人生一定要有的八個朋友：
推手(Builder)、
支柱(Champion)、
同好(Collaborator)、
夥伴(Companion)、
中介(Connector)、
開心果(Energizer)、
開路者(Mind Opener)、
導師(Navigator)。
chutze@bostonorange.com
*******************
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Send Message to Biden for Immediate Gaza Ceasefire
Boston, MA - In the wake of an
unprecedented showing in Michigan, where100,000 people voted “Uncommitted,” to signal to
President Biden that his unwavering support for genocide would threaten his
chances at re-election, a growing coalition of over 10 organizations have
founded a “Vote No Preference” campaign in Massachusetts.
The interfaith
coalition includes members from the Muslim and Jewish communities, as well as
over 10 organizations with experience doing voter turnout across the state.
They will hold a virtual press conference on Monday, March 4 at 10AM EST, to
call on Massachusetts voters to vote “No Preference” on Super Tuesday,
March 5 to tell Biden: “Count us out for genocide!” and urge him to support an
immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Merrie Najimy, one of
the organizers, will also speak at a rally tomorrow, Saturday, March 2 at
1PM in front of Cambridge City Hall.
The burgeoning
coalition will distribute hundreds of signs and thousands of flyers and
stickers across the state over the weekend, planning statewide phone banks,
plus a social media campaign, using #VoteNoPreferenceMa, following
Michigan’s example. The coalition includes multiple local mushrooming
peace groups based in cities across the Commonwealth, Massachusetts Peace
Action, the Massachusetts Muslims for Justice, which has 1000 members who have
been phonebanking Congressional Reps daily for ceasefire since fall 2023. The
group also includes the Boston Shai House, an organizing network of
Massachusetts Arab and Muslim voters, born of the strong support for Senator
Sanders in Michigan in 2016. In 2020, Boston Shai house efforts turned out the
MA Arab/Muslim vote for Sanders, by a wide margin (58.2% for Sanders to 26.5%
for Biden). Sanders has consistently called for US aid to Israel to be
contingent on compliance with international law, a position which over half of US voters support.
“Israel’s horrifying
massacre of over 100 Palestinians waiting for food aid yesterday, makes
it clear that Biden has no red lines. He keeps saying he is pushing to protect
civilians while vetoing 3 UN ceasefire votes, bypassing Congress to send millions
of dollars in weapons for Israel’s war crimes, and cutting off UNRWA funding,
the only humanitarian organization able to provide and distribute humanitarian
assistance on the ground. The current threat of famine is directly linked to
Biden Administration policies and choices.” said Danya Reda, Assistant
Professor of Political Science at UMass Boston and member of the Boston Shai
House. “We aren’t fooled, Biden. Voting ‘No Preference’ is one way that
Massachusetts voters can send the message that we will not continue to vote for
blank checks for war crimes.”
Democratic voters
find the Democratic Party less and less reflects its constituents and saw the
elections as a meaningful opportunity to send a message.
“Biden and the
Democrats have been taking our votes for granted for too long,” said Humayun
Morshed, Muslim Community Organizer, Greater Boston. “For four months our
elected officials have been sending our tax dollars to kill children without
our consent. That’s why we are calling on people in the Muslim community and
across Massachusetts to vote “No Preference” on Tuesday.”
“Repeated polls show that two out of three Americans support a ceasefire in
Gaza,” said Mia Haddad, an organizer for Somerville for Palestine, and a
local healthcare worker. “Young people like me see clearly that Biden and
the Dems are pursuing policies that have left our generation behind. We will be
voting: No Preference on March 5.”
The organizers
announced a coordinated campaign in mosques and community groups around the
state to get out the vote and teach constituents to fill in the “No Preference”
bubble on their ballot for the Democratic Presidential Primary. Although
Massachusetts is not a swing state, organizers say that should make it feel
even safer for voters to use their vote to make a statement to Biden: “Count us
out for genocide.”
If a candidate (or
Uncommitted) receives15% of the vote in a primary, and at least 15%
in one Congressional District, then delegates to the DNC Convention can be
awarded to the candidate - or will not be committed to vote for Biden, in the
case of “Uncommitted,” or “No Preference.”
"Biden
and his government have sent billions of our tax dollars for Israel's brutal
conquest of Gaza and the West Bank; and he has already vetoed 3 ceasefire votes
in the UN. We as healthcare workers cannot look away as Biden spends our tax
dollars on genocide,”
said Aparna Nair-Kanneganti, a medical student at Harvard.
“Massachusetts healthcare workers have been protesting for months,
and like the 80% of Democrats
who have supported a ceasefire since October, we are angry that our elected
officials are ignoring us. On March 5, I have no choice, but to vote “NO
PREFERENCE” for the DNC Nominee. Count us out for genocide."
南加州亞美促進正義會執行長Connie
Chung Joe，亞美促進正義會會長John
C. Yang，基本權益科技 (Technology
for Fundamental Rights)總經理Merisa
Heu-Weller依序分別指出，推出這資源旨在回應在新冠病毒疫情期間及之後，持續的，對亞裔社區的騎士；長期以來亞裔社區都缺乏深遠的有品質數據，以反映人們所遭受的仇恨事件；了解並分析數據，人們就能對社區到底正在發生些什麼事，有更好的了解。
LOS
ANGELES, CA and Washington, DC — Today marks the launch
of the Asian Resource Hub, a unique digital
resource developed in collaboration between Asian Americans Advancing Justice
Southern California (AJSOCAL), Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC
(Advancing Justice – AAJC), and Microsoft. This new resource pioneers a dual
mission: 1) to illustrate the surge of hatred through data culled from a
combination of reports (surveys, hate trackers, law enforcement, and public
records) about the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities (AAPIs) and
2) to provide a searchable national directory of resources and culturally
competent services that offer help in Asian languages. The website is currently
translated in Chinese (Traditional & Simplified), Korean, and Vietnamese.
Access to the hub is free to all at u8
Connie Chung Joe, CEO, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California
said, "The Asian Resource Hub is a direct response to the ongoing
discrimination against our community during, and because of, the COVID-19
pandemic. There is a crucial need for AAPIs to find vetted, language accessible
and culturally competent resources when and where help is needed. The impact of
hatred and discrimination is too often devastating and complex.”
John C. Yang, President,
Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC commented,
“There’s a profound absence of quality data reflecting the hate incidents and
experiences endured. With the Asian Resource Hub, our goal is clear: to fill
these gaps, and provide awareness and data that empower the AAPI community to
confront and overcome these challenges. We are grateful to our partner
Microsoft for bringing their expertise to this pressing need.”
Merisa Heu-Weller,
General Manager, Technology for Fundamental Rights, Microsoft -- “By
understanding and analyzing data we can provide insights for community members
to better understand what is happening in the neighborhoods where they live,
work and play. By working together to create The Asian Resource Hub, Microsoft,
AJSOCAL and Advancing Justice - AAJC are providing communities with that
clarity through a data-dashboard, supportive collateral, and a national
directory to help fight against Asian incidents.”
By the Numbers: AAPIs
and Anti-Asian Hatred:
·The
Asian Resource Hub provides public data on the AAPI community by illustrating
the scope of widespread anti-Asian discrimination and hate in the U.S. using
storytelling narratives and the Microsoft-powered PowerBI data visualization
platform based on data collected by StopAAPIHate.org, StandAgainstHatred.org,
the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI reports, Congressional Asian Pacific American
Caucus, local law enforcement, and other sources. The Asian Resource Hub
demonstrates the growth and needs of the AAPI community, from before, during,
and after the COVID-19 era. By presenting data in a visually compelling manner,
the Asian Resource Hub aims to raise awareness and foster a deeper
understanding of the challenges faced by these communities.
AAPI Resource
Directory:
·The
Asian Resource Hub introduces a searchable resource directory, featuring vetted
AAPI community-based organizations (CBOs) that provide low/no-cost and
culturally competent and linguistically appropriate direct services. This
directory makes it easier for individuals and communities to access essential
resources tailored to their own languages and needs. Currently listed are more
than 60 organizations in over 21 states that provide a variety of services
including legal assistance, social services, civic engagement opportunities and
more.
Asian Americans Advancing
Justice – AAJC commends the Senate's introduction of the John R. Lewis Voting
Rights Advancement Act
WASHINGTON, DC — February 29, 2024 — Asian Americans
Advancing Justice – AAJC commends the Senate's introduction of the John R.
Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act as a significant step towards ensuring full
participation from all Americans in our democracy. In this crucial election year,
the bill emerges as a beacon for equitable democracy, addressing critical
issues akin to the historic Voting Rights Act and responding to the pressing
need for legislative action. This is prompted by the devastating 2013 Supreme
Court ruling in Shelby v. Holder, which eradicated the “pre-clearance”
provision that required jurisdictions with a history of discrimination to seek
pre-approval of voting changes.
John C. Yang, president and executive director of Asian
Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC, expressed his support for the bill,
stating:
“At the heart of the numerous hurdles our democracy is
confronted with, lies the deprivation and dilution of the foundational right to
vote, which significantly impacts Asian, Black, Latino, and Native American
communities. It is absolutely imperative that we address and rectify these
issues to protect our democracy, which relies on the full and equal
participation of every eligible voter. The John Lewis VRAA is a step toward
forging a path for true inclusion of the voices and votes for all communities nationwide.
During a pivotal election year, the strength of America's
democracy rests on ensuring every voice is heard. I commend the Senate for
presenting this bill at such a crucial juncture in our nation's history and
urge Members of Congress to safeguard the freedom to vote by passing this
legislation.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC supports the John Lewis
VRAA because it embraces a forward-looking perspective for the future of our
democracy.”
Governor Healey Promotes Major Initiatives in Life
Sciences, Climatetech, Applied AI
Proposals
will be included in upcoming Mass Leads economic development bill to position
Massachusetts as a global hub for cutting-edge industries
Governor Maura Healey, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao, Secretary of Energy and Environmental AffairsRebecca Tepper and Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer join Somerville MayorKatjana Ballantyne, life science industry leaders and local legislators to detailmajor new proposals to make Massachusetts a global hub for life sciences, climate technology and applied artificial intelligence during a visit to Form Energy in Somerville on February. 29, 2024. [Joshua Qualls/Governor’s Press Office]
SOMERVILLE — SOMERVILLE –
Today, Governor Maura T. Healey detailed major new proposals to make
Massachusetts a global hub for life sciences, climatetech and applied
artificial intelligence (AI).
She
announced that she is reauthorizing the Life Sciences Initiative to build on
the success of the program that has made Massachusetts a global leader in this
critical industry. She also announced that she is applying this proven model to
a new Climatetech Initiative, which will position Massachusetts to compete on
the global stage in this emerging industry.
Governor
Healey announced the filing at Form Energy, an American energy storage
technology and manufacturing company, alongside Cabinet members, elected
officials, industry leaders, and community members.
Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao。 [Joshua Qualls/Governor’s Press Office]
The
initiatives will be included in the administration’s upcoming economic
development bill, titled the Mass Leads Act. This bill is also
expected to propose investments in the Community One Stop for Growth, rural
communities, advanced manufacturing, robotics, tourism, the creative economy
and small businesses. It will also build on the momentum of the state's CHIPS + Science wins by making
targeted investments in advanced manufacturing and robotics. Governor Healey
previously announced that the bill will include $100 million to create an Applied AI Hub in
Massachusetts.
[Joshua Qualls/Governor’s Press Office]
Informed
by the 2023 economic development plan, the initiatives
in this bill will seek to advance the Healey-Driscoll administration’s core
principles of competitiveness, affordability, and equity across all regions and
for all residents in Massachusetts.
“The
Mass Leads Act will take our proven, homegrown model of the Life Science
Initiative to the next level to continue leading the world in attracting
innovative businesses to our state and developing life-saving medicines. We’ll
also stake our claim in burgeoning industries like climatetech and artificial
intelligence to make clear that Massachusetts competes to win,” said Governor
Healey. “This is a transformative opportunity to strengthen our
state’s economy while also supporting our businesses, workforce and
communities, and we look forward to working with our Legislative partners to
get it done.”
“The
Mass Leads Act improves on what we already know works in Massachusetts – the
Life Sciences Initiative – and applies those lessons to exciting new industries
like climatetech and artificial intelligence,” said Lieutenant Governor
Kim Driscoll. “These proposals reflect the realities of the economy of
today and tomorrow, and position Massachusetts to compete at every turn to
bring results home to our communities.”
“Our
administration is making strategic investments to propel our state forward,
particularly amidst heightened national competition in the life sciences and
climatetech sectors,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne
Hao. “The Mass Leads Act outlines a bold, long-term strategy that is
needed in order for Massachusetts to compete and win. The goal remains to make
Massachusetts the best place for people to start and grow their careers, and
the best place for companies to start and scale. With the right tools at our
disposal, Team Massachusetts is expanding opportunities, breaking barriers in
health equity and pursuing the next fronter in the life sciences, and driving
climate change progress while creating jobs.”
‘We’ve
seen firsthand the impact investments like these can make to position
Massachusetts as a national and global leader in industries like the life
sciences. By keeping our foot on the gas and expanding on proven strategies to
put a marker down in climatetech, the Mass Leads Act will allow us to keep our
competitive edge and grow the types of jobs and businesses that will pay
dividends for our students, residents and the state for generations to come,”
said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz.
“With
the Mass Leads Act, we have an opportunity to design and manufacture the
solutions to climate change in our own backyard,” said Energy and
Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “This would be a
gamechanger for the climatetech industry. We have an opportunity to give our
residents the ability to work in and learn about emerging technologies that
will be critical in reducing emissions and building resilience to climate
change.”
Climatetech
Governor
Healey is proposing a $1 billion, 10-year climatetech initiative to make
Massachusetts the climate innovation lab for the world. The initiative would
create jobs, support technology development and infrastructure to reduce
emissions, and promote resilience locally. Massachusetts would be well
positioned as a global leader in climatetech. The funds and programs would help
companies start and scale in Massachusetts, creating well paying jobs across
the state. The initiative has three core parts:
1.Capital Funding: The
bill would provide significant capital resources to MassCEC for the first time.
Bond authorizations can support research and development, innovation,
manufacturing, commercialization, and the deployment of climatetech
technologies, including offshore wind, across Massachusetts.
2.Tax Incentives: The
bill would authorize funding for tax incentives, which will help ensure the
state is competitive in attracting and retaining these businesses. The
initiative proposes to establish a new Climatetech Tax Incentive
Program to enable the state to invest in climatetech companies, expand
employment opportunities and support research and development. The bill also
seeks to continue implementation of the newly created Offshore Wind Tax
Credit and proposes some strategic changes to further grow the
program.
3.Operating Funding: This
ten-year strategy underscores the critical importance of annual operating
support through the state budget process for MassCEC, which is instrumental in
fostering the climatetech industry and training a clean energy workforce.
Operating funds will enable MassCEC to deploy stable programming and
initiatives to reach areas that capital programs and tax incentives aren’t able
to reach. This includes workforce development initiatives, internships,
strategic partnerships, and operations.
“The
Mass Leads Act represents a historic investment that will move us significantly
towards our goal to be the climate innovation lab for the world,” said Massachusetts
Clean Energy Center CEO Dr. Emily Reichert. “These funds would empower
MassCEC to significantly expand our work to make Massachusetts be THE place
where climatetech companies want to grow and thrive, creating high-quality jobs
here in the Commonwealth. The funds would also help us expand our
nation-leading position in offshore wind through additional investment in
world-class port infrastructure. Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor
Driscoll understand that our climate challenge offers us a profound economic
opportunity to create tens of thousands of good jobs, revitalize local
economies and lead the country in climate solutions.”
"We
are excited about the investment the Healey-Driscoll administration is making
in companies like ours that are part of the growing energy innovation ecosystem
in Massachusetts. Form Energy was founded in 2017 and started scaling up in
Somerville with a team of less than 10. Today, our two locations in Somerville
employ more than 225 scientists, chemists, engineers, and lab technicians and
occupy 155,000 rentable square feet of lab and office space,” said Ted
Wiley, Co-founder, President, and Chief Operating Officer of Form Energy. “We
are grateful to the administration, legislature, and local delegation for their
leadership and hard work to elevate Massachusetts as the global leader in
climatetechnology. We look forward to continuing to grow and innovate in
Somerville and to building Form Energy battery systems in the
Commonwealth.”
The
bill also proposes reauthorizing the Life Sciences Initiative at $1 billion for
10 years to position Massachusetts to lengthen its lead as the global leader in
the life sciences. Last year, Massachusetts was chosen by the federal Advanced
Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), an agency within the National
Institutes of Health, to host its Investor Catalyst Hub, demonstrating the
effectiveness of the state’s investments in the life sciences.
This
long-term commitment will position Massachusetts to win more investment in the
industry, develop more life-saving cures, and create more jobs. It will build
on the success of prior authorizations while making adjustments to account for
present-day challenges and opportunities. The initiative has three core
parts:
1.Capital: The
Massachusetts Life Sciences Center will embrace a model that encourages
multi-institution, cross-sector collaboration among key industries, such as
biotechnology, manufacturing, medical technology, higher education, and
healthcare. Through this realignment, the state will be better able to pursue
health equity ventures, research and development, and capital eligible
initiatives to support the ecosystem.
2.Tax Incentives: The
Life Sciences Tax Incentive Program has proven successful in incentivizing the
creation of jobs in the industry. This bill proposes to increase the statutory
cap for life sciences tax incentives to create more capacity in the future and
extends the program to 2033 to demonstrate the state’s commitment for the next
decade. This will further enhance a valuable business development tool to
attract and retain companies in Massachusetts.
3.Operating: This
new strategy also projects annual appropriations for workforce development
programming and other strategic initiatives, including support for early-stage
companies. Notably, this component of the strategy incorporates an expansion of
Pathmaker, a key component of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s MassTalent Initiative, to scale career
training programs for in-demand job opportunities within the
industry.
In
addition to competitiveness and innovation, equity will be elevated as a
priority for the Healey-Driscoll Administration under the new initiative,
including creating better workforce pathways into careers in the industry and
improving health outcomes for residents in Massachusetts.
“The
Life Sciences Initiative has helped catalyze transformational opportunities for
Massachusetts residents and patients around the world alongside impactful
public-private partnerships benefiting communities across Massachusetts,” said Massachusetts
Life Sciences Center Acting CEO & Vice President of Economic Development
and Partnerships Jeanne LeClair. “Our Commonwealth’s leadership in the
life sciences is no accident and not guaranteed with fierce competition both
national and globally. What remains a key separating factor for our preeminence
is the powerful engagement of our elected and civic leaders and the unique
ecosystem of collaboration between industry, education, non-profit, and
government.”
“As
the largest life sciences employer in the state, Takeda applauds the
initiatives outlined by Governor Healey as part of the Mass Leads Act,
including the reauthorization of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Initiative and
the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center,” said Julie Kim, President,
U.S. Business Unit and U.S. Country Head, Takeda and a member of the Governor’s
Economic Development Planning Council. “We are fortunate that in
Massachusetts, government and industry work together as “collective
entrepreneurs” to lead in emerging industries and tackle complex issues that
help enhance our competitive advantage and benefit the health and wellbeing of
patients around the world.”
Senate Acts to Update
and Modernize Sexual Health Education
Healthy Youth Act
boosts accurate and inclusive sex and relationship education, enhances parental rights, codifies comprehensive framework
BOSTON (2/29/24)—The
Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed the Healthy Youth Act, which
would ensure that Massachusetts public schools electing to teach sexual health
education curriculum use age-appropriate, inclusive, medically accurate, and
research-based information on sex, relationships, and consent.
The Healthy Youth Act,
S.2686, would enhance parental rights and codify into law the
voluntary framework approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education (DESE). It calls for sex and relationship education to be inclusive
and appropriate for students regardless of gender, race, disability status,
sexual orientation, and gender identity.
“The true north for the
Massachusetts Senate is providing our young people and families with every tool
possible to empower them to live a bright future, right here in our state,”
said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Inclusive and
medically accurate sex and relationship education is fundamental to supporting
residents in building that future, and critical if we want to continue leading
and competing in all aspects of education nationally. Thanks to the relentless work
of Senator DiDomenico, and the tireless support from Chair Lewis and all who
have worked so hard on this effort, Massachusetts has an opportunity to
continue to lead in this space.”
“The Healthy Youth
Act will finally make it clear that sex and relationship education in
Massachusetts must be inclusive of all students and emphasize the importance
and necessity of consent in relationships,” said Senator Sal N. DiDomenico
(D-Everett), Assistant Majority Leader and lead sponsor of the Senate bill.
“We must finally get this commonsense health policy over the finish line to
ensure our children have the information they need to protect their health,
form respectful relationships, and build the bright futures they deserve. I
want to thank Senate President Spilka, Chair Rodrigues, Chair Lewis, and all
the advocates who have worked tirelessly to give our children the best
education available.”
“I’m pleased the Senate
has again taken up and passed the Healthy Youth Act, an update on our
public-school education guidelines in the Commonwealth. This legislation to
teach fact based, medically accurate information will help identify and prevent
sexual and relationship violence, curb disease, and have our public schools be more
LGBTQ inclusive. It is also flexible in that it requires the education to be
age appropriate, and still allow an opt-out provision,” said Senator Michael
J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
“Providing
comprehensive, age-appropriate, and medically accurate sex and relationship
education to our youth is the best way to prepare them to make safe and healthy
choices,” said State Senator Jason M. Lewis (D-Winchester), Senate Chair of
the Joint Committee on Education. “I’m pleased that the Senate is
continuing to advance this legislation that ensures that Massachusetts public
schools use research-informed curricula that prioritize inclusivity and the
health and well-being of students.”
Requiring medically
accurate curriculum for public schools teaching sex edThe Healthy Youth Act
would ensure that students in public schools that offer sexual health education
are receiving, and teachers have guidance on, curricula that is
age-appropriate, medically accurate, comprehensive, and inclusive of LGBTQ+
health and lessons on consent.
The Healthy Youth Act
would incorporate comprehensive sex and relationship education that could
support students in delaying the initiation of sex, increasing use of
contraception, lowering the rates of STIs and unintended pregnancy among teens,
and reducing reported levels of bullying towards LGBTQ+ youth in school.
Curricula for schools
that choose to teach sex and relationship education would include the benefits
of delaying sex; human anatomy, reproduction, and sexual development; effective
contraceptive use; prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections
(STIs); relationship and communication skills to form healthy
relationships; coverage of affirmative, conscious and voluntary consent;
and age-appropriate information about gender identity and sexual orientation,
including resources that offer support to LGBTQ+ students.
Protecting and enhancing
parental notification and rights
This legislation also
protects and enhances parents’ right to remove their children from all or part
of the sex and relationship education program if they choose to do so––an
action already protected by state law.
Additionally, this bill
updates parent-notification guidelines for districts that choose to teach sex
and relationship education curriculum and requires schools to send notice to
parents in English and in other commonly spoken languages in the district. Notice
would alert parents that their child is enrolled in a sex and relationship
education course and would inform them of their right to review the curriculum
or opt their child out of some or all of the lessons.
Building on the DESE
education framework
The Healthy Youth Act
would codify into law the health education framework approved by
DESE last year, which is currently only a voluntary guideline for school
districts in the Commonwealth.
If passed, the
legislation would strengthen the impact of the new health education framework
and create standards for sex and relationship curricula in public
schools.
The Healthy Youth Act
would require the DESE to collect data on sex and relationship education taught
in public schools and require DESE to review and update the framework at least
every ten years to ensure the sex and relationship education guidelines remain
comprehensive and are meeting the needs of students.
The bill has the support
of a broad coalition of education and LGBTQ+ advocates around the state.
“Today's vote affirms
what we already know – a strong majority of people in Massachusetts, including
most parents, want young people to receive sex and relationship education at
school,” said Jamie Klufts, co-chair of the Healthy Youth Coalition. “We
are deeply grateful to the entire Senate, including Senate President Spilka,
Senate Ways and Means Chair Rodrigues, and Assistant Majority Leader
DiDomenico, for believing in the Healthy Youth Act once again. We look forward
to working with the House to pass the Healthy Youth Act this session so that
the state's exciting new Health and Physical Education Framework can reach its
full potential and do the most to support our students and teachers.”
“Ensuring that
Massachusetts schools are places where all students feel safe and supported––no
exceptions––has never been so urgent,” said Jaclyn Friedman, Executive
Director of EducateUS and Chair of the Healthy Youth Coalition. “The type
of sex and relationship education provided for by the Healthy Youth Act is
proven to protect young people against bullying, abuse, and feelings of
isolation. We applaud the Senate’s steadfast and timely commitment to young
people across Massachusetts.”
“We are excited to learn
that, once again, the Healthy Youth Act has passed the Senate,” said Shaplaie
Brooks, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ+ Youth.
“This tells us that the number one priority for the Senate is comprehensive,
intersectional, and medically-accurate health education for students in the
Commonwealth. With this win, we believe that the Senate has weighed the pros
and cons of this life-saving legislation, and ultimately centered the
importance of cultivating a safe environment for students to engage a modern
curriculum that reflects the issues they face every day and answers their
questions about healthy relationships––rooted in consent. The Commission
believes that the House understands the same, and urges it to take up this bill
immediately. We are at a pivotal moment in our Commonwealth's history where we
have a chance for all youth including LGBTQ youth to receive critical
information that can equip them with the tools to keep themselves safe, be a
safe person in their relationships, understand the risks and red flags specific
to their communities, and have the autonomy to make informed decisions based on
the power of knowledge and not fear.”
This is the fifth
consecutive session during which the Senate has adopted similar legislation.
The bill now heads to the Massachusetts House of
Representatives for consideration.
MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF SWIM SAFE PROGRAM WITH NEW FUNDING FOR FREE SWIM LESSONS
BCYF Marshall Community Center pool opened last fall; the Clougherty, Draper, Hennigan, Mattahunt, and Perkins are expected to be open this summer
BOSTON - Thursday, February 29, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu, the Human Services Cabinet, and Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) today announced expanded investments in water safety through the City’s Swim Safe program. The City is opening up a new round of grant funding to support learn-to-swim programming for historically underserved communities. This expansion builds on an investment made by the City this past fall to offer free swim lessons through the winter months. The investment is part of the Mayor’s initiative Connect, Learn, Explore – to build a family-friendly city where every child has the opportunity to explore their passions.
BCYF Marshall Pool in Dorchester, closed for many years, reopened last fall. The pool reopening was officially celebrated by the community at a Black History Month event on February 28th. BCYF Mattahunt Community Center pool in Mattapan will reopen this summer following the completion of a multi-year $12.7 million renovation of the community center.
“As a coastal city, we want to make sure all our young people can safely enjoy our water and pools,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “By expanding our Swim Safe partnership, we’re ensuring our youth are also able to explore all their interests to make Boston the best place to raise a family. I’m grateful to our partners for their continued support for our young people.”
The Swim Safe initiative was originally announced in July 2023. To date, the city has served more than 1,000 youth participants who have received free swim lessons. To continue to support the high demand for free swim lessons and importance of water safety in a coastal city, Boston is expanding the program to offer additional support to aquatics providers.
The previous round of grant funding for the Swim Safe initiative supported partners to offer free swim lessons throughout the winter at pools in Boston operated by the YMCA of Greater Boston, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and DotHouse Health. This new round of funding will continue to support free lessons this spring in advance of the summer swim season. Priority will be placed on providing lessons for beginner-level swimmers.
“As a parent and former lifeguard, I am passionate about getting children and families access to city pools, swim lessons, and water safety information,” said José Massó, Chief of Human Services for the City of Boston. “These grant opportunities and pool openings represent progress and a lot of hard work on the part of this administration, and I look forward to continuing our momentum into the summer months.”
Despite being a coastal city with beaches along the harbor and numerous indoor and outdoor swimming pools, not all Boston residents have equal access to opportunities to learn how to swim. Nationally, fatal drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 years old and the second leading cause of injury death for children ages 5-14 (CDC). Black and Latino youth are less likely to know how to swim and therefore are at higher risk of drowning (CDC).
"DotHouse Health is extremely proud to partner with the City of Boston to help provide free swimming lessons to all youth and families in our communities,” said Michelle Nadow, President & CEO of DotHouse Health. “We are very appreciative of the opportunity to collaborate and to continue to expand accessible swimming resources in our neighborhoods."
“Providing water safety education to the community is a public health imperative, and we are proud to support Swim Safe Boston so community members can enjoy the health benefits of water recreation,” said Jeff Bellows, Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and Public Affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. “This program eliminates the barriers of access and education so that people across the city can safely enjoy our local pools and beaches.”
The City is acting with urgency to renovate several city-owned pools, many of which were built in the 1970s. Mayor Wu has made an unprecedented commitment to aquatics programming by commissioning a first-ever citywide evaluation of aquatics infrastructure with the goal of expediting the improvements needed to get city pools back open. In addition to the assessment, this fiscal year, Mayor Wu allocated $34.3 million in the FY24-FY28 capital plan for repairing and renovating the city's pools.
“This investment is critical to addressing the alarming number of youth - in particular minority youth - who cannot swim,” said Marta E. Rivera, Commissioner of Boston Centers for Youth & Families. “We welcome our aquatics partners to join us in providing free lessons across the city.”
In May, Boston will host USA Swimming for a series of events to mark International Water Safety Day, a day dedicated to spreading global awareness about the risks of drowning and importance of water safety education. Activities will include visits by former Olympic swimmers to Boston Public Schools, a water safety fair at a BCYF Pool, and instructional programming for BCYF swim team participants. Water safety information will be shared with Boston Public Schools families, all to highlight the importance of water safety during the summer months.
Because of a collaboration between Boston Public Schools, Boston Centers for Youth & Families, the Public Facilities Department, and the Property Management Department, investments of City funding, and improved facilities assessment, the City is on track to have more pools open this year than in previous summers, including the BCYF Clougherty, Draper, Hennigan, Marshall, Mattahunt and Perkins pools. BCYF Marshall Community Center pool opened this fall. The Draper, Hennigan, Mattahunt and Perkins are expected to be open this summer as is the Clougherty Pool, which is approaching the completion of a two-year renovation.
The City also has more opportunities for lifeguards through a residency waiver which allows the City to hire more lifeguards and the Lifeguard Preparedness Academy and hiring days that BCYF has been hosting in collaboration with the Office of Human Resources. Additionally, through the SwimSafe program, the City is providing more free swim lessons for children in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Boston (nine pools), Boys and Girls Club (four pools), Dorchester House (one pool), and USA Swimming.
There is no charge for membership or programming at BCYF centers and pools but visitors need to create a membership at Boston.gov/BCYF-Registration. Registration for classes and programs can be found on individual BCYF pools’ webpages or at Boston.gov/BCYF-Aquatics.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC commends the Senate's introduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
WASHINGTON, DC — February 29, 2024 — Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC commends the Senate's introduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act as a significant step towards ensuring full participation from all Americans in our democracy. In this crucial election year, the bill emerges as a beacon for equitable democracy, addressing critical issues akin to the historic Voting Rights Act and responding to the pressing need for legislative action. This is prompted by the devastating 2013 Supreme Court ruling in Shelby v. Holder, which eradicated the “pre-clearance” provision that required jurisdictions with a history of discrimination to seek pre-approval of voting changes.
John C. Yang, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC, expressed his support for the bill, stating:
“At the heart of the numerous hurdles our democracy is confronted with, lies the deprivation and dilution of the foundational right to vote, which significantly impacts Asian, Black, Latino, and Native American communities. It is absolutely imperative that we address and rectify these issues to protect our democracy, which relies on the full and equal participation of every eligible voter. The John Lewis VRAA is a step toward forging a path for true inclusion of the voices and votes for all communities nationwide.
During a pivotal election year, the strength of America's democracy rests on ensuring every voice is heard. I commend the Senate for presenting this bill at such a crucial juncture in our nation's history and urge Members of Congress to safeguard the freedom to vote by passing this legislation.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC supports the John Lewis VRAA because it embraces a forward-looking perspective for the future of our democracy.”
