CITY OF BOSTON LAUNCHES 2024 SEASON OF OUTDOOR DINING PROGRAM

 

CITY OF BOSTON LAUNCHES 2024 SEASON OF OUTDOOR DINING PROGRAM

BOSTON - Tuesday, February 6, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced applications are open for the 2024 season of Boston’s Outdoor Dining Program. The current, post-pandemic program was designed in partnership with the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion (OEOI), the Streets Cabinet, and the Disabilities Commission to provide a predictable, streamlined process for business owners while addressing accessibility and quality of life issues for residents. To assist restaurant owners, this year’s rollout will include new features such as outdoor dining consultations, accessible design templates, real-time application tracking, office hours, site visits, and an option to apply separately for annual license renewals. The online application portal opened today, with approved business owners able to begin outdoor dining on May 1. “Boston’s outdoor dining program reimagines how we can best use our streets, while setting clear requirements around accessibility,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This year, we’re making it easier for new and previously approved businesses to take part in the program, creating spaces to gather together and enjoy the cuisine of our small businesses.” “Our restaurateurs reflect the diversity and talent of our city’s residents, so we’re thrilled to continue outdoor dining for another year to keep our small businesses thriving,” said Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. “This season will build on what we’ve learned over the last few years of outdoor dining in our city, solidifying Boston as a summer food destination for residents and visitors alike.” As announced with the program last year, all approved businesses participating in outdoor dining will be required to pay $399 per month if they have a liquor license and $199 per month if they do not. The City will have a streamlined application process for returning applicants whose patio designs were approved last year. In 2020, the Outdoor Dining Pilot Program was created under temporary state legislation as a business relief response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City listened to residents’ concerns regarding accessibility, noise, and public safety concerns to create the requirements of the current program. The outdoor dining program requires businesses to submit site plans drawn by a registered architect or engineer for outdoor dining setups on the street and sidewalk. Applicants must fulfill certain design requirements around accessibility, regarding sidewalk width, space for pedestrians, and space between any neighboring patios. More details can be found in the 2024 outdoor dining program application guide.  In 2023, due to reasons including the North End’s high density of restaurants and foot traffic, narrow streets and sidewalks, resident parking scarcity, and other related considerations, the City issued permits in the neighborhood for compliant sidewalk patios, but did not issue permits for on-street outdoor dining. In 2024, the City intends to continue those policies in the North End and may craft additional neighborhood-specific guidelines as the program advances. “The city’s outdoor dining program was an invaluable lifeline to us during the pandemic that continues to be immensely helpful to our business and positively received by our guests,” said Jefferson Macklin, a partner and business manager of Traveler Street Hospitality, which oversees multiple locations in the South End. “We look forward to continuing with the program as a critical component of our business - hopefully for many years to come.” Closing hours for outdoor dining are 9:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday (with patrons off the premises by 10:00 p.m.); and 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (with patrons off the premises by 11:00 p.m.). The 2024 outdoor dining season will run through October 31.

波士頓市公佈黑人歷史月系列活動 市府將辦年度慶祝

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES CITY’S BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAMMING AHEAD OF CITY’S ANNUAL CELEBRATION

BOSTON - Monday, February 5, 2024-  Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston’s Equity & Inclusion Cabinet today announced a series of programming to mark the start of Black History month and create space for residents and families to celebrate and be in community. This year’s Black History Month theme is "African Americans and the Arts". “Boston’s Black communities are foundational to the fabric of our city, and we honor their contributions during Black History Month and throughout the year,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m thrilled to announce our Black History Month programming, where Boston residents, families and visitors can be in community and learn about the contributions and history of Black communities all month long.” "In observance of Black History Month, we acknowledge the profound influence of black culture on the artistic milieu, serving as a source of inspiration, catalyst for movements, and resilience in the face of challenges,” said Mariangely Solis Cervera, Chief of Equity & Inclusion. “We invite all to partake in this month-long journey of education, community engagement, and celebration, as we illuminate the richness inherent in Boston's Black history and cultural heritage." “Celebrating African Americans in the arts is a timely theme that honors the many forms of expression of black culture,” said Lori Nelson, Senior Advisor on Racial Justice. “It has been the center of how the narrative of black people create, inspire, birth movements, and resist.” For all programming hosted by the City of Boston, please visit boston.gov/equity-and-inclusion/black-history-month.   City of Boston Black History Month Celebration and Flag Raising Program Tuesday, February 6, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.  This event will feature remarks from Mayor Wu, Keynote Speaker Taneshia Laird Greater, President & CEO of Roxbury Arts & Cultural Center and a flag raising  Location: Boston City Hall - Third Floor Mezzanine: 1 City Hall Square, Boston MA 02201  Lunch and Learn: Gender in the Workforce thru the Black Lens Thursday, February 8, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. A panel discussion that will explore the role gender, race and their intersections play in the workforce Locatio​​n: Boston City Hall - Mezzanine, 1 City Hall Square, Boston  Black Employee Network (BEN) ERG Black History Month Celebration Friday, February 9, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m Connecting Black City employees and the community with City Leadership to celebrate all of the triumphs of the Black diaspora! Location: Florian Hall, 55 Hallet St, Dorchester Please register here Sankofa: Selections from Songs of Free Men: Honoring Baldwin’s Centennial Friday, February 9, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. A celebration of the Black Diaspora with music in honor of James Baldwin Location: Black Market, 2136 Washington St, Roxbury Please register here The Melanin Roll Saturday, February 17, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.   Location: Chez Vous Skating Rink: 11 Rhoades Street, Dorchester Please register here BCYF Skate and Trivia Night (For ages 17 and under) Thursday, February 22, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. This event will create space for young residents ages 17 and under to be in community and skate with friends and families Location: Chez Vous Skating Rink: 11 Rhoades Street, Dorchester  Bring It to the Hall Featuring London (Escada) Saint Morta of LEGENDARY Friday, February 23, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.  Join the Mayor's Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement for a Youth Tour followed by a panel and demonstration; registration is limited, and lunch will be served, as we explore the history of the House-Ball Culture, an underground LGBTQ+ subculture created by Black and Brown individuals in opposition to racism within established drag queen pageant circuits, with a voguing performance by the Legendary House Mother London Saint Morta and their house members, who were also finalists on HBO Max’s LEGENDARY. Location: City Hall Civic Pavilion: 1 City Hall Square, Boston MA 02201  Black Veterans Appreciation Brunch Saturday, February 24, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. This event, hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Veteran Affairs, will celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of Black Veterans in helping to create and add to the United States' legacy. The City will also be honoring deserving veterans with Community and Outstanding Service awards. Location: Prince Hall Lodge, 24 Washington St., Dorchester MA 02121 Please RSVP here Age Strong Black Heritage Luncheon Monday, February 26, 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. This event will celebrate the City’s Black older adults and uplift the storied history and life of African American Arts and Artisans. Location: Russell Auditorium, 71 Talbot Avenue To register, please call 617-635-3979 or email nuria.silva@boston.gov. Boston Public Library Programming Boston Public Library “Black is…” Booklist The Boston Public Library’s annual “Black is…” booklist features 75 recent titles commemorating the achievements, complexities, struggles, and culture of the Black experience. Copies of the “Black Is…” booklist will be available at all BPL locations starting February 1, 2024 and can also be accessed digitally. The Tuskegee Airmen: A History Lecture by Muqeedah Salaam Thursday, February 1, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - BPL Charlestown Branch Local historian Muqeedah Salaam discusses the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military aviators in the United States Armed Forces. Author Talk: Jeffrey A. Denman - John Quincy Adams, Reluctant Abolitionist Wednesday, February 7, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., BPL Central Branch Jeffrey A. Denman discusses his 2023 nonfiction book, John Quincy Adams, Reluctant Abolitionist, which looks at the life of John Quincy Adams as seen through the lens of slavery. Author Talk: Dr. Jacqueline Jones - No Right to an Honest Living: The Struggles of Boston's Black Workers in the Civil War Era  Saturday, February 10, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. BPL Hyde Park Branch Dr. Jacqueline Jones discusses her 2023 nonfiction book, No Right to an Honest Living: The Struggles of Boston's Black Workers in the Civil War Era, which presents inspiring and heart-wrenching stories of Boston's Black workers. Introduction to African American Genealogy Saturday, February 10, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. - Virtual A virtual introduction class to African American genealogy with a focus on resources and online tools that help trace family histories. Register here Massachusetts's 54th Regiment: A Lecture by Shawn Quigley  Saturday, February 10, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. - BPL Parker Hill Branch Shawn Quigley of the National Park Service will give a presentation on the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, one of the first Black regiments to serve in the U.S. Civil War. An Artist's Talk with Shea Justice: History Unfolds  Saturday, February 24, 11:00 - 1:00 p.m. - BPL Hyde Park Branch Roxbury native, Boston-area educator, and artist Shea Justice will discuss his recent work, which investigates the way American society, policies, laws, and customs have impacted African Americans throughout history.

教育廳將推出識字計畫 Healey政府建議資助3000萬元

 Healey Driscoll Administration Celebrates Literacy Launch Initiative 

Literacy Launch Will Expand Access to Evidence-Based Literacy Learning Through Professional Development and High-Quality Materials 

Governor Healey. (by Joshua Qualls/Governor's Press Office)

RANDOLPH- Today the Healey-Driscoll administration celebrated their new initiative, Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3 with students, educators, and early-literacy advocates at the Martin Young Elementary School in Randolph. This new multi-year strategy aims to improve early literacy education by expanding access to high-quality, evidence-based reading instruction for students across Massachusetts. Governor Healey has recommended $30 million in her fiscal year 2025 (FY25) budget for the first year of Literacy Launch, on top of $5 million in continuing early literacy programming from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).  “Every student in Massachusetts needs to be able to read and read well – and we’re going to give them the tools to do just that with Literacy Launch,” said Governor Maura Healey. “The districts that have the right materials and methods – including districts like Randolph that partner with DESE – are getting results. We want to bring the effective strategies we saw here today at the Young School to students, classrooms, and schools across the state.” 

“In our first budget, we made historic investments across all levels of education. We’re building on that in year two with an urgent approach to improving early literacy,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Learning to read, and read well, can set our students up for a lifetime of success – from school to career and beyond. This is a downpayment on a generational change to expand access to high quality early literacy learning for all Massachusetts residents.”  

Literacy Launch will make high quality early literacy professional development available for K-3 educators in all districts and provide broad scale support for early educators who support literacy in preschool. The program will be implemented by the Executive Office of Education, in coordination with DESE and the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). The proposed $30 million FY25 investment will also help up to 45 school districts transition to a strong, evidence-based literacy program through a competitive grant program, including acquisition of high-quality materials and long-term technical support from DESE. Further, Literacy Launch will update approval criteria and accelerate review timelines for teacher education programs to require evidence-based early literacy training for future educators.  

“We are prioritizing early literacy because of the simple, yet profound reality that establishing literacy skills early is not only foundational to the remainder of a students’ education, it becomes a foundational marker for the remainder of his or her life. We owe it our students to get this right,” said Secretary of Education Dr. PatrickTutwiler. 

A statewide transition to evidence-based literacy learning is part of the Healey-Driscoll administration’s plan to make Massachusetts more equitable, affordable, and competitive. Literacy Launch will support access to culturally responsive, evidence-based literacy practices that affirm all of our students and value the assets they bring to their classroom and school, which is particularly important to improving literacy among students learning English. English learners represent more than 10 percent of the student body and are among the fastest growing student populations in Massachusetts. Just like their English-speaking peers, English learners' literacy skills have been shown to improve when they have access to evidence-based, culturally sustaining literacy instruction. Literacy Launch will expand this support and access to evidence-based curriculum for more of our readers across Massachusetts. 

“Getting literacy instruction right in a child’s early years helps give students a foundation of confidence and success,” said DESE Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley. “Districts and educators have taken advantage of all the literacy support we’ve offered them, and I’m proud to see this administration expand that work.” 

“Early education is the start of the educational journey for our youngest learners. I am proud that the Healey-Driscoll administration recently invested $850,000 to increase access to evidence-based and culturally responsive literacy supports for preschoolers. Literacy Launch will allow us to go significantly further, helping children to develop the language and literacy skills they need, closing the learning gap before they enter kindergarten. This initial $30 million comprehensive, cross-secretariat initiative will set our children up for educational success and a love of reading,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. 

Randolph Public Schools is a strong example of a district partnering with the state to improve literacy instruction. The district used a $200,000 Accelerating Literacy with High Quality Instructional Materials grant from DESE in order to purchase the highly rated EL Education curriculum, which they now use. They also partner with DESE to provide intensive literacy tutoring to students, and participate in DESE’s Dyslexia Institute, which provides Massachusetts educators with best practices on early literacy screening, identification, and specialized interventions for students with dyslexia. Randolph Public Schools also participates in DESE’s GLEAM (Growing Literacy Equity Across Massachusetts) grant for pre-k and has been awarded $228,500 since 2020 to improve literacy curriculum learning in preschool classrooms.   “It is so important that every student in every community has access to high-quality, evidence-based reading material,” said Randolph Town Manager Brian Howard. “With the support of DESE, Randolph has been able to improve our curriculum and provide literacy tutoring. We’re excited to see the administration expanding this critical support to districts across the state.” 

“We are thrilled that Governor Healey and Secretary Tutwiler could visit Randolph Public Schools and see our incredible literacy work in action. We’ve been proud to partner with DESE on improved evidence-based literacy supports, and we’re excited to see the Healey-Driscoll administration propose increasing access to those effective programs to many other districts,” said Superintendent of Randolph Public Schools Thea R. Stovell. 

Literacy Launch is a new multi-year initiative that builds on the existing literacy programming at DESE that has been in high demand. In 2020, DESE released Mass Literacy, a guide with tools and supports for evidence-based early literacy instruction for all of our students. Additionally, under several programs including Growing Literacy Equity Across Massachusetts (GLEAM) and Accelerating Literacy grants, DESE has been offering opportunities for districts to receive multi-year technical support and funding for improvements in literacy teaching and materials. Across GLEAM elementary schools, there was a 22 percent decrease in students at risk of reading difficulty in grades K-5 in the first 18 months of the program. In recognition of the critical role that early educators and preschool providers play in children’s literacy learning, students as young as 3 are an important focus of Literacy Launch and the state’s existing approach to improving early literacy. In the 2022-2023 school year, DESE released the Commonwealth’s own early literacy foundational skills curriculum as an option for educators. Called Appleseeds, it is a completely free, evidence-based reading foundational skills curriculum for students in grades K-2. In one Appleseeds district, the percent of kindergarten students reaching or exceeding reading benchmarks went from 28% to 85% in just one year. EEC has expanded on this and is currently working with partners to conduct a statewide assessment of preschool literacy needs and create a Massachusetts Preschool Kindergarten Transition Toolkit for the early education mixed-delivery system.

HUD撥款波士頓市4700萬元請非牟利機構協助服務流民

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES LARGEST EVER AWARD TO SUPPORT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS Boston receives more than $47 million to support the City and its partners to provide housing and services to individuals and households experiencing homelessness

BOSTON - Monday, February 5, 2024- Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the City of Boston has received more than $47 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support nonprofit organizations providing services to individuals experiencing homelessness. This award represents the City’s largest ever Continuum of Care award. The funds will be distributed among 18 nonprofit organizations that provide critical services and support to Boston’s unhoused residents and advance Mayor Wu’s goals to end homelessness in the City.  The funding is made available through the HUD’s annual Continuum of Care awards, a grant program coordinated by the Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH). Over the last nine years, MOH has grown the funding the City receives from this grant by more than 111 percent, from $22.6 million in 2015 to $47.7 million this year, as a result of their competitive application and demonstrated ability to deliver results in collaboration with partner agencies.  “Boston residents and families in every neighborhood deserve the opportunity to reside in secure, stable, and affordable housing,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “In our ongoing commitment to make Boston a city where everyone has a home, the Continuum of Care grants from HUD play a vital role in assisting organizations dedicated to providing essential services and support for our unhoused residents. I extend my gratitude to HUD Secretary Fudge and the entire Massachusetts Congressional delegation for securing the City of Boston’s largest Continuum of Care award to date and for their unwavering support as we collaboratively strive to eradicate homelessness in our city.” The City will allocate this federal HUD funding to organizations that offer a range of services and supports including housing search, the creation of housing for people experiencing long-term homelessness, rapid re-housing funds, and stabilization services to allow newly housed families and long-term-homeless individuals to receive the support they need to succeed. In total, this $47 million award will continue to provide crucial support for nearly 1,900 homeless and formerly homeless households, offering tailored services to help them obtain and maintain permanent housing. “Boston has a successful network of experienced non-profit organizations committed to serving our homeless,” said Sheila Dillon, Chief of Housing. “This funding award allows us to continue the important work of moving our homeless residents from shelters and the street into housing that they can afford with the services they need to be successful.  Given the high cost of housing in Boston and the region, this funding award, the largest in our Continuum's history, is more important than ever.”    Four new programs sponsored by three providers received funding through this year’s award. Hildebrand Family Self-Help, Inc. will receive funding to create a permanent supportive housing program with wrap-around services for Boston families experiencing long-term homelessness. Justice 4 Housing will create a new program to swiftly serve survivors of domestic violence with safe housing and case management. Victory Programs will fund two new projects that will serve survivors of gender-based violence and LGBTQ+ youth, ages 18 - 24. “This funding will provide more than $47 million to homeless service providers throughout Boston who provide crucial resources in the fight to prevent and end homelessness,” said HUD New England Regional Administrator Juana Matias. “We will continue to work together with our Continuum of Care partners to find solutions that ensure every Bostonian has a safe place to call home.” “I am thrilled Hildebrand Family Self-Help Center is a new awardee in the Boston Continuum of Care,” said Shiela Y. Moore, CEO, Hildebrand Family Self-Help, Inc. “The Supportive Housing Team of the Mayor's Office of Housing have been great partners, and we look forward to deepening our work together in reducing family homelessness. Given that Hildebrand is on the frontlines of providing emergency shelter, this funding allows us to add 12 permanent supportive housing units for children and families currently unhoused.”   "We are incredibly grateful for this new Continuum of Care funding, which will allow Victory Programs to expand our commitment to addressing critical needs to include survivors of gender-based violence and LGBTQ+ youth," said Sarah Porter, Executive Director of Victory Programs. "We appreciate the strong efforts of Boston's supportive housing team; a phenomenal partner. Together, we are opening doors to healing and empowerment for 48 extremely vulnerable households, and I am profoundly thankful for the collaborative spirit that drives us forward." “These new Continuum of Care grants will allow us to continue our work in housing our most vulnerable populations – those experiencing chronic homelessness and suffering from disabilities,” said Chris Norris, Executive Director of Metro Housing|Boston. “With the shortage of affordable housing in our region, these funds are crucial to the success of the CoC and to continuing the solid partnerships we have with participating service providers and the supportive housing team at the Mayor’s Office of Housing.” Mayor Wu has made ending homelessness a priority. Boston offers services to homeless individuals by offering wraparound services to those who require the additional level of care. Chronically homeless individuals have barriers that create challenges to remaining housed. These barriers can include physical disabilities, substance use disorders, and mental health challenges. As part of Boston's plan, the City is committed to a "housing first" approach to homelessness which is based on the belief that everyone should have access to permanent housing. In 2023, Boston housed 2,220 people experiencing homelessness, including 463 family households and 901 adult individuals. Among those are 119 unaccompanied youth and young adults as well as 157 veterans. Last fall, a dozen City departments and partner agencies transformed how the City cares for unsheltered constituents impacted by substance use disorder, homelessness, and untreated mental illness, with a focus on the ‘Mass and Cass’ / Newmarket neighborhood. Mayor Wu and the City of Boston extend their gratitude to the Biden-Harris Administration and HUD for their continued commitment to addressing homelessness and supporting communities nationwide. For more information on the HUD's FY 2023 Continuum of Care Competition Awards, please visit HUD's official press release.

麻州科技業白人高佔76% 面對多元化挑戰

           (Boston Orange 摘譯) 麻州科技領導委員會 (MTLC)請光播 (Lightcast)公司製做，最近公佈的「麻州科技經濟狀態報告 (State of the MA Tech Economy Report) 」，呈現令人意外的統計數據，科技業多元化程度呈逆轉趨勢。

該報告指出，在麻州2022年的共約50萬名科技從業者中，76%為白人，但白人在整個麻州人口中只佔70%；13%的科技從業者為亞裔，但在麻州總人口中，亞裔只佔8%。同一時期，黑人及西班牙裔的科技從業者依序佔4%，5%，比他們在全州人口中所佔比例，低了一半。

儘管科技業在成長中，這行業也隨大流的從2018、2019開始刻意的朝向多元化努力，但非白人的科技從業者數量，卻比2018年時少了5%，降到只有93,400人的程度。白人科技從業者的人數卻在過去這5年間增加了將近20%，增加到401,200人。

該報告並未深究原因，但MTLC執行長Sara Fraim 認為，2020以後，受新冠病毒疫情影響，經濟趨緩，預算刪斬，企業縮減花在多元化經費，都是原因。

MTLC執行長Sara Fraim表示，未來，該會將加速運作為有色人種增加專業發展技能的「董事準備訓練營」。或許更重要的是，讓人知道、關注這現象，並採取行動。麻州城市聯盟董事長Rahsaan Hall指出，例如促請企業及政府支持，在未得到充分服務社區中建立人才管道，在高中、大學推廣科學、技術及數學相關課程，都是做法之一。

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES FREE TAX PREP SERVICES AVAILABLE TO MAXIMIZE REFUNDS FOR BOSTON RESIDENTS

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES FREE TAX PREP SERVICES AVAILABLE TO MAXIMIZE REFUNDS FOR BOSTON RESIDENTS

BOSTON - Friday, February 2, 2024-  Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the launch of the Boston Tax Help Coalition’s (BTHC) twenty-second year of providing free tax preparation services. Area residents earning $70,000 or less annually can file safely while maximizing their refunds and credits at over 30 neighborhood tax sites. Tax preparation is available remotely and in-person in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese, French, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Cantonese. The schedule can be found at boston.gov/tax-help.   "Boston residents can save hundreds of dollars per household through the Boston Tax Help Coalition’s free tax preparation,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “These free, multilingual tax assistance services are available at over thirty neighborhood locations and serve as a critical resource that supports thousands of Boston residents every year in maximizing their refunds safely. I encourage every qualified Boston resident to take advantage of this valuable program.” Led by the Center for Working Families, the Boston Tax Help Coalition is a partnership of nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations that has been promoting the economic independence of working individuals and families since 2001. The BTHC’s free tax preparation service gives Boston’s low-to-moderate income (LMI) residents a financial boost by eliminating tax preparation fees and allowing them to keep more of their earned income. The Coalition’s IRS-certified tax preparers also assess filers’ eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a credit for low- and middle-income workers, and the Child Tax Credit. In 2023, BTHC prepared tax returns for nearly 11,000 taxpayers, generating $17.2 million in tax refunds, including $6.3 million in EITC, and saving families approximately $2.7 million in predatory, for-profit, tax preparation fees. “Our special thanks to the hundreds of Coalition volunteers who generously give their time and talent from January through April, including an entire weekend of training prior to serving our residents,” said Chief of Worker Empowerment Trinh Nguyen. “These volunteers learn to prepare taxes, do intake, and/or provide credit building, while making a difference in our community.  We value their contribution to this important work.” “As a co-founder of the Boston Tax Help Coalition, ABCD is always pleased and excited to launch a new tax season with the City of Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu and so many other community partners,” said ABCD President and CEO Sharon Scott-Chandler. “Free tax preparation is vital to underserved communities who can benefit from this service, and is a program that returns millions back into the community. Most people will receive a refund, which is essential during these times when prices for basics like food and housing are soaring. It also provides an opportunity to save for emergencies or longer term goals.” A key priority of the BTHC is integrating free tax preparation with the needs of the disability community. The BTHC partners with DEAF, Inc. to provide the service to hearing-impaired taxpayers at its Allston headquarters. Additionally, the Coalition is in its second year of its Visually Impaired People (VIP) pilot, providing tax services and necessary accommodations to visually impaired area residents. The VIP program will be available on Wednesdays, February 7 through April 10, 2024 at the Center for Working Families in Nubian Square. More information can be found at boston.gov/vip-pilot. Site coordinators receive training to serve disabled taxpayers at all locations. “I applaud the City’s commitment to providing fully inclusive and accessible tax preparation services to residents who are legally blind,” said Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Commissioner John Olivera. “I encourage eligible residents to take advantage of this program and make tax season less stressful.” In addition to helping LMI taxpayers maximize their refunds, the Boston Tax Help Coalition connects residents to free financial services to improve their economic wellbeing. For example, at eight locations individuals can receive a Financial Check-Up (FCU), a light-touch credit advising session where a trained Financial Guide assists individual taxpayers in understanding their current financial situation, including a review of their credit report and FICO score, a personalized one-year plan to help improve their credit, and relevant service referrals.  Boston Builds Credit, the City’s credit building initiative, will follow up in six months with an updated credit report to measure improvement.  In 2023, the BTHC provided credit advising and financial education to 1,300+ tax clients, up from 486 in 2022. More information on the Boston Tax Help Coalition’s free tax services, including locations, can be found at boston.gov/tax-help.

MAYOR WU AND MAJOR CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS OF BOSTON LAUNCH BPS SUNDAYS AT SIX SITES ACROSS BOSTON

MAYOR WU AND MAJOR CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS OF BOSTON LAUNCH BPS SUNDAYS AT SIX SITES ACROSS BOSTON  Launching this Sunday, the program includes twice monthly free access days for BPS families at the Museum of Science, the Franklin Park Zoo, the Boston Children’s Museum, the New England Aquarium, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Institute of Contemporary Arts

BOSTON - Friday, February 2, 2024- Following her announcement at the 2024 State of the City Address, Mayor Michelle Wu today launched BPS Sundays, a new partnership between the City of Boston and cultural institutions to give Boston Public Schools students and their families free access to these institutions. The program builds on existing access programs at each institution, while creating a common free access experience coordinated by the City. Starting in February, on the first and second Sundays of each month, every BPS student and up to three guests will get free admission to the Boston Children’s Museum, the Franklin Park Zoo, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Science, and the New England Aquarium. This builds on the Mayor’s work to make Boston the most family-friendly city. “Boston is home to some of the world’s best cultural and educational institutions, and our students deserve to feel at home at these institutions without any barriers,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “In our hands is the ability to show our students the world – to spark their imagination, to discover their interests. What we also have is the opportunity for students to bond with their families – allowing for parents, grandparents, siblings to create irreplaceable memories. I am thrilled and grateful for our partnership with these institutions to give young people access to learning, wonder, and community in our city.” Students and families will gain free admission to participating institutions on the first two Sundays of each month from February to August 2024 by showing a school ID or their personalized BPS email, which BPS will send each week before each month’s program. Due to the institutions frequently reaching capacity, families are encouraged to pre-register and reserve tickets online, and ensure that their email address is updated in the BPS system. The City and institutions will work together to publicize the program and track attendance, and develop plans to extend and expand this pilot. In the coming months, the City of Boston will launch a community engagement process to develop a permanent name for the program. “Education does not start and end when a student is inside the classroom. Through this opportunity, we are unlocking countless opportunities to learn and explore beyond the classrooms,” said Mary Skipper, Superintendent of Boston Public Schools. “Thanks to Mayor Wu’s leadership and our invaluable partners across the city, our young people and their families can now experience a whole world of knowledge, art, science, and history that was inaccessible to them previously.”  “I am a student at the Curley K-8 School in Jamaica Plain. I wanted to say thank you to Mayor Wu for working to get us admission,” said Arianna L., a student at the Curley K-8 School. “It means a lot to know that people in the community care about my classmates and me.”  The program will first launch Sunday, February 4 and Sunday, February 11. City staff will be on site to help answer any questions and there will be signage directing families where to check in at the museum. For any questions, BPS families can email BPSSundays@boston.gov “Boston’s young people and their families deserve equitable access to the places that allow them to learn, discover, play, and create. The Cultural Access Pilot program is a huge step in creating a sense of belonging for BPS families in our city’s world-class cultural institutions,” said Kara Elliott-Ortega, Chief of Arts & Culture. “We are so thankful to the participating educational and cultural institutions for their leadership and commitment to making this program a reality.” "We are thrilled to partner with the city and our colleagues to bring free cultural experiences to BPS students and their families,” said Tim Ritchie, President of the Museum of Science. “One of our highest priorities as an institution is creating a learning space that is inclusive, equitable, and accessible for all. The beauty of scientific discovery should not be a privilege, but rather a birthright for every child in the city. We cannot wait to welcome even more BPS families through our doors and to help spark their lifelong love of science.” “The New England Aquarium is proud to partner with the City to have the opportunity to welcome and inspire even more young people to form a deeper connection to the ocean and the many ways it impacts our lives. We applaud Mayor Wu and her team for creating a program that prioritizes increased accessibility and inclusivity for students and families throughout Boston,” said Vikki N. Spruill, President and CEO of the New England Aquarium. "Boston Children's Museum is pleased to participate in the cultural access pilot program for Boston Public School children and their families to enjoy one of the region’s most important early childhood educational and cultural institutions," said Carole Charnow, President & CEO, Boston Children's Museum. "The Museum is an invaluable resource that provides delightfully interactive creative opportunities for playful exploration. Special thanks to Mayor Wu for launching this program and reinforcing Boston Children’s Museum’s commitment to the community to keep access affordable for all." “The access initiative announced by Mayor Wu is a powerful statement that arts and culture are vital for everyone and an important first step to equitably unlocking the full potential of museums for our young people and their families,” said Jill Medvedow, Director of the ICA. “Every day at the ICA, we see how free admission for youth and teens opens the doors to a wide spectrum of activities that are critical for engagement, transformation and change, and we are excited to partner with the City and our colleagues to expand these efforts across Boston.” “We are proud to participate in Boston’s cultural access pilot, and thank the Mayor for her vision and commitment to expanding opportunities for Boston schoolchildren and their families,” said John Linehan, Zoo New England President and CEO. “At Franklin Park Zoo, classroom learning is truly brought to life in impactful ways that inspire caring and action on behalf of wildlife and strengthen STEM learning through exploration and fun.” “We’re proud to partner with the City on this initiative, and thank the Mayor for her leadership,” said Matthew Teitelbaum, Director of the Museum of Fine Arts. “It’s an important demonstration of our shared belief that access to the arts is integral in building strong communities. We look forward to welcoming BPS students and their families to the MFA through this program—a bold invitation and a declaration that cultural institutions are places where all belong.” This new program is supported through a public-private partnership between the City of Boston and civic, corporate and philanthropic partners. Supporters include Jim and Cathy Stone, Highland Street Foundation, Barbara and Amos Hostetter, Barr Foundation, and Amazon. “Jim and I are honored to support Mayor Wu’s important initiative which will strengthen the bonds of community across Boston. Our city is home to many wonderful cultural institutions—we are so pleased that they will now be able to welcome all BPS students and families to experience the joy of discovery” said Cathy Douglas Stone.  “Highland Street Foundation is pleased to partner with Mayor Wu on BPS Sundays as it directly aligns with our goals to enrich the lives of children and families by providing easy access to the very best cultural offerings in the city,” said Blake Jordan, Executive Director, Highland Street Foundation. “Arts, culture and creativity bring joy, compel us to ask difficult questions, and are powerful means of building empathy and understanding of each other, society, and our natural world. Barr is pleased to join this landmark collaboration which has the potential to strengthen Boston’s social fabric, and to foster the compassion and imagination of our next generation of engaged citizens,” said San San Wong, Director of Arts & Creativity, Barr Foundation. “Art nurtures creativity, innovation and cultural diversity across communities, and we are proud to help support this important initiative in local Boston neighborhoods,” said Jerome Smith, Amazon’s Head of Community Engagement, New England. “Amazon is thrilled to continue our mission of creating paths to education in all forms, recognizing the power this has for students to explore their potential and imaginations.”