打破佣金6%慣例 房屋買賣雙方及經紀今後自行協商

波士頓亞裔房東會創辦人潘樹仁(左)、劉仲岳(右) 在網上主持座談。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 賣房子，買房子該付多少佣金給房屋經紀? 從2024年8月17日起，麻州房地產買賣將實施新做法，佣金數額或百分比由賣家、買家和經紀自行商量，而且必須簽寫書面協議。

波士頓亞裔房東會創辦人潘樹仁(中)和嘉樂建築老闆黃文(左)，會計師黃業托(右)
等人在房東座談後小聚。(周菊子攝)

              在美國買賣房屋，以前照慣例，賣家會付給買賣雙方經紀售屋金額的大約5~6%，作為佣金，也就是作為服務報酬。但法院裁決出爐後，房地產界將不再需要遵循這慣例。多重上市服務 (MLS)機構也不再是協商佣金的平台。

              美國房地產經紀協會 (NAR)的一系列新規定還包括禁止MLS機構規定賣家需付佣金給買家經紀，1並強烈建議買家經紀要和買家簽署書面協議。

                            這一裁決及和解協議，對麻州登記在案的4萬6千多名房地產經紀，以及有意賣屋買屋的人都有影響。

              2022年10月，在密蘇里州堪薩斯市的一起聯邦法院反壟斷集體訴訟案中，原告聲稱代表100多萬名房地產經紀的美國房地產經紀協會 (NAR)和大經紀公司合謀，人為的提高了賣家佣金。

              2023年10月，在這宗名稱為Burnett v. National Association of Realtors (NAR) et al.,的訟案中，法官的裁決對原告有利，同意NAR的規定支持著以經紀佣金，作為阻礙買家經紀展示某些房屋的方法。

              2024年3月，NAR同意支付1億4800萬元和解款，以解決指控。這協議包括房地產經紀界佣金如何處理的重大改變，同時也影響了全美的多重上市服務(MLS)政策。

              2024年5月時，這協議的初步流程開始，原告訂出2024年8月17日做為新規定的發佈通知日期。

              2024年8月17日，多重上市服務 (MLS)政策的改變及新規定正式生效。這些改變包括廢除賣家支付買家經紀佣金的要求。

              2024年9月16日，這天開始，獨立或部分獨立的多重上市服務 (MLS)公司也必須開始實施新政策。

              TD Cowen遠見公司估計，房地產界佣金會下跌25%到50%。今年3月這消息出爐時，Zillow 和Compass這2家房地產公司的股價下跌了不下13%，Redfin下跌5%。

              美國住宅的平均售價約為41萬7千元，賣家通常要付2萬5千多元的經紀佣金。這些費用一般都轉嫁到買家身上，因此提高了美國房屋價格。TD Cowen遠見的分析師認為，佣金費用可能下跌6簽到1萬2千元。

              波士頓亞裔房東協會創辦人潘樹仁日前特地針對這議題，舉辦網上講座，和房東們討論這宗訟案裁決的影響。他指出，今後MLS將不再規定賣家經紀付報酬給買家經紀，買家經紀可以自行和買家或賣家協商佣金。代表賣家發佈房屋上市消息的經紀，也不再需要付費給買家經紀。這些變動對房屋市場的影響，還有待觀察。 (更新版)

波士頓華排協第五屆雙喜盃賽 華體會、西雅圖、友聯奪冠

第5屆波士頓華人排球協會9人排球邀請賽2024年8月18日舉行。(周菊子攝)

          (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 波士頓華人排球協會第5屆9人排球邀請賽，首屆雙喜盃，8月18日分青年、中年、元老3組，共14隊在黃述沾紀念公園麈戰一日後，由華體會、西雅圖、友聯等3隊，依序奪得前述各組冠軍。

波士頓華人排球協會會長雷海峰(左起)、教練梅健心、副會長李健新
統籌辦理笨屆排賽。(周菊子攝)

                   今年的參賽隊伍來自波士頓、紐約、西雅圖、芝加哥、康州等地，分別為青年組的開平、華體會、芝加哥、波士頓；中年隊的雙喜，紐約校聯，西雅圖，康州金神，明創櫥櫃，波士頓；以及元老組的波士頓、紐約友聯、端芳成務、紐約龍旺等。

                 比賽結果，青年組冠亞季軍，依序為華體會，芝加哥，波士頓隊。中年組冠亞季軍為西雅圖，雙喜，明創。元老組冠亞季軍為聯友、成務、龍旺。

雙喜燒臘老闆梅志堅(左)不但自己下場比賽，還在贊助之外，
組成「雙喜隊」參賽。(周菊子攝)

               9人排球賽是來自中國台山移民特有的排球打法。自從1939年在羅德島州辦起球賽，其後經黃述沾落力推廣成為北美華人排球邀請賽後，每年舉辦，逐漸成為每年勞工節時，在北美六大城市輪流舉辦的體育盛事。

             波士頓華人排球協會則是波士頓地區喜歡打排球，志趣相投的人一起成立的。現任會長雷海峰表示，2018年8月22日，該會在麻州正式註冊，並設立會址於波士頓華埠乞臣街 (Hudson)的鴻運餐廳樓下。

雙喜燒臘隊有自己的球衣。(周菊子攝)

             2024年8月18日的這第五屆波士頓華人排球協會邀請賽，由於麾下有4、5家餐館的「雙喜海鮮」老闆梅志堅大力支持，不但有雙喜盃，還有雙喜隊，為比賽更添逸趣。

             在比賽現場，沿柵張掛的贊助餐廳、廠商數量之多，會長手中的個人及商家捐款名單之長，數額之高，出手就一千元的大有人在，彰顯著9人排球賽在大波士頓華人圈中受喜愛的程度。

球場四周掛滿贊助廠商布條。(周菊子攝)

             有意加入波士頓華人排球協會者，可洽會長雷海峰，副會長李健新，伍達慈，財政雷活洪，或者親至9B Hudson St., Boton, MA 02111，發電郵到volleyballclub18@gmail.com 洽談。

比賽成績。 (波士頓華人排協提供)

比賽成績。 (波士頓華人排協提供)

元老組第一名友聯隊。 (波士頓華人排協提供)

元老組第2名成務隊。 (波士頓華人排協提供)

元老組第3名龍旺隊。 (波士頓華人排協提供)

中年組第一名西雅圖隊。 (波士頓華人排協提供)

中年組第二名雙喜隊。 (波士頓華人排協提供)

中年組季軍明創隊。(波士頓華人排協提供)

青年組冠軍隊華體會。(波士頓華人排協提供)

青年組亞軍芝加哥隊。 (波士頓華人排協提供)

青年組季軍波士頓隊。 (波士頓華人排協提供)

Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches ‘Your Presence Is Powerful’ Campaign to Raise Awareness of Importance of School Attendance

Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches ‘Your Presence Is Powerful’ Campaign to Raise Awareness of Importance of School Attendance 

 Students, educators, families encouraged to submit a creative piece of artwork, music, photography, videography, or writing by December 20  

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration launched the ‘Your Presence is Powerful’ campaign today as part of their continued efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism and support students getting back into the classroom where they have access to a variety of supports, including universal free school meals and mental health services.   

Emphasizing the importance of attending school, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is asking students, school staff, educators and families in Massachusetts public pre-K-12 schools and adult learning classes to submit a creative piece of artwork, music, photography, videography or writing to express why they attend school. Submissions are due by December 20, 2024.  

“Our administration has been working hard to ensure all students have access to a high-quality education in which they receive the support and services they need and always feel welcome. But it’s so important that students are attending school so that they can have these experiences and learn and grow with their peers,” said Governor Maura Healey. “It's great to see the attendance numbers moving in the right direction. We're proud of the progress our state made last year, and this new campaign will help remind people how important it is to attend school.”   

“September is always a new beginning in schools, and we want to start this school year strong, building on the improvements we made last year,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “I look forward to seeing all of the creative projects our students and educators submit, showing why they love going to school and why it is so important.”  

Chronic absenteeism continues to affect schools throughout the country. Before the pandemic, 13 percent of Massachusetts students were chronically absent, meaning they had missed 10 percent or more of the school year, or at least 18 days. Chronic absenteeism rates are still above pre-pandemic levels, but the state is making progress, with the statewide rate decreasing 5 percentage points from 24.5 percent in March 2023 to 19.6 percent in March 2024. That is also a nearly 10 percentage point decrease from March 2022.    

“Absenteeism is really a manifestation of an unmet need. Schools offer counseling, extracurricular activities, meals, and the chance to learn with and from students’ peers. If students aren’t there, they can’t benefit from these opportunities and are missing out on so much more than their education,” said  Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler. “While there is still much more progress to make, thanks to the hard work of families, educators and entire school communities, we are moving in the right direction. It’s clear our efforts are working.”  

“Chronic absenteeism can significantly hinder a student's learning, their ability to build relationships, and access the additional support they need,” said Acting Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Russell D. Johnston. “I’m encouraged to see attendance rates improving, and I’m optimistic that districts and families will keep collaborating with us to make schools vibrant, engaging destinations for all students.”  

The Department has resources and supports available for schools and districts related to chronic absenteeism, including family engagement resources, guidance on attendance policies and best practices for schools (download), and information on initiatives designed to promote welcoming and supportive school environments for all students.   

The Your Presence Is Powerful campaign builds on the significant investment and historic policies the Healey-Driscoll Administration has delivered for students and schools, including: 

• Fully funding the Student Opportunity Act the last two years, delivering the largest investment in K-12 schools in our state’s history to reduce opportunity and achievement gaps. 
• Making universal access to free lunch and breakfast every day in school permanent for public school students – one of only eight states in the country to continue this when the federal funding ended. 
• Launching Governor Healey’s Literacy Launch Initiative, a nation-leading strategy to expand access to evidence-based reading instruction for Massachusetts students.  
• Dedicating a portion of federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds to award districts and educational collaboratives $10,000 each last year to address chronic absenteeism, including to strengthen or scale family engagement initiatives or student monitoring programs, or to provide attendance recovery academies. 
• Investing an unprecedented $13 million 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 funds 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 only been available to districts with the economic resources to get it off the ground.  
• Investing $5 million through the Fiscal Year 2025 budget to develop a new statewide mental and behavioral health framework for birth through higher education. 

波士頓市長指派 Dana Alas 出任婦女進步辦公室主任

MAYOR MICHELLE WU APPOINTS DANA ALAS AS  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE MAYOR’S OFFICE OF WOMEN’S ADVANCEMENT

BOSTON - Thursday, August 22, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced that Dana Alas will serve as the Executive Director for the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement (MOWA). In this role, Alas will lead MOWA, a team dedicated to promoting gender equity by empowering women and removing systemic barriers to their advancement. The office resides within the City’s Equity & Inclusion Cabinet. Alas started with the City this month.  “Dana’s understanding of grassroots healthcare organizing and commitment to furthering equity have already led her to achieve numerous successful campaigns and initiatives in Boston,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I look forward to Dana’s leadership and contributions to women’s advancement in our City.”  “We are working to ensure economic equity, representation, health, and safety for all women in our City,” said Mariangely Solis Cervera, Chief of Equity & Inclusion. “I’m looking forward to having Dana Alas lead the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement as the team continues to do vital work to achieve equity in the City. Welcome aboard, Dana!” Alas has led a career in labor for over 20 years, bringing her unwavering advocacy for women workers, low-income workers, immigrant workers, and workers of color to MOWA. Across her career, she has influenced positive change at local and statewide levels including statewide raising of the minimum wage and paid family medical leave, historic raise increases for workers at Boston Medical Center, and leading on anti-racism work within the 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East union and its membership. Alas’ dedication to social justice resulted in her election to Vice President of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and her current position on the Board of Health Care for All and service on Mayor Wu’s 2021 transition team.  “I am honored to serve as the Executive Director for the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement,” said Dana Alas. “I am passionate about driving change for Boston’s women, and I look forward to working alongside our team to promote gender equity in our City.”  Under Alas’ leadership, the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement will work to develop pioneering new policies that address evolving needs of women in Boston, strengthen support for working women and girls, expand menstrual equity initiatives, and advance economic mobility.  Recently, the Office of Women’s Advancement launched a Menstrual Equity pilot to offer menstrual pads and tampons from Aunt Flow and education programs from Love Your Menses Inc. to further menstrual equity in Boston. During Women’s History Month, MOWA honored the positive impact and leadership of Boston’s women at the annual EXTRAordinary Women event. Throughout the summer, MOWA has also held the Women’s Learn-to-Bike series, where all women and gender non-conforming adults are able to learn to ride or brush up on their pedaling skills. For more information about MOWA and current programming, visit boston.gov/women.

正副州長出城州務卿當家 麻州共和黨籲拿出庇護系統資訊

麻州州務卿William Galvin。 (檔案照片，周菊子攝)

              (Boston Orange 綜合摘譯) 麻州正副州長出城，麻州共和黨呼籲週二下午城為代理州長的州務卿威廉蓋文 (William Galvin)，抓住”當家”的難得機會，公佈未經編輯的緊急庇護系統重要資訊。

             奚莉 (Maura Healey) 州長率領的麻州政府照例會向民眾公佈緊急系統資訊，但隱藏了付錢給那些酒店以收容地方及移民家庭，付錢給那些商家來提供服務，以及在庇護所內發生嚴重事故的細節。

             麻州共和黨主席Amy Carnevale說，蓋文手握”罕有且重要的機會，做些奚莉政府拒絕做的事”，來知會麻州民眾，關於州政府在由納稅人資助的庇護項目上，是如何的花了數以百萬計的金錢。

             Amy Carnevale在一份聲明中表示，「過去這將近30年來，威廉蓋文不分黨派的出任州務卿一職。現在我們呼籲他動用作為代理州長的權力，揭露納稅人的錢花到哪兒去了，辨別哪些商家收到這些錢，並未納稅人所資助的庇護系統中被舉報的600多宗嚴重事故，提供透明度」。

             由於麻州州長奚莉，副州長Kim Driscoll都到芝加哥去參加民主黨全國大會，威廉蓋文從週二至週五下午，要擔任代理州長。

            根據奚莉政府資訊，麻州估計要在緊急庇護系統上花費10億多元，而且未來幾個會計年度都要花這麼多。

昆士亞裔佔全市30% 第37屆昆士中秋聯歡遊人如織

QARI主辦第37屆昆士中秋節聯歡會。(周橘子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州綜合報導) 昆市亞協服務中心 (QARI) 主辦的第37屆昆士市中秋節聯歡會，在Coddington街上擺的攤位比去年多一倍，舞台上的表演節目也更多元化。8月18日這天，儘管天陰偶雨，不少攤位提早收工，川流不息的人群，仍然歡度一日。

Ronald Primo Iacobucci (左二)正在競選麻州州長的議員，專程走到昆士市長Tom Koch
(左一)身邊，請他支持。柯奇市長親切詢問伍振中(右一)他正在忙碌的
龍舟博物館打算何時開張。(周橘子攝)

              從1987年到2024年，昆士市的城市景觀，人口地理變化相當大。根據美國人口統計局的2020年報告，昆士市總人口有101,718，其中白人早年幾佔90%，如今卻銳減為52%左右。亞裔則暴增佔總人口的30%，其中華人更陡增至約20,586人。

              這些年來走進昆士市，經過尤其是北昆士的興國街 (Hancock Street)的人，絕對無法忽視那些櫛比鱗次的餐館、食肆，各種服務公司，掛著各式各樣，設計追得上現代潮流的中文招牌。

QARI執行長莊健浩(右)請麻州眾議員陳德基致詞。(周菊子攝)

              其實就連昆士亞協服務中心，也在莊健浩 (Philp Chong) 接任這非牟利機構的行政主任一職後的幾年間，蛻變得讓人幾乎不認識，不但員工人數大增至領導層10人，團隊成員三十多人的規模；服務據點從昆士市拓展進羅德島州和紐約州，就連服務內容也大幅擴張到包括成人教育、食品安全、身心健康、家庭及社區服務，社會正義，青年發展，以及以人力發展為主要內容的子機構，Wutabon。

昆士市中秋節聯歡會綿延在Coddington街上的攤位比去年還多。
下雨後，好些攤位提早收市。 (周橘子攝)

              昆士亞協的董事會也大換血，除了金門超市總經理胡運炤，C&C印刷聯合創辦人蔡麗梨，包括2019年起擔任Laboureu 健康護理學院校長的 Lily Hsu，以及2016年買下昆士乳品皇后 (Quincy Dairy Queen)的David Chew，以及其餘的6名非華裔董事，幾乎全為迥異於早年的新人。

金門超市的攤位，轉幸運輪抽獎，攤位旁大排長龍。 (周橘子攝)

              18日中午，去年剛當選第五度連任，如今在位第17年的昆士市長柯奇 (Tom Koch)，現為麻州參議員的市長連襟John Kenan，麻州眾議員陳德基，昆士市議員Noel T. DiBona、Ian C. Cain, David F. McCarthy等政要，和華人醫務中心執行長Eric Tiberi，以及昆士亞協執行長莊健浩，董事胡運炤，蔡麗梨 ， David Chew等人一起在台上祝福昆士民眾中秋節快樂。 (更新版)

Fuji餐廳集團也來擺攤。(周菊子攝)

潘鑑成(中)如今為亞太自強計畫當義工。(周菊子攝)

功夫茶擺攤宣傳，順道招人。(周菊子攝)

9月3日初選 波士頓市府提醒選民8/24至30可提早投票

CITY OF BOSTON ISSUES REMINDERS AHEAD OF THE STATE PRIMARY Early voting will take place at sites throughout the city August 24 - August 30.

 

BOSTON - Wednesday, August 21, 2024 - The Boston Election Department is reminding voters that the State Primaries will be held on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. The State Primaries determine the candidates who will represent each political party in the State Election on November 5. Voters can update their voting status including party affiliation, new address, or name change until August 24 here. Early voting begins Saturday, August 24, running through August 30 at sites around the City. Voter Registration The voter registration deadline for the State Primary is Saturday, August 24, 2024. Registration forms must be postmarked by August 24, 2024. Voters can register in person at the Boston Election Department, located in City Hall Room 241, by 5 p.m. or register online here by 11:59 p.m. In-Person Early Voting In-person early voting begins Saturday, August 24 and runs through Friday, August 30. City Hall is Boston's primary early voting site, with voting from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Voters are encouraged to enter City Hall through the Hanover Street entrance to access the early voting location on the second floor, Haymarket Room.  Neighborhood early voting locations will be available throughout the city on Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and from noon to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27 and Thursday, August 29. For a full list of early voting locations click here. All early voting sites are equipped with electronic poll books for voter check in. Early voting locations will be well staffed with poll workers and interpreters. All sites are fully accessible to voters with disabilities. Vote-By-Mail Voters may also choose to vote early by mail. Applications to request a vote-by-mail ballot must be received by Monday, August 26 at 5 p.m.  Vote-by-mail ballots may be returned using one of 23 drop boxes located throughout the City; in person at the Boston Election Department located at City Hall Room 241; at an early voting location during the prescribed hours for voting; or via U.S. Mail.  Voters are asked to return all signed ballot packages, whether using a drop box or the U.S. Mail, in the white postage paid return envelope included with their vote-by-mail ballot. Ballots must reach the Boston Election Department or a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3 to be counted. Voters cannot deliver their voted ballots to a polling location on Election Day. Voters can track the status of their vote-by-mail ballots here. If there is no movement indicated in the “Track My Ballot” system, voters should plan to vote in-person on Election Day. Accessible Voting The Accessible Electronic Voting System allows voters who are unable to independently read, write, hold, or physically manipulate or mark ballots to submit their ballot via a secure electronic delivery system. Voters who qualify for an Accessible Electronic Ballot may apply here. The deadline to apply for an accessible ballot is Monday, August 26, 2024, at 5 p.m. Please note: To get access to the electronic ballot, you will need to provide your email address. Voting On Election Day  Polling locations open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. A list of polling locations can be found here. As a reminder, voters should check their registration status via the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website. Printed ballots will be available in English and Spanish. Chinese and Vietnamese ballots will be available where required. Language interpreters will also be available upon request. All voting locations are wheelchair accessible and are equipped with AutoMark Voter Assist Terminal for voters with visual or hearing impairments. Polling Location Changes & Unofficial Results

 

Ward and Precinct Previous Location New Location Ward 6, Precinct 10 James F. Condon School 200 D Street, South Boston Artists for Humanity 100 West Second Street, South Boston Ward 6, Precincts 11 & 12 Building at 55 Pier Four Blvd. 55 Pier Four Blvd., South Boston Waterfront Building at 1 Boston Wharf Road 1 Boston Wharf Road, South Boston Waterfront Ward 17, Precincts 1 & 3 Great Hall at Codman Square Health Center 6 Norfolk Street, Dorchester Codman Square Tech Centre 450 Washington Street, Dorchester

 

After polls close at 8 p.m., the Election Department will receive and upload unofficial results of ballots counted at polling places as they are returned from each precinct. Media Guidelines Where To Stand Members of the press must remain behind the guardrail. While many polling places are not equipped with a physical guardrail, the area within the “guardrail” encompasses the check-in table, the voting booths, and the ballot box. Only poll workers and voters should be within this area. Interacting With Voters and Poll Workers Members of the press, like all other observers in the polling place, may not interact with voters while they are in the polling place. Further, observers who have questions about where they should stand and what they are allowed to do while observing should ask to speak to the warden. The warden may provide members of the press with information regarding their rights as observers. Photography Photography of the voting process in the polling place is permitted, though marked ballots may not be photographed. Photographers are allowed inside the polling place to photograph the area from outside the guardrail. The warden may instruct the photographer not to take photos of any marked ballots. Video & Audio Recording As with photography of the polling place, video recording of the polling place is allowed. Audio recording of the polling place is not permitted under state law. Anyone recording in the polling place must have the ability to record without capturing audio and should be instructed to do so by the warden. Those who are using electronic equipment may not use the electricity in the polling place to power their equipment. Exit Polling Exit polling and interviews of voters are permitted outside the polling place, even within 150 feet of the entrance to the polling place, but only those voters who are leaving the polling place should be stopped. Voter access to the polling place should not be impeded in any way.

 

麻州政府撥款375萬元支持18家草根組織處理鴉片類藥物危機

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $3.75 Million to 18 Grassroots Organizations to Address the Opioid Crisis  

Awards are part of first-of-its-kind partnership to allow small, community-based organizations and municipalities to apply for statewide opioid settlement funds  

Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $3.75 million in grants to 18 grassroots organizations to reduce the harms caused by the opioid epidemic in communities disproportionately impacted by overdose deaths. The grants are the first to be awarded through the Mosaic Opioid Recovery Partnership (Mosaic), a new grantmaking program designed to support communities and populations that have been historically underserved and have experienced a high rate of opioid-related overdose deaths.  

Mosaic was developed earlier in 2024 through a collaboration between the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Bureau of Substance Addiction Services and RIZE Massachusetts to increase the equitable allocation of Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund (ORRF) grants to small community-based organizations and municipalities that often face significant obstacles and barriers to accessing more traditional funding opportunities. 

“Too many Massachusetts families have been devastated by the impacts of substance use disorder and we have been doing everything in our power to reduce overdoses and save lives,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These awards underscore our commitment to equitable access to necessary resources for prevention, recovery, and treatment programs in communities disproportionately impacted by the opioid epidemic.” 

“These grants ensure that opioid settlement funds are invested in community organizations that are working at the grassroots level but face challenges in competing for grant funding,” said Undersecretary of Health Kiame Mahaniah. “We’re hopeful that these diverse organizations will now have the ability to build on their substance use disorder programming while centering the voices of the community they know so well and who have been directly impacted by the overdose crisis.”  

The primary goal of this first round of funding is to help organizations deepen their impact, bring their work to scale, and build a strong and sustainable infrastructure to meet the needs of the populations they serve. Each organization will receive between $16,000 to $150,000 annually over a three-year period to focus on one or all of the following areas: prevention, harm-reduction, connections to care, recovery supports, trauma, grief, and family supports.  

“Our efforts are focused on reducing barriers to access in communities and among populations hardest hit by substance use disorder and overdose deaths,” said Department of Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “Those working at the grassroots level, who know their communities best, need this support to provide culturally responsive services for those struggling with addiction and families that have suffered devastating losses to overdose.” 

 

“Opioid settlement funding has created a rare opportunity to provide the people and the communities most impacted by the overdose crisis with the resources to support locally led prevention, treatment, intervention, recovery and harm reduction services,” said Deirdre Calvert, Director of DPH’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services. “Mosaic will be the bridge that connects our statewide overdose prevention strategy to local efforts.”  

“We believe the best ideas come from learning, sharing, and partnerships. Just like a mosaic is made up of individual materials to create a complete picture, this partnership brings together the best community-led ideas and initiatives across the Commonwealth to create a comprehensive response to the opioid overdose crisis,” said Julie Burns, President and CEO of RIZE. “This model will ensure that the dollars are invested and remain in the communities most deeply impacted by the crisis while also fueling transformative change through grassroots efforts.”  

In addition to this first round of funding, there will be two additional rounds of grantmaking this fiscal year, which ends on June 30, 2025. All rounds of grantmaking will be informed by those with lived experience and expertise related to the overdose crisis. Overall, the Mosaic grantmaking program represents a commitment by the Commonwealth to dedicate $5 million annually over the next 18 years (or 18 percent of the total opioid settlement funds in the ORRF) toward funding locally led initiatives to address the harms caused by the opioid epidemic.  

First round Mosaic grant program awardees:   

• Access HOPE, Mashpee 
• AIDS Project Worcester, Worcester  
• Black Behavioral Health Network, Springfield  
• Camp Happy Place, Barrington 
• Centro De Ayuda Y Esperanza Latina, Bedford 
• Choice Recovery Coaching Inc., Springfield 
• Extreme Kid, Inc., Springfield 
• Fishing Partnership Health Plan/Fishing Partnership Support Services, New Bedford 
• Hilltown Youth Recovery Theater, Charlemont 
• Harm Reduction Hedgehogs (HRH413), Northampton 
• Safe Exit Initiative, Worcester 
• South Shore Peer Recovery, Scituate 
• The Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Massachusetts, Boston 
• The Psychological Center, Lawrence 
• The Sun Will Rise, Braintree 
• Torch Light Recovery, Boston 
• Troubled Waters Inc./Bridge Club of Greater Lowell, Lowell 
• Uhai for Health Inc., Worcester  

The ORRF was established in 2020 to receive and administer funds from certain legal settlements relating to allegations brought against companies in connection with the opioid crisis. Over the next 18 years, Massachusetts anticipates $1 billion to be received through the settlements and used for substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. Of this funding, 40 percent is allocated for municipalities and 60 percent directly to the ORRF.