波士頓市今日推出一站式"青年體育樞紐" Tyrik Wilson出任首位青年體育計畫經理

 (Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓市5月30日推出” 青年體育樞紐 (Youth Sports Hub)”，以一站式服務方式，在網上為青少年提供市內青年體育組織指南，體育活動機會與資源。波士頓市還聘請了首名” 青年體育計畫經理”，將撥款10萬元小額資助鄰里體育聯盟。

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 強調”連結、學習與探索”的這計畫，旨在幫助年輕人找到並追求自己的熱情，讓波士頓成為每一個人的家。

在體育參與上，麻州在全美各州中居於領先地位，但波士頓市高中生參與體育活動的比率，卻僅34%，遠低於麻州6到17歲青少年的平居水平，63%。

波士頓的青年體育樞紐將作為公園和休閒局以及”波士頓青少年及家庭 中心 (BCYF)”的新登入頁面，展示波士頓市有成就的體育健將，以及有100多個體育項目的:青少年體育旨南”。這可搜尋的體育指南將容許家庭根據社區，年紀，體育種類，以及其他標準，查找體育活動機會，以及每項體育活動計畫的報名指南等。

              吳弭市長今日也宣佈了第一任的”青年體育計畫經理”，由 Tyrik Wilson出任。他將在波士頓市府和青年體育活動供應商之間作為聯絡員，為青年運動員創造更多全市性質機會，並昭告承就。 

樞紐的資料，可在 Boston.gov/sports 上找到，指南可在 Sports.boston.gov 上找到。 

波士頓市社區參與內閣最近頒發40筆，每筆最高5000元，總額10萬元的”市長的青年體育補助款”，擴大市長促使波士頓公校學生參與體育活動的努力，並為非牟利組織提供改善體育項目的財務支援。

查詢補助表格，可上網Community Engagement Cabinet Announces The Mayor’s Youth Sports Grant | Boston.gov。

波士頓青少年委員會SPARK 7月5日截止新年度委員申請

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR THE 2024-2025 SPARK BOSTON COUNCIL

BOSTON - Thursday, May 30, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced applications for the 2024-2025 SPARK Boston Council are now open and available online. The SPARK Boston Council is a volunteer leadership and civic engagement council made up of 20 to 35 year olds charged with spearheading the City's efforts to engage Boston's young adults. Applications are due Friday, July 5, 2024. “SPARK Boston is an invaluable way to get involved in city government and have your voice heard about the top issues impacting you and your peers,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I look forward to getting to know the new SPARK Boston Council, and thank the outgoing one for their hard work in representing all corners of our city.” Under the direction of the SPARK Boston Director Aidan McDonough, the 2024-2025 Council will create programming and advise Boston's leaders to help the city grow as an inviting, connected, culturally rich, and sustainable home for young adults. Throughout the SPARK Boston Council term, participants hear from key members of the Mayor's administration, leaders within City Hall, and community organizations about topics like climate resilience, education, housing, nightlife, and civic innovation. “SPARK Boston is an opportunity for young adults interested in getting more civically involved and engaged in our local government process of helping Boston residents,” said SPARK Boston Director Aidan McDonough. “By applying for the SPARK Council you are gaining a network of like minded peers and will be in rooms with decision makers and shakers who work towards creating a better Boston for everyone!” Past council members have come from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds including public service, higher education, and scientific research. The SPARK Council meets on the first Monday of each month. Council members are encouraged to attend one community meeting and one SPARK event or subcommittee meeting a month. Applicants must reside in Boston, and be willing to commit 15 hours monthly to the SPARK Boston program. SPARK Boston and its previous iteration ONEin3 have now been serving young adults and the City of Boston for over 18 years.  “SPARK Boston Council members are changemakers in our city. I am so proud of the work of our current Council for their leadership this year,” said Chief of Community Engagement Brianna Millor. “If you are a young adult and interested in deepening your service within Boston, I encourage you to apply to become a member of the 2024-2025 SPARK Boston Council.” The 2023-2024 SPARK Council will be continuing their work through the end of their term this August, but have already taken part in several opportunities including attending Mayor Wu’s State of the City, volunteering during the Office of Civic Organizing’s Civic Summit, and organizing thousands of toys for Toys for Tots. The 2023-2024 council has continued legacy & signature programming such as: Neighborhood Socials, which are events designed to bring City Hall staff and local leaders into spaces young people already patronize; Chief Chats, fireside discussions with cabinet leadership; and Pint with a Planner, an event series in partnership with the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA). “If you’re looking to grow your perspective and meet people you would otherwise not, then SPARK Boston is for you,” said Samantha Montaño, State Representative and SPARK Boston alum. "I had an amazing experience learning from my cohort and seeing our city through their eyes. If I had the opportunity to rejoin, I would definitely do it again!”  “SPARK Boston provides members with opportunities to engage with civic leaders including reconnecting with alumni,” said Long Tong, current SPARK council member. “The most impactful activity I worked on was coming up with a way to create voter turnout maps of Boston which allowed residents to see how engaged each neighborhood of Boston is with the City, and how engaged the City should be with each neighborhood of Boston.”  ABOUT SPARK BOSTON SPARK Boston is housed in the Mayor’s Community Engagement Cabinet. This office is responsible for advising Mayor Wu on issues affecting millennial and gen-z populations and working with City departments and community stakeholders to create innovative solutions. The Council meets monthly with City Hall leaders and creates free programming for their peers and Boston residents including voter resources, events highlighting the City’s on-going initiatives, and professional and social networking opportunities across Boston’s many neighborhoods.  For more information on SPARK Boston programming and initiatives, please visit boston.gov/sparkboston.

麻州地鐵贏得6700萬元聯邦補助改善綠線殘障人士服務

 MBTA Wins $67 Million Federal Grant to Improve Green Line Accessibility for People with Disabilities  

BROOKLINE – The Healey-Driscoll Administration is celebrating a $67 million federal grant awarded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to improve accessibility for passengers on the Green Line. The funding comes from the All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden in 2021. ASAP funds projects that upgrade older transit-systems to make them accessible to people with disabilities or limited mobility. The project will make fully accessible 14 ground-level stops along the B and C branches of the Green Line in the neighborhoods of Allston, Brighton, and Brookline.  

Governor Maura Healey, Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt, MBTA General Manager Phil Eng and Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey celebrated the award at the Brookline Town Hall. They were joined by Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Ed Markey, Federal Transit Administration Regional Administrator Peter Butler, Brookline Town Administrator Chas Carey, City of Boston Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin Hodge, other elected officials, advocates and riders. 

"This funding will be transformational for improving accessibility to the Green Line and the ridership experience for all passengers," said Governor Healey. "A critical part of modernizing and improving our historic transit system is ensuring that every rider is able to use the system with ease and comfort. These federal awards are critical to our efforts to make the upgrades necessary to deliver this for our residents. We’re grateful to President Biden, our partners at the Federal Transit Administration, and our Congressional delegation for supporting this work here in Massachusetts."   

"This is an exciting step forward in carrying out our administration's commitment to providing equitable, accessible public transportation for all riders," said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. "This funding will be a game changer for making critically important changes to 14 MBTA stops to bring them into ADA-compliance and ensure passengers with disabilities or limited mobility can access them. Thank you to all of our federal partners for helping us advance our goals."   

The Green Line is the nation’s oldest light rail subway line and serves more than 70 stations with an average weekday ridership of more than 100,000 in the Boston area. Nearly all of these Green Line stations were built before the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the proposed project will support the MBTA’s effort to ensure equity across the transit system by making the stations fully accessible to people with disabilities or limited mobility.  

This project will make the 14 B and C branch stops more accessible by raising platforms to remove the current 14-inch step that makes boarding and alighting at these stops difficult or impossible for passengers with disabilities, elderly riders, and people with strollers or carts. The requested project will also widen, level, and illuminate the platforms to ensure safe and accessible navigation for all riders, including those who use wheeled mobility devices.  

“The MBTA has made great strides in improving accessibility, and we are deeply committed to building a fully accessible system,” said MBTA General Manager Eng. “The Green Line’s street-level stops are some of the most challenging segments of the system for riders with disabilities to traverse. This critical funding allows us to enhance safety for all with vital improvements and upgrades to five B Branch and nine C branch stops so they can be easily accessed by riders of all abilities. Under the leadership of Governor Healey and her Administration, we are aggressively pursuing federal funding grants where available. Thank you to our federal and state partners within the Biden Administration, the FTA, the delegation, and our dedicated Planning and System-wide Accessibility team at the MBTA for making these advancements possible.”  

 “A successful transportation system is one which allows everyone the freedom of unimpeded mobility, said Transportation Secretary Tibbits-Nutt. “We are grateful to the Biden Administration, FTA officials, and our congressional delegation for the $67 million grant which will help the MBTA make 14 station stops ADA-compliant leading to profound improvements for riders on the B and C branches of the Green Line.” 

“I am absolutely thrilled that the MBTA has received this award to make necessary upgrades to the Green Line. The award demonstrates the critical importance of federal funds to our state’s strategy for meeting our transportation goals and improving the lives of residents,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “Thank you to President Biden, Secretary Buttigieg, Acting Administrator Vanderpool, and all of our federal partners for supporting our efforts to make a more accessible, equitable transit system in Massachusetts.” 

This announcement is the most recent in a series of federal funding awards granted to Massachusetts since the Healey-Driscoll Administration launched a whole-of-government strategy to compete for federal dollars. The Administration has successfully won more than $1 billion in discretionary grants for transportation projects, including: $335 million to reconnect communities and increase mobility through the Allston I-90 Multimodal Project, $372 million for the replacement of the Cape Cod Canal bridges, $108 million for West-East Rail, $33 million for schools to electrify their bus fleets, and $24 million to rehabilitate Leonard’s Wharf in New Bedford.  

The MBTA is actively working to improve accessibility throughout the system, and the ASAP investment celebrated today builds on several recent investments made at the MBTA, including: 

Freestanding mini-high platforms at select inaccessible Commuter Rail stations: Over the past year, the MBTA has successfully developed an innovative design for freestanding mini-high structures that will provide level boarding on existing low-level platforms at select Commuter Rail stations. Wellesley Square on the Framingham/Worcester Line, West Medford on the Lowell Line, and Franklin and Walpole on the Franklin/Foxboro Line will be the first four Commuter Rail platforms to receive these accessibility upgrades by the beginning of 2025 with funding secured to begin design efforts for similar accessibility upgrades at Wakefield and Wyoming Hill on the Haverhill Line, Concord and Lincoln on the Fitchburg Line, and Endicott on the Franklin/Foxboro Line.  

2023 ASAP Funding at Symphony Station on the Green Line’s E Branch: The MBTA was awarded over $66 million in federal funding for accessibility improvements at Symphony station. Symphony was constructed in 1941 and is one of downtown Boston’s last inaccessible underground Green Line stations. The funding comes as part of the FTA’s FY22 ASAP funding, which was the first round of the competitive grant program and will allow for the construction of redundant elevators serving the inbound and outbound platforms. The project is now out for bid.  

New Elevators with Several in Construction: Over the last decade, the T has constructed over 75 new elevators with an additional 50 in the pipeline.  

Best-in-Class Employee Trainings on Accessible Service: New trainings for frontline employees focused on how to provide best-in-class accessible service have been recently deployed and a number of innovative solutions to long-standing accessibility challenges will be piloted in the coming year – including indoor wayfinding technology for blind/low vision users. 

Access in Motion: In September 2023, the MBTA launched “Access in Motion,” a pioneering marketing campaign raising awareness of accessibility features and their benefits for all riders. 

Additional Transit Ambassadors: In July 2023, a new contract related to providing in-station customer assistance via Transit Ambassadors went into effect, and staffing levels were scaled up. As part of the new contract in an effort to better support both riders navigating throughout subway stations and Transit Ambassadors assisting riders living with disabilities, a full revision of the accessibility training module for Transit Ambassadors was completed and incorporated into the new-hire training program in March 2023. All Transit Ambassadors completed this new training as of July 2023. 

文協國樂團「雅韻風華」慶40週年 潘台春交棒 楊信宜接任團長

文協國樂團40週年慶謝幕。(周菊子攝)

              (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 大波士頓中華文化協會國樂團走過40年「雅韻風華」，5月26日晚以一場歷屆團員回歸，超時演出，滿是甜蜜感謝的音樂會，敲響改朝換代鐘聲。潘台春、歐陽東美把國樂團，青少年國樂團的團長重任，交棒給楊信宜，閆露。

潘台春、歐陽東美40年篳路藍縷經營國樂團。(周菊子攝)

              這場音樂會涵蓋40年精選，有民謠、流行歌的16首曲目，從打擊樂團幾人演奏的「喜慶鑼鼓」，到所有團員，前團员，特邀嘉賓三十餘人齊奏的「鬧新春」及「風雲際會」，由樂團指揮陳志新帶領，一連演奏3個多小時，每曲一落，掌聲立響，場面感人。

楊信宜(左)接任文協國樂團團長和樂團指揮丈夫陳志新。(周菊子攝)

              文協國樂團的客席音樂家林湛濤、高宏偉、和甄若矛，以及特地從德州、加州、康州等地趕回麻州來的陳宏林、劉健，林安琪及本地前團員梅雪藍、黎德高、徐衍峰、李羽藍、朱同羽、朱同桐、陳曉嶧、崔晨、陳文剛、陳世永、夏耘等共17人，在最後2曲時一起上台，参加落幕大合奏演出的聲勢，極為壯觀。

潘台春(右起)在台上介紹，楊信宜、閆露，依序將接任
文協國樂團，文協青少年國樂團的團長重任。左圖歐陽東美。(周菊子攝)

              遠在臺灣的馬光華等9名前團員，透過視頻，和郭漢渝、宋修勤、潘杰等從加州、賓州趕到現場前團員，以及與會觀衆寒暄，問好，對樂團的懷念之情，溢於言表。其中一名十九年前已年屆77岁，後遷往亞利桑那州的洋人老太太Ebba Andersen，一位洋人教授的前團員Luc Longpre，也都來網上參加盛會，更是讓人看到文協國樂團的向心力。

                          潘台春慨言，文協國樂團的創辦篳路藍縷，最早從彈古箏的歐陽東美和吹笛子的他，共七、八人，在麻省理工學院成立國樂團。輾轉換練習場地，最後團名底定為大波士頓中華文化協會國樂團。西元2000年時，既為傳承，也是擴展，又成立了青少年國樂團，最高峰時期，青少年團員就有30多人，被認可為全美最早成立的青少年國樂團之一。

潘台春(中)、歐陽東美感謝3位客座音樂家多年來和該團合作教學、演出。
(周菊子攝)

              歐陽東美指出，該團能堅持四十年，全靠團員投入，家長付出，樂團有如大家庭，即使青少年團員畢業了，家長們也都一直回團裡幫忙，享受那種彼此真誠關愛的感覺。

                           潘台春、歐陽東美選在四十週年交棒，期待楊信宜，閆露這2名新一代團長，把文協國樂團和青少年國樂團翻出新篇章。     (僑務電子報:    https://ocacnews.net/article/370457?cid=2 )

歐陽東美向波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮感謝僑委會的支持。(周菊子攝)

潘台春介紹回來參加演出的前團員。(周菊子攝)

潘台春(右起)介紹參加演出的客座音樂家林湛濤，甄若茅、高宏偉，
前團員陳世文等人。(周菊子攝)

大波士頓中國文化協會(GBCCA)會長梅靜蘭(左)和文協青少年國樂團
團長歐陽東美頒獎給陳曉偉(Max Raffel)(左二)，王晨旭(Leo Wang)(右二)，
感謝他們對樂團的貢獻。(周菊子攝)

已遷居加州的前團員劉健(右)特地回麻州參加演出。他母親(左)這天也一起來。 (周菊子攝)

文協國樂團演奏。(周菊子攝)

現場觀眾中有許多人陪著文協國樂團走過40年。 (周菊子攝)

文協雲鶴社創辦人薛正旋(左起)、湯耀武夫婦和牙醫師李台、陳翠伶夫婦，
都是文協國樂團的長年支持者。(周菊子攝)

波士頓市2024將表揚30家傳統企業 華埠美心餅家獲獎

(Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓市今(29) 日宣佈市內19個鄰里中的30家企業，獲得2024年傳統企業獎，市府訂6月4日(週二)下午5點半，舉行頒獎典禮。華埠的美心餅家是得獎企業之一。 今年是波士頓市府第二度舉辦傳統企業獎，由波士頓市經濟機會及包容辦公室承辦，共有1561家企業獲得提名，經市府依據參選企業必須座落在波士頓市內，並已營業10年以上的條件審核，共有276家企業符合資格。 獲提名的企業由波士頓市議會，以及包括市府各部門，波士頓主街所選出來的委員會進行評審，並以社區支持程度給分。 贏得傳統企業獎的這30家企業，除了將應邀參加頒獎典禮，接受表揚之外，還將獲得贈款，以及技術支援。 MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES THE 2024 LEGACY BUSINESS PROGRAM AWARD WINNERS

BOSTON - Wednesday, May 29, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the winners of the 2024 Legacy Business Awards, a group of 30 businesses representing 19 of Boston’s neighborhoods, and, as a collective, have been in business for 1,281 years. The awardees will receive recognition at a public awards ceremony on Tuesday, June 4th at 5:30pm. Awardees will have access to grant support and technical assistance. This is the second year of the Legacy Business Program. Awarded businesses are longstanding, independent enterprises that make a strong contribution to the residents, communities, and neighborhoods of Boston. By recognizing and supporting Legacy businesses on an annual basis, this program helps further Mayor Wu’s vision for a family-friendly, vibrant city with sustainable community businesses. “Our legacy businesses are anchors in our communities. They connect residents with resources, and expand access to opportunity for families across Boston,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m thrilled to announce the second class of Legacy Business awardees who uplift communities across our city. Congratulations to our 30 newly selected legacy businesses and we look forward to supporting you all in the years ahead!” This year, the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion received 1,561 nominations. In total, community members nominated 276 qualified businesses. To be eligible, businesses need to be located in Boston and be in operation for at least 10 years.  The nominations were reviewed by the City Council, and selected by a committee that included representatives from City departments, and Boston Main Streets. Selections were based on application scoring and community support. The committee ensured that the list was representative of Boston by industry, neighborhood, gender, and race. “I am proud to continue this hallmark initiative of Mayor Wu that invites residents across the city to honor the commitment, investment, and impact that small business owners have made in our communities for decades,” said Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. “Because of the work of our Small Business Team, this initiative continues to ensure the stability of these community bedrocks for generations to come.”  The list of awardees is as follows: Akiki Auto Repair, Hyde Park Alex's Chimis, Jamaica Plain Anshur Restaurant, Roxbury Brendan Behan Pub, Jamaica Plain Broadway Lock Company, Inc., South Boston Charles Street Supply Co. & Hardware, Beacon Hill Cornwall’s, Fenway Daniel’s Bakery, Brighton Dorchester Reporter, Dorchester El Mundo Boston, East Boston Family Hardware Corp., Dorchester Flint Cleaners, Allston Frugal Bookstore, Roxbury Gloria's Beauty Center, Allston House of Culture, South End Kids R Kids, West Roxbury Lawson's Barber Shop, Roxbury Mei Sum Bakery, Chinatown Mike's Donuts, Mission Hill Parziale's Bakery, North End Restaurante Cesaria, Dorchester Rosa’s Liquors, Dorchester Sanchez Market, Charlestown Sophia's Grotto, Roslindale Tony’s Market, Roslindale Trident Booksellers & Cafe, Back Bay Vaughn Fish & Chips, Dorchester Walnut Deluxe Cleaners and Tailors, Dorchester West Roxbury Framing, West Roxbury William Browne & Sons, Mattapan "Over the past 16 years, the Roxbury community has told us numerous times how appreciative they are to have a bookstore in their community. A bookstore that is an immediate reflection of who they are, and their experiences, dreams, and current ideas,” said Leonard and Clarissa Egerton, owners of Frugal Bookstore. “It is beautiful to be recognized by the City of Boston, where we grew up. And to have the Legacy Business Award given to us is a further indication of our community's commitment to our longevity. We are deeply honored." “We are thrilled to be recognized by the City of Boston and the Roslindale Community as a Legacy Business,” said Deb and Tony DeBenedictis, owners of Tony’s Market. “After celebrating our 60th anniversary in business this year, we are so hopeful about the continued growth of our community and look forward to the support and visibility that comes with this award.” “This year’s 30 Legacy Business winners represent businesses that are staples in our communities and part of Boston’s rich history,” said Aliesha Porcena, Director of Small Business. “This program is designed to provide continued support and services to the winners, and other small businesses throughout the city. I look forward to working with local partners to ensure these businesses continue to thrive." On Tuesday, June 4 at 5:30pm, the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion will honor the businesses at an Awards Ceremony and Reception. Mayor Wu, elected officials, City of Boston staff, and members of the Boston community will be in attendance at this public event, taking place at the Calderwood Pavilion. Those interested can register for the event here

麻州政府撥款17萬元給2大專院校加強培訓多元化及行為健康人才

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Middlesex Community College and UMass Boston $170,000 to Strengthen and Diversify the Behavioral Health Workforce   

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that the Department of Higher Education is awarding grants to two public campuses in Massachusetts for efforts to strengthen and diversify the behavioral health workforce. Through grants of $70,000 to Middlesex Community College and $100,000 and the University of Massachusetts – Boston, the institutions will partner with behavioral health providers to promote workforce training, assess the behavioral health education landscape, and plan for growth and diversification in the workforce.   

“As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, we owe many thanks to our behavioral health professionals,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration is working in partnership with the Legislature to grow and diversify the behavioral health workforce to support our hardworking providers and make sure Massachusetts residents get the high-quality care they deserve.”  

“We’re proud to support the pipeline of behavioral health professionals in Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We need more qualified professionals in the behavioral health field who represent the diversity of the communities they serve, and these programs will help us advance in those goals.”  

The behavioral health grant program will help to ensure a culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse mental and behavioral health workforce, serving patients who need support in areas such as mental health diagnoses, physical and emotional trauma and addiction. This funding is intended to promote immediate workforce training responses in critical and actionable areas of need, while also launching a broader assessment of the landscape and which capabilities and gaps exist.    

“We must do the crucial work of understanding who our current behavioral health workforce is serving and where there are barriers to accessing effective care,” said Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler. “I am pleased to see two of our public institutions receiving funding to help us learn where the gaps in behavioral health care are, allowing us to be intentional about growing the workforce in a way that truly meets the needs of Massachusetts.”   

“Across our state, behavioral health providers are facing unprecedented challenges recruiting and retaining the staff they need,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. “Massachusetts residents deserve a quality, competent behavioral health workforce, and I’m so grateful our administration is making investments at the ground level to grow and sustain this talent.”  

“The COVID-19 pandemic made clear that our communities need stronger mental health workforces that serve all who need care,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “Our public campuses are uniquely positioned to partner with local providers on addressing our behavioral health workforce needs, and I’m grateful that funds are available to advance this important work.”   

“Grants like these are essential to DMH and other mental health service providers in establishing different educational paths for a broad group of workforce to address long-term staffing and treatment needs,” said Department of Mental Health Commissioner Brooke Doyle. “We appreciate this effort to address staffing shortages and create a more diverse workforce, furthering our agency mission to provide, ‘Hope, Equity and Service’ for our staff and the people they serve.”  

UMass Boston will use the grant funds to launch Charting Paths: The MB-Health WEAVE Framework, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, healthcare provider organizations, and other academic institutions. The project aims to develop a comprehensive framework for behavioral health workforce planning.  

"As Boston's premier public research university, we are pleased to partner with the Healey-Driscoll Administration on creating a pipeline for a culturally competent behavioral health workforce. To adequately address the increased demand for behavioral health - especially with our young people - we need more providers, and I am proud UMass Boston is taking a leadership role with joining the Healey-Driscoll Administration,” said Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco.  

Middlesex Community College (MCC) plans to use the grant funds to expand its 16-credit Mental Health Peer Support Specialist (MHPSS) certificate program by adding a practicum experience in which 10 students will function as peer support professionals in human services environments.  

“Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Department of Education for the generous funding toward MCC’s Mental Health Peer Support Specialist program,” said Arlene Rodríguez, MCC’s Provost & Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs. “Middlesex understands the value that hands-on learning adds to a student’s education. This support will ensure students pursuing this path will gain the relevant experiences they need to be well-equipped to enter and transform the workforce.”   

“At Middlesex, we serve a diverse population of students who bring with them a rich variety of lived experiences and perspectives,” said Matthew Olson, MCC’s Associate Provost of Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives. “With MCC’s comprehensive and interactive learning opportunities, these students not only strengthen the workforce, but make mental health resources more accessible to people who have historically been underserved.”   

“For years, the Senate has been working to increase access to quality mental and behavioral health care, and one of the biggest challenges in doing so has been a shortage of behavioral health care workers,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I am thrilled to see the Healey-Driscoll Administration direct these investments to support the development of a robust, diverse and culturally competent behavioral health care workforce. Not only will this help to meet our health care goals, we will be creating pathways for high-demand jobs for graduates.”  

“The importance of supporting behavioral health care is revealed to us more and more each day,” said House Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education Dave Rogers. “The grants provided today to Middlesex Community College and the University of Massachusetts – Boston offer such support and also were created with the importance of equity and diversity in mind. I applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration for making these grants and look forward to our continued collaboration to invest in the behavioral health workforce.”    

"One of our Commonwealth’s greatest challenges is that we simply do not have enough providers working in the behavioral health space to meet the needs of our most vulnerable residents,” said Senator John Velis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. “Building up a diverse workforce has been a priority of the Senate since the introduction of the Mental Health ABC Act, and I am beyond thrilled and grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s for their leadership on this critical issue today. These grants awarded by the Administration will not only help diversify our workforce pipeline but will also help identify any other gaps in our workforce so that we can address them together." 

“In FY24, the House of Representatives appropriated funding to support a mental health workforce pipeline program to encourage a culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse behavioral health workforce through collaboration between colleges and behavioral health providers,” said State Representative Adrian Madaro, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. “Today, I’m thrilled to see the Healey-Driscoll administration implement these investments to help train and prepare the next generation of mental and behavioral health providers.” 

昆士市華裔男子詐騙銀行逾百萬元 法官判入獄2年

            (Boston Orange 編譯) 昆士居民Hui Zhang犯詐欺罪，存進銀行逾百萬元的假支票。美國地區法院法官Myong J. Joun在5月28日判他入獄兩年，監管3年，第一年為居家監禁，並須賠償103萬餘元。

                                現年42歲的Hui Zhang在今年3月認罪。

                                麻州美國檢察官辦公室指稱，在2020年6月至2022年5月之間，Hui Zhang以假身份開設銀行戶口，並以電子存款方式，存進大約114張偽造支票，總額逾百萬元。這些假支票是從一家波士頓的零售商那而來的。他存了支票後，經由提款機，從這些銀行帳戶提取了數十萬元。4

                                        2017年，張某曾因偽造支票等罪被判緩刑。 2018年，再被人發現他持有各種偽造信用卡、假身分證後，因身份詐欺罪被判入獄兩年。

                                此案由美國代理檢察官約書亞·利維 (Joshua S. Levy) 和聯邦調查局波士頓分部主管特工喬迪·科恩 (Jodi Cohen) 在5月28日宣佈，美國助理檢察官兼刑事司司長威廉·F·阿貝利 (William F. Abely) 起訴

波士頓大陳同鄉會慶40週年 明年組團紀念遷台70週年

部分出席大陳同鄉合影。前排右起，張韻蘭、吳孟啟(前右三起)，
梁景華、周仙梅、馬滌凡(前左一)等人。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓大陳同鄉會5月26日中午，匯聚百名嘉賓、鄉親，在華埠新月宮餐廳慶祝創會40週年。會長梁娜玲預告明年2月8日，大陳同鄉將在板橋舉辦遷台70週年聚會，計畫接著組團參訪大陳島。

              大陳同鄉創會會長周仙海(梅)憶述，該會是1983年波士頓台北經文事處處長林水吉時期成立的。經接任的張文忠處長提醒，他們在1990年12月正式註冊成麻州社團。

大陳同鄉會創會元老，右起，梁開雲，梁景華，吳孟啟，
梁自由，周仙海(梅)。(周菊子攝)

              40年來，該會從周仙海(梅)、吳繼福、毛再揚，鮑士玉到梁娜玲，共有5名會長，加上第二、第三代，約400餘會員。前會長中的吳繼福當天人在臺灣，毛再揚已回臺灣定居，鮑士玉則是從新罕布夏州搬到了亞特蘭大定居。

大陳同鄉會會長梁娜玲 (後左起)、鍾瑪麗，張雪娥，馬滌凡，蔣繼美，
潘昭榮等人祝賀游勝雄抽到當的最大獎，龍形美酒一樽。(周菊子攝

                     剛過80歲生日的周仙海透露，隨著時光流逝，大陳同鄉陸續退休，下一代又不願意接手餐廳，去年在阿靈頓的「上海邨」關門後，大波士頓就只剩下一家大陳同鄉餐廳了。吳孟啟在Winchester經營的「中天 (China Sky)」，由於兒子不願接手，也面對著後繼無人的煩惱。

在大波士頓和大陳同鄉淵源最深的游勝雄及張雪娥夫婦，馬滌凡和蔣繼美夫婦，這天都應邀出席，發表感言。

會長梁娜玲(左二)請五、六月份的壽星一起接受生日歌祝賀。(周菊子攝)

                     游勝雄1976年開始在大波士頓開餐廳，請的第二位大廚就是周仙梅。近年已改行經營商業房地產的游勝雄，當年在高峰時期，曾同時開設8家餐廳，員工幾乎全是大陳同鄉。他感謝大陳同鄉當年協助他經營餐館，大陳同鄉們則感謝游勝雄當年在他們初來乍到波士頓時，提供了工作機會，安定了生活。現任會長梁娜玲的父母，當年也曾經在游勝雄的餐廳中打工。

僑教中心主任潘昭榮稱許大陳同鄉會梁娜玲會長(右)能力超強。

                    馬滌凡則是因為經營吉利進出口公司，幾乎和所有的大陳同鄉當年都打過交道。她笑說當天在座的大陳同鄉，有90%都是她的客戶，一進門就開始打招呼，老中青三代，見到那麼多老朋友，實在讓人很激動。

紐英崙中華公所，波士頓國民黨，波士頓榮光會這天依序在主席雷國輝，常委張韻蘭，理事長鄭增壽率領中，各派出了一桌代表到賀。

波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮稱許梁娜玲會長能力超強，把慶祝會辦得那麼熱鬧。他說，期待以後的大陳同鄉聚會都聲勢那麼壯大。 (更新版)

紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝(右起)和中華公所董事們到賀。依序為陳秀珍，
余麗媖，周萬欽，陳余寶愛，翁宇才，陳建立，陳黃海藍，余立昌。(周菊子攝)

波士頓大陳同鄉會的臉書網頁為https://www.facebook.com/p/%E5%A4%A7%E9%99%B3%E5%90%8C%E9%84%89%E6%9C%83%E6%B3%A2%E5%A3%AB%E9%A0%93-100075757906730/?_rdr。

僑教中心主任潘昭榮(右起)和大陳同鄉會創會會長周仙海(梅)，張小慧，
大陳同鄉會現任會長梁娜玲，馮文鸞，游勝雄和張雪娥夫婦，馬滌凡、蔣繼美
夫婦合影。(周菊子攝)

國民黨波士頓常委張韻蘭(前左)，前常委李伍綺蓮(前右起)、
江文玲、袁建業夫婦等人一起參加大陳同鄉會40週年慶。(周菊子攝)

波士頓榮光會理事長鄭增壽(中)和張明燦(右二)、楊思聖(右一)

大陳同鄉會創會會長周仙海(梅)(左)慶幸該會有梁娜玲撐大局。
(周菊子攝)