NAPCA Awarded $14 Million to Help America's Diverse Mature Workforce

 SEATTLE, WA, September 28, 2020– The US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (DOL-ETA) has awarded the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) $14 million in 2020-21 and for the upcoming 4 years to operate the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), a community service and work-based job training program for older Americans. NAPCA is one of 20 national non-profit organizations to receive the award and will operate SCSEP in 59 counties in 7 states.

“NAPCA is the only Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) national organization to receive an award to operate the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) from the Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (DOL-ETA). SCSEP provides job-skills and training to diverse older workers – thereby lifting them out of poverty and restoring their dignity. By 2030, 20% of US workers will be 65 or older,” said Anna E. Crosslin, Chair of NAPCA’s Board of Directors. “They are most at-risk to being left behind because of the socioeconomic inequities that persist in our systems,” she added.

SCSEP serves those 55 and older who are unemployed and have a family income of no more than 125% of the federal poverty level. The program provides qualified participants with paid training opportunities through community service activities at non-profit and public facilities to serve as a bridge to long term, unsubsidized employment opportunities. SCSEP prioritizes individuals who are veterans and qualified spouses, are over 65, have a disability, have low literacy skills or limited English proficiency, reside in a rural area, are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and have low employment prospects.

“Now more than ever, we need to act to address the poverty crisis impacting our nation’s older adults and acknowledge the importance of the SCSEP program in light of the economic and health inequities accelerated by COVID-19. Prior to the pandemic, more than 7 million older adults were identified to be living below the federal poverty guidelines with the trajectory of reaching 72 million in the next ten years. This award reflects the dedication of NAPCA’s staff and we receive the award as a call to action to stand and serve in the widening gap for our country’s diverse older adults," said Joon Bang, NAPCA’s President & CEO.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES BOSTON RACIAL EQUITY FUND STEERING COMMITTEE

 

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES BOSTON RACIAL EQUITY FUND STEERING COMMITTEE

BOSTON - Monday, September 28, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the Steering Committee members for the Boston Racial Equity Fund, created to invest in nonprofits and initiatives that empower Boston's Black and Brown residents. The 16-member group consists of Boston leaders in education, the business sector, health and the overall civic life of the city. Its list of desired outcomes includes working to reduce and eliminate the dramatic wealth and opportunity gaps between white families and families of color in the City of Boston.  "We have an opportunity and sense of real urgency to work together, to not only meet pressing needs, but empower communities and individuals to define and lead systemic change," said Mayor Walsh. "The Racial Equity Fund will complement the work that the City of Boston is doing to embed equity into all of City work and to dismantle racism by putting an intentional focus on supporting communities of color and marginalized groups across all departments. I thank all the members of the Steering Committee for leading this work as we continue to make progress on our work to better the lives of our residents now and for generations to come."  The Boston Racial Equity Fund was created in June of this year to increase the safety, wellbeing, equity, and prosperity of the Black and Brown community. The mission of the Fund is to advance racial equity and to dismantle systemic racism in the City of Boston and its enduring effects including economic and health inequities. The Fund will work to coordinate and amplify philanthropic interest, raising $10 million as its initial goal and ultimately getting it up to $50 million.  "This is a significant effort that is tangible and will have a real and enduring positive impact on our communities" said Emerson College President Lee Pelton, chair of the Boston Racial Equity Fund Steering Committee. "We have a very long way to go to end structural racism in our society, and I'm encouraged by this important step forward. We will navigate, as best we can, the need to respond to urgent needs while putting into place efforts and investments for long-term, sustained and continuous improvement.  Our objective is to dismantle the stubborn structural racial inequities that prevent folks from fully participating in this evolving experiment  we call American democracy. " "Boston is fortunate to have institutions and grassroots organizations that work every day to override decades of disinvestment and tear down obstacles to opportunity that face too many of our residents, particularly Black and Brown Bostonians," said Linda Dorcena Forry, Suffolk Construction's Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion & Community. "In coordination with the New Commonwealth Fund, we are ready to get to work to boost and complement the racial equity efforts being driven by each of our industry sectors."  The Steering Committee members are:  Lee Pelton, (Chair) Emerson College Beth Chandler, YW Boston Denella Clark, Boston Arts Academy Foundation Dr. Thea L. James, BMC Eric Esteves, The Lenny Zakim Fund Fatima Ali-Salaam, Greater Mattapan Neighborhood Council Karla Nicholson, Haymarket People's Fund Klare Shaw. Liberty Mutual Foundation Linda Dorcena Forry, Suffolk Construction Lori Smith-Britton, Community Resource Consulting, Inc. Mo Cowan, GE Pam Everhart, Fidelity Investments Penn Loh, Hyams Foundation Steve Tompkins, Suffolk County Sheriff Thelma Burns, Community Advocate, formerly ABCD Vanessa Calderón-Rosado, Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA) The Boston Racial Equity Fund is being staffed and coordinated by the newly-established Equity and Inclusion cabinet, under the leadership of Chief of Equity Dr. Karilyn Crockett. The cabinet works across departments to embed equity into all city work, and actively works to dismantle racism by putting an intentional focus on supporting communities of color and marginalized groups across all departments, and building equitable governmental structures to sustain this work. The cabinet comprises the following existing departments and agencies, including: Resilience and Racial Equity, Diversity, Human Rights Commission, Women's Advancement, Immigrant Advancement, Language and Communication Access.  As part of its COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, the City created the following emergency relief funds to help Boston's most vulnerable, including the Rental Relief Fund, the Small Business Relief Fund, the Reopen Boston Fund, and the Boston Resiliency Fund, collectively distributing over $38 million to renters, small businesses and nonprofit organizations in need.  The Boston Racial Equity Fund will initially exist as a program within the Boston Charitable Trust, an existing 501(c)(3) designated trust fund managed by the City of Boston's Treasury Department. For more information on how to make a donation, please visit: boston.gov/racialequityfund.

麻州新冠病毒疫情上揚 今日確診數將近600

麻州新冠病毒數據。

                   (Boston Orange) 9月27日，麻州又新添594人新冠病毒(COVID-19)確診，13人死亡。明天，9月28日，卻是餐館內可同桌共餐的人數從6人放寬到10人的開始。疫情到底如何，有點讓人困擾了。

麻州新冠病毒的確診人數現已累計到128,426，累計死亡人數9191。

9月27日有18,065人做了分子檢測。全州已執共行3,881,846次的分子檢測了。

波士頓市公佈的最新COVID-19數據。

最近，麻州把奧勒岡州(Oregon)也加入了危險州名單，進入麻州要取得72小時之內做過病毒檢測呈陰性證明的州，現在增加到41州了。

麻州的平均7天確診率也從0.8%升高到了0.9%。

目前麻州有408人因新冠病毒住院，其中包括79人住在重症病房。

波士頓市的9月25日數據為確診人數累計16,924，累計762人死亡，無新增。

根據約翰霍普金斯大學的數據，全世界的新冠病毒確診人數已高達3294萬5376，死亡人數也已累計達995,608，就快要破100萬大關了。全美國確診人數710萬5604，死亡人數204,724。

世界各國依新冠病毒確診人數排序，美國71,105,604，印度5,992,532，巴西4,717,991，俄國1,146,273，哥倫比亞806,038。

紐英崙華史會李燦輝紀念講座系列揭幕

紐英崙華人歷史協會李燦輝紀念講座揭幕。(周菊子攝)

                 (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)紐英崙華人歷史協會的李燦輝(Tunney F. Lee)紀念講座，9月26日下午以”華裔耆英”為主題，在網上揭幕。未來將以華裔美人為主要對象，陸續舉辦不同內容講座。11月12日年會後，12月將以新英格蘭地區二次界大戰華裔退伍軍人為主題。

             李燦輝曾任波士頓市政府重建局計畫及設計長，麻省理工學院都市計畫系主任，並為香港中文大學創辦了建築系。由於他的曾祖父早於1892年就已定居波士頓，他自己卻是1938年，7歲時才移民來美，並在父親去華府工作後，獨自留在波士頓升學。這經歷讓他對華埠歷史一直懷有深厚感情，退休後積極蒐集歷史文件，製作了”波士頓華埠圖嶼(Chinatown Altas)”展覽，並一直在和華史會董事張大衛密切合作，準備把他們所蒐集與華埠建築及人文有關的資料，整理成書。只是書還未付印，今年7月12日，李燦輝就辭世了。

李燦輝退休後在波士頓華埠頗為活躍。

             2011年起加入紐英崙華人歷史協會董事會，2012年出版過”東成西就: 七個華人基督教家族與中西交流百年”一書，現任約翰漢考克投資管理公司(John Hancock Investment Management)機構及退休產品發展主管，發起並擔任李燦輝紀念講座系列委員會主席的羅元旭指出，該會希望藉由成立”李燦輝紀念講座”，以李燦輝違失，繼續他那致力保存，宣揚華裔美人歷史，文化的工作。該會董事張大衛也將和李燦輝的家人繼續合作，整理出版李燦輝和他所整理出來的那些華埠歷史。

李燦輝(右二)和梁志生(右起)，前廣教學校校長曾秀芬，紐英崙龍岡親義公所元老趙羨藻
在"華埠圖嶼(Chinatown Altas)前合影。

             9月26日的首場講座，邀來哈佛大學社會研究學位委員會大三、大四研究助理主任暨講師，今年(2020)出版了”華裔耆英移民及退休全球化(Chinese Senior Migrants and the Globalization of Retirement)”的柳雲嫦(Nicole Newendorp)來講談”來自城市的故事:當代華裔耆英移民及波士頓的華埠(Stories from the City: Sontemporary Chinese Senior Migrants and Boston’s Chinatown)。

             柳雲嫦(Nicole Newendorp)從2007年起，曾在波士頓中華耆英會等機構教成人英語，因而認識不少華裔耆英，並在接觸中，聽了許多故事，後來再做許多訪談，調查，先後出版了至少2本書。

羅元旭發起舉辦李燦輝紀念講座系列，並擔任委員會主席。(周菊子攝)

          Nicole Newendorp指出，以人數來計，美國移民的第二大族群是華裔，僅次於墨西哥。2010年時，有180萬名在中國出生的人住在美國，在所有出生於外國的人口中，華裔佔4.5%，而且在外國出生華人中，有1/3是2000以後來美的，其中29.8%為年紀在55歲以上的耆英。她還用散居(diaspora)，家人分離，華埠等三種類別來敘述不同時期的移民故事，指當代耆英移民，多半經濟環境條件還不錯，所來自地區遠不止珠江三角洲一帶，來到美國後對華埠多半比較髒亂，印象不佳，但仍有部分耆英甚至願意每天花二小時搭車進城，或為與同文同種人群相處，或為回饋社區來做義工，好讓他們的退休生活過得更有意義。

哈佛大學講師Nicole Newendorp。(周菊子攝)

             李燦輝的女兒， Dara Lee Lewis博士，這天應邀出席，代表李燦輝家人感謝紐英崙華史會推出紀念講座，將和張大衛把她父親這本書交給麻省理工學院出版社出版。

             羅元旭透露，李燦輝紀念講座系列預定12月邀陳紹章(Bill Chen)將軍講談二次世界大戰的華裔退伍軍人，明年第一季，將邀Rob Morrison講談強烈反對排華法案的聯邦參議員George Hoar。(更新版)

李燦輝的女兒Dara Lee Lewis博士。(周菊子攝)

波士頓華埠土地信託會有7單位出售 屋街29號外牆等你來裝飾

波士頓華埠土地信託會屋街29號外牆投影，徵求裝飾意見。(ˊ周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導)這個9月份，波士頓華埠土地信託會一連3個星期四的晚上，在屋街29號旁舉辦”排屋外牆投影活動”，以”華埠饗宴(Chinatwon Banquet)”記錄片等靜態，動態作品，帶民眾回憶華埠歷史，展望未來，徵求裝飾排屋側牆意見。

               2018年正式成立，並選出9名理事的波士頓華埠土地信託會(Chinatown Community Land Trust)，抱著掌握，控制華埠內土地，以保障社區內住宅永久可負擔性這理想，已集資在波士頓華埠內買下兩座樓宇，分別座落在屋街(Oak St.)29號，以及乞臣街(Hudson St.)95號，共可翻修出7戶可負擔住宅。其中一半，將優先供華埠居民購買。由於這些房屋的土地將歸社區所有，將來即使房屋出售，也將歸類在可負擔住宅下買賣。

波士頓華埠土地信託會屋街29號外牆，盼民眾給裝飾意見。(ˊ周菊子攝)

               亞美社區發展協會的首次購屋課程已為這7個單位列出面積及售價，從470到902平方呎不等，有套房，以及1，2，3睡房格局選擇，售價在167,700至228,700之間。凡是年收入在區域中位收入的80%以下者，也就是年收入在63,500元以下的單身者，在90,650元以下的四口之家，都有資格申請購買。

               由於屋街29號的外牆，面對著華信屋旁的花園，來往行人、車輛輕易可見。波士頓華埠土地信託會因此希望在這片牆壁上，有些能夠表達華埠這移民社區歷史、文化的藝術創作品，9月份藉著一連3場活動，廣告週知，無論是文字，繪畫，或是動態視頻作品，該會都歡迎。

               9月24日晚的這9月份最後一場活動，波士頓華埠土地信託會主任駱理德，會長李素影，社區熱心人士余麗馨等將近20人，散坐在屋街29號外牆前，就著牆上掛出的一小塊白色螢幕，欣賞亞美社區發展協會在林志琰，劉繼明時代製作的”華埠饗宴”紀錄片，回憶早年波士頓市政府拆除高架電車軌道，乞臣街住戶人家有一半遭遇拆遷命運，華埠民眾遊行抗議紐英崙塔芙茨醫院擴建，信義大廈破土動工等等歷史鏡頭，提醒華埠民眾，華埠是否能夠保存，要靠華埠居民們團結爭取。

李素影，余麗馨等人欣賞"華埠饗宴"記錄片。(周菊子攝)

波士頓華埠早年還有高架電車經過。(周菊子攝)

華埠民眾抗議遊行。(周菊子攝)

信義大廈破土動工。(周菊子攝)

屋街29號就在信義大廈對面。(周菊子攝)

乞臣街另一半的住宅都拆了。(周菊子攝)

這段文字記錄了當年的歷史。(周菊子攝)

MAYOR WALSH DOUBLES FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS TO REPLACE HEATING SYSTEMS THROUGH SENIORS SAVE PROGRAM

 

MAYOR WALSH DOUBLES FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS TO REPLACE HEATING SYSTEMS THROUGH SENIORS SAVE PROGRAM Aids older Bostonians in replacing faulty heating systems prepare for cold weather   Mayor Walsh visits with Mr. Joseph Cappuccio, a longtime Roslindale resident, who had his heating systems replaced through the Seniors Save program. Photo credit: Isabel Leon, photographed in 2016   BOSTON - Saturday, September 26, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that the City of Boston has more than doubled the amount of funding available to residents through the Seniors Save program which serves income-eligible seniors who need their heating systems replaced. The Senior Saves program will now make up to $8,000 in grant funding available to income-eligible seniors who are over the age of 60, up from $3,5000 available previously. This increase in funding will better reflect the costs associated with replacing a faulty heating system.    "With cold weather approaching, we want to make sure older Bostonians can stay warm and safe this winter," said Mayor Walsh. "Our older residents living on fixed incomes may not always be able to afford important improvements to their homes or new heating systems. I'm proud that the City of Boston's Home Center is able to provide additional resources to older Bostonians, and I encourage all eligible residents to take advantage of this program before the cold weather hits."   The new energy-efficient systems will significantly lower residents' risk of heating emergencies during cold weather and will also reduce their energy bills, enabling them to expand their budgets for other necessities.    "Seniors Save is the best program in the City of Boston and I want to thank Mayor Walsh's Home Center. The workers did an excellent job. I've told other seniors about this great program so they can also get a new heating system like me!" said Roslindale resident Mr. Joseph Cappucio, Roslindale.    Eligible homeowners will receive up to $8,000 towards upgrades to their heating systems. Any additional funding is available in the form of a zero percent interest, deferred loan, which will only be payable on the sale of the property, a refinance, or transfer of the title. Once an older resident applies, BHC Construction Specialists will work with the homeowner on the scope of the project and will help select a contractor from the BHC's pre-approved, licensed, and insured contractor list. A BHC Construction Specialist will then oversee the work from start to finish, and will follow all COVID-19 public health guidelines when conducting work inside a residents' home.   "We are excited that the program will be even more accessible for older residents of Boston and allow them to heat their homes efficiently," said Age Strong Commissioner Emily Shea. "We are spending more time than ever at home, and this is a great benefit that will help older adults stay comfortable and save money this winter."   To qualify, residents must be 60 years of age or older and must be the occupants of residential one-to-four family property or condominium in the City of Boston. The program is open to those residents over 60 years old whose income does not exceed 80 percent of area median income, as determined by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.     Applications for the Seniors Save program are currently available through the Boston Home Center (BHC), by visiting the Department of Neighborhood Development's website, or by contacting one of the BHC's partner senior agencies. To learn more about Seniors Save and to apply for the program residents are also invited to contact (617) 635-HOME.   ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT (DND)   The Department of Neighborhood Development is responsible for housing the homeless, developing affordable housing, and ensuring that renters and homeowners can find, maintain, and stay in their homes. As part of the ongoing coronavirus response, the Office of Housing Stability is also conducting tenant's rights workshops to educate residents about the eviction moratorium and their rights. The Boston Home Center continues to provide down payment assistance to first-time home buyers and home repairs for seniors and low-income residents. The Supportive Housing Division is working with various partners around the city to rapidly house individuals who are experiencing homelessness. For more information, please visit the DND website.

MAYOR WALSH, BOSTON FIRE COMMISSIONER DEMPSEY CELEBRATE BEAM RAISING ON NEW FIREHOUSE

 

MAYOR WALSH, BOSTON FIRE COMMISSIONER DEMPSEY CELEBRATE BEAM RAISING ON NEW FIREHOUSE   As the first firehouse built in 30 years, the City of Boston is investing $23.5 million into the new Engine 42, Rescue 2, District 9 building     BOSTON - Friday, September 25, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Boston Fire Commissioner John Dempsey and Boston Fire Department firefighters today celebrated the final beam raising on the first new firehouse built in the City of Boston in over 30 years. The construction of Engine 42, Rescue 2, District 9 Firehouse is a $23.5 million investment in the City of Boston's community and emergency services. The City of Boston Public Facilities Department (PFD), in collaboration with the Boston Fire Department (BFD), is working closely with Dore & Whittier Architects and Boston Building and Bridge on design and construction. The design focuses on both emergency response for the neighborhood and the health and wellness of firefighters.   "An investment in emergency services and first responders is an investment in the community and Boston's safety. Designing and building a firehouse that prioritizes the health, safety and wellbeing is exactly how we should give back to first responders who sacrifice their health and safety for us," said Mayor Walsh. "I want to thank Commissioner Dempsey and all the firefighters for their commitment to our city and residents."   This beam raising marks the completion of the structural steel installation, which started in October 2019, and the next step in the construction process. Now, construction will phase into installing masonry, which will enclose the building exterior, along with the roof and windows, making it watertight. Due to COVID-19, construction was paused for two months.   The priority for the new firehouse is the health and safety of Boston Fire Department firefighters. As part of the design and construction, the building minimizes particulate contaminants from traveling to the living quarters of the building. The new building will be broken into three zones (hot, warm and cold) to keep carcinogens from circulating throughout the house.   "It's been a long time since we've had a Mayor willing to invest in the safety, health, and wellness of our firefighters," said Fire Commissioner Dempsey. "This allows for optimal performance in our service to the residents of Boston. This new firehouse will keep our firefighters healthy for years to come."   The completed Engine 42, Rescue 2, District 9 firehouse will include:  Three extended apparatus bays, allowing more BFD tactical rescue equipment to be housed at the location 25 seat training room, allowing BFD to keep tactical rescue companies up to date on latest training, and keeping them closer to their houses, instead of training on Moon Island Training deck on the roof, confined space training prop, and training stair tower to allow for simulated  training exercises onsite  Fitness room to promote wellness 14 bunk rooms to house two companies Energy efficient building designed to LEED Silver requirements White roof that will be solar ready High efficiency mechanical systems, LED lighting    Additionally, the City of Boston is commissioning an artist to create a long-term public artwork to complement the construction of the Engine 42 fire station. This project has a budget of $300,000, and is funded by the City's Percent for Art program, which commissions one percent of the City's capital borrowing for the creation of public art. $15.0 million has been allocated to this program over the next five years. The artwork at Engine 42 will be a site-specific, impactful, focal design feature that aims to enrich the connection between the Boston Fire Department and the surrounding Egleston and Roxbury communities.    Mayor Walsh's FY21-25 Capital Plan includes other health and safety improvements to firehouse projects as a result of recent programming. Starting in FY16, the Fire Department, in conjunction with the Public Facilities Department, studied best practices for firehouse design. Key design changes include defined zones within the firehouse to prevent contamination of living areas, along with improved personal and gear cleaning facilities. The results of this planning are reflected in the projects to replace firehouses for Engine 42 in Roxbury and Engine 17 in Dorchester, at a total investment of $48 million. The firehouses for Engine 3 in the South End and Engine 37 on Huntington Avenue are also scheduled to be replaced.   The 2.5 story building is 23,000 square feet, replacing the previous single story, 6,400 square foot firehouse, which opened in 1952. As the firehouse is still under construction, operations have been reallocated to 121 Armory Street, which is 0.2 miles from the existing fire station.   ###