吳弭市長宣佈暑期安全健康計畫

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES CITY’S PLAN FOR A SAFE, HEALTHY AND ACTIVE SUMMER IN BOSTON

 

BOSTON - Tuesday, May 21, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the City of Boston’s comprehensive plan for a safe, healthy, and active summer in all Boston neighborhoods. This year’s summer safety plan will serve as the foundation for the City’s ongoing, year-round efforts to address the root causes of violence through a public health lens, and create the conditions for community healing. Mayor Wu also announced the City’s first Plan to End Violence, a long-term, sustainable, data-driven, and visionary approach aimed at ending violence holistically and year-round through revamped commitment to community engagement and centering lived experiences of residents most impacted by violence.   “This summer will be filled with opportunities for young people and families to stay active and engaged in community,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This year’s summer safety plan will serve as a critical step in moving forward for our work year-round to make sure our communities are safe, with coordinated activities across city departments for supports, resources, and fun.”  In an effort to ensure the City’s summer safety efforts across departments best reflect the needs of Boston residents, the Mayor’s Community Safety Team prioritized community engagement by hosting three rounds of engagement sessions to design, refine, and preview this year’s summer safety plan in partnership with neighborhoods. From February through May, the team hosted 27 meetings in BCYF community centers across nine neighborhoods, resulting in the most extensive community engagement strategy in the City’s history that informed the creation of the summer safety plan.  “Preventing violence is a year round priority, but we have short term work to do and have Summer-specific challenges to strategize around,” said Isaac Yablo, Senior Advisor for Community Safety. “This is why we worked hand-in-hand with the community to build this cross-departmental, data-driven, evidence-informed, humanity-centered plan that is truly, ‘for community, by community.’”  This summer, the City is focused on scaling up programming in key areas, ensuring neighborhoods are supported, strengthening violence intervention and prevention efforts, and reinvesting into communities across Boston that are most impacted by violence. Additionally, City departments are working closely with the Boston Police Department (BPD) to identify and focus violence reduction efforts in “opportunity zones,” areas that have historically experienced a higher rate of violence. BPD will provide a positive police presence in locations where violence is concentrated and supplement the City’s ongoing efforts to engage individuals at the highest risk for violence. To improve the quality of life in the neighborhoods, BPD will also coordinate closely with various agencies to address large-scale congregating and disturbances with a safe, preventative approach.  "Building Trust is the single most important piece of our overall strategy for public safety in Boston year-round. It’s what Community Policing is based on and it is what addressing and solving criminal activity is built on. We are a data-driven Department, but we know that partnerships are crucial to reducing crime and bettering our ability to address crimes that occur," said Commissioner Michael Cox, Boston Police Department. "During the summer months there are more daylight hours, kids are out of school and there are more opportunities for encounters that in some cases lead to violence. We are focused on creating additional proactive, positive engagement opportunities for our officers in the Community. This includes working with our partners like the Mayor’s Violence Reduction Team, as well as YouthConnect and our BEST clinicians, to address the needs of individuals who may be vulnerable in our communities. BPD also continues to focus considerable attention on addressing what we call revelers. Those on off-road vehicles and ‘speaker cars’ that create unsafe situations and seriously impact the lives of our residents. We are also actively engaged in a working group focused on moped activity across our City.  We thank the public and the business community for their partnership and support of our efforts to address these issues."  Youth and Summer Job Programs  In addition to scaling up programs to address root causes of violence, Mayor Wu remains committed to expanding career pathways and connecting young people across neighborhoods to opportunity. This commitment is highlighted by the Mayor’s Youth Job Guarantee, a commitment by the City that every BPS student has access to a paid summer job.  The City is now accepting applications for futureBOS, the 2024 Summer Youth Employment Program, including all Successlink job opportunities for Boston youth and young adults ages 14-24. Young people that are interested can now find summer job opportunities through futureBOS, the newly redesigned webpage hub for all youth employment opportunities throughout the City. There is a step-by-step guide available online to help youth navigate the application process and job applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Youth can also visit the office in person, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1483 Tremont Street in Roxbury, or call 617-635-4202 for additional assistance. For more information, visit boston.gov/futureBOS.  Boston Public Schools is also committed to ensuring that students have access to necessary resources throughout the summer, and provides a number of programs for BPS students and families across the city. For a full range of existing programs, visit www.bostonpublicschools.org/summer.  “We are thrilled to support Mayor Wu's vision for a fun, vibrant and safe summer in the City,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper. “Our schools are committed to providing students with enriching summer programs and resources that foster learning, engagement, and community connection. By collaborating closely with city departments and community partners, we aim to ensure that our students have access to meaningful opportunities that contribute to their continued growth during the summer months.”  Each summer, departments within the Human Services cabinet, including Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) and the Office of Youth Engagement & Advancement (OYEA), serve thousands of youth and families, engaging young people in a variety of programs, community events, and employment opportunities. This summer, Human Services is adding three new strategies to offer additional event programming and resources to youth, addressing gaps in its current framework.   First is a Boston After Dark Friday evening series held in collaboration with partner organizations, with events on Friday nights, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., from June 21 through August 30. Secondly, Human Services will add programming and activities for teens in the weeks between school and summer jobs, at the beginning and end of summer break. Finally, new this summer, BCYF is partnering with the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) to bring Franciscan Children's counselors into a select number of BCYF community centers over the summer to provide behavioral health therapy groups for youth starting in July. In addition, OYEA will be relaunching the YouthLine, a comprehensive set of resources for youth.   This additional programming builds on BCYF’s existing summer programming, OYEA’s summer events, and BCYF’s teen engagement. More information can be found at www.boston.gov/youth.  Adopt A Block   Building on the Mayor’s commitment to address the root causes of violence, the City is also ramping up the “Adopt A Block'' initiative, a partnership between the City of Boston and various faith communities to serve residents and families in neighborhoods that have historically experienced an increase in violence during the summer months. This initiative will  also feature Unity Walks starting in June and ending in August. These walks will bring residents of all faiths together to walk their neighborhood, connect with neighbors, and serve as an opportunity to ensure communities are safe through connection and solidarity.  This initiative aims to build trust between the City and residents, strengthen relationships between the City and critical faith organizations, provide opportunities for community engagement, and improve delivery of City services to families most impacted by violence.   Summer 2024 Unity Walk Schedule:   Thursday, June 13 - 6:00 p.m. Malcolm X Park, 131 Dale Street, Roxbury  Wednesday, June 26 - 6:00 p.m. Grove Hall Plaza, 460 Blue Hill Ave, Roxbury  Tuesday, July 2 - 6:00 p.m. Harambee Park, 15 Talbot Avenue, Dorchester  Thursday, July 25 - 6:00 p.m. Walker Playground, 528 Norfolk Street, Mattapan  Thursday, August 8 - 6:00 p.m. Community Interfaith Prayer, Meditation, Reflection Almont Park, 40 Almont Street, Mattapan  Wednesday, August 21 - 6:00 p.m. Community Interfaith Prayer, Meditation, Reflection Ramsay Park, 1931 Washington Street, Lower Roxbury  “Adopt the block unity summer walks is a great program under the City of Boston led by Will Dickerson,” said Bishop William E Dickerson II, Greater Love Tabernacle. “It’s a great time for the clergy, residents, community stakeholders and the police to show unity in regards to peace in the community. It is very encouraging and inspirational to see such unity displayed in regards to peace.”  BPHC also offers a variety of violence intervention and prevention initiatives aimed at supporting residents impacted by violence and fostering community healing, including the Safe and Successful Youth Initiative (SSYI). SSYI works with teens and young adults between the ages of 17 and 24 who are most at risk from community gun violence to connect them with mental health services, educational opportunities, and workforce programs. By providing more intensive support and services to those individuals more regularly impacted by or engaged in violence, this is a program designed to address entrenched issues at the root of violence. SSYI is an ongoing program that will continue throughout the summer.  To meet Bostonians’ growing health needs, address longstanding gaps in access, and elevate mental and behavioral health, BPHC’s Center for Behavioral Health and Wellness will continue to promote and improve mental health and wellness for everyone in Boston this summer by removing the stigma associated with finding support and treatment for mental health issues. Additionally, the Center will help residents get the mental health support they need through collaborating with external partners to provide population-specific external resources.  Block Party Grants  Earlier this month, Mayor Wu announced applications are now open for the second year of block party grants. New this year, the City of Boston has streamlined the summer block party permit application process to improve constituents' experience and speed up approvals. This funding effort is to encourage residents to connect with their neighbors and experience the joy of building a stronger community. Residents and community groups who apply for the mini-grants can receive up to $750 to purchase food, party supplies, lawn games, and other items for summer block parties to make it easier and more affordable for neighborhoods to hold community gatherings.  The block party grant builds on the Mayor's commitment to fostering a fun, safe, and healthy summer in Boston. Last year, the Office of Civic Organizing (OCO) provided 52 grants to residents and community groups totalling $30,000 across 14 neighborhoods in Boston.  Summer Activation Grants  Building on the City’s commitment to expand resident opportunities to connect and build community, Mayor Wu also today announced the second iteration of the City’s Summer Activation Mini-Grants. These mini-grants, administered by the Mayor’s Community Safety team, represent a $100,000 investment focused on empowering organizations' efforts to activate social spaces and build community with residents throughout the summer months. The City will be awarding grants to various neighborhood associations, tenant task force organizations, and grassroot community-based organizations across Boston in the near future.  This announcement builds on Mayor Wu’s commitment to build strong, healthy communities where every resident feels safe and is connected to opportunity and city services. Additionally, Mayor Wu has worked to expand programming and employment opportunities for Boston residents, including a new streamlined youth summer jobs program. This month, Mayor Wu also took steps to build up public safety infrastructure, appointing Evandro Carvalho as the new Executive Director of the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency (OPAT).

麻州長提名 4 人出任遺囑認證及家事法庭副法官

Governor Healey Nominates Jessica Dubin, Alexandra Flanders, Mikalen Howe, and Carla Salvucci for Probate and Family Court  

BOSTON – Governor Maura T. Healey today nominated Jessica Dubin, Alexandra Flanders, Mikalen Howe, and Carla Salvucci as Associate Justices to the Probate and Family Court. The nominees will now be considered by the Governor’s Council for confirmation. 

“The Probate and Family Court plays an essential role in providing justice for families across the state, and I’m confident that these distinguished attorneys will make strong additions to the bench,” said Governor Healey. “I’m proud to nominate them and appreciate the Governor’s Council’s consideration.” 

“These nominees are incredibly talented and experienced, and they will add tremendous value to our Probate and Family Court,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “I am excited to work with the Governor’s Council to move these nominees forward to serve the people of Massachusetts.” 

The Probate and Family Court Department handles court matters that involve families and children, like divorce, child support, and wills. The Probate and Family Court Department's mission is to deliver timely justice to the public by providing equal access to a fair, equitable, and efficient forum to solve family and probate legal matters and to help and protect all individuals, families, and children impartially and respectfully. 

Earlier this term, Governor Healey appointed Manisha Bhatt, Bernadette Stark and Michelle Yee to serve as Associate Justices of the Probate and Family Court. Governor Healey also appointed Stephanie L. Everett, Esq. to serve as the Suffolk Register of Probate, and Mark Ames to serve as Hampshire Register of Probate. 

For more information about the Probate and Family Court, visit its homepage. 

About the Nominees: 

Alexandra Flanders has served in the Probate & Family Court since 2013, first as an assistant judicial case manager and since 2020 as a judicial case manager, where she is responsible for providing legal expertise to judges and responding to questions from staff, attorneys and the public. Attorney Flanders was part of the creation of the first family treatment court in Massachusetts, serving families where substance use disorder is an issue. Attorney Flanders also has broad experience, having run a solo practice with a concentration in probate and estate matters and having represented indigent defendants with the Legal Aid Society in New York and on behalf of the Committee for Public Counsel Services in Massachusetts. Attorney Flanders holds a Bachelor of Arts with honors from Bard College and a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from New York University School of Law.   

Mikalen Howe currently serves as an Assistant Judicial Case Manager for the Probate and Family Court in Bristol County. She previously spent more than fifteen years in private practice, first as a partner at Rubin and Rudman LLP and then as a founding member of a domestic relations firm, Walsh & Howe, LLC. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Sarah Lawrence College and a Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law. 

Carla Salvucci is currently the lead attorney and owner of Salvucci Law, LLC, which specializes in all aspects of family law. She began her career as a Litigation Associate handling a variety of commercial, domestic relations, employment, criminal defense, and bankruptcy matters, first at Brown Rudnick, LLP and later at Todd & Weld, LLP.  She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Notre Dame and a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School. 

麻州長Healey在州政府大樓簽署亞裔傳統月公告 表揚駱理德、陳秀英、李保華、Tuyet Tran、李素影等五人 (視頻)

 

麻州州長Maura Healey (中)在亞裔社區面前，簽署2024年亞裔傳統月公告。(周菊子攝)

慶祝儀式視頻，

麻州州長Maura Healey (中) 簽署2024年亞裔傳統月公告後展示公告內容。(周菊子攝)

獲表揚者，華埠土地信託會主任駱理德。

中華頤養院創辦人之一陳秀英獲麻州長表揚。

波士頓基金會亞美基金創辦人李保華。

Worcester 東南亞亞裔聯盟主任Tyuet Tran。

華人前進會創辦人李素影。

麻州長Maura Healey(左四)和經濟發展廳廳長郝伊平(左二)
在儀式後和駱理德(前右五)、李素影(左三)，以及華人前進會耆英們合影。

麻州經濟發展廳廳長郝伊平(右)和夫婿伍人英。

麻州州長Maura Healey邀請麻州亞裔眾議員們上台。

Karen C Tseng是麻州健康及人民服務辦公室的資深顧問。

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏(左起)，華經會董事長蔣宗壬，波士頓華商會
副會長陳文珊都應邀出席。

中華公所主席雷國輝(右)和梅氏公所主席梅麗梨(左)。

劍橋市市經理黃義安(右)應麻州經濟發展廳廳長郝伊平(左)之邀，出席盛會。

昆士小學應邀表演舞蹈。

華人前進會主任陳玉珍(左二)等要員和麻州總檢察官辦公室
消費者權益組主管賣小瓊(左二)一起恭喜駱理德(左四)及李素影(右三)獲表揚。

華人前進會的耆英們由鄺寶蓮(左一)陪同，都趕來州政府祝賀駱理德(左二)，

新上任的王氏青年會主任 Sokthea Phay。

香港餐廳老闆李伯豪夫婦也應邀出席盛會。

Faculty at Harvard College vote overwhelmingly to confer degrees to student protestors

 Faculty at Harvard College vote overwhelmingly to confer degrees to student protestors

Cambridge MA - Members of the Harvard Faculty of Arts & Sciences voted yesterday to allow 13 graduating seniors to receive their degrees at Harvard’s Commencement this Thursday, May 23. The meeting, which is usually only a formality, was attended by scores of faculty distraught by what over 350 Harvard faculty have called “unprecedented, disproportionate, and arbitrary sanctions” levied against peaceful student protestors, who had participated in the Palestine solidarity encampment in Harvard. 

Yesterday, Monday, May 20 at 4:30PM, scores of faculty members joined a meeting which is normally only a formality. Harvard professors overwhelmingly voted to include the names of 13 peaceful student protestors who had been informed they would have to wait as many as 3 semesters to receive their degrees, in a striking rebuke to administrators who had pushed for more severe sanctions. Two other students were not discussed, as they were slated to graduate after the 2024 fall semester. The Harvard Board of Overseers and the Harvard Corporation, the universities top governing boards, may need to approve the final list. Although this process is typically a rubber stamp, it is unclear whether the boards would attempt to override the faculty decision. 20 students remain on probation, whose cases were not eligible for evaluation during the degree conferral meeting. 

In the previous 24 hours, over 350 Harvard professors and over 130 staff signed a letter urging the University to allow “students, who engaged in peaceful protest, be allowed to graduate with the degrees they have earned.” 

The open letter expressed alarm that, “Harvard undergraduate students who engaged in peaceful protest are being sanctioned in an unprecedented, disproportionate, and arbitrary manner compared to students engaging in similar acts of civil disobedience in Harvard’s history,” underscoring that the “sanctions undermine trust,” and would “unduly harm these students’ future employment and current livelihood” and “create further division on campus at a time when we should come together to honor our graduates.”

The normally celebratory days leading up to graduation have been marked by controversy, amid conflicting messages uncovered by the Boston Globe yesterday, and as the Harvard College disciplinary board, called the Administrative or “Ad Board” had threatened to withhold the degrees of 15 graduating seniors, including multiple Rhodes Scholars, breaking with over 50 years of precedent and a written proposal from President Alan Garber to students, based upon which students chose to end their encampment on May 14. 

In the May 14 email, President Garber had agreed to “encourage” the “schools to address cases expeditiously under existing precedent and practice (including taking into account where relevant the voluntary decision to leave the encampment), for all students, including those students eligible thereafter to graduate so that they may do so.” 

麻州政府宣佈以1300萬元擴辦學生精神健康項目

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $13 Million Investment to Expand BRYT Student Mental Health Program  

Funds will support students struggling with their mental health through the establishment of bridge programs in economically challenged and under-resourced communities.  

WELLESLEY – Today the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced an unprecedented $13 million investment in the Bridge for Resilient Youth in Transition (BRYT) program, an in-school program supporting students who have fallen behind academically due to challenges with their mental health. This investment, part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s ongoing commitment to protecting youth mental health, will fund the creation of BRYT programs at more than 30 high-need schools across Massachusetts. This is the first time the state has provided funding to establish BRYT in schools; the program has historically has only been available to districts with the economic resources to get it off the ground. 

Governor Maura Healey announced the investment this morning at Wellesley High School following a conversation with BRYT students, graduates, families. Wellesley High School’s BRYT program, named Wellesley Bridge, was one of the first programs established in Massachusetts more than 18 years ago. 

“Far too many young people in Massachusetts have been affected by a growing mental health crisis that was only amplified by the pandemic,” said Governor Healey. “Every student should have the support needed to balance their mental health and education. Expanding BRYT is a critical step that is bringing us closer to that goal.” 

“For the first time ever, we’re providing seed funding for BRYT programs – because we know that critical mental health supports like these shouldn’t only be a reality for students in schools with the resources to establish the programming themselves.” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We want every student in Massachusetts to thrive scholastically and emotionally. Expanding BRYT brings us one step closer to that goal.” 

The $13 million state investment will provide funding to establish BRYT programs at schools that otherwise wouldn’t have the resources to implement it, accelerating the statewide adoption of the program. Administered by the Department of Mental Health (DMH), today’s funding includes $3 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and $10 million from the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Trust Fund. 

Pioneered in Massachusetts by the Brookline Center for Community Mental Health, the program has been recognized nationally as a successful and innovative model for student mental health support and is now being implemented in schools across the country. 

In the wake of COVID-19, youth mental health has been declared a public health crisis and chronic absenteeism remains a major issue. Programming through BRYT supports students as they balance their mental health needs and academic work, equipping them with the tools they need to return to school, resume a normal course schedule, succeed academically, and reintegrate socially. Nationwide, roughly 50 percent of students with serious mental health challenges drop out of high school. 95 percent of BRYT students graduate on-time and with their peers.  

“Across Massachusetts and the nation, young people are struggling. They’re expected to juggle academics, extracurriculars, social lives, and family needs – often in the harsh and unrelenting light of social media – while also maintaining their mental health,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. “Teens frequently have to navigate multiple systems to address their health needs. Our kids shouldn’t have to ‘case manage’ themselves – that’s why BRYT is so valuable. BRYT helps students navigate and balance academic requirements and mental health treatment, while also providing the space to take a step back when needed. Expanding this program means that more students than ever before will be able to access the mental health support they need, in their home and at school. We’re thrilled to help make that a reality.”  

“As an integral part of our comprehensive mental health system in schools, BRYT has made a profound difference for students, families, and entire school communities. Having witnessed the positive outcomes firsthand, I am confident that the continued growth of BRYT will have a lasting and positive impact on our educational landscape,” said Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler.  

“My sophomore year of high school, I was struggling to just get through each day. That changed when I entered the Bridge program,” said Annie McCauley, recent graduate of Wellesley Bridge (BRYT). “The team held so many of my worries, which allowed me to begin to tackle school one step at a time. They assured me and my family, again and again, that there was a path to graduation. Even on my hardest days, I knew I would find comfort in the Bridge room. I am forever grateful that Bridge was able to help me learn how to be a student and take care of myself, and I am so excited that with this generous grant so many more students will have access to this critical support.” 

The Brookline Center will administer this grant funding to schools identified as meeting the under resourced, high-need criteria. Already, eight schools have been identified and are working to launch their inaugural BRYT program. These schools include Boston’s John D. O’Bryant School, Brockton High School, Everett High School, Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, Malden High School, pringfield’s High School of Commerce, Springfield Legacy Academy, and Taunton High School. Each school is receiving $259,000 over 20 months to create and staff dedicated school-based bridge programs. An additional 25 schools will also be identified for BRYT programs in the coming months. 

“Many young people in the Commonwealth struggle to access mental health care and to reconnect to their communities while receiving that care. Investing in the BRYT program demonstrates our commitment to advancing mental health equity and ensuring that Massachusetts youth have access to the crucial wraparound supports that they need,” said Commissioner of Mental Health Brooke Doyle. 

“This funding will allow us to support schools that have wanted to implement BRYT for years, but until now have lacked the resources to get things started. We are deeply grateful to our partners in the State Legislature and Administration for such an incredible investment,” said Executive Director of BRYT Paul Hyry-Dermith. “BRYT creates a space for students to access the academic, clinical, and social support they need to re-integrate into school and get back on track. More than 90 percent of students who participate in BRYT continue on to graduate.” 

“This is a pivotal commitment to student mental health across Massachusetts,” said Chief Executive Officer of The Brookline Center Ian Lang. “For nearly 20 years, the BRYT program has successfully helped thousands of students transition back to full participation in school following a mental health disruption to their education.”  “We know that attending to the physical and mental health of our students is essential to their academic success in school,” said

Superintendent of Wellesley Public Schools Dr. David Lussier. “The Bridge program at Wellesley High School plays a vital role in supporting students who have missed school due to emotional or medical needs and are struggling to reintegrate.  We are thrilled to learn that the Governor’s announcement today will help support the expansion of programs like ours to other communities across the state.”    

“We’re so honored to have Governor Healey, Secretary Walsh and Commissioner Doyle here today,” said Meghan Jop, Executive Director, Town of Wellesley. “Over the past ten years, the Town of Wellesley has deliberately increased its investment in mental health initiatives like the Bridge program to help improve our community. We see the positive results of this decision every day in individuals of all ages. The Governor’s visit underscores the ongoing importance of our continued commitment, and these funds from the Healey-Driscoll Administration will give many other communities the tools to make this same investment.” 

The BRYT program provides integrated supports that include academic case management, direct clinical care, family support, and broad care coordination in a dedicated classroom space (the BRYT room) that serves as a safe home base while these students transition back to full participation in academics and school life. A Clinical Coordinator leads the direct work of clinical support, care coordination, and family engagement while and an Academic Coordinator works with the student and their teachers to facilitate academic catch-up as well as a return to a full schedule of classes.  

Fewer than 20% of BRYT participants experience re-hospitalization after an initial hospital stay. Students in BRYT also report a 50% reduction in substance use disorders and 50% drop in self-harming behaviors.