波士頓慈濟回首30年前來時路 合十祈祝未來福

波士頓慈濟人表演手語歌。（波士頓慈濟提供）

     （Boston Orange）2025年10月25日傍晚，波士頓慈濟聯絡處在牛頓會所以慈善愛心宴慶祝三十週年。近200名嘉賓與志工齊聚一堂，回顧波士頓慈濟人在異鄉以愛為燈、以願為路，把一顆顆善心化為守護社區力量的跨越時空善緣。

波士頓慈濟在牛頓會所慶30週年。（波士頓慈濟提供）

慈濟美東總會執行長蘇濟義與波士頓聯絡處負責人長金滿在活動主持謝宜芳與李豐介紹後，一一致詞，感恩志工與社區民眾這麼多年來的陪伴與支持。

會中還放映影片「深耕波士頓三十」，呈現波士頓慈濟從1990年代初的募款與探訪，到後來辦理社區義診、冬衣發放、急難救助與教育推廣的歷年足跡，寫下30年來「愛的傳承」。

香積組精心烹煮的素食盛宴是當晚一大特色。（波士頓慈濟提供）

            這場愛心盛宴，不但有香積志工團隊精心準備的素食佳餚，味道棒到連初嘗素食者都驚嘆，「原來素食也可以這麼豐富又有層次」，還安排了精彩表演，包括張逸軍的敲鉢靜心頌，大提琴家張瑄玶演奏，周晌昀演唱，慈濟人配舞的「心願」，慈濟人表演手語歌「人間有愛」，台灣知名藝術團體“優人神鼓”的「天空破了洞」表演影片。

謝宜芳（右）和李豐主持30週年慶大會。（波士頓慈濟提供）

表演節目之一。（波士頓慈濟提供）

            會中也放映了展現台灣，美國所經歷自然災害的「國土危脆」，勸誘人把為人鼓掌的雙手，拿來做環保代替修行的『鼓掌雙手』，以及闡述慈濟15年前獲得聯合國經濟及社會理事會非政府組織諮詢緣由的「一條龍」，鼓勵人一週吃素一天就等於少開車600公里，也等於種了15棵樹，回顧慈濟證嚴上人在60 年前，號召30名家庭主婦每天存下5毛錢的竹筒歲月等影片。

            為展現慈濟的致力環保，這晚還安排有一場「大愛感恩服裝秀」，由慈濟師兄姐們穿上百分之百用寶特瓶做成的時尚服裝走秀。慈濟也送給30週年慶出席者，每人一枝用寶特瓶做的環保筆。

            波士頓慈濟30週年慶愛心晚宴，最後在《祈禱》音樂聲響起，由手語志工帶領全場嘉賓點亮小蠋燈，捧著一顆願意付出的心，默默祝願世界平安、人心安定中落募。

慈濟的故事要從5毛錢開始說起。（波士頓慈濟提供）

            除了駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長廖朝宏，組長黃耀良，波士頓僑教中心主任高家富，華人經濟發展協會董事長蔣宗壬夫婦，紐英崙中華總會會長余麗媖，資深慈誠游勝雄等嘉賓之外，當晚還有多名因搬家遷離波士頓的志工，紛紛從外州趕回來參加這晚盛會，場內氣氛格外溫馨。（更新版）

表演節目之一。（波士頓慈濟提供）

波士頓慈濟人合十祝願。（波士頓慈濟提供）

Shaping Empathy Featuring Rowan Gallery Exhibit Opens at Boston Children’s Museum

Shaping Empathy Featuring Rowan Gallery Exhibit Opens at Boston Children’s Museum

Installation by Hayley Morris, Emmy Award Winning Artist and Animation Director

BOSTON, MA—October 28, 2025 — Boston Children’s Museum recently opened Shaping Empathy: Featuring Rowen by Hayley Morris, an Emmy award winning artist and animation director, working under the studio name Shape & Shadow. Located in the Museum’s Gallery, which showcases work of artists from the New England art community, Shaping Empathy encourages visitors to explore aspects of the relationship between a caregiver and child and practice the building blocks of empathy—the skill of understanding and caring about how another person feels.

 

Rowen is a stop-motion clay animation video about Morris’s own experience of motherhood, and the powerful ways both mother and child are continuously shaped by one another. The artist’s approach to animation, featured in the exhibit in a separate behind-the-scenes video, is deeply rooted in experimentation with physical materials—paper, clay, fabric, fibers, found objects, and natural elements. She strives to tell stories that are both playful and poetic, blending character-driven and abstract elements with a tactile, sensory quality.

“Shaping Empathy is a lovely reminder of the special connections we share with the people we are closest to and how important it is to understand the perspectives, needs, and emotions of others,” said Sage Brousseau, Senior Art Educator.

 

Immersed in the space alongside the artist’s work, Museum visitors—children and their own caregivers—can engage with activities designed to support empathy development, and skills such as kindness, perspective taking, and respecting oneself and others. Activities include practicing caring for others by role playing with baby dolls, sharing ways they like to show care by posting notes on a talk-back board, and reading books together to explore different characters’ feelings, perspectives, and ways of offering support.

 

The exhibit is the first of the Gallery shows connected to Empathy at the Heart, Boston Children’s Museum’s five-year initiative to foster empathy in young children and empower the adults in their lives to support this vital character development. Empathy is a skill that children (and adults!) develop with time and practice, and like any skill, the more we all practice empathy, the better we can become. Empathy at the Heart is being funded by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its national initiative, Fostering Character Through Children’s Museums.

 

Specializing in mixed media and stop-motion animation, Hayley Morris creates visually captivating stories that come to life through intricate textures, handcrafted details, and inventive storytelling. Her work spans a wide range of applications, including commercials, music videos, projection design, miniature fabrication, and short-form animation for both documentaries and feature films.

 

Morris has collaborated with clients such as MTV, Amazon, Netflix, Sesame Street, and Burt’s Bees, as well as work with musicians like Explosions in the Sky, Iron & Wine, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Hilary Hahn—creating visuals that complement their music and creative vision.

Morris is based in Vermont. When not animating or crafting, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their 4-year-old daughter.

Shaping Empathy: Featuring Rowan will be open at Boston Children’s Museum through March 8, 2026.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Public Higher Education Enrollment Has Returned to Pre-Pandemic Levels

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Public Higher Education Enrollment Has Returned to Pre-Pandemic Levels 

Governor Healey’s continued historic investments in free community college drove 11 percent enrollment increase this fall – a 39 percent increase since 2022 

 

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that preliminary data from this fall shows that the number of students attending Massachusetts’ public colleges and universities has returned to pre-pandemic levels. The undergraduate student headcount at the state’s system of 29 public two- and four-year colleges and universities has grown 5.7 percent since last fall, reaching nearly 175,000 students. Community college enrollment growth, which is up 11.4 percent over last fall, has contributed significantly to the systemwide increase.  

 

“It’s great that our efforts to make college more affordable are allowing more students to pursue higher education,” said Governor Maura Healey. “A college degree opens the door to greater earnings for graduates throughout their lifetimes, while ensuring that our employers have highly-skilled talent to fill in-demand positions. I’m grateful for the partnership of the Legislature as we work together to make Massachusetts more affordable and the best place to live, learn, work and build a future.” 

 

“Our administration is proud to have doubled state financial aid to make college possible for more students,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This enrollment growth shows that our investments in college affordability are paying off, and that will have lasting positive benefits for Massachusetts.”    

 

Since fall 2022, community college enrollment has grown 38.5 percent, an increase of 23,977 students, for a total fall 2025 headcount of 86,321. These increases follow the launch of Governor Healey’s MassReconnect program in fall 2023 that made community college free for students 25 and older and MassEducate, signed into law by Governor Healey in the state’s fiscal year 2025 budget that made tuition and fees for community colleges free for all students regardless of age and income level. Compared to fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment across Massachusetts’ nine state universities stayed consistent, while enrollment across the four University of Massachusetts undergraduate campuses rose 0.8 percent.  

 

“Getting more students to college is a win. We’re not only closing gaps in affordability, but we’re also closing information gaps by visiting high schools and running awareness campaigns to tell students about these free and affordable college programs,” said Secretary of Higher Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “We’re working hard to get more students to enroll in college, succeed, and access all the benefits that come with having a higher education.” 

 

“While students continue to confront many barriers along their higher education journey, we have made meaningful strides in improving access and opportunity,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “These enrollment gains underscore what can be achieved through a shared commitment among the Governor, administration leaders, the Legislature, faculty, staff, and campus leadership — and through the determination of students who invest their time and talent in pursuit of a college credential.”  

 

Massachusetts has doubled state financial aid in recent years, with the Fiscal Year 2026 budget committing nearly $400 million to these programs. As a result of these investments, Pell Grant eligible students in Massachusetts receive free tuition and fees at all public two- and four- year colleges and universities, and community college is free to all, regardless of income level.  

 

“Today’s data prove that when we open doors to opportunity in Massachusetts, our residents walk through them,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “When the Senate created MassEducate and emphasized the importance of record investments in financial aid, these are exactly the results we hoped to see. I couldn’t be prouder to see renewed investment reignite enrollment in our public colleges and universities, and I look forward to seeing the careers that grow from it." 

 

“The state's ongoing commitment to supporting historic investments in higher education is clearly making a difference for students and families across the state,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I'm proud of the House's work, in partnership with the Healey-Driscoll Administration, expanding access to affordable, high-quality learning opportunities that have helped more residents gain the skills and confidence they need to succeed. These strong enrollment gains reaffirm our commitment to building a stronger, more equitable Commonwealth through lifelong learning.” 

 

“Massachusetts has invested heavily in financial aid and college affordability, because we want all residents to have access to our world class higher education institutions,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education. “I am so pleased to see enrollment rebound to pre-pandemic levels — clear proof that our investments in students are working. I look forward to building on this momentum.” 

 

“Working with the Healey Administration, the House invested in a big way to make higher education more affordable," said Representative Dave Rogers (D-Cambridge), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education."Now, we are beginning to see the results. The big enrollment surge is great news for the students taking advantage of this remarkable opportunity, and for the Commonwealth as a whole.” 

 

DHE’s enrollment and success report is available here. The report also highlights updated success metrics for the community college, state university, and University of Massachusetts (UMass) segments. Success metrics include the most recently available six-year graduation rates for students who entered college in 2018 and fall-to-fall persistence and on-time credit accumulation for students who have entered in recent years. 

 

“This enrollment data suggests that Massachusetts’ affordability initiatives are enhancing access to higher education and outperforming national benchmarks. Almost 2,000 Massachusetts community college students transfer to a UMass campus each year, and with the success of MassReconnect and MassEducate we hope to see that number grow substantially in the coming years,” said UMass President Marty Meehan. “UMass is focused on better serving community college students who want to earn a four-year degree by advising them earlier in the process about course taking and making them feel welcome on our campuses long before they finish their associate’s degree.” 

 

"I am encouraged by the recent enrollment numbers which is the result of vigorous efforts by our campuses and the many investments in public higher education by the legislature and Healey-Driscoll administration,” said Dr. Linda Thompson, Chair of the State of Massachusetts Council of Presidents, and President of Westfield State University. “Despite the debate on the importance of higher education, and questions on the return on investment of a college degree, these numbers show how individuals within the Commonwealth truly value what higher education has to offer. Because of the attention paid to innovation, financial aid expansion, free tuition, and other investments in student success, I am confident the future will be bright for public higher education in Massachusetts, which translates into prosperity for our residents, and economic growth for our region.”  

 

“The early enrollment report confirms that Free Community College is working exactly as intended,” said Dr. William Heineman, president of North Shore Community College and chair of the Community College Council of Presidents. “The simple message that community college is free is resonating with students and driving enrollments for the third fall in a row. After another impressive year of enrollment growth – with nearly 24,000 new students on our campuses since fall 2022 – we are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration and the legislature for their strategic investments in our students.” 

 

Today’s announcement follows the administration’s launch of “Go Higher,” a new brand and awareness campaign that aims to increase exposure to higher education, improve the information pipeline, and build awareness of financial and institutional supports that help students see themselves in college. The campaign aligns with the administration’s Advisory Council for the Advancement of Representation in Education (ACARE) recommendations that centered on increasing access, equity and support for underserved and underrepresented students across Massachusetts.  

2300萬元翻修 Patrick J. Kennedy小學成無障礙場所

Patrick J. Kennedy小學翻修竣工剪綵。（周菊子攝）

            (Boston Orange 綜合編譯)波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）和公校總監Mary Skipper，以及州市政要，10 月27 日為東波士頓的Patrick J. Kennedy小學耗資2300萬元的翻修竣工剪綵，慶祝該校300名學生的學習環境更安全、健康、現代化。

Patrick J. Kennedy小學的翻修工程，由波士頓市的5年資本計畫資助，主要翻修及增建內容包括新建佔地3900平方英尺的2

波士頓市長吳弭和麻州眾議員Adrian Madaro（右起），參議員Lydia Edwards，
波士頓公校總監Mary Skipper，小學校長Kristen Goncalves為翻修竣工剪綵。
（周菊子攝）

層樓，作為學校新的入口，並安裝電梯，蓋了無障礙廁所，使得原本佔地36,190 平方英尺，3層樓高，建於1926年的學校，成為現代化的無障礙場所。

翻修工程還包括了增加消防補戶系統，翻新校內所有浴室，更換飲水機，更新樓梯，標牌，翻新升級了操場，重新配置停車場和硬地活動區，還新增了連接Bennington街的外部樓梯和人行道。

小學生們爭相和吳弭市長合影。（周菊子攝）

麻州參議員Lydia Edwards，眾議員Adrian Madaro，公共設施部門執行主任Carleton Jones，Patrick J. Kennedy小學校長Kristen Goncalves都在剪綵儀式中致詞。波士頓市議員Henry Santana也出席了剪綵活動。轄區包括東波士頓的市議員Gabriela Coletta Zapata因其他事務，未能出席。

波士頓市早在前市長馬丁華殊（Martin Walsh）任內，就從2015年啟動了承諾10年投資10億美元的「建造波士頓公校（Build BPS）」計畫。

出席嘉賓包括波士頓市議員Henry Santana （右一）。（周菊子攝）

2021年11月上任的吳弭市長，在2022年5月12日，站在 Warren道90號，如今已改名為梅爾金南端學院（Mel H. King South End Academies)的Mckinley小學和南端學院前宣佈，要在未來10年（2032年之前）斥資20億美元，翻修波士頓市內的每一所公立學校，並在2023-2027會計年度的資本計畫內投入6.05億美元，啟動14個大型建設或重大翻修項目。

小學生們為慶祝校舍翻修竣工，獻唱歌曲。（周菊子攝）

根據波士頓市公校記錄，在這14項公校新建或翻修工程中，已竣工啟用的有耗資2.236億美元，2024年秋啟用的昆士高中（JQUS）新建校舍，耗資1.114億美元，今年9月30日剪綵的William E.特許學校，耗資9,090萬美元，年10月8日剪綵，合併Philbrick和Sumner兩所學校，並翻修擴建Irving 大樓的Sarah Roberts小學，以及耗資2300萬美元，10月27日剪綵，翻修並升級無障礙設施的Patrick J. Kennedy小學。

其他規劃還包括要新建西洛士百利教育大樓（高中），Shaw-Taylor小學，擴建Otis學校，以及大規模翻修麥迪遜公園科技職業高中，Ruth Batson學院，馬丁路德金箔是幼稚園到8年級學校，還有翻修白體育館。

Patrick J. Kennedy小學翻修校舍外貌。（周菊子攝）

升級了的操場。（周菊子攝）

麻州長Healey簽行政命令推「盾牌」計畫提升麻州國防工業領先地位

麻州州長Maura Healey簽署行政命令。（周菊子攝）

             （Boston Orange周菊子綜合報導）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）今（27）日簽署行政命令，並宣佈撥款4700萬元，支持軍事創新、發展微電子和晶片製造、創造就業機會，強調麻州在國家安全與創新上的份量，有如麻州之盾（SHIELD）。

                  奚莉州長率同副州長Kim Driscoll，經濟發展廳廳長Eric Paley，Draper 董事長兼執行長Jerry Wohletz

麻州州長Maura Healey強調和麻州大學羅爾分校校長陳理珠（中）合作。（周菊子攝）

，國家安全企業高管會董事長兼執行長，也是美國退休空軍將軍Tim Ray，麻州科技合作組織執行長Carolyn Kirk等人，與將近200名麻州國防工業高管，在州政府大廳（Great Hall）齊聚一堂，支持「麻州之盾」計畫，也彰顯麻州在美國的國防工業上佔有舉足輕重的地位。

奚莉州長說，麻州以在國防工業上佔領導地位而驕傲。麻州不僅是國家衛隊，美國海軍，以及美國海岸衛隊的誕生地，創新與服務精神也傳承了好幾代。

麻州州長Maura Healey稱麻州的國防工業居美國領導地位。（周菊子攝）

根據麻州政府資料，麻州的國防工業支持著13萬個工作崗位，每年為麻州貢獻152億元的勞動收入，創造486億美元經濟價值。

作為「造盾計畫（SHIELD）」的一部分，奚莉州長今日簽署行政命令，成立「造盾工作組（SHIELD Working Group）」，由麻州科技合作組織（Massachusetts Technology Collaborative）率領，督促州政府機構找出支持國防工業的方法，向州長及副州長提供加強國防工業發展建議。

麻州政府頒發獎助款給MITRE的量子項目，由該公司微電子系統主任
Moise Solomon（右三）和研究員Mark Dong (左三）代表領取。（周菊子攝）

奚莉州長還宣佈，經濟發展廳（EOEC）已在其“企業前門導航器（Business Front Door Navigator）”團隊中設立了國防工業部門重點，以使國防工業公司及組織和州政府資源及成長機會之間，有更好連結。

在這場簽署行政命令，頒發資助科研經費款項的聚會中，麻州政府還宣佈和羅爾市（Lowell），以及陳理珠（Julie Chen）擔任校長的麻州大學羅爾分校合作，撥款2500萬元，在羅爾市設立“衝擊中心（Integrated Microelectronics Production & Advanced Chip Technology，簡稱IMPACT）”，估計會支持200個新工作機會。

陳理珠表示，該校和軍事設施，國防工業夥伴，以及其他大學都致力加強保護國家，支持創新的生態系統。他們很感謝奚莉政府的支持及遠見，也期待繼續經由東北微電子聯盟樞紐（Northeast Microelectronics Coalition Hub），美國陸軍Natick士兵系統中心，Hanscom空軍基地等繼續合作。

會中，希莉州長也宣佈撥出1140萬元聯邦及州政府經費，用於研發保護男女軍人的前沿解決方案。

在”支持從實驗室到企業的晶片進步（SCALE）資本計畫“下，奚莉州長另外宣佈1020萬元經費，經由東北微電子聯盟（NEMC）補助MITRE 等9個組織，加強麻州的微電子生態系統。

Governor Healey Launches Defense Sector Initiative to Strengthen Massachusetts’ National Security Leadership 

At convening with defense sector leaders, Governor announces $47 million to support military innovation, grow microelectronics and chips manufacturing, create jobs 

BOSTON – At a convening of defense sector leaders at the State House today, Governor Maura Healey announced the launch of the Massachusetts Strategic Hub for Innovation, Exchange and Leadership in Defense (SHIELD), a new initiative to strengthen the state's defense leadership and accelerate the development of cutting-edge national security solutions. As part of this effort, the Governor also announced nearly $47 million in funding to support military innovation, expand microelectronics and chips manufacturing in Massachusetts, create high-quality jobs and bolster U.S. supply chain resilience. 

Massachusetts plays a pivotal role in the nation’s defense ecosystem as the home of leading research institutions, advanced manufacturers, and a highly skilled workforce. The industry supports more than 130,000 jobs, contributes $15.2 billion in annual labor income, and generates $48.6 billion in annual economic output, underscoring the state’s outsized impact on national security and innovation. 

“Massachusetts is proud of our defense leadership – we are the birthplace of the National Guard, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard, and we’ve carried that legacy of innovation and service forward for generations. Our defense sector is a cornerstone of our economy, supporting thousands of jobs and generating billions in economic impact,” said Governor Healey. “Today, in partnership with defense sector leaders from across the state, I’m taking action to strengthen our national security leadership, expand advanced manufacturing, and create more high-quality jobs for Massachusetts workers.” 

“Massachusetts is no stranger to innovation and manufacturing in support of national security. We're truly a defense state. Through this initiative and these investments, we’re leveraging the work that we already have underway in advanced manufacturing and innovation, and we’re investing in the future of our state,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “As someone who grew up in a military family, I know how important this sector is. Today, we’re proud to ensure that Massachusetts remains a leader in the defense industry.”  

SHIELD Initiative 

As part of SHIELD, Governor Healey signed an Executive Order directing state agencies to identify ways to increase support for defense sector initiatives across the administration. The Executive Order also establishes a SHIELD Working Group, led by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), to advise the Governor and Lieutenant Governor on advancing the defense sector in Massachusetts.  

Governor Healey also announced that the Executive Office for Economic Development (EOED) has created a defense industry sector focus within its Business Front Door Navigator team to better connect defense companies and organizations with state resources and growth opportunities. 

“Massachusetts has always led where innovation meets impact. Our defense sector unites cutting-edge research and advanced manufacturing to solve the nation’s toughest challenges,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley, Chair of the MassTech Board of Directors. “Through SHIELD, we’re connecting partners across industry and academia to grow jobs, strengthen national security, and keep Massachusetts at the forefront of America’s defense economy.” 

The administration will also partner with Business Executives for National Security (BENS) and other defense sector organizations to convene future engagements in Massachusetts focused on national security and economic growth.  

“This is a great time for states. The combination of shifting national security demands and new federal instruments makes this a pivotal moment for state-level leadership,” said General Tim Ray, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), President & CEO of Business Executives for National Security. States that can integrate defense funding, federal incentives, private capital, and academic expertise will be best positioned to drive meaningful results.” 

SHIELD is informed by Governor Healey’s convening of the Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force (MASS-TF) in January 2025. The MASS-TF’s mission is to partner with, support and expand military assets and installations within Massachusetts, including Barnes Air National Guard Base, Devens Reserve Forces Training Area, Hanscom Air Force Base, Joint Base Cape Cod, Natick Soldier Systems Center, and Westover Air Reserve Base. This includes coordination and partnerships with the defense sector in order to support the national security missions at each military installation and across the state. The Task Force is housed within the Office of the Governor and supported by the Executive Office of Economic Development and MassDevelopment.    

“From the birthplace of the National Guard to the home of world-class research and innovation, Massachusetts has always answered the call to serve and lead. The SHIELD initiative continues that proud legacy by investing in our people, our communities, and our shared commitment to national defense,” said Major General Gary W. Keefe, The Adjutant General, Massachusetts National Guard. 
 

IMPACT Center 

At today’s convening, Governor Healey also announced up to $25 million in state and local funding in partnership with the City of Lowell to support the construction of the nonprofit Draper’s Integrated Microelectronics Production & Advanced Chip Technology (IMPACT) Center in Lowell. The IMPACT Center will support up to 200 new jobs and enable Draper to continue to execute hundreds of millions of dollars of contracts within Massachusetts. The new facility will also generate substantial state and local tax revenue, support education and workforce development, and nurture the innovation ecosystem.  

“Today’s investment reflects Governor Healey's ongoing commitment to ensuring that Massachusetts’ technology and innovation ecosystem is aligned with the needs of the nation's defense sector. It also strengthens the Commonwealth's manufacturing base in the critical microelectronic sector," said Jerry Wohletz, Ph.D., President and CEO of Draper. "In addition to the IMPACT Center, our partnership with UMass Lowell and LINC will create new jobs for a highly skilled workforce, educated and trained in our local universities, colleges, and trade schools. And all of this will be done in service to our nation's security needs. We are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the Commonwealth, and our partners in state and federal government for supporting our vision of what can be accomplished by this investment.” 

This state and local funding builds on the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor (LINC), a transformative public-private partnership made possible by the leadership of the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML), the UMass Building Authority and the City of Lowell, with significant support from the Healey-Driscoll administration. The project is expected to generate over $3.7 billion in economic activity, create 2,000 permanent jobs, and result in nearly 500 units of new housing in Lowell over the next decade.  

In March 2023, Governor Healey joined state and local leaders to announce that Draper would serve as LINC’s anchor tenant. Draper intends to provide up to $10 million in program, research, and educational resources to UML over the next decade.  

“This investment by the Healey-Driscoll Administration is a game-changer for the City of Lowell. The IMPACT Center will not only bring hundreds of high-quality jobs to our community, but it will also solidify Lowell’s role as a hub for innovation, advanced manufacturing, and national security,” said Lowell City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr. “We are proud to partner with Draper, UMass Lowell, and the Commonwealth to bring this vision to life. This is more than a building – it’s a catalyst for economic growth, workforce development, and opportunity for generations to come. The IMPACT Center and the broader LINC initiative represent the future of Lowell, and we’re grateful for the state’s commitment to making it a reality." 

“The defense industrial base and national security cluster here in New England are essential to both our economic strength and our collective security. At UMass Lowell, we’re proud to play a leading role in that effort, working side by side with military installations, defense industry partners and other universities to strengthen the ecosystem that protects our nation and drives innovation,” said Dr. Julie Chen, Chancellor, UMass Lowell; and MASS-TF Member. “Draper’s expansion in Lowell is a great example of what’s possible when state leadership, industry and higher education come together with a shared purpose. We’re deeply grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their support and vision, and we look forward to continued collaboration through the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition Hub, the U.S. Army’s Natick Soldier Systems Center, and Hanscom Air Force Base. Together, these partnerships are positioning Massachusetts, and the city of Lowell, as a national leader in defense innovation, workforce development and economic opportunity.” 

Protecting Servicemembers 

Governor Healey also announced $11.4 million of federal and state funding to support the development of cutting-edge solutions to protect military servicemen and women, in partnership with the U.S. Army’s Natick Soldier Systems Center and Hanscom Air Force Base. This initiative will both support the work of the Army at the Natick Soldier Systems Center called BioNexus, as well as scale up funding support to Massachusetts small businesses working on Air Force innovation at Hanscom Air Force Base. The state's share of the funds will be distributed as innovation grants through a competitive incubator-like structure, administered by the Military Asset & Security Strategy Task Force through EOED. This funding was secured due to Governor Healey’s federal funding law. 

SCALE Program 

Additionally, Governor Healey announced $10.2 million in grants to nine organizations to strengthen Massachusetts’ microelectronics ecosystem through the Supporting Chip Advancement from Lab to Enterprise (SCALE) Capital Program. The SCALE program leverages state match funding through the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition (NEMC) Hub, a division of MassTech, that supports cutting-edge projects in the state’s microelectronics ecosystem that bridge innovation and capability gaps, enhance workforce development and drive technology from the lab to the fab. Massachusetts is first state in the federal Microelectronics Commons program to deploy state matching funds.    

“For the past two years through the Northeast Microelectronics Commons (NEMC) Hub, Massachusetts has been leading a collective, regional effort to advance technologies critical to national security, create jobs and invest in transformative projects across the microelectronics industry,” said MassTech CEO Carolyn Kirk. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s SHIELD initiative and strategic investment bolsters partnerships within the defense sector which will lead to future breakthroughs in these critical technologies.” 

亞馬遜傳將裁員3萬人

            (Boston Orange編譯) 亞馬遜（Amazon）今（27）日傳出消息，將裁員3萬人，藉以調整疫情期間網商盛行造成的過度聘僱。該公司35萬名員工中的10%會受影響。

這是2022年亞馬遜裁員2萬7千人以來，規模最大的一次裁員。亞馬遜的股價在這消息傳出後，週一下午上漲了1.2%。

根據路透社，受裁員影響最大的部門是人力資源和服務及營運。據傳亞馬遜計畫應用人工智能，縮減行政層級。

紐約時報上週報導，貝佐斯（Jeff Bezos）麾下的亞馬遜計畫在未來幾年用人工智慧和機器人來完成60 萬個原本由人來座的工作。亞馬遜反駁該報導說法，發電郵告訴每日新聞，“洩漏的文件”支持該報告描繪不完整，誤解了亞馬遜的計劃景觀。

該公司計劃在假日聘僱25萬名工作人員，吹噓道“過去10年來，沒有哪家公司創造了比亞馬遜更多的工作機會“。

根據《民主黨紀事報》報道，新工作機會中的8,500個新職位將分配給紐約人。目前尚不清楚其中有多少是季節性崗位。亞馬遜是全美第二大私營企業雇主，在全球有員工154萬餘人，在美國僱用了約120萬名員工。這些人大都是倉庫員工，辦公室人員約35萬人。

根據Layoffs.fyi，這也是科技業從2020年以來規模最大的裁員。截至週一，從今年以來，美國約有200家科技公司裁員約9萬8000人。

微軟（Microsoft）今年已裁減1萬5千人，Meta (臉書的母公司)上週從人工智能部門裁員約600人。谷歌（Google）本月早前也在雲端部門刪減了100個設計相關職位。銷售力（Saleforce）執行長Marc Benioff在9月時曾說，基於採用更多人工智慧，該公司也裁減了4000個客戶服務員工。英代爾（Intel）今年總共裁減了2萬2千個工作機會，在Layoffs.fyi上是裁員最多的公司。

以科技業來說，裁員最多的年份是2023年，那時業界面對通膨飆升，利率高漲，將近1200家科技公司裁減了26萬個工作機會。

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC Calls for Release of Yaakub Vijandre from Unlawful Detention

 Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC Calls for Release of Yaakub Vijandre from Unlawful Detention 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On October 7, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unlawfully arrested and detained Yaakub Vijandre at gunpoint, a Filipino American advocate and photojournalist. Vijandre is a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient who has lived in the United States lawfully since 2001. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has justified his detainment and attempt to revoke Vijandre’s DACA status on the sole basis of social media posts that were critical of the United States government and his pro-Palestinian activism – a violation of Vijandre’s First Amendment rights. 

 

Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC) issues the following statement in response to the unfolding situation:  

 

“Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC condemns the unlawful detainment and arrest of Yaakub Vijandre and urge DHS to release him immediately. Vijandre has broken no laws and his DACA status does not expire until May 2026. Until the termination becomes final, the government lacks the legal authority to deport or detain him.  

 

“Unfortunately, Vijandre’s situation is not an isolated event. It is part of an alarming trend of the administration’s attempts to silence dissent, as seen in the cases of Rümeysa Öztürk, Mahmoud Khalil and Yunseo Chung. These young activists, and many others who have gone unnamed, were targeted with immigration enforcement for their political views, which are protected under the First Amendment. This mistreatment at the hands of the government have disproportionately affected communities of color, including Asian Americans, due to their immigration statuses. 

 

“This ongoing pattern of detentions, deportations and visa revocations based on political expression and without due process is extremely troubling. Such actions jeopardize our shared democracy. We stand with Yakuub Vijandre and urge lawmakers to denounce the criminalization of free speech, especially through violent immigration enforcement tactics.”