users. Grants up to 4M SYSTEM FOR AWARDS MANAGEMENT UPDATE: The federal government has transitioned from DUNS to the Unique Entity ID. A UEI is required to apply for and receive federal awards. The process is extensive; plan ahead. For more information, go to the FAQ page at SAM.gov. Federal funding opportunities are continuously updated on grants.gov STATE GRANTS Scroll down to "Important Links" on CommBUYS to see Newly Posted Bids. CITY OF BOSTON GRANTS  New This Week Mayor's Office of Housing + Boston Planning & Development Agency, 7/10/2023 Redevelopment of the Austin Street Parking Lots Mayor’s Office of Housing, 8/16/2023 New and Reallocated Projects for FY2023 Continuum of Care Program. Bids are updated continuously on the City of Boston Supplier Portal. FOUNDATION GRANTS Klarman Family Foundation, 6/13/2023 Arts & Culture, Education, Youth Development Pearl Milling Company, 6/14/2023                Funding to Support Black Women and Girls Across America. The Roddenberry Foundation, 6/26/2023  US-based individuals working toward social justice. Leeway Foundation, 6/26/2023  $25,000 to women, trans, and gender-nonconforming media artists.  TD Charitable Foundation, 6/30/2023 Support is available for projects that are programmatic in nature and focus and collaborative.Average award: $5,000.00. 2024 Here to Be Grant, 6/30/2023 General operating support of up to $50,000 will be awarded to support community-led organizations working to create equity in well-being, and serving populations most impacted by systemic inequity. The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, 6/30/2023 Grants up to $125,000 for Advance Oral Healthcare Transformation. Both public entities and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply. Shout Syndicate, 6/30/2023 Arts & Culture, Youth Development. Maximum Grant:$25,000. LSP Association - Environmental Justice, 6/30/2023 & 9/30/2023 Community Improvement, Environment. New Earth Foundation, (LOI) 7/1/2023 Environmental Initiatives. Community Care Corps, 7/7/2023 Support for programs serving older adults and adults with disabilities. United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, 7/14/2023 Economic Development, Education, Housing, Human Services, Youth Development. The Merck Family Fund, (LOI) 7/10/2023 & Full Proposal 7/28/2023 Urban Farming and Youth Leadership program supports programs in low-income urban areas in the state of Massachusetts Kettering Family Foundation, 7/31/2023 Education, Average Award: $5,000.00 New England Foundation for the Arts, 8/1/2023 (NEST) funds performances, readings, and screenings of work by regional, national, and international artists presented by New England-based nonprofit organizations. Average award: $500.00 - $5,000.00.  National Alliance for Children’s Grief, Applications Opens 6/1/2023 Funds Enable Expansion of Childhood Bereavement Services. Grants awarded in September 2023. Black Farmer Fund - Rapid Response, Ongoing Quarterly Economic Development, Food & Agriculture, Max Grant: $10,000.00 Martin Richard Foundation - Challenger Sports, Rolling Public Benefit, Recreation & Sports, Youth Development. Ballmer Group, Rolling Support to address the funding gap for Black-led organizations, spur innovation, and improve economic mobility. The Transformational Partnerships Fund (TPF), Ongoing Higher Education Partnerships Supported, grants up to $100,000. Check the Funding Update Archives for back issues with open deadlines. THE RESOURCE TABLE  Dear Readers, The Funding Update is made possible by continuous research into grants and resources that support strong communities through the work of government agencies and nonprofit organizations. It is built through teamwork in Intergovernmental Relations, and I am grateful to Kathryn Jenkins for her insightful collaboration over the years. As I transition to a new role in City government, please be assured that The Funding Update will continue, under Kathryn’s authorship. I wish you continued success in your work! Inez Foster Have you ever wondered why funders turn you down? Matt Hugg of Nonprofit.Courses will show you how you can increase your chances of winning a grant award by understanding what funders look for. This is a free webinar, courtesy of Grant Station, on 6/6/2023 at 2PM Eastern. Register here. Mayor Wu’s 2023 Neighborhood Coffee Hour Series 5/2/2023-6/21/2023 A unique opportunity to speak directly with the Mayor and staff from City departments about open space and your neighborhood. Dunkin’ will be on-site to fuel the local community with freshly brewed Iced Coffee and assorted fan-favorite MUNCHKINS® donut hole treats. In addition, each family in attendance will receive a free flowering plant provided by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, while supplies last. Dunkin’ will brew up even more fun with customized lawn games and gift cards. Residents at each event will be eligible to win a raffle prize from Dunkin’. Fresh fruit will be provided by Star Market. Additional support by City Express. Research Statistics  All City of Boston Newsletters Daily Updates from the City of Boston News, Resources, Applications, Permits, Jobs, Events and more!

麻州首名住宅及宜居社區廳廳長Ed Augustus今日宣誓就任

麻州正副州長，奚莉 (Maura Healey(右) 和 Kim   Driscoll (左)歡迎
麻州住宅及宜居社區廳的廳長Edward M. Augustus 入閣。(周菊子攝)

麻州正副州長，奚莉 (Maura Healey) 和Driscoll聯袂主持
麻州住宅及宜居社區廳的廳長Edward M. Augustus 的宣誓就任儀式。
(周菊子攝)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州綜合報導) 麻州政府新設部門，麻州住宅及宜居社區廳的廳長Edward M. Augustus，6月1日在麻州正副州長，奚莉 (Maura Healey) 和Driscoll聯袂主禮中宣誓就任，聲言將先清查州有土地，看看還有哪些地方可以蓋房子。

             麻州房屋與經濟發展廳未分拆前，在那兒工作的非洲裔Jennifer Maddox，升任這新設部門的副廳長，1日也一起宣誓就任，透露著麻州政府有意在這新設部門中，平衡族裔及性別。

Jennifer Maddox (左)宣誓就任麻州住宅及宜居社區廳副廳長。
(周菊子攝)

                      這新設部門將專注於住宅相關事務，推動在大眾交通系統沿線建造更多可負擔房屋，找出降低開銷方法，以期人民可以住得和工作地點距離更近，更容易獲得醫療護理，採購雜貨，得到其他的基本生活服務。

                 Edward M. Augustus宣誓就任後，稱有許多州有土地現在還未使用，而這些土地屬於麻州人民，應該用在麻州人民需要的用途上。坊間目前對該廳的期望包括修訂區域劃分法 (zoning)，改良房屋券 (voucher) 發放辦法，把麻州變成一個准許多家庭樓宇的州等。

麻州住宅及宜居社區廳的廳長Edward M. Augustus和搜尋工作小組合影。
(周菊子攝)

                 曾經擔任過麻州參議員，也在柯林頓政府中的教育廳任職過的Edward M. Augustus，獲選為麻州最新部門首名主管的原因，主要是他在擔任屋斯特市 (Worcester)經理8年期間，建樹頗多，包括蓋了很多房子，使得該市人口在10年間增加2萬500人；設立可負擔住宅信託基金；承諾在房屋上動用2800萬元聯邦經費。他還引進了包容性區域規劃 (inclusionary zoning) 政策，授權准許位經常性流民建造微型居所 (Microunits)，提供獎勵給出租房屋給持有緊急住宅券的房東等。

麻州住宅及宜居社區廳的廳長Edward M. Augustus和正副州長
，以及他的辦公室工作人員合影。 (周菊子攝)

              波士頓環球報指出，儘管2022年5月從屋斯特市經理一職離任的Edward M. Augustus得到許多讚譽，但也有不少批評聲音，尤其是曾經在屋斯特市政府工作的有色人種。他們稱Augustus所帶領的市政府持續忽略機構性的種族歧視。Augustus要求Letterman White諮詢顧問公司所做，2022年9月完成的146頁稽核報告，形容屋斯特市政府和白人至上文化牽連甚深。該市從2016年起設立的多元長(Chief of Diversity) 一職，一連換了3個人，該市在2022年6月慶祝建市300週年時，市內黑人社區都感到沮喪，被拒絕。

             1日在Augustus宣誓就任時，州政府指派，由副州長Kim Driscoll率領，成員包括牛頓市市長Ruthanne Fuller，南米斗塞郡機遇協會 (SMOC)政策及外部事務主任吳玫 (Mary Wu McGuire) 等人的搜尋工作小組，一起見證了宣誓典禮。

小企業行政局麻州辦公室首度舉辦亞裔傳統月峰會 聚集亞裔讓人看見

峰會主持人伍少武 (左一)和第二場座談講者，林洪 (中)，黃子興 (右三)等人。
(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 美國小企業行政局 (SBA)新英格蘭地區辦公室在亞裔傳統月最後一天的2023年5月31日，首度舉辦「亞太裔連結高峰會 (AA&NHPI Connectivity Summit) 」，為分別在聯邦政府和地方企業工作的亞裔，搭起橋樑，邁出亞裔「一起讓人看見 (Visible Together) 」的第一步。

峰會主持人伍少武 (左一)，許楷明 (右三) 和第三場座談講者
周榮(左四)等人合影。 (周菊子攝)

              在白宮亞太裔第一區共同領導，小企業行政局麻州公共事務專員伍少武 (Norman Eng) 和人民及健康服務局 (HHS)公眾健康分析師組長許楷明 (Kevin Hsu)，以及30多名在聯邦政府工作的亞裔攜手策畫下，31日的這場「亞太裔連結高峰會」，在位於銅鑼灣街(Causeway Street) 10號的聯邦政府大樓舉行，共安排有3場座談，吸引了約130名各界亞裔出席。

              開場有波士頓基金會的亞裔企業賦能協會Q. J. Shi，美國首名由總統任命的亞裔美國法警元帥 (Marshal) ，駐地在羅德島州的周榮 (Wing Chau) ，亞裔社區基金執行主任Danielle Kim，麻州亞裔餐館協會 (MARA)共同會長暨忍者快車壽司店店東鄺炎彬，麻州亞裔餐館協會理事暨Pho Le店東 Tran Le，以及伍少武和許楷明歡迎致詞，

SBA的首場亞裔傳統月峰會有逾百人參加。(周菊子攝)

              第二場的主題是｢小企業賦能座談｣。Jorani 解決方案共同創辦人兼董事長Kim Tuon-Mennella，Shanti & Dudley Café的共同創辦人兼執行長Rokeya Chowdbury。Lone Rock Point執行長林洪 (Hung J Lam)，九龍餐廳共同東主黃子興 (Bob Wong)。

LISC的小企業堅韌經理林志琰和經由他輔導，已創業2年的
Chop Value創辦人周嘉華(右)在會場敘舊。 (周菊子攝)

              第三場的主題是來自白宮亞太裔小組第一區的聯邦政府代表談聯邦政府中的平等與包容。與談人包括來自羅德島州的美國法警元帥 (Marshal)周榮，美國農業部駐羅德島州環保專員 (Conservationist) Phou Vonkhamdy，聯邦儲蓄保險公司 (FDIC) 社區事務專員Anna Cheong，美國環保署生命科學家Mandy Liao，美國房住局 (HUD)項目分析師Erika Koizumi，美國勞工部聯邦合約符合規定項目符合規定官員Tian Calicchio，美國健康及人民服務不公共健康分析師組長許楷明，美國小企業行政局麻州地區辦公室公共事務專員伍少武。

              伍少武指出，亞裔在美國雖然仍是少數，但也已深入各行各業。這次的高峰會既是希望給亞裔小企業一個彼此認識的機會，也希望讓亞裔社區知道，已經有這些亞裔在聯邦政府各部門內工作，可以協助亞裔社區更了解聯邦政府運作，進而發揮亞裔在一起，讓人看得見的效果。

九龍餐廳東主之一的黃子興(左)在會場遇見宗親黃芸芸 (右)。
(周菊子攝)

              當天與會的講者們分享了許多各自創業，與聯邦政府打交道的經驗，包括如何申請認證，申請補助，申請協助辦理貸款等等。在談話中，也有與會者指出，只有更多亞裔進入各層級政府工作，出席各種政府舉辦的會議，政府才會看到亞裔，才會重視亞裔的聲音。席間也有人提到，在亞裔這統稱之下，其實有著非常多元化的文化、習俗與語言，如何以合而不同的面貌在美國主流社會面前呈現，是一個相當大的考驗。

              主辦單位當天還邀請了許多小企業行政局的合作機構、企業在會場擺設攤位，向出席者介紹各自所提供的服務，包括華美福利會，本地倡議支持公司 (LISC) 等。

小企業行政局麻州區主任Robert Nelson (中)和公共事務專員伍少武
及忍者壽司餐廳東主鄺炎彬(左)安排會場餐點。 (周菊子攝)

華美福利會亞裔企業輔導培訓項目主持人Andy Goldberg也親自到會長擺攤。
(周菊子攝)

SBA的首次亞裔傳統月峰會有125人以上出席。 (周菊子攝)