Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $1.5 Million to Community Colleges to Train Over 500 Students Across Massachusetts

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $1.5 Million to Community Colleges to Train Over 500 Students Across Massachusetts  

Grants fund skills training in high-demand sectors like advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity 

 

SPRINGFIELD – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today awarded approximately $1.5 million in Training Resources and Internships Network (TRAIN) grants to provide essential training opportunities to over 500 unemployed and under-employed people across Massachusetts. These grants will be administered through 13 of the state’s public community colleges and are designed to equip adult workers with the skills necessary to thrive in key industry sectors, ensuring that the workforce is prepared with the skills for the opportunities of today and tomorrow.  

 

“Everywhere I go, I see the difference our investments in education are making — people earning degrees and credentials, launching new careers, increasing their earnings and strengthening their communities,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Free community college has opened doors for thousands of students, and these TRAIN grants will open even more by helping adult learners gain the STEM and workforce skills that power our economy. That’s what STEM Week is all about — learning that leads to opportunity.” 

 

“At a time when employers across the state are looking for skilled workers, we’re making sure Massachusetts residents can get the training they need to fill those roles and build great careers,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “During STEM Week, we’re celebrating how hands-on learning—from the classroom to the lab to the workplace—helps people of all ages discover new pathways in science, technology, engineering, and math. These TRAIN grants strengthen that pipeline by connecting adult learners to the high-demand STEM careers driving our state’s innovation economy.” 

 

The TRAIN grant program focuses on supporting long-term unemployed, under-employed, and new entrant adult workers by providing them with targeted industry skills and workforce readiness training. This funding supports 13 implementation programs that offer comprehensive training programs, which include not only the development of key skills, but also wraparound support services to guide participants through their learning journey and into new careers. 

 

“We know that education doesn’t stop at high school graduation — it’s a lifelong pathway,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “Through programs like TRAIN, we’re connecting learning to purpose and helping adult learners develop the skills that Massachusetts employers need most. Announcing these grants during STEM Week is a powerful reminder that in our Commonwealth, STEM truly starts now — for students, workers, and communities alike.” 

 

“These TRAIN grants are an important part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s successful efforts to bring post-secondary opportunities to more residents, building their careers and strengthening our communities" said Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega. “During STEM week, TRAIN grants also serve as an example of the crucial role our community colleges play in building a skilled workforce to fuel our STEM industries.” 

 

This announcement, made at Springfield Technical Community College during Massachusetts STEM Week, highlights the administration’s focus on connecting education and workforce development. STEM Week celebrates the hands-on learning opportunities that prepare students for high-demand careers, and these TRAIN grants build on that mission by expanding access to skills training for adult learners. The theme of STEM Week is “STEM Starts Now”– at any age you can learn about STEM, from our youngest learners to adult learners, and STEM jobs and opportunities are here at this very moment in Massachusetts. This year STEM Week festivities kicked off on Monday, October 20th and go through Friday, October 24th. 

 

“As federal support for education declines, Massachusetts is charging forward – investing deeply in our community colleges and the students they uplift,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “These TRAIN grants demonstrate that our Commonwealth understands community colleges are not just classrooms, they are engines for equity, opportunity, and economic growth. I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for continuing to lead with that vision.” 

  

“Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll administration and members of the legislature for prioritizing TRAIN grants,” said Dr. William Heineman, president of North Shore Community College and chair of the Community College Council of Presidents. “These funds help the community colleges to support the Commonwealth’s workforce and strengthen the career pipeline." 

 

"As the community college in Massachusetts with two middle names, we are honored to help highlight investments in STEM and workforce. At STCC, we know there is a lot of STEM in healthcare, and our $150,000 in grant funds for Certified Nursing Assistant Plus will expand access to careers in a vital sector. By connecting skill development with industry-recognized credentials, STCC and our sister community colleges showcase our contributions to the economic vitality in every corner of the Commonwealth," said Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) President Dr. John B. Cook. 

 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration recently celebrated statewide progress toward expanding access to postsecondary opportunities for every learner in Massachusetts. From new Innovation Career Pathway designations and Early College pathways that reimagine high school with career-connected learning, to tuition-free community college and increased state financial aid for students at public four-year institutions, the Administration is building a more seamless, affordable education system. Efforts are also reaching adult learners, with expanded job-training programs and noncredit credentials that connect residents to in-demand careers. The TRAIN grants are one of these programs that support career training for students. These milestones reflect a shared vision across K-12, higher education, and workforce development: to make education and training accessible, affordable, and competitive. 

 

TRAIN Implementation Grant Awardees: 

 

·       Berkshire Community College, Commercial Driver’s License Training – $132,825 

·       Bunker Hill Community College, Dental Assisting, EKG, Phlebotomy and IT Training – $150,000 

·       Bristol Community College, Cyber Security Certificate – $87,289 

·       Cape Cod Community College, Addiction Recovery and Medical Interpreters Training – $107,209 

·       Greenfield Community College, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Phlebotomy Training – $102,309 

·       Holyoke Community College, Paraeducator Training – $123,235 

·       Massasoit Community College, EKG Technician and Phlebotomy Training – $75,730 

·       Middlesex Community College, Advanced Manufacturing, Pharmacy Technician, and Phlebotomy Training – $124,870  

·       Mount Wachusett Community College, Paraeducator Training – $99,282 

·       Northern Essex Community College, Certified Nursing Assistant, Pharmacy Technician Training – $147,258 

·       North Shore Community College, Dental Assisting and Central Sterilization Training – $92,895 

·       Quinsigamond Community College, Personal Care Aide Training – $106,183 

·       Springfield Technical Community College, Certified Nursing Assistant – $150,000 

麻州州長Maura Healey歡迎日本北海道代表團 慶祝姐妹關係35年

 Governor Healey Welcomes Delegation from Hokkaido, Japan on 35th Anniversary of Hokkaido-Massachusetts Sister State Agreement  

BOSTON – Today, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey welcomed a delegation from Hokkaido, Japan to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Hokkaido-Massachusetts Sister State Agreement, which formalized relations between the two states.  

During the visit, Governor Healey and Hokkaido Vice Governor Shinichi HAMASAKA signed a joint declaration reaffirming the Sister State Agreement and pledging continued collaboration and exchange, particularly when it comes to academia, education and growth industry development. Governor Healey also presented the delegation with a proclamation designating October 22 as “Hokkaido Day” in Massachusetts. 

“For over a century, Massachusetts and Hokkaido have enjoyed a close relationship and an ongoing exchange of students, scholars and ideas,” said Governor Healey. “This partnership was formalized 35 years ago, and today we are committing to growing our cultural exchange and deepening our economic ties. It was wonderful to welcome Vice Governor Hamasaka and the Hokkaido delegation back to Massachusetts, and I’m grateful to the Massachusetts Hokkaido Association and the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment for making this visit possible.” 

"Hokkaido and Massachusetts have a long history of ties, and during the period of Hokkaido's development approximately 150 years ago, many notable figures from Massachusetts, including Dr. William Smith Clark, made contributions in a variety of fields,” said Vice Governor Shinichi HAMASAKA. “Today, Hokkaido is a region where robots and ICTs are utilized for agriculture, as well as where the large-scale projects utilizing cutting-edge technology take place, such as Green Transition initiatives and the manufacturing of next-generation semiconductors. ‘Boys, Be Ambitious’ − with the words of Dr. Clark in mind, we would like to further deepen the ties that have been nurtured between our two regions and pass them on to the future." 

Hokkaido is Japan’s second largest and northernmost island. The bond between Massachusetts and Hokkaido dates back to the 19th century through exchanges of students, scholars and staff between the University of Massachusetts and Hokkaido University. In 1990, then-Governor Michael Dukakis and Governor Takahiro Yokomichi signed the Sister State Agreement to strengthen this relationship, pledging to continue the exchange of education, culture, sports, industry, science and technology.  

The delegation’s visit was coordinated by the Massachusetts Hokkaido Association and the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment. 

Massachusetts has similar agreements with numerous countries and international regional governments, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and Taiwan. 

慈濟劍橋外展中心邀邱琳婷窺看故宮百年

邱琳婷談百年故宮的時空之旅。

             （Boston Orange綜合報導）慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處劍橋外展中心日前邀得目前在哈佛大學做訪問學者的藝評人邱琳婷，以「百年故宮的時空之旅」為題，回顧她稱人們譽之為「人類史上奇蹟」的故宮博物院文物被收藏，完整保存歷程。

            故宮博物院（北京）是在100年前（1925年）的10月10日，才正式對外開放，供人參觀的。館內藏品主要來自宋元明清四代的皇室珍藏，歷經火燒圓明園、八國聯軍，抗日戰爭等動亂挑戰，其中許多藏品也在這個時候，被人掠奪，流失。

邱琳婷敘述自己的藝術史學者之路。

            中華民國政府遷台時，把故宮博物院藏品中最精美的大約四分之一，跨海運了過去。

曾獲得藝術理論類巴黎大獎，義大利佛羅倫斯雙年展新媒體藝術類作品策展人首獎，也曾受邀在國內外多所大學任教的邱琳婷，簡述自己的藝術史學者之路，來自參觀博物館，做田野調查，參加研討會發表論文，現在是訪問學者。她是在921地震事件之後，曾帶大學生到台北故宮上課，才觸發她以「故宮的時空之旅」為主題做研究。

故宮發現范寬簽了名的《谿山行旅圖》。

            這晚她以王羲之《蘭亭集序》摹本、流失海外的《女史箴圖》等案例，探討文物命運。例如現存於大英博物館的顧愷之《女史箴圖》，據說是在八國聯軍時，被人以25英鎊出售。《簪花仕女圖》、《歷代帝王圖》、《五馬圖》，則是溥儀等人私帶出宮，如今分藏於遼寧博物館、美國波士頓美術館、東京國立博物館等。

            她也介紹了1072年的郭熙《早春圖》，北周或隋朝的石雕觀音立像，東魏的佛坐像，宋徽宗的五色鸚鵡圖，

她闡述了台灣故宮博物院的發展。在民國政府遷台初期，故宮文物儲藏在台中霧峰北溝，1956年還落成陳列室。1965年時，位於外雙溪的台北故宮開幕，1958年時，人們發現台北故宮藏有范寬簽了名的《谿山行旅圖》，到2000

宋徽宗的五色鸚鵡圖現收藏於波士頓美術博物館。

年後，故宮定位改變，從呈現中國文化傳承，逐漸衍變為「亞洲博物館」，透過常設展、科技互動展覽和南院戶外美術館的當代藝術創作，一邊展示多元化典藏品（青銅、汝窯、北宋山水三寶等），一邊激發與當代、在地文化持續對話的營運模式。2015年的「故宮南院」開幕，展示戶外公共藝術，又賦予了故宮新面貌。

講座現場。

   慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處劍橋外展中心共同負責人陳筠媞表示，慈濟劍橋外展中心幾乎每週五晚上安排有講座，音樂會等不同類型活動，歡迎各界，尤其是年輕人參加，也認識慈濟。查詢可洽#6, 620 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139，(617) 762-0569 。（所有圖片，陳筠媞提供）

波士頓體育會高水準隊新增3隊員

 B.A.A. High Performance Team Adds Three Athletes

Maggie Donahue, James Mwaura and Eric van der Els join Boston-Based Professional Running Team

 

BOSTON – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today announced the addition of three athletes – Maggie Donahue, James Mwaura and Eric van der Els —to the B.A.A. High Performance Team. All will join the professional Boston-based team coached by Mark Carroll, supported by the B.A.A. and adidas.

 

“We’re looking forward to strong performances on the track and roads for Maggie, James, and Eric, bolstering our roster with great experience,” said Coach Carroll, an Olympian for Ireland. “All three have strong records facing national-level competition and will soon represent Team B.A.A. with the symbolic unicorn uniform.”

 

Donahue, a native of Wellesley, Mass., comes to the B.A.A. after a stellar career at Georgetown University. While competing for the Hoyas, she earned All-Big East honors and placed 10^th at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships 10,000m in 2024. Last year she also finished 12^th at the US National Cross Country Championships. Donahue’s lifetime bests are 15:43.98 for 5,000m (indoors) and 33:05.56 for 10,000m. 

 

Mwaura joins the B.A.A. fresh off a fifth-place finish at the U.S. Outdoor National Championships 10,000m in July. He’s taken to the roads of late, placing 15^th and 23^rd at this year’s USA 5K and 10 Mile National Championships. Mwaura routinely represented the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the NCAA Championships in track and cross country. His career high placings at NCAA Championships were fourth in the 10,000m (2023), 10^th in the 5,000m (2022), and 36^th in cross country (2021). In 2021 he finished 14^th at the Olympic Trials 10,000m. 

 

Originally from Norwalk, Conn., and a graduate of the University of Connecticut, van der Els earned two Big East Conference titles for the Huskies on the track. Van der Els has competed professionally for ZAP Endurance in North Carolina, and on the roads this year finished 8^th at the USA 5K National Championships and 12^th at the USA 20K National Championships. He qualified for and placed 14^th in the Olympic Trials 5,000m last year. 

 

Mwaura will compete at the upcoming Boston Half presented by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund on Sunday, November 9. It’ll be his debuts at the half marathon distance, joining fellow B.A.A. High Performance Team members Barry Keaneand Megan Hasz Sailor on the start line.

 

The B.A.A.’s High Performance team supports runners on their way towards making international teams, with the goal of competing at the highest level: the Olympic Games, World Athletics Championships, and Abbott World Marathon Majors. The B.A.A. is sponsored by adidas, which provides comprehensive support for the organization’s High Performance team, running club, and mass-participatory events. 

 

A complete list of B.A.A. High Performance Team members can be found below, as well as personal bests and links to each athlete’s World Athletics Profile. 

 

B.A.A High Performance Team Roster: 

Isaac Basten

Maggie Donahue

Bethany Hasz Jerde

Megan Hasz Sailor

Josh Kalapos

Barry Keane

James Mwaura

Eric van der Els

 

Maggie Donahue’s Personal Bests: 

1500m (outdoors) – 4:20.67

1 Mile (indoors) – 4:45.59

5000m (outdoors) – 15:51.72

5000m (indoors) – 15:43.98

10,000m – 33:05.56

10K – 34:56

 

James Mwaura’s Personal Bests: 

1500m (outdoors) – 3:47.22

1 Mile (outdoors) – 4:12.90

1 Mile (indoors) – 4:08.36

3000m (indoors) – 8:03.04 

5000m (outdoors) – 13:30.02

5000m (indoors) – 13:22.21

10,000m – 27:50.44

5K – 14:05

10 Miles – 48:01

 

Eric van der Els’ Personal Bests: 

1000m (indoors) – 2:21.39 

1500m (outdoors) – 3:41.63

1500m (indoors) – 3:47.66+ 

1 Mile (outdoors) – 4:04:06

1 Mile (indoors) – 3:58.76 

5000m (outdoors) – 13:21.78

5000m (indoors) – 13:38.86

5K – 13:45  

20K – 59:05

劍橋市議會驚傳2026會計年度商業房地產稅上漲22%

             （Boston Orange 編譯）麻州劍橋市市議會在10月20日（週一）以無異議的投票結果，決定劍橋市的商業房地產稅將上漲22%，亦即每1000元價值徵稅14.07元，居民住宅稅率上漲5%，期以因應該市面對的2026會計年度營運預算上漲3.8%，市內房地產市值暴跌11.5%的現實。

 

            劍橋市市議員Marc McGovern表示，市議會議員們將不得不做具有挑戰性的對話，人們可能要感受40年來未曾感受到過得痛苦。

 

            劍橋市財政委員會主席Patricia Nolan則說，市議會別無選擇，因為要麼就提高稅收來因應需要，要麼就減少支出。她預警道，由於關於未來的評估，並未完全反映當前的高空置率，劍橋市的艱難日子，恐怕還在後頭。

 

            劍橋市經理黃義安（Yi-An Huang）也點明了劍橋市所面對困境。他說，這決定是由2026會計年度預算案的9.92億美元所驅動的。

 

            劍橋市的營運預算，有71.8%來自房地產稅，其中商業房地產稅佔66.2%，住宅房地產佔33.8%，換言之，來自商業房地產的稅收，佔了全市營運預算的47.5%，將近一半。

            

            然而，自從生命科學業大熱，劍橋市在2019年時，實驗室空置率已降至1.5%，租金高達每平方英尺98.28美元，東區甚至超過100美元，到2020年至2022年初，甚至出現空置率幾為為零的現象之後，這2年情況直轉急下，實驗室市場的空置率竟從零攀升至2025年第二季度的10.4%，許多商業大樓還出現退租高於求租情況。

            

            劍橋市評估局公佈的2026會計年度商業房地產總值公平市場價值暴跌11.5%，傳統辦公室空間中位數估值降幅高達14.6%，意味著在現有市場環境下，劍橋市的稅收估計會減少4800萬元左右，這比劍橋市預估的新年度全年預算增幅的金額還高，如果是政府不從商業房地產稅上漲來彌補，就得刪減許多市府服務。

 

            劍橋市市議會這商業房地產稅增加22%的決定，引發爭議，原因之一是各行業受衝擊程度不平均。房地產估值跌幅較小的零售、餐飲和酒店業者，受到的衝擊最大。酒店業的稅單漲幅，估計將達26%，零售和餐飲業空間的稅單將上漲10.4%。

 

            在劍橋市擁有2家餐館，Grendel’s Den 和”海妖（The Sea Hag）“，也是“劍橋本地第一（Cambridge Local First）”這組織主席的Kari Kuelzer就說，“要承擔這稅負，其實是小獨立商最艱難”。他的“海妖”餐廳就要求她來支付所有的稅賦增幅。

            

            她還說，造成這一切的原因是那些大玩家-實驗室和大辦公室退出了經濟市場，把他們留下來收拾殘局。

 

            不過，劍橋市的加稅幅度雖高，徵收的房地產稅，其實不是最高。尚莫維爾市(Somerville)上一個會計年度就每一千元18.92元，波士頓市則是25元，和劍橋市上漲之後的14.07元相比，高得多了。

創舞台露天演出”波士頓華埠：我們街道上的故事“音樂劇

表演之一。（周菊子攝）

             (Boston Orange)「波士頓華埠：我們街道上的故事 （Boston Chinatown: Stories on Our Streets）」這音樂唱奏演出，10月18日下午，讓塔芙茨大學華埠校區的社區廣場（186 Harrison Av.）樂音飄揚，六、七十名觀眾倘徉在豔陽樹蔭下，聽得十分陶醉。

創舞台創辦人曲悅鳴。（周菊子攝）

            這是一場由「一公司（Company One）」和華裔女子曲悅鳴所創辦的「創舞台（Chuang Stage）」合作，給年輕人展示才藝機會，呈現一齣正在創作中的口述歷史音樂劇。

            當天的演出，主要以音樂彈奏，歌曲演唱方式進行，創作團隊共9人，包括內容撰寫，音樂編導，戲劇化處理，舞台管理，歌曲創作的安排有7段演出，依序為“牌樓”，“世界在4月結束了“，”媽媽說（慢下來）“，”拒絕服從的母親們“，”我很好“，”和你在美國“到“保存（結尾）“。

表演之二。（周菊子攝）

            創作團隊希望藉「波士頓華埠：我們街道上的故事」，在波士頓華埠面對著豪華化，族裔暴力的壓力中，展現其歷史，活力，與韌性。從餐廳廚房的韻律到磚瓦街道上還子成長的步伐，這齣正在創作中的音樂劇，呈現了波士頓華埠作為人們的家，給人帶來的回憶與歸屬感，深植在波士頓華埠之中，激盪出遠溢其外的共鳴。

            當天的演出曲目，及演出者，依序為由Ashley Ha和合奏樂團演出，Anju Madhok 創作的「牌樓(The Gate)」，Emma Nayun Downs演出，Brandon Zang

現場伴奏。（周菊子攝）

創作的「世界在4月結束了（The World Ended in April）」，Nicholas Papayoanou演出，Jude Torres創作的「媽媽說（慢下來）“Mama Says (Slow Down)”」，Vivian Liu-Somers和Emma Nayun Downs，以及合奏樂團演出，Brandon Zang創作的「拒絕服從的母親（Mothers Who Refuse to Obey）」，Michelle M. Aguillon表演，Emma Nayun Downs創作的「我很好（I’m Fine）」，Chantha Luk演出，Emma Nayun Downs創作的「和你在美國（In America, With You）」，Ashley Ha 和合奏樂團演出，由Anju Madhol創作的「保存（結尾）”Preservation (Outro)”」。

“創舞台”和”一公司“合作音樂劇。（周菊子攝）

觀眾們在塔芙茨社區廣場享受初秋午後。（周菊子攝）