中華表演藝術基金會夏日系列音樂會圓滿落幕。傅聰國際協奏曲比賽Kevin Ahfat奪冠

（中華表演藝術基金會提供，謝開明攝）

             (Boston Orange)中華表演藝術基金會的2025夏日系列音樂會，8月23日晚在傅聰國際協奏曲比賽冠軍Kevin Ahfat和余建寧(Channing Yu)指揮水星交響樂團，合奏拉威尔 (Ravel) 最出名作品之一《左手鋼琴協奏曲》，全場觀眾起立致意，掌聲久久不歇中畫下圓滿句點。

余建寧與水星交響樂團謝幕。（中華表演藝術基金會提供，謝開明攝）

傅聰國際協奏曲比賽冠軍 Kevin Ahfat，2018年時曾被加拿大廣播公司（CBC Music）評為「30位30歲以下最炙手可熱的加拿大古典音樂家」之一。《西雅圖時報》稱他為“舞台表現力與技術技巧並存的藝術家”，《先鋒西雅圖》形容他是“有望成為古典鋼琴界新生代代表”。《音樂美國》指他“表現力與技巧完美平衡”，《美國唱片指南》更說他 “在大段落中能爆發出雷霆般能量，但更注重音樂性而非炫技”。

音樂會結束後，聽眾擠到後台，耐心排隊的一一向表演者致意。許多人盛讚Kevin Ahfat 的音樂演繹，驚人的好，曾獲指揮獎的余建寧，指揮出灑脫新境界。

2025年的傅聰國際協奏曲比賽，先由 Anton Nel、Angel Ramon Rivera、孔嘉寧、安寧、應天峰等人藉視頻評審，從來自澳洲、加拿大、中國和美國，年齡低於 35歲的參賽者中選出八人進入半決賽，再於8月16及17日在波士頓新英格蘭音樂學院以每人表演20分鐘獨奏曲目，7分鐘樂團片段做現場複賽與決賽。

Marc-Andre Hamelin、Michael Lewin、Sergey Schepkin、Wha-Kyung Byun、余建寧等評審，最後選出Kevin Ahfat (加拿大）， Xiaoya Wan (中國)，以及 Yide Peter Shi (中國)，依序得冠亞季軍，以及獎金5千、2千、1千美元。

2025的夏日系列音樂會，共安排有15場免費演出，包括大、中、小提琴、及鋼琴、由23位音樂家以獨奏、雙重奏、四重奏方式演出。

這23位傑出音樂家，都已在世界樂壇上展露才華。他們是來自新英格蘭音樂學院、茱莉亞音樂學院、卡內基美隆大學、佛羅里達大學、波士頓音樂學院的教授們，以及艾弗里·費舍爾職業獎（Avery Fisher Career Grant），瑙姆堡 (Naumburg)獎，梅紐因、範克萊本、克利夫蘭、維尼亞夫斯基、帕格尼尼、埃特林根、托馬斯、埃文庫珀、傅聰國際等大賽的獲勝者，又或者是皇家音樂學院，音樂會藝術家協會，波士頓交響樂團及紐約愛樂交響樂團的成員。他們這些音樂家大都是茱莉亞、新英格蘭等著名音樂學院，或是新英格蘭音樂學院與哈佛大學雙重學位的音樂藝術博士或藝術家文憑 (Artist Diploma)畢業生或在學生。

波士顿音樂評論 (The Boston Musical Intelligencer）在音樂會系列開始前就刊登專文介紹，並針對15場精彩演出，發表了由7位音樂評論家撰寫的9篇樂評，全都高度讚揚每場演出。

15場夏日系列音樂會的演出者介紹和曲目詳請，已公佈在中華表演藝術基金會的官網上，https://www.chineseperformingarts.net/contents/summer/2025/index.html，  每場音樂會的視頻，也將很快在基金會的 YouTube 頻道上發佈，供各界欣賞。

波士頓市選務局公佈初選相關事宜 9/9投票

 CITY OF BOSTON ELECTION DEPARTMENT ISSUES REMINDERS AHEAD OF PRELIMINARY MUNICIPAL ELECTION

Early voting will take place at sites throughout the city tomorrow until Friday, September 5.

BOSTON - Friday, August 29, 2025  - The Boston Election Department is reminding voters that Preliminary Municipal Election Day is Tuesday, September 9, 2025. This election will determine the field of candidates whose names will appear on the official ballot for the General Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. 

Voters will determine the top two candidates for the office of Mayor, the top two candidates for each District City Councilor race (where applicable), and the top eight candidates for At-Large City Councilor. There will be no preliminary municipal election for District City Council in Districts 3, 6, 8, and 9.

Voter Registration

The voter registration deadline for the September 9 Preliminary Municipal Election is tomorrow, Saturday, August 30.

Voters may register:

• In person: At the Boston Election Department, 1 City Hall Square, Room 241, Boston, MA 02201, by Saturday, August 30, 5:00 p.m.
• Online: At voteinma.com by Saturday, August 30, 11:59 p.m.
• By mail: Registration forms must be postmarked by August 30

In-Person Early Voting

In-person early voting will run from Saturday, August 30 through Friday, September 5, except on Monday, September 1 (Labor Day). Voters may vote at any Early Voting location throughout the city. Any registered Boston voter can vote at any early voting location. You don’t need an excuse or reason to vote early. 

Boston City Hall will serve as the primary early voting site, with voting on:

• Tuesday, September 2 and Thursday, September 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 
• Wednesday, September 3 and Friday, September 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Voters are encouraged to enter City Hall using the North side entrance on Congress Street (across from Haymarket T-Station). 

Additional early voting locations are available in neighborhoods throughout the city on the following dates:

• Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 
• Tuesday, September 2, and Thursday, September 4 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 
• View a full list of early voting locations.

All early voting sites are equipped with electronic poll books for voter check-in. Early voting locations are well-staffed with poll workers and interpreters. All sites are fully accessible to voters with disabilities.

Vote By Mail Application

The vote by mail application deadline is Tuesday, September 2 at 5:00 p.m. Voters may apply for a vote by mail ballot through the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website, by visiting the Election Department in room 241 at City Hall, or by mailing an application.  

Absentee Voting

Absentee voting is available to voters who are unable to vote in person on Election Day due to being absent from the City during voting hours, a physical disability and can't get to the voting location, and religious beliefs. 

The in-person absentee voting deadline is Monday, September 8 at 12:00 p.m. 

All applications for mail-in ballots must reach the Election Department by 5:00 p.m. on September 2.

Ballot Return

Voters who planned to return their ballots by U.S. Mail and have not mailed their ballots within one week of Election Day are encouraged to return their ballots through other means, to ensure they will be counted. Ballot packages must be received by the Boston Election Department no later than 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

Voters may return their ballots until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day to any of the 22 drop boxes across the City or in person at the Election Department in City Hall. 

Ballots cannot be returned to a polling location on Election Day.

Voters can track their ballot through the state's website here. If there is no movement indicated in the “Track My Ballot” system, voters should plan to vote in person on Election Day at their assigned precinct. Check your polling location/status here.

Accessible Voting

The Accessible Electronic Voting System allows voters who are unable to independently read, write, hold, or physically manipulate or mark ballots to submit their ballot via a secure electronic delivery system. Voters who qualify for an Accessible Electronic Ballot may apply online. The deadline to apply for an accessible ballot is Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. To get access to the electronic ballot, you will need to provide your email address.

Voting On Election Day

Polling locations open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. A list of polling locations can be found here. As a reminder, voters should check their registration status via the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website. Printed ballots will be available in English and Spanish, English and Chinese, and English and Vietnamese. Language interpreters will also be available upon request. All voting locations are wheelchair accessible and are equipped with an AutoMark Voter Assist Terminal for voters with disabilities to assist with marking the ballot independently.

Poll Pads Electronic Check-in

The Boston Election Department is expanding the use of Poll Pads electronic check-in devices across all 275 precincts for voter check-in on Election Day. This upgrade will speed up the check-in process and enhance communication with the Election Department.

While Poll Pads are new to Election Day, they have been used successfully during Early Voting since 2016. The voting process for voters remains the same: you will check in with a poll worker, receive a paper ballot, mark your vote, and cast it as usual.

Central Tabulation

On Monday, September 1, 2025, the City of Boston will begin removing Preliminary Municipal Election mail-in and in-person early voted ballots for all 275 precincts from their envelopes and depositing these ballots into a tabulator in Boston City Hall located at One City Hall Square, Room 801, Boston, MA 02201. 

Only ballots received prior to Friday, September 5, 2025 will be removed and deposited in Room 801.

Advance Processing Schedule

Ballot removal and processing will occur daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., beginning on Monday, September 1st through Tuesday, September 9, 2025, with processing beginning at 7:00 a.m. on September 9 (if necessary) and continuing until all ballots have been processed.

• All ballots advance processed by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025, will be centrally tabulated.
• All other ballots received by 2:00 p.m. on Election Day (Tuesday, September 9, 2025) will be delivered to their respective precinct for processing.
• Ballots received after 2:00 p.m. on Election Day will be processed after the close of polls at 8:00 p.m., once the voter lists from each precinct have been received by the Elections Department.

Unofficial Results

After polls close at 8:00 p.m., the Election Department will receive and upload unofficial results of ballots counted at polling places as they are returned from each precinct. Poll workers need time to tally election results and transport materials from polling places to City Hall. Uploading of election results may not begin until after 10:00 p.m.

The initial results reported on the website on election night will include:

• Ballots cast in person on election day;
• Early voting and mail-in ballots, including those from precincts being centrally tabulated at the City Hall central tabulation facility.

The unofficial results uploaded to www.boston.gov/election on election night will NOT include mail and absentee ballots that arrive on time on election day, but are too late to be sent to polling locations to be counted. These ballots will be processed after the close of polls at 8:00 p.m., once the voter lists from each precinct have been received by the Elections Department.

Media Guidelines

Where To Stand

Members of the press must remain behind the guardrail. While many polling places are not equipped with a physical guardrail, the area within the “guardrail” encompasses the check-in table, the voting booths, and the ballot box. Only poll workers and voters should be within this area.

Interacting With Voters and Poll Workers

Members of the press, like all other observers in the polling place, may not interact with voters while they are in the polling place. Further, observers who have questions about where they should stand and what they are allowed to do while observing should ask to speak to the warden. The warden may provide members of the press with information regarding their rights as observers.

Photography

Photography of the voting process in the polling place is permitted, though marked ballots may not be photographed. Photographers are allowed inside the polling place to photograph the area from outside the guardrail. The warden may instruct the photographer not to take photos of any marked ballots.

Video and Audio Recording

As with photography of the polling place, video recording of the polling place is allowed. Audio recording of the polling place is not permitted under state law. Anyone recording in the polling place must have the ability to record without capturing audio and should be instructed to do so by the warden. Those who are using electronic equipment may not use the electricity in the polling place to power their equipment.

Exit Polling

Exit polling and interviews of voters are permitted outside the polling place, within 150 feet or more of the entrance to the polling place, but only those voters who are leaving the polling place should be stopped. Voter access to the polling place should not be impeded in any way.

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES CITY’S STUDENT MOVE-IN PREPARATIONS AND WELCOMES COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TO BOSTON

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES CITY’S STUDENT MOVE-IN PREPARATIONS AND WELCOMES COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TO BOSTON

City departments share preparations across Boston neighborhoods ahead of student move-in period

 

BOSTON - Friday, August 29, 2025 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced an update on the City's preparations and existing services as college and university students move in across Boston to ensure they have a smooth transition into their new homes and communities. A cross-departmental effort, Boston is sharing information on how to access City services, including 311, mattress pick up, inspections, BlueBikes, parking restrictions, proper disposal of waste and furniture to prevent rodents, and unique student perks. These City resources will help make Boston an accessible home for all students and new residents.

 

“The City of Boston is home to world-class colleges, universities, and institutions, made up by students who bring so much life to our City,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I am thankful for the comprehensive collaboration between all of the City workers and departments who came together to ensure access to safe housing and city services for Boston’s students as they enter a new school year. I am proud to make Boston a home for all of our students.”

 

“The Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services is excited to welcome new residents to Boston and engage with current constituents,” said Community Engagement Cabinet Chief Brianna Millor. “Our neighborhood liaisons will be distributing resident guides packed with information about city resources. We encourage all constituents to reach out to their neighborhood liaisons to help them navigate city services.”

 

New and current residents are encouraged to connect with Boston 311, the City’s 24-hour Constituent Service Center, to report non-emergency issues and get information. Boston 311 is free and available every day of the year by calling 3-1-1 (or 617-635-4500 from outside the city), visiting boston.gov/311, or downloading the BOS:311 app. The app, available in the IOS App Store and Google Play, allows users to report issues, upload photos, and track cases in real time. During student move-in, it also features a dedicated section to make reporting trash, recycling and street concerns easier.

 

The City’s Inspectional Services, Transportation, Office of Neighborhood Services, Fire, Police, and Public Works departments are conducting housing inspections upon request, trash inspections, and distributing informational brochures in neighborhoods with large student populations.

 

The Inspectional Services Department (ISD) will deploy over 50 inspectors throughout the neighborhoods heavily populated with students. Inspectors will conduct walkthroughs of areas heavily populated with students including but not limited to: Allston, Brighton, Back Bay, Fenway, Mission Hill, and Beacon Hill. While canvassing these areas, inspectors will distribute informational flyers, offer on the spot inspections, and answer questions related to city services.  

The City encourages students to avoid used furniture and to notify their landlord immediately in the event of a suspected infestation. In addition, information pertaining to rodent control can be found here and questions regarding the housing code can be found here. 

 

“On behalf of the City of Boston, I extend a warm welcome to all students joining our community. As you embark on this exciting chapter, we encourage you to be considerate neighbors by properly disposing of trash and maintaining a clean environment,” said Jessica Thomas, Inspectional Services Department Assistant Commissioner. “The Inspectional Services Department remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that every neighborhood is safe, sanitary, and code compliant. Together, through shared responsibility and respect for our communities, we can continue to make Boston a vibrant and welcoming city for all.”

 

The Boston Transportation Department will be implementing on-street parking restrictions on streets in Allston, Fenway, Mission Hill, and Roxbury to help provide parking spaces for vehicles being used by new residents and students moving into those areas. In these areas, ISD is not granting permits for construction from Friday, August 30 through Sunday, September 1 in order to alleviate traffic and parking concerns and promote safety. In addition to the neighborhood-specific restrictions, BTD has issued over 4500 moving truck permits across the City in the month of August with over 2500 issued for August 29 - September 1. The City encourages residents, students, and families to pay attention to posted signs. For more information on street restrictions, visit boston.gov/moving.

 

“Temporary parking restrictions help keep our streets safe and moving during this busy time,” said Nick Gove, Deputy Chief of Streets for Transportation and BTD Commissioner. “We ask everyone to follow the posted signs and keep fire lanes and hydrants clear. If we work together, we can have a successful, less stressful move-in week.” 

 

The City also encourages residents and visitors to maintain an accessible path of travel on sidewalks and at intersections. Additionally, the City urges residents and visitors not to block accessible parking spaces designated for people with disabilities while moving in or out. 

 

“This is always a busy weekend in Boston,” said Boston Disability Commissioner Kristen McCosh. ”We are eager to welcome new residents moving into the city, and we ask everyone to make sure that sidewalks and curb ramps are not blocked by furniture or other items. It is also important to pay attention to HP-DV parking spaces in the neighborhoods, not just this weekend, but always. These parking spaces are reserved for residents and others with disabilities. Only vehicles with a disability license plate or placard are allowed to park in these spaces.”

 

The City has launched the Furniture Pickup Pilot that allows residents to properly discard or donate furniture that is no longer needed. This program reduces the amount of furniture going into landfills, establishes a sustainable city-wide furniture recycling practice, and provides needed furniture to service providers who work to transition unhoused individuals to stable housing. 

 

The City has also partnered with Household Goods, a non-profit organization that provides a full range of donated furniture at no cost to individuals referred by Massachusetts-based social service agencies. Eligible households in Brighton can arrange for a free furniture pickup through this partnership. For more information on this partnership, visit boston.gov/calendar/free-furniture-pick-pilot. 

 

Bluebikes is Boston’s public bike share system. With more than 400 stations and 4000 bikes, it's a fast and convenient way to get around the Greater Boston area. Many of Boston's colleges and universities provide discounts on annual passes for students, faculty, and staff. Students are encouraged to check with their university's transportation office to see if they are eligible. More information is available at boston.gov/bluebikes. Bluebikes also offers students 55% off an annual pass with Boston Bikes Pass. For more information on biking safely in Boston, visit boston.gov/boston-by-bike. For more information about street safety for pedestrians with disabilities, visit boston.gov/boston-brakes.

 

This year, MBTA is extending Late Night T Service on the subway and select bus routes on Friday and Saturday nights, and, for a limited time, all rides will be free after 9 p.m. on five Fridays and Saturdays this fall. 

 

The Public Works Code Enforcement Division will be issuing citations for the improper storage of household trash. Residents are asked to place their trash and recycling on the curb by 6:00 a.m. on their scheduled collection day, or set it out the night before after 5:00 p.m. The City also continues to take action against rodents and keep Boston neighborhoods clean. In 2024, the City introduced the Boston Rodent Action Plan (BRAP), a coordinated, multi-agency initiative to mitigate the rodent population and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors. Proper waste storage and disposal is essential to limiting access to food, water, and shelter where rodents thrive. 

 

“As thousands of new residents arrive in Boston for the annual move-in period, our goal is to ensure that our streets and sidewalks remain clean, safe, and accessible for everyone,” said Mike Brohel, Superintendent of Basic City Services. “City departments will be deployed throughout the weekend to assist residents, monitor compliance, and ensure any issues are addressed promptly and effectively.”

 

Due to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) ban, mattresses and box springs are no longer collected curbside as part of routine trash collection. Residents are required to make an appointment for a free curbside pick-up at: Boston.gov/mattress. The residential mattress program does not service buildings with seven units or more. Those residents should consult with their property manager to learn the proper protocol to recycle their mattress. Roughly 75 percent of all mattresses and box springs components can be disassembled and recycled. The recovered materials are used to manufacture a variety of new products including foam padding, fabric, steel springs and wooden frames. 

 

While household furniture can be left curbside on your scheduled pick-up day, we strongly encourage residents to donate the items to a charity or organization that can pass them along to others in need. Items such as televisions, air conditioners and refrigerators require a special pick-up. To schedule an appointment, contact 311. Residents are reminded not to block sidewalks with trash or household furniture set out for pick up. Items should be placed along the curb, leaving room for pedestrians, including people with disabilities or those pushing strollers, to get by. New residents are strongly encouraged to download the City’s free Trash Day app at: boston.gov/trash-day, available on Google Play or the IOS app store. Residents can view their collection schedules, set reminders, and search a directory of hundreds of household items to find out the right way to dispose of them. 

 

As students settle into their new homes, they will have access to several perks. The City of Boston has been working to launch new programs and partnerships that allow students to live, learn, and explore Boston’s extensive art and cultural services.

 

Students will have access to the following discounted student tickets:

· Cheer on the Boston Red Sox with $9 tickets

· Free admission to the Museum of Fine Arts, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and Institute of Contemporary Art

· Dive into marine life at the New England Aquarium

· Explore history at the JFK Library and Museum, Paul Revere House, or Museum of African American History

· Catch a show at the Boston Ballet, Huntington Theatre, or Boston Symphony Orchestra for as little as $20

 

Students are encouraged to visit boston.gov/moving for more information regarding parking restrictions and permits, trash removal and restrictions, and rental requirements. For more information on discounts and resources for students in Boston, visit boston.gov/news/discounts-and-resources-students-boston

Governor Healey Responds to Trump Administration’s Cancellation of $34 Million for Salem Offshore Wind Terminal

Governor Healey Responds to Trump Administration’s Cancellation of $34 Million for Salem Offshore Wind Terminal 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey released a statement today in response to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s decision to cancel funding for port infrastructure projects, including a nearly $34 million investment to the City of Salem to redevelop a vacant industrial facility into an offshore wind terminal. 

“By cancelling this funding, 800 construction workers will lose their jobs, and jobs that would’ve been created in the future won’t happen,” said Governor Healey. “There is nothing wasteful about this project, which has been supported by both a Democratic and Republican Governor. The real waste here is the Trump Administration canceling tens of millions of dollars for a project that is already underway to increase our energy supply and support hundreds of workers and their families. As we head into Labor Day weekend, this action is a slap in the face to the hardworking men and women who keep our nation moving and deserve better than what they’re getting from their federal government.”  

“President Trump just laid off over 800 construction workers on Labor Day weekend by revoking the grant for the expansion of the Port of Salem,” said Frank Callahan Jr, President of the Massachusetts Building Trades Unions. “This is a bad deal for our members and for future energy production in Massachusetts.” 

“President Trump said he was a job creator – he has turned into the biggest job destroyer of any President this country has seen,” said Rodrigo Badaro, President of the North Shore Building Trades Council. “It’s clear ‘Make America Great Again’ doesn’t include construction workers on the Norh Shore.” 

“The construction industry already has enough uncertainty right now. Cancelling federal investment for a significant project like the one in Salem is alarming,” said Joe Byrne, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. “It will cost local workers good jobs and good paychecks, which are not easy to replace. It puts at risk the additional development that always follows infrastructure projects. Federal investments in infrastructure have always been reliable backstops and stimulants for the economy. We worry that may no longer be the case.” 

Healey-Driscoll Administration Observes Overdose Awareness Day and Upcoming Recovery and Prevention Months

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Observes Overdose Awareness Day and Upcoming Recovery and Prevention Months 

BOSTON (August 29, 2025) – Family members and friends of those who have died from overdoses gathered today on Boston Common with public officials and community members from across Massachusetts to observe Overdose Awareness Day, an annual international event held in remembrance of lives lost to overdose. More than 22,000 purple flags were planted in memory of Massachusetts residents who have lost their lives from overdoses over the past decade.

 

“Overdose Awareness Day is a somber reminder of the hope and resilience that exists alongside the grief of losing a loved one to overdose,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Just one loss to overdose is too many, and Massachusetts remains committed to investing in evidence-based approaches to promote harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and prevention.”

 

“Today, we remember the lives lost and the families forever changed as a result of drug overdose,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Overdoses are preventable, and in honoring those we have lost, we also reaffirm our commitment to supporting proven strategies that aim to reduce stigma and help save lives.”

 

A collaborative effort of the Department of Public Health (DPH), Boston Public Health Commission, and Boston Medical Center, the event, now in its fourth year, joins others across the state and the nation in raising awareness of the sweeping impacts of overdose deaths on individuals, families, and communities.

 

Following a moment of silence in memory of those lost, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kiame Mahaniah, MD, State Representative Kate Donaghue, Commissioner of Public Health Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD, Boston Public Health Commissioner Bisola Ojikutu, MD, MPH, and Director of DPH’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) Deirdre Calvert, MSW, LICSW, participated in a poignant ceremony, and pointed to the recent encouraging downward trends in overdose deaths in the state as both a source of hope and a call for continued efforts to prevent overdoses.

 

According to CDC data released in May, opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts decreased by 36.3 percent in 2024, falling to the lowest levels since 2013.

 

“This encouraging news is a testament to the tireless dedication of the providers, programs, peers, and community members who do this work each and every day,” said Secretary Mahaniah. “And while a source of hope, these trends are also a call to action to the state to reaffirm its commitment to supporting and expanding access to the resources that we know work to prevent overdose, reduce harm, and promote dignity for those who use substances.”

 

August 31 has been officially proclaimed as Overdose Awareness Day in the Commonwealth since 2022. Secretary Mahaniah presented this year’s proclamation to Michelle and David Dunn, who, following the 2013 opioid overdose death of their daughter, Alyssa, established Alyssa’s Place, a volunteer-driven peer recovery and resource center in Gardner.

 

The commemorative flags, along with resource tables offering harm reduction, substance use prevention, and recovery support resources, will remain in place on the Common through September 2.

 

“Recent trends show us that when we invest in harm reduction and in approaches that promote the health and safety of those who have substance use disorders, it works,” said Commissioner Goldstein. “The flags planted here today are a reminder of the loss we have experienced and of the work that must continue. We need more harm reduction services, not less. More safe places for people to live. More supportive peer communities that invest in treatment options. These proven and compassionate services can spare more Massachusetts families the heartbreak of losing someone to overdose.”

 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to supporting public health strategies and resources to address substance use and substance use disorders. The Administration has invested more than $1 billion in substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery programs across the state.

 

Since January 2023, this commitment has included funding six comprehensive mobile addiction treatment programs, over 450,000 naloxone kits for community organizations, 40,000 naloxone kits for first responders, and 905,000 fentanyl test strips for community use. Additional supports include funding SafeSpot, a virtual spotting hotline that as of July 2025 has detected 23 overdoses. Other investments include supporting access to residential, outpatient, and other forms of treatment through the licensing and regulation of approximately 500 treatment programs, and supporting and funding access to low-threshold housing, as well as 39 peer-recovery support centers.

 

“It is impossible to capture the uniqueness of each individual represented by these flags – or the grief that we feel at their loss,” said BSAS Director Calvert. “Overdose Awareness Day represents a time when communities can come together to look to each other for comfort and strength and to draw resilience for the work that lies ahead.”

 

Learn more about Massachusetts’ efforts to address substance use disorders and reduce stigma.

 

International Overdose Awareness Day ushers in a series of related observances throughout the fall. This includes Recovery Month in September, which celebrates stories and strategies of recovery and healing, as well as Prevention Month, which is held in October, with the aim of bringing communities together to highlight the positive effects of prevention efforts and inspire related action. 

 

Learn more about Recovery Month celebrations and events in the state. Prevention Month events information will be available soon.

 

If you are struggling with substance use, or have a family member, a friend, a neighbor, or a colleague who may need help and support, please call the Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline at 800-327-5050, or visit www.helplinema.org.