Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $500,000 to Colleges and Universities to Help Fight Campus Hunger

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $500,000 to Colleges and Universities to Help Fight Campus Hunger 

Funds are estimated to serve 36,000 students across Massachusetts  

BOSTON – The Healey Driscoll Administration has awarded nearly $500,000 across 30 colleges and universities in Massachusetts to help with their existing efforts to fight student hunger. The funds are estimated to support college and university anti-hunger initiatives, such as food pantries, food lockers and grab-and-go stations, grocery and meal vouchers, SNAP outreach and cafeteria meal swipes, reaching an estimated 36,000 students. The Hunger Free Campus Initiative grants serve nearly all of Massachusetts’ public community colleges, state universities, and University of Massachusetts campuses, as well as three Minority Serving Institutions (MSI), including Cambridge College, Franklin Cummings Tech and Urban College of Boston. These grants are funded through the fiscal year 2026 state budget. 

The year’s Hunger Free Campus Initiative grants arrive at a time when President Trump and Congressional Republicans passed a bill that makes severe changes to SNAP and may result in more than 150,000 Massachusetts residents having their SNAP benefits reduced or eliminated, including students. Earlier this month, President Trump became the first President in United States history to withhold SNAP benefits during a federal government shutdown.  

“We want college students to be able to focus on succeeding in school and their career, but they can’t do that if they are facing hunger,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Far too many students on our campuses were already struggling to afford food, and President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ cuts to SNAP and other food assistance programs have made things even worse. In Massachusetts, we are committed to preventing everyone, including our students, from going hungry.” 

“Too many Massachusetts students face difficult choices every day about paying for rent, transportation, child care and food,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These Hunger Free Campus Initiative grants are part of our support for college students who are working hard to earn a better living through higher education.” 

The Department of Higher Education (DHE) has a Basic Needs Security initiative to help students with a range of basic needs, including food insecurity. DHE supports institutions of higher education by helping to facilitate partnerships with regional non-profits on meeting basic needs of college students who are housing and food insecure, most often through Youth Service Providers (YSPs) and local food banks.  

“I want to thank all of our higher education partners and campuses for stepping up over the past few weeks to support students’ food security needs as Washington continues to play politics with food,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “Higher education should be accessible to everyone, and that means we need to lift barriers like food insecurity. These grants are part of the state’s efforts to ensure all students have equal opportunities to succeed in college.” 

“Our campuses are working hard to give students better access to food, and that work has become more challenging amid the disruption and changes to SNAP benefits,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “I’m grateful that the state is supporting ongoing campus food security efforts, like strengthening food pantries, supplying gift cards to local supermarkets, and offering meal swipes to students who must remain on campus during semester breaks. These hunger-free campus initiatives are essential to student success and well-being.”  

Governor Healey launched a new SNAP Response Hub webpage that has been shared with public college and university presidents, featuring a municipal-level map showing the impact of SNAP across Massachusetts, information on where residents can access food assistance, and ways community members and businesses can contribute. Learn more at Mass.gov/SNAPFreeze. 

The FY26 college and university projects being funded through the Hunger Free Campus Initiative grants are: 

Community Colleges    

• Berkshire Community College: $5,660   

• Bristol Community College: $29,630  

• Bunker Hill Community College: $33,897  

• Cape Cod Community College: $9,102   

• Greenfield Community College: $5,365   

• Holyoke Community College: $13,313  

• MassBay Community College: $12,262 

• Massasoit Community College: $15,573 

• Middlesex Community College: $18,221   

• Mount Wachusett Community College: $13,916   

• North Shore Community College: $19,514   

• Northern Essex Community College: $15,559   

• Quinsigamond Community College: $26,444   

• Roxbury Community College: $10,415 

• Springfield Technical Community College: $21,025 

State Universities    

• Bridgewater State University: $25,498   

• Fitchburg State University: $22,299  

• Framingham State University: $14,914   

• Massachusetts College of Art and Design: $4,204   

• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: $3,909   

• Salem State University: $18,815   

• Westfield State University: $12,370  

• Worcester State University: $15,885 

University of Massachusetts    

• UMass Amherst: $35,343   

• UMass Boston: $36,315   

• UMass Dartmouth: $14,920 

• UMass Lowell: $23,720 

Private Colleges    

• Cambridge College: $10,500  

• Franklin Cummings Tech: $2,539  

• Urban College of Boston: $2,111  

Statement of Support 

Senator Michael Rodrigues, Senate Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means:  

“I’ve worked closely with the Healey-Driscoll administration and my colleagues in the Legislature to invest in public higher education in the Commonwealth. I’m thrilled to see funding to address and combat student hunger in Massachusetts’s public colleges and universities. Bristol Community College, in my district in Fall River will receive almost $30,000 to support anti-hunger initiatives. The best practices for higher educational excellence do not just mean teachers and resources but also includes having adequate nutrition. This funding is especially meaningful with the federal government’s ongoing efforts to derail food security,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.  

Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education:  

“As the federal government makes unconscionable cuts to food assistance programs, state investments in our colleges and universities to fight student hunger become more important than ever. Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and my colleagues in the legislature for prioritizing hunger free campuses.” 

Representative Dave Rogers, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education:  

“Under the leadership of Speaker Mariano, the House of Representatives’ commitment to public higher education extends beyond the classroom. That is why the House funded the Hunger Free Campus Initiative. We are pleased to see this program benefit students in need and allow them to pursue their higher education goals.” 

Assistant Senate Majority Leader Joan B. Lovely:  

"I am pleased that these critical Hunger Free Campus Initiative grants have been released to public colleges and universities across the Commonwealth to address food insecurity. Ensuring that our students are able to address their nutritional needs is critical to their academic success, allowing them to thrive as they prepare for their future careers. Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for making these funds available and for your dedication to supporting students across Massachusetts. Thank you also to the many student advocates from across the Commonwealth who have advocated for this program to support the needs of their peers."  

Representative Andy Vargas:  

“Massachusetts has led the way in addressing student hunger. We continued investing in Universal School Meals after the pandemic, filling the need left by the federal government. And we know hunger doesn’t end once you enter college. As we continue to lower barriers to higher education, it is important that we ensure our residents have the tools to succeed in these new opportunities. Students should be hungry to learn in class, not hungry to eat. And as a state that values education, it’s important to address food insecurity and enable greater learning, workforce development, and unlock the full potential of every student. These grants greatly advance this effort.” 

University of Massachusetts President Marty Meehan: 

“Food insecurity on college campuses is a national issue, and we are so grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for making Massachusetts a leader in combatting it. The Hunger Free Campus Initiative will strengthen the efforts underway across the UMass campuses to support members of our community, especially through campus food pantries. These efforts will help us ensure no member of our community goes hungry, while taking actions that evidence shows improve student success, retention, and graduation rates.” 

Dr. Linda Thompson, president of Westfield State University, and Chair of the Massachusetts State Universities Council of Presidents: 

"Through a deep understanding of our local communities, our public state universities are committed to supporting the health and stability of our population. In response to recent events that have magnified the challenge of food insecurity for our students and their families, we are grateful for the Healey-Driscoll administration and state legislators. Their commitment to investing in the basic needs of our campus communities is a vital investment in our students' success and the long-term prosperity of our region." 

Dr. William Heineman, president of North Shore Community College and chair of the Community College Council of Presidents: 

“Our community colleges have long advocated for holistic student supports. We’re grateful for the Healey-Driscoll administration and the legislature for the hunger free campus grants – hungry students can’t learn, and student basic needs remains a top priority for our colleges.” 

Kate Adams, Greater Boston Food Bank Senior Public Policy Manager and Hunger Free Campus Coalition co-lead: 

“The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) applauds the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the legislature for continued leadership in addressing college hunger for low-income students through the Hunger Free Campus Initiative. We are proud that Massachusetts provides universal school meals to all K–12 students, but food insecurity does not end upon graduation. We know that food-secure college students are far more likely to complete their degrees and enter the workforce ready to succeed than their food-insecure peers. With 38% of public university and community college students in Massachusetts experiencing food insecurity, according to our 2025 statewide food access study, this investment comes at a critical time to help campuses meet growing demand and ensure every student has the nourishment they need to thrive.”  

麻州政府薪資年耗96億元 波士頓市長年薪明年23萬元 昆士市長加薪案還在熱議中

         （Boston Orange 綜合編譯）根據麻州主計長辦公室每2週公佈一次的數據，麻州政府薪資總支出，在2025年持續上升，達到96.1億美元之多。

和往年一樣，截至2025年11月12日止，其中15名薪資最高的人，全都在麻州大學系統內工作。

            麻州大學男子籃球主教練Francisco (Frank) Martin連續第3年，盤踞最高薪地位，本薪110萬元之外，另有其他收入約90萬元，年薪總額將近200萬元。。

            麻州大學陳是醫學院校長Michael Collins排名第2，本薪91萬餘元，加上其他收入，總額約為124萬元。麻州大學足球主教練Joseph Harasymiak排第3，本薪101萬元，加上其他收入，總額約122萬元。

            總的來說，在麻州薪資開銷上，麻州大學系統薪資總額高達16.1億元。

            以部門支出薪資總額來說，在麻州大學之外，麻州地鐵（MBTA）排名第2，總支出8.37億元。麻州審判法院排第3，薪資總額4.7億元。其次依序為麻州警察廳約4.31億元，麻州發展服務廳約4.3億元。

            在聯邦政府關門長逾40天，生物制藥業榮景不如往年，亞馬遜（Amazon），Meta（原名臉書），微軟等科技業也頻傳裁員訊息，動輒數千，逾萬人之際，公職人員的薪資動態，近來頗受關注。

日前才有Boston.com上的新聞報導指出，波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）順利連任後， 2022年通過的加薪案將於來年落實，年薪將從現在的約20.7萬元，漲到約25萬元。波士頓市議會議員的年薪，也將上漲至2026年的12萬5千元。

不過谷歌的Gemina搜查資訊後卻稱，波士頓市長和市議員的薪資，由於波士頓市長吳弭當年的動用否決權，市議會又並未推翻其否決，因而2026年的市長及市議員薪資狀況應為，吳弭市長年新增至23萬元，市議員年薪維持在11萬5千元。

            昆士市市長的薪資，在2024年春時，市議會通過議案，要從2025年1月起為市長加薪，從15萬元加到28萬5千元，漲幅約79%。消息傳出後，在市民中引發熱議。今年10月昆市市長柯奇（Tom Koch）提議，只加薪至22萬5千元，並延至2028年1月才生效。

            昆士市議會在2024年6月批准的加薪方案中，市議員的年薪原本將從2025年1月起，由29,800元調整為44,500元，但這一加薪案，也將延到2026年1月才生效。

            在選舉業時，昆士市不分區市議員Noel DiBona提及，今年昆士市市議員選舉結果，逾半數換人，市長加薪議題是誘因之一。

            在11月4日大選中贏得最高票的昆士市市議員Ann Mahoney在11月6日發表一份聲明，表示“居民讓他們的聲音被聽見了”。她力促現任市議會不要在預定於11月17日舉行的市議會會議中討論，柯奇（Tom Koch）市長要把加薪幅度降至只增加6萬6千元的這提案，直到下一任市議會議員就任後再說。

CITY OF BOSTON AND NORTHEASTERN ANNOUNCE NEW FIVE-YEAR PILOT AGREEMENT AND TEN-YEAR INSTITUTIONAL MASTER PLAN, INCLUDING HISTORIC COMMITMENTS ON HOUSING AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS

CITY OF BOSTON AND NORTHEASTERN ANNOUNCE NEW FIVE-YEAR PILOT AGREEMENT AND TEN-YEAR INSTITUTIONAL MASTER PLAN, INCLUDING HISTORIC COMMITMENTS ON HOUSING AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS

BOSTON - Thursday, November 13, 2025 - The City of Boston and Northeastern University today announced landmark agreements on an Institutional Master Plan (IMP) and Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT), which include unprecedented housing commitments and community benefits for the City and neighborhoods around Northeastern. The IMP includes approximately $62.5 million in community benefits over the next 10 years, as well as $16.5 million in community benefits and $6 million in linkage associated with the Matthews Arena redevelopment. The new PILOT agreement includes a commitment of more than $49 million in cash and community benefits over the next five years.  “Boston thrives when our leading institutions match their global reach with a deep commitment to our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Through these landmark agreements, Northeastern will deliver much-needed on-campus student housing, redevelop the historic Matthews Arena for its next chapter in this city of champions, invest tens of millions for affordable housing and community benefits, and respond to important neighborhood feedback with improvements to public access at Carter Playground and resources for planning and beautification in Nubian Square. Our five-year PILOT agreement sets a new standard for higher annual cash payments and community benefits at a time when Boston taxpayers need relief. This agreement is proof that even in an uncertain time, Boston can come together with our institutional partners to move the city forward.”  “Northeastern’s Institutional Master Plan represents a balanced approach that allows the University to invest in its institutional growth with a renewed commitment to housing stabilization for the surrounding communities,” said Chief of Planning Kairos Shen. “I look forward to working with Northeastern to realize the historic and transformative plans in this IMP.” The IMP enables eight new projects that the University plans to pursue over the next ten years, including on-campus student housing, the long-planned redevelopment of Matthews Arena, and academic spaces. Significant investments in housing, jobs, and community development are associated with these proposed projects, each of which will go through the Article 80 development review process run by the City’s Planning Department. "The approval of the new Institutional Master Plan marks a significant milestone in the ongoing development of Northeastern University's Boston campus to support our academic mission,” said Northeastern VP & Chief of Planning, Real Estate and Facilities Kathy Spiegelman. “We look forward to working closely with the City and our community partners as we bring this vision to life, ensuring that our physical campus continues to meet the evolving needs of our students, faculty, staff, and the broader Boston community."  Housing Commitments Under the IMP, Northeastern will contribute $10 million over the next ten years to invest in housing stabilization in the city. This money will be allocated to the City’s Housing Stabilization Fund, Acquisition Opportunity Fund, or other City housing programs. In addition, in response to calls from the community Task Force that Northeastern reduce the demand for off-campus housing, which impacts surrounding neighborhoods, the University made specific commitments to bring down the off-campus student population. Building on the momentum of the new 1,215-bed residential tower at 840 Columbus, which broke ground in August, the University set a further target to deliver an additional 1,000 new student beds in the next five years. The City will continue monitoring students’ off campus housing impact through the University Accountability Ordinance report. For the first time, should the University increase its off-campus student population, the City will require Northeastern to develop a mitigation plan and seek City approval through a public hearing at the BPDA Board.  “Reclaim Roxbury thanks both Mayor Wu's Administration and Northeastern University for negotiating a stronger and more equitable Institutional Master Plan that reflects our community’s advocacy. We’re proud that our collective efforts helped secure $1,000,000 annually to support housing stabilization for Roxbury residents” said Reclaim Roxbury Executive Director and Northeastern Task Force Member, Armani White. “We also appreciate Northeastern’s responsiveness to community and City calls for greater transparency, accountability, and partnership, resulting in stronger commitments to build more on-campus student housing, hire local and MWBE contractors, and expand community access to Carter Playground and the Field Bubble. These wins are proof that when residents, the City, and our institutions work together, we can achieve shared prosperity rooted in equity and respect.”  Redeveloping Matthews Arena The IMP also includes the long-planned redevelopment of Matthews Arena, which is set to begin immediately. Matthews was built in 1910, burned down in 1918, and was replaced with the current structure in 1920. Previously known as Boston Arena, this facility was the original home of the Boston Bruins and Celtics; hosted rallies for Presidents Teddy Roosevelt, Howard Taft, and FDR; receptions for Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart; and the funeral of Boston sports icon Reggie Lewis. While the historic integrity of this structure was significantly impacted by renovations and additions in 1950, the redeveloped arena will preserve and incorporate the terracotta arches still remaining from the original 1920 arena. The new arena will include basketball and hockey facilities, general fitness and recreation space, and create new athletic and recreational opportunities for community members. The project will include public realm improvements including new sidewalks and landscaping on St. Botolph Street and Gainsborough Street.  The multi-purpose arena project will contribute $5,025,800 in Linkage funding in support of affordable housing, and $977,600 in Linkage funding in support of workforce training. The project will fund an expansion of the pedestrian space on Gainsborough Street and accessibility improvements to a nearby MBTA station. The arena will also include bike parking, a bikeshare station, and a $130,200 contribution to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the bikeshare system and expanding access to alternative forms of transportation. The terra cotta arches marking the entrance of the existing building will be salvaged and reinstalled in the lobby of the new building and there will be exhibits on the history of the arena to preserve its importance to the University and City. The new arena will also be sustainably designed with the use of geothermal wells and solar panels. IMP Community Benefits Northeastern will extend a broad range of community benefits negotiated in its last IMP. The University remains committed to its partnership with the Boston Public Schools, including meeting the full demonstrated need of all admitted students and offering pre-college programming to ensure BPS students are college-ready. The City and the University will engage and collaborate on consolidating, adapting, and creating new innovative programs to ensure that what is offered remains effective and of value to the community. The University is also renewing its commitment to the local and MWBE procurement goals from the 2013 IMP. These goals include 20% of all University discretionary spending to SLBEs and 12% to MWBEs as well as 30% of design and construction spending to MBEs and 10% to WBEs. Northeastern’s combined FY24 supplier spend across all underrepresented businesses totaled approximately $335.54 million. As part of this renewed commitment, the University has agreed to contract with a consultant to explore methods and tools to achieve these spending goals within this new IMP term.  Under the IMP, the Boston Parks Department and University will amend their decade-old license agreement Carter Playground in response to community feedback to expand the evening and weekend hours of BPS and community use of the athletic fields and tennis courts, which are maintained by the University. The revised agreement will expand afterschool, evening, and weekend hours on the fields during all seasons, and under the winter Bubble, allowing more BPS teams and community clubs to make active use of these facilities. The agreement will also improve signage and scoreboard and restroom access to make the fields a better resource for all community members. Northeastern has also committed to annual reviews of this arrangement, and future negotiations after the completion of the new arena to further expand community access. “Carter Playground is a public park and one of the busiest and most important athletic facilities in Boston,” said Interim Parks Commissioner, Cathy Baker-Eclipse. “We are pleased that the updated agreement will give BPS student athletes and community groups even more access to these excellent facilities, during all seasons, and we thank Northeastern for their continued partnership.” Community Space The University will operate a space with community focused programming on the ground floor of their new dorm building at 840 Columbus Avenue which is currently under construction at a cost of approximately $20 million over the next ten years. Programming in this space will support educational access, jobs and workforce development, small business support, and building capacity for existing community organizations that address economic development.  Landmark PILOT Agreement Beyond commitments included in the new IMP, Northeastern has agreed to a new five-year Payment-In-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) agreement with the City, which includes cash and community benefits commitments of more than $49 million over this period. Northeastern has been a long-standing partner with the City of Boston through Boston’s nation-leading PILOT program, a system launched in 2012 that governs annual voluntary cash and community benefit contributions from the City’s largest private, non-profit, and tax-exempt institutions. This partnership is based on the mutual understanding that a welcoming, safe, and financially stable City which delivers high-quality essential services is critical to the continued success and financial health of Boston’s large nonprofit institutions.   The new agreement is the first written PILOT agreement between the City and Northeastern in decades, creating a predictable and reliable schedule of valuable partnership benefits for the City.   As part of the new five-year agreement, Northeastern will increase its annual PILOT cash payments to the City from $1,900,000 in FY25 to $2,600,000 in FY30. This represents a 36.8% percent increase over Northeastern’s present-day PILOT contribution baseline which has not changed since 2020.  Investments in Nubian Square Incremental cash contributions will support city-wide priorities, and include community investments and planning in Nubian Square and Roxbury in response to the Wu administration's priority of investing in the vitality and opportunity in Nubian Square. Funds will support beautification and other community-led initiatives for the Square. PILOT Community Benefits Additionally, Northeastern commits to contributing annual PILOT community benefits valued at a total of $37 million over the term of the 5-year agreement, benefits that will be reported annually to the City and subject to annual review to align with city and community needs. This amount reflects Northeastern’s commitment to sustain and grow its baseline community benefit commitments to support public education, housing, community access to public and institutional spaces, and a mutually agreed list of other shared City and institutional priorities. Community benefits eligible to be counted toward this goal are quantifiable, directly benefit City of Boston residents, are not included in other arrangements such as IMP and Article 80 agreements, and are not part of the core mission and services of the institution.   Northeastern and the City commit to renewing a mutually agreeable voluntary PILOT agreement before expiration of the proposed five-year agreement on June 30, 2030.

2026 BOSTON INAUGURATION COMMITTEE AND THE CITY OF BOSTON ANNOUNCE SWEARING IN CEREMONY FOR MAYOR WU AND THE BOSTON CITY COUNCIL

 2026 BOSTON INAUGURATION COMMITTEE AND THE CITY OF BOSTON ANNOUNCE SWEARING IN CEREMONY FOR MAYOR WU AND THE BOSTON CITY COUNCIL 

Following the ceremony, Mayor Michelle Wu will host a series of events and activations across Boston’s neighborhoods to engage with residents on a shared vision for the next term

Boston, MA, Thursday, November 13, 2025 -- The 2026 Boston Inauguration Committee today announced that the City of Boston will host Mayor Michelle Wu’s swearing in ceremony for her second term as mayor on the first Monday of the year in accordance with the City Charter, on January 5th, 2026 at 10 a.m. The inauguration ceremony for Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston City Council will take place at the historic Boston Symphony Hall. Following the ceremony, Mayor Michelle Wu will host a series of events and activations throughout the week to highlight and connect our city. Julia Leja will serve as the Chair of the Inaugural Committee, and Jessicah Pierre, who will transition out of her role as the Chief Communications Officer for the City of Boston, will serve as the Creative Executive Producer spearheading the communications strategy and creative direction for the inauguration and community events that will take place across the city during the week of January 5th, 2026.

“Our mission is to make Boston a home for everyone and I’m honored to continue to serve our communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Over the last four years of our administration, Jessicah’s leadership, creativity, and dedication to our city have been essential to delivering results and connecting residents across our neighborhoods, creating empowering spaces and celebrating our communities. She has been an essential advisor and visionary stewarding our administration’s most important initiatives and foundational responsibilities. I’m grateful that her leadership will help us kick off the new year with a focus on Boston’s progress and determination to keep moving forward.”

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to create spaces for residents to build community and engage in a shared vision for the City of Boston,” said Jessicah Pierre. “Serving as the Chief Communications Officer for the city that raised me has been the honor of my lifetime and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to continue to serve in this new capacity.” 

Pierre has served as Chief Communications Officer for the City of Boston under the leadership of Mayor Michelle Wu since December 2021, driving communications and messaging strategy for the City of Boston. In this role, she served as the lead communications director, spokesperson and advisor to the Mayor elevating the City of Boston’s brand and the Wu administration’s policy priorities to Boston residents, the media, funders, community organizations, and partners. She has also executed the City’s biggest events such as Mayor Wu’s annual State of the City addresses. In alignment with Mayor Wu’s goals, Pierre has ensured the City of Boston’s messaging is accessible to everyone. She has led outreach to multilingual media platforms and deepened relationships with community-based media. She has also spearheaded the City’s partnerships with content creators to help reach residents where they are—executing on the City of Boston’s first ever Content Creator Summit. 

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE ICONS OF FRANKLIN PARK POSTER COMPETITION

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE ICONS OF FRANKLIN PARK POSTER COMPETITION In celebration of the participating artists and creatives, winning designs will be exhibited at Boston City Hall 3rd floor Mezzanine

BOSTON – Thursday, November 13, 2025 – Mayor Michelle Wu announced the winners of the Icons of Franklin Park Poster Competition at a ceremony held on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at the William Devine Clubhouse at Franklin Park. Hosted in partnership with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, the City of Boston Planning Department, the Boston Society of Landscape Architects (BSLA), and the Franklin Park Coalition, the competition invited artists of all ages to celebrate Franklin Park through original poster designs that highlight the park’s history, cultural landmarks, iconic people, and natural beauty. “Congratulations to all the amazing artists whose hard work embodies the legacy of our beloved Franklin Park,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Whether it’s honoring the history of the great Elma Lewis, recollecting Olmsted’s vision, showcasing the incredible native species found throughout the park, or uplifting the many cultural events whose home is Franklin Park – these pieces capture how foundational Franklin Park continues to be to our city and our communities.” More than fifty designers, artists, and Franklin Park enthusiasts from all across Boston, the region, and even around the world submitted original work. Four winners, including two for Original Series and two Emerging Artists (ages 14-24), were selected by a panel of judges composed of community members, graphic designers, artists, and landscape architects. The public was also invited to be part of the selection process, by casting their vote for the People’s Choice Award. Nearly 1,300 people submitted their vote online. All voting was anonymous to ensure impartiality.   The winning submissions are featured online, on the 3rd floor of City Hall, at Franklin Park Clubhouse, and will be on display at libraries around the Park.  WINNING POSTER DESIGNS Jury Selection - Series Winner: Helena Wang, “Franklin Park: Framed Through Time” brings together past and present, celebrating the history and memories of the Park, its features and icons, and its natural beauty Lindsay Crockett, “New Jewels” - features the wildlife that call the park home, its significance as a jewel in Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace, and the beloved icon, Elma Lewis Jury Selection - Emerging Artist Winner: Stella Shippy, “Birds of Franklin Park” highlights native species like the Black Capped Chickadee and the Golden Pheasant, as well as the Gouldian Finch on display at the Franklin Park Zoo. Anne Lai, “History and Horizon at Franklin Park” frames the Kite and Bike Festival, hosted annually by the Franklin Park Coalition, through the historic stone of Ellicott Arch.  People’s Choice Winner: Becky Fong Hughes, “Franklin Park: Alive with People, Place and Story” features the designer’s hand-painted watercolors. As the People’s Choice winner, it was selected through an online voting process that invited the general public to select their favorite.  “The submissions we received clearly show the love and care people have for Franklin Park,” said Interim Boston Parks Commissioner Cathy Baker-Eclipse. “They are also a testament to the incredible artistic talent right here in Boston. We’re thrilled to celebrate both the park’s history and the creativity of our community through this competition.”  “As designers of landscapes and admirers of Frederick Law Olmsted’s enduring legacy, the Boston Society of Landscape Architects is delighted to see such passionate engagement in celebrating and stewarding this remarkable park,” said Luisa Oliveira, competition juror and Past President of the Boston Society of Landscape Architects (BSLA).”The community’s commitment beautifully reflects the ongoing vitality and relevance of this nationally significant landscape in the life of the city.” Inspired by classic Works Progress Administration (WPA) poster campaigns, the Icons of Franklin Park Poster Competition invited artists to submit original works that highlight the physical and cultural icons of the park’s past and present. Franklin Park, designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted in 1885, is Boston’s largest green space and a treasured destination for residents and visitors. For more information or to view all of the submissions online, visit bslanow.org/postercompetition. To stay up to date with news, events, and improvements in Boston parks visit boston.gov/parks, call 617-635-4505, join our email list, and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on X, Facebook, Instagram, and @parks.boston.gov on Bluesky. POSTER DESIGNS (Images may be reshared with credit to each artist)

Helena Wang, “Franklin Park: Framed Through Time” - Jury Selection Awardee

Lindsay Crockett, “New Jewels” - Jury Selection Award

Stella Shippy, “Birds of Franklin Park” - Emerging Artist Award

Anne Lai, “History and Horizon at Franklin Park” - Emerging Artist Award

Becky Fong Hughes, “Franklin Park: Alive with People, Place and Story” - People’s Choice Awardee 

波士頓經文處發佈年度短片 奧運擊劍國手陳弈通談台灣實力

奧運擊劍國手陳弈通。

              （Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導）駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處今（13）日在網路，臉書上貼出宣傳台灣的第二部年度影片，請出刻在羅德島州就讀的奧運擊劍國手陳弈通，從生活角度「展現台灣實力」。

這部片長8分21秒。在台北出生，後來移居澳洲的陳弈通說，成長期間，很多人問他從哪裡來，他回答台灣，卻有很多人不知道台灣在哪裡。

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏和陳弈通一起“擊劍”。

陳弈通目前在羅德島設計學院就讀平面設計三年級，主修繪圖。他在影片開頭時說，長大後，他自己對台灣的了解也越來越多，看到台灣的產品，他也都覺得驕傲。他最想念的是台灣的牛肉麵，小籠包和珍珠奶茶，僅管這些食品，在美國現在也都可以買得到。

            8歲時在一次夏令營活動中愛上擊劍的陳弈通接著敘述，擊劍現在已經是他生活的一部分，培養他面對挑戰時有更強心態，平面設計則教會他要放開胸懷，接受新事物。

陳弈通覺得台灣有很多豐富文化，還沒有被世界看到，就像最近流行的「台灣感性（Taiwan Sensibility）」，彰顯了台灣的獨特與無法複製性。

陳弈通接著藉由設計用雲端來儲存檔案的便利，談到晶片，帶出台積電（TSMC）的先進晶片市佔率高達全世界90%，華碩電腦在2024年中的全球市占率排名第五等台灣實力。

影片接著介紹台灣帶給波士頓經文處的實力，包括持台灣護照在麻州，羅德島州和佛蒙特州，可以不用考試的就把台灣駕照直接換成美國本地駕照。

處長廖朝宏叮囑陳弈通，期許他們這些在美國留學的年輕人，要向身邊朋友介紹台灣，讓更多人認識台灣的優勢。

在影片中，陳弈通還邀廖朝宏處長親身嘗試了一下擊劍滋味，同時點出台灣在體育方面也成就斐然，2025年（今年）9月9日成立體育部，就由先後於2021年在日本東京，2024年在法國巴黎的取得羽毛球奧運金牌的李洋為首任部長一事。

陳弈通覺得台灣象徵著很強大的韌性，期許自己能在2028洛杉磯奧運中奪得獎牌。

波士頓經文處請陳奕通拍攝的這部「展現台灣實力」短片，在臉書，IG和Youtube上都可以看得到。

FB:https: //www.facebook.com/share/v/1AAKbAbsNE/?mibextid=wwXIfr

IG:https: //www.instagram.com/reel/DQ-jvlZjPdV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

YT: https://youtu.be/60VYq1VJHUs?si=1tIyqu57xd0Ltjcd

波士頓經文處去年拍製的「直擊世界名校」，街訪哈佛學霸：台灣知識大考驗，台美關係知多少12分鐘短片，也已經有16.5萬人次觀看，https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7e1TMBOvPQ。 （訂正人名：陳弈通）

麻州長出席「麻州建築業女孩」10週年慶會

 

         （Boston Orange編譯）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）今(12)日到東波士頓，參加第十屆「麻州建築業女孩（Massachusetts Girls in Trades）」東部大會暨職涯博覽會，鼓勵數以百計的高中女生，多了解獲得輔導和職業機會。

「麻州建築業女孩」致力向中學及高中，以及剛從高中畢業的女生，推廣工會建築業的高薪資，高技能職業。

奚莉州長說，建築業給女孩及婦女提供很好的職業，薪水高，福利好，還有機會在自己的社區發揮真正影響力。「麻州建築業女孩」每年都幫助數以百計年輕婦女了解這個行業的潛力，並和已經在這行業內工作的婦女直接聯繫。

麻州勞工及人力發展廳廳長Lauren Jones説，麻州政府和「麻州建築業女孩」，以及許多其他的工會領袖合作，推廣“註冊的學徒（Registered Apprenticeship）”計劃，以解鎖會改變人一生的有意義職業，還對麻州的競爭力，以及經濟很重要。在波士頓，以及下星期在Holyoke舉辦的『麻州建築業女孩』會議，大目標是幫助年輕婦女在建築業發掘未來的職業。

工會領袖提供了具體成果。麻州 AFL-CIO 主席 Chrissy Lynch 說明，麻州有超過 40 多個註冊的建築業學徒計畫，讓學徒們能夠「邊賺錢邊學習」。麻州營造業工會（MBTU）主席 Frank Callahan 報告，工會學徒計畫覆蓋了全州 75% 的註冊學徒。其中，女性學徒佔比已超過 11%，達到全國平均水準的三倍，自 2012 年以來成長了一倍。他強調，工會計畫培訓了 88% 的註冊女技工，提供免費培訓和高標準薪資。

在政策方面，奚莉州長將支持工會和技職女性列為優先要務。她簽署行政命令，要求增加女性參與營造業，並推廣在大型公共工程中使用專案勞工協議（PLAs）。此外，她也擴大了年輕人的職涯途徑，上任以來已協助超過 10,000 名註冊學徒獲得工作，體現了政府對發展中產階級職涯的承諾。

30年來第一次 麻州政府提案更新管理居民托兒服務的執照法規

Healey-Driscoll Administration Proposes Comprehensive Updates
to Residential Program Regulations for First Time in 30 Years
to Improve Support for Children and Staff

 

Regulation changes focus on building a stable, skilled workforce and enhancing child safety

 

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today proposed changes that represent the first comprehensive update to the Department of Early Education and Care’s (EEC) licensing regulations governing residential programs for children since 1995. These changes promote a stronger workforce through improved requirements on staff professional development, including on trauma-informed and responsive care, working with LGBTQ+ populations, sexual abuse and grooming, cultural responsiveness, and missing or absent children.

 

The proposed regulation changes also improve child safety through new policies regarding the use of surveillance cameras, align with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s updated regulations on seclusion practices, and require more comprehensive treatment plans that consider a child’s long-term goals, trauma history, culture or religion, LGBTQ+ identity, and behavior needs. Further, residential programs will be required to share more information with their boards, such as EEC licensing reviews and investigations to improve accountability and transparency.

 

Residential programs provide care and housing for children up to age 18, or 22 for certain children living with disabilities, in a group care setting outside of their family home. Many of the children residing at these programs have complex behavioral health and or social-emotional needs or are otherwise in need of additional complex support.

 

“I want to thank Commissioner Kershaw and her entire team at EEC for their dedicated, collaborative and thorough work to update these regulations. Residential programs provide important care and support for children and families with some of the most complex needs. These updates will promote more inclusive and safe environments for all children and boost this critical workforce,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “I encourage parents, community members and programs to submit public comment and share their feedback.”

 

“These long-overdue updates represent an important step forward in ensuring that Massachusetts’ residential programs reflect the best knowledge and practices available to support children, youth, and the staff who care for them,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “By modernizing language, promoting inclusivity, and embedding a trauma-informed approach, we are positioning our system to better meet the needs of children and their families.”

 

Today’s revisions are the result of extensive collaboration with residential programs, sister agencies, advocates, and families, and are informed by national best practices to ensure the regulatory framework is responsive to evolving societal needs. This included soliciting feedback through a provider survey, targeted workgroups and discussions with trade and advocacy groups, as well as program visits.

 

“These updates will benefit so many children in our state who receive services from residential programs and create a better environment for the staff who care for them,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kiame Mahaniah, MD, MBA. “I appreciate the dedication of the EEC team who took the time to understand EOHHS agencies’ experiences with residential programs and incorporate our feedback into the regulations which will improve outcomes for children and families.”

 

The proposed changes revise language to be more modern and inclusive, including gender-neutral pronouns and require forms and documents are in each person’s preferred language, as well as focus on helping children find stable, long-term placements. They also bring in proven best practices to better support children and staff and promote greater transparency and accountability across residential programs.

 

“Our residential staff are doing some of the most demanding and meaningful work in the state,” said Paul Belsito, Chair of the Board of Early Education and Care. “These updates reflect the dedication of so many partners who contributed their time, expertise, and lived experience to this process. By strengthening the supports, training, and tools available to staff, we’re ensuring they can continue providing the highest-quality care for every child in their programs.”

 

"Today’s unanimous vote reflects the Board’s shared commitment to strengthening the foundation of care for children, families, and the dedicated professionals who support them,” said Maria Gonzalez Moeller, CEO of The Community Group and Vice-Chair of the Board of Early Education and Care. “These proposed revisions to the residential program regulations come from thoughtful collaboration and a deep understanding of the realities faced by our workforce and the young people we serve. By moving these updates to public comment, we’re inviting the broader community to help shape a framework that truly promotes safety, quality, and opportunity for every child and family in Massachusetts."

 

Today’s proposed regulation updates build on EEC’s ongoing work to strengthen the residential program workforce and improve the safety and well-being of children. Last year, EEC and the Department of Higher Education opened up the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship for residential program staff for the first time. This helps staff increase their qualifications through a college degree. The administration also provided loan forgiveness to residential program staff last year through the MA Repay Program. Further, EEC updated the Background Record Check (BRC) process for residential programs, including moving the BRC process into a more modern system to improve the user experience and adding a new out-of-state child welfare check for candidates who lived outside Massachusetts within the last five years.

 

The Board of Early Education and Care unanimously voted today to send these proposed changes to public comment, which provides an opportunity for stakeholders, including families, providers, advocates, and members of the public, to provide feedback before they are finalized. EEC will also host a public hearing on Wednesday, December 17 at 3 p.m., where members of the public are invited to attend and provide feedback. Each speaker will have up to three minutes to share.

 

Details on how to submit public comments, including deadlines and methods of submission, will be available on the Department’s website at Mass.gov/EEC.

 

麻州州長Healey指派 Gina K. Kwon升任公安廳長

 （Boston Orange 摘譯）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）今（12）宣佈，指派 Gina K. Kwon 立即升任麻州公共安全和保障（EOPSS）廳長，接替已於9月退休的前廳長Terrence M. Reidy。

Gina K. Kwon 在2023 年 2 月由奚莉州長指派為EOPSS 執法次長，擁有深厚的州及地方檢察官和執法經驗。奚莉州長稱讚 Kwon 是一位「資深檢察官和執法領袖」，並強調她能有效整合執法機構與社區領袖，全面提升州內公共安全。

奚莉州長表示：「我為任命她為公共安全和保障廳長感到驕傲，並感謝副廳長蘇珊·特里（Susan Terrey）在過渡期的有力領導。」特里女士此前擔任臨時廳長，未來將繼續擔任副廳長兼國土安全次長。

Gina K. Kwon感謝得到州長信任，並承諾 將努力強化關係、支持公共安全人員，並改善社區安全。

在 EOPSS 任職期間，Gina K. Kwon 表現卓越。她為州警察、警察訓練委員會等機構提供了策略性領導，並監督了州警察的重大轉型，包括聘用上校諾布爾，推動問責制和招募實踐改革。她還在州長主持的公共安全圓桌會議中發揮關鍵作用，促使州警察投入資源，成功打擊非法街頭佔用等犯罪行為。

在加入 EOPSS 之前，Gina K. Kwon 曾擔任麻州檢察長辦公室刑事局局長，領導重大調查與起訴，並在米斗塞和薩福克郡檢察官辦公室累積了豐富的經驗，處理從毒品到幫派犯罪等多類複雜案件。

Gina K. Kwon是麻州仇恨犯罪工作組的成員，擁有波士頓學院學士學位和新英格蘭法學院的法律博士學位。