華人前進會辦敬老日 籲成立“正當理由驅逐法”

華人前進會6月14日在信義大廈舉辦敬老日，安排遊戲，備置美食，廣邀耆英歡聚，感謝他們默默奉獻，堅定支持，保護社區，也呼籲推動“正當理由驅逐法案”。

華人前進會共同主任陳玉珍在會中致詞，說明華人前進會過去這幾年的主要工作是從推動建可負擔房屋，爭取優良工作機會，呼籲建圖書館等三方面著手，追求穩定華埠。這次舉辦敬老日活動，主要是感謝社區耆英在協助前述工作上的努力與貢獻。

她強調，爭取到永久性雙語選票是另一項成就，將容許華人發揮更大的政治影響力。

華人前進會員工鄺寶蓮和余翠鳳接著進一步說明前進會目前的主要工作。鄺寶蓮表示，華埠面對的住宅豪華化和逼遷問題越來越嚴重，要爭取穩定華埠，除了爭取可負擔房屋，還得爭取政策修訂。

他們在社區會議裏和民眾晤談，和盟友討論時認為，比較可行的第一步是推動《正當理由驅逐》法案。

過去兩星期以來，華人前進會已收集到數百個支持簽名，將力促《正當理由驅逐》成為波士頓市議會今年討論的主要法案。

余翠鳳表示，新移民及英文能力有限的人，實在沒有太多選擇，能夠爭取到的工作機會，大都屬於酒店服務，超級市場，家居護理業，但華埠一帶的豪華化發展。她感謝耆英們支持家居護理工人的爭取調漲薪資。

華人前進會共同主席湯建華，工人代表當天都在會上發言。湯建華敘述了她父母與護理工人的故事，指老人家是否能獲得良好照顧，家居護理工人的品質非常重要，但這些人工作辛苦，工資低，一週得工作50多小時，才勉強維持生活。如果工人們能夠成立工會，就可以有多些保證，並集中力量向政府爭取更多家居護理資金。

            在敬老會上，耆英和家居護理工人們猜謎語，夾波珠，拆紙，玩各種遊戲。華人前進會還播放一段幻燈片，展示耆英們為爭取權益，參加遊行示威，聆聽會，社區會等各種活動的照片，顯現耆英在穩定社區上所扮演的重要角色。

            會末，耆英們都表示將繼續支持家居護理工人的爭取加薪，組工會權利。

圖片說明：

老人支持者在寫感謝卡給長期照顧他們的護理工人。(圖由華人前進會提供)

前進會主席湯建華講關於她父母與護理工人的故事。(圖由華人前進會提供)

會場放映幻燈片。(圖由華人前進會提供)

Nighttime Subway Service between Wellington and Oak Grove to be Suspended for Winter Resiliency Work

Nighttime Subway Service between Wellington and Oak Grove to be Suspended for Winter Resiliency Work

BOSTON - Thursday, June 18, 2015 - Beginning on Monday, June 22nd, and continuing on selected nights through next month, Orange Line service between Oak Grove and Wellington Stations will be temporarily suspended to allow workers to make the subway more resilient to harsh winter weather conditions.

On the nights when workers will be replacing third rail and switch heaters, Orange Line service between Oak Grove and Wellington will be suspended in both directions from 8:45 p.m. to the end of regular service hours.  Shuttle bus service will be provided, serving Wellington, Malden Center, and Oak Grove Stations.  Regularly scheduled Orange Line service will resume at 5:00 AM each day.  None of the work will take place on Friday or Saturday nights. Service will be impacted on the following dates:

JUNE	JULY
- Monday, June 22 - Tuesday, June 23 - Wednesday, June 24 - Thursday, June 25 - Sunday, June 28 - Monday, June 29 - Tuesday, June 30	- Wednesday, July 1 - Thursday, July 2 - Sunday, July 5 - Monday July 6 - Tuesday, July 7 - Wednesday, July 8 -Thursday, July 9 - Monday, July 13 - Tuesday, July 14 - Wednesday, July 15 - Thursday, July16

The $83.7 million Winter Resiliency Plan is designed to address critically needed improvements to the MBTA’s infrastructure, equipment, and operations.  Information regarding the Plan can be found athttp://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/news_events/?id=6442454500&month=&year=.

The work beginning next week is part of a $12.7 million project to replace third rail and switch heaters on targeted vulnerable outdoor sections of the Red and Orange Lines.  Aged third rail resulted in poor power transmission in severe weather and existing heaters were unable to keep up with the snow and ice accumulations. 

All shuttle bus stops are accessible for persons with disabilities.

For transportation news and updates visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot, blog:www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot.

FORTY EIGHT COLUMBIA POINT DAWGS CHARGED IN FEDERAL SWEEP

FORTY EIGHT COLUMBIA POINT DAWGS

CHARGED IN FEDERAL SWEEP

 

BOSTON – Over 500 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers carried out arrests and executed more than 30 federal search warrants early this morning as a result of a two-year federal, state, and local wiretap investigation dubbed, “Operation Rising Tide.”  Six federal indictments charging 48 leaders, members, and associates of the Columbia Point Dawgs (CPD) with drug trafficking and firearm charges were unsealed today in connection with the sweep. 

 

According to documents filed in court, the CPD, also known on the street as “the Point,” is Boston’s largest and most influential city-wide gang.  The criminal organization started in the 1980s in the former Columbia Point Housing Development (now Harbor Point) and, over the years, gang members established drug trafficking crews throughout Boston.  Over time, the group also trafficked drugs from Boston to Maine.  It is alleged that, during the course of the investigation, the CPD was responsible for the distribution of multiple kilogram quantities of heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, and oxycodone throughout Boston and Maine. 

 

Court documents allege that the CPD established its dominance in the Boston gang drug distribution business through a pattern of violence and intimidation, and that members of CPD have been responsible for numerous shootings of rival gang members over the years.  In particular, in the past year and a half, the CPD has been engaged in a violent gang war with the Greenwood Street Posse, and other gangs aligned with Greenwood, which has resulted in numerous shootings.  Law enforcement officers seized 14 firearms during the course of the investigation.  On several occasions, guns were seized after investigators heard through court-authorized cellphone wiretaps that an individual was about to engage in a shooting. 

 

Of the 48 persons charged in the indictments, 41 are in custody.  The investigation has resulted in the seizure of, among other things: 31 firearms; multiple boxes of ammunition; heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, oxycodone pills, and marijuana, as well as drug trafficking paraphernalia; 15 vehicles, including a Maserati, a Mercedes Benz, and an Audi; and $1.5 million in cash. 

 

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley; Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Boston Police Commissioner Evans; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal of the U.S. Marshals Service, District of Massachusetts; Colonel Timothy P. Alben, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins; and Commissioner Carol Higgins O’Brien of the Massachusetts Department of Correction, made the announcement today. 

 

        The details contained in the charging documents are allegations.  The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

 

BRA awards $400,000 in grants to twelve South Boston organizations through new community benefits process

BRA awards $400,000 in grants to twelve South Boston organizations through new community benefits process

After successful pilot program, standardized application will be used to allocate similar funding going forward

BOSTON – Twelve non-profit organizations operating in South Boston will receive grants, ranging from $20,000 to $80,000, to support their programs. The awards mark the successful completion of a Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) pilot program launched in February to test a new process for allocating discretionary funding from community benefits agreements associated with development projects. The twelve South Boston grant recipients will share a total of $400,000 in funding that stems from the D Street Hotel project, which is currently under construction across from the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

The BRA received nearly 40 applications from non-profit organizations seeking funding. BRA staff reviewed the submissions in conjunction with the Office of Workforce Development, an affiliate of the BRA with a strong track record in grant management, to determine the awardees. The grants will support an array of initiatives, from youth empowerment programs to substance abuse prevention work.

The following organizations received grants.

Community Organization	Grant Amount
Boys and Girls Club of South Boston	$80,000
Harry McDonough Sailing Center	$50,000
Massachusetts Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Heroes Memorial Fund	$50,000
Catholic Charities Laboure Center	$50,000
Gavin Foundation, Inc.	$30,000
South Boston Neighborhood House	$20,000
Joseph M. Tierney Learning Center	$20,000
Medicine Wheel Productions	$20,000
Notre Dame Education Center	$20,000
South Boston en Accion	$20,000
South Boston Collaborative Center	$20,000
Paraclete, Inc.	$20,000

“We want to level the playing field when it comes to allocating funds from community benefits agreements, and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” said BRA Director Brian Golden. “In the past, there wasn’t a predictable process for awarding this funding. I’m proud that we’re able to support so many impactful organizations with an approach that lends itself to transparency and accountability.”

“I am pleased that the pilot was successful and that this strategy is being adopted as standard practice," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “This application process gives the South Boston community equal access and opportunity to receive grant money resulting from new development in and around their neighborhood. This continues our commitment to transparency, accessibility, and streamlining city government by modernizing the way we do business. I commend the Convention Center Authority, the BRA, elected officials, and the community for working with the development team to secure this important funding for South Boston.”

Given the success of the pilot, the BRA will now release the remaining $230,000 in community benefits associated with the D Street Hotel project. Non-profit organizations operating in South Boston that applied for but didn’t receive funding in the first round are eligible to reapply in round two. Applicants can request up to $25,000 in funding for this round. The second round D Street Hotel Community Benefits application is available on the BRA’s website. Submissions are due Monday, July 20.

The D Street Hotel project is being developed by CV Properties on land owned by the Massachusetts Convention Authority (MCCA). The grants are part of the community benefits package negotiated by the MCCA and CV Properties. State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry, Representative Nick Collins, and City Councilors Bill Linehan and Michael Flaherty were instrumental in working with the community, the Mayor’s administration, the MCCA, and the BRA to negotiate the agreement.

“We are pleased to have played a role in facilitating the community benefit funding thanks to the generosity of CV Properties, and we are excited about the BRA’s new program that allowed local nonprofits to propose the best uses for that funding,” said James E. Rooney, executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. “We will continue to work closely with the BRA to drive urban development on D Street and around the Convention Center for the benefit of the community we are proud to be a part of.”

“On behalf of CV Properties and our partner Ares Management, we are thrilled with the selection of so many deserving local non-profits to receive these funds,” said Richard Galvin, Founder and President of CV Properties. “I know how difficult it is to raise even a thousand dollars, so the fact that the D Street Hotel project can help fill the funding gaps so many of these groups have every year, is a great example of how significant new developments can act as a platform to do good things in the neighborhoods we work in.”

“To see so many critical non-profits receive funding from the community benefits package from the D Street Hotels project is exciting," said Senator Forry. "Supporting the work of these compassionate organizations is critical to the amazing community of South Boston. I want to thank CV Properties, Ares Management and the MCCA for their dedication to supporting these groups and the BRA for an improved, transparent community benefits process.”

"I am encouraged by the new transparent community benefits process and glad that many important service providers in South Boston will benefit from this funding," said City Council President Bill Linehan.

“South Boston’s non-profit organizations do a tremendous job serving our community and caring for some of our most vulnerable residents,” said Councilor Flaherty. “The community benefits attained through the grants provided by the D Street Hotel project will set an example for other developers who look to invest in our thriving neighborhood.”

“I was proud to be the house sponsor of the bill authorizing the D Street hotel expansion in South Boston,” said Representative Collins. “I worked hard with my colleagues in the legislature to ensure passage of the bill because it will bring many benefits to the South Boston community in the form of construction jobs, permanent jobs and funding for our local nonprofit organizations.”

Later this year, the BRA will release applications for community benefits funding associated with development projects in other neighborhoods of Boston.

Governor Baker Grants $1.25M to Combat Youth Violence and Gang Activity

Governor Baker Grants $1.25M to Combat Youth Violence and Gang Activity

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today announced a $1.25 million funding increase for the Shannon Grant program to support regional and multi-disciplinary approaches to combat gang and youth violence. Communities and organizations from Pittsfield to Boston will see a funding boost to combat youth violence this summer.

“I am pleased that we are now able to increase our investment in these important programs as summer sets in to combat youth violence and gang activity that threatens public safety and access to opportunity in communities across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Baker. “These programs have delivered meaningful results and show the positive impact we can have when state and local partners join forces to tackle a serious and recurring problem such as youth violence.”

The Shannon Community Safety Initiative provides funding to communities that demonstrate high levels of youth violence and gang problems, a comprehensive plan to work with multi-disciplinary partners, and a commitment to coordinated prevention and intervention strategies.

“As summer begins, it is crucial that we continue to find ways to engage our youth and provide them with real alternatives to violence. Fully funding the Shannon program enables my department to continue working with at risk youth and provide them opportunities that might not otherwise be available,”said Commissioner William Evans. “I want to thank Governor Baker for his commitment to public safety and protecting our youth.”

Governor Baker authorized a $1.25 million supplemental allotment to the 15 Shannon Grant Community Safety Initiative Sites and Local Action Research Partners (LARPs). Communities customarily use this funding for social intervention and opportunity provision programs as well as gang task force personnel costs and overtime crime analysis. The governor’s action means that the Shannon Community Safety Initiative will be fully funded at $8.25 million.

The following are the communities and partners slated to receive supplemental funds:

Shannon Grant Sites:

·         Boston - $266,929.45

·         Brockton - $54,863.79

·         Fall River - $55,526.40

·         Fitchburg (incl. Gardner, Leominster) - $71,898.31

·         Haverhill (incl. Methuen) - $48,336.24

·         Holyoke (incl. Chicopee) - $58,761.45

·         Lawrence - $88,173.85

·         Lowell - $68,203.93

·         Lynn - $88,840.31

·         Metro Mayors Coalition (incl. Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, Winthrop) - $45,288.10

·         New Bedford - $66,641.00

·         Pittsfield - $44,808.31

·         Springfield - $103,310.79

·         Taunton (incl. Attleboro, Norton) - $44,808.70

·         Worcester - $61,833.40

Local Action Research Partners (LARP):

·         City of Brockton - $8,315.79

·         Community Resources for Justice - $10,728.44

·         UMass Lowell (Haverhill Site) - $4,076.58

·         UMass Lowell (Lowell Site) - $10,146.61

·         UMass Amherst - $12,349.28

·         North Shore Community College - $9,689.05

·         UMass Boston - $10,736.84

·         Roger Williams University - $3,101.80

·         Clark University - $12,631.58

波士頓華埠社區中心強調家庭 年會宣佈董事二下三上

波士頓華埠社區中心（BCNC）六月十六日晚在該會五樓舉行2015年會，報告過去一年成績輝煌，不但在昆士市新闢據點，還有多名員工獲外界表揚。在董事會二人卸任，三人加入後，將繼續以家庭為核心，加強個案管理模式，打造快樂幸福，茁壯的社區。

            波士頓華埠社區中心（BCNC）董事長鍾潔姿，行政主任李隆華在年會中分別致詞，並藉由2014年七月才從香港移民來美的周寶珍，鄺榮婷等一家人的故事，闡述服務機構的支持，可在改善移民生活起到多大作用。

李隆華指出，該中心去年成績輝煌，不但成功擴展進昆市服務，還獲麻州政府評為提供最佳成人教育服務機構之一，在南岸地區排名第一。許多員工因成就或外界表揚。該中心也開始和麻州兒童和教育局（Massachusetts Department of Children and families）合作。

他強調，BCNC相信為民服務時，既要尊重他們的家庭，也要顧及個人歷史，才能獲得最佳效果。他們今年的工作重點將是為家庭提供更深入的個案管理服務。去年他們以個案管理方式，為24個家庭服務，幫助他們把整體家庭狀況改善了約35%。在BCNC剛接觸到這些家庭時，他們大都都處於困苦無助狀況，接受服務後，危機狀況平均改善61%。

            波士頓市教育長Rahn Dorsey應邀為BCNC的年會做主講人，侃言波士頓市府不只嘗試努力打破成就（achievement）差距，更想彌平涉及社會正義的機會差距（opportunity disparity）。他認為學童的學習成就出現差距，很多時候是因為生活基本需求都還無法滿足。他認為BCNC有如一道門，移民或居民門打開了這扇門，就能獲得包括教育，社會服務，融入環境，改善求職技能等等的整合服務。

            他期望有心者，更加從社區整體角度出發，設計，策劃服務項目。

            鍾潔姿表示，華埠社區一直在努力的，就是強化社區。他們藉著從家庭角度出發的服務設計，希望從幫助個人著手，發揮連鎖效應，進而改善移民的整個家庭生活品質。

            現年十七歲，在查理士高中讀二年級的鄺榮婷，當晚代表她母親周寶珍敘述他們的故事。他們一家人是2014年7月10日才從香港移民來波士頓的，8月1日走進波士頓華埠社區中心，是因為人生地不熟，他們需要有人幫忙申請學校，特殊教育及醫療保險。她的六歲妹妹患有染色體異常綜合症，智力發育受影響，卻被分發到一般性的哈佛根德（Harvard Kent）小學。上學第一天，她母親牽著妹妹的手去領早餐，工作人員卻因為她妹妹太矮小，不相信她是該校學生，不肯發給早餐。他母親又急又氣，卻因為不會說英語，不知道能怎麼辦，於是再度求助BCNC，終於轉進了昆士小學的特殊教育班。

            波士頓華埠社區中心共有十四名董事，十六日晚歡送黃華娟，Christopher Lam卸任，歡迎律師陳朝聖（Russell Chin），光譜股權（Spectrum Equity）高級專員郭文莉，Narva & Company資深家族企業顧問Shari Wyner Narva等三名新董事上任，任期至2018年。

圖片說明：

            波士頓華埠社區中心董事會主席鍾潔姿（右二），行政主任李隆華（左一）送上鮮花，禮物，感謝卸任的董事黃華娟（左二），Christopher Lam（右一）。（菊子攝）

            波士頓華埠社區中心董事會主席鍾潔姿（左一），行政主任李隆華（右一），介紹三名新董事，右起，陳朝聖，郭文莉，Shari Wyner Narva。

            波士頓華埠中心董事合影。（菊子攝）

            波士頓市教育長Rahn Dorsey致詞，強調社區重要。（菊子攝）