Baker-Polito Administration Recognizes April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

 Baker-Polito Administration Recognizes April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, Highlights Providers Who Continue to Support Survivors During COVID-19

 

BOSTON – Today, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, state officials and community advocates convened in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month and to raise awareness of the supports available to survivors of sexual assault. Representatives from the Commonwealth’s 16 regional Rape Crisis Centers, the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program and the Sexual Assault Response Unit within the Disabled Persons Protection Commission, who have served sexual assault survivors over the past year in new and creative ways due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, were recognized and shared available resources.

 

"The Governor's Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence has worked with advocates, partners and key stakeholders to support survivors of sexual assault across the Commonwealth," said Governor Charlie Baker. "In what has been an extremely challenging year, I am grateful to the Council under the leadership of Lt. Governor Polito, for their efforts to support survivors and their families and ensure their safety as we all work to end sexual assault in Massachusetts."

 

“The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month and providing care, resources and support for survivors of sexual assault across the Commonwealth to keep them safe and ensure access for all those who need it,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Chair of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. “Every individual in every community across our Commonwealth deserves to live a life free from sexual assault, and while this work has been challenging during COVID-19, it is critically important that individuals and families know that they are not alone and that services, safety nets and resources are available.”

 

“This has been an exceptionally difficult year in so many ways, and we are still learning the full impacts of COVID-19. For sexual assault survivors, we know that trauma may be compounded by isolation and other factors brought by the pandemic,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “We are grateful for the work of advocates in rape crisis centers, and other providers and members of this strong network across our Commonwealth, who have worked to ensure survivors of sexual assault have access to resources, and we will continue to collaborate and support them to best help survivors throughout and beyond this pandemic.”

 

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, local and regional providers rapidly pivoted to remote services, helping meet the needs of Massachusetts residents. Last April, the Baker-Polito Administration expanded and promoted SafeLink — the statewide 24/7 domestic violence hotline — to refer sexual assault-related calls to local rape crisis centers. The Administration also established Isolation and Recovery sites for individuals in shelter who tested positive for COVID-19, offering a safe, stable location to isolate and recover, and provided PPE and cleaning supplies, and created appropriate health and safety policies for survivors at the sites.

 

Throughout the pandemic, Massachusetts’ Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program – which includes SANE nurses in 40 hospitals across the Commonwealth – has continued operations, providing trauma-informed, expert forensic nursing care to sexual assault patients across the lifespan.

 

To support adults with disabilities who are sexual assault survivors, the Commonwealth created a first-in-the-nation dedicated Sexual Assault Response Unit within the Disabled Persons Protection Commission. This specific unit helps adults with disabilities navigate through the barriers they face when accessing trauma services, such as communication, transportation and accessibility to help ensure that survivors are aware of the services available and to help meet their unique needs.

 

“During this Sexual Assault Awareness Month, let’s remember: unlike the coronavirus, sexual assault is not novel,” said Isa Woldeguiorguis, Executive Director of the Center for Hope and Healing. “Crisis situations have historically had the heaviest impact on survivors of violence, especially those who are also members of marginalized communities, such as people of color, LGBQ/T+ folks, immigrants, people with disabilities and lower incomes. The pandemic affirmed for us that our work is vital to respond to multiple crises – COVID, racism, health disparities, and violence.”

 

“Sexual assault and rape crisis advocates have met the challenges of the pandemic with grace and compassion as they continue to offer a lifeline to those experiencing abuse,” said Debra Robin, Executive Director of Jane Doe, Inc. “Today we celebrate them and recommit ourselves to the prevention of sexual violence.”

 

“Every sexual assault patient deserves the best possible care,” said Joan Sham, Director of the Massachusetts Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program. “The SANE program, coupled with other health care and community support services, provides compassionate, trauma-informed nursing care that can help support healing, and mitigate the long-term physical and mental health challenges of sexual assault patients throughout the Commonwealth.”

 

“We are so grateful to our many partners who have together made it possible for victims with a disability to get the trauma informed treatment they need and deserve,” said Jackie Perez, Central/West Regional Navigator for the Sexual Assault Response Unit at the Disabled Persons Protection Commission. “With this issue now at the fore, the momentum will catapult us all forward to provide enhanced services to those most in need.”

 

Sexual assault and dating violence, like other forms of violence, further health inequities. Sexual assault and dating violence have both short- and long-term health effects for survivors, contributing to chronic disease, substance abuse, gynecological, and mental health issues. Child abuse, sexual violence, and partner violence often lead to homelessness among survivors, which in turn puts people at risk for additional sexual assault and sexual exploitation or trafficking. Youth who have experienced trauma, including witnessing or experiencing physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, are at greater risk for suicide.

 

Upon taking office, the Baker-Polito Administration restored the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, chaired by Lt. Governor Polito, and has made significant investments in services to support survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. The administration has advanced several initiatives across the Commonwealth in support of individuals of all ages, which include the establishment of the SAECK Tracking System, a statewide sexual assault evidence collection kit tracking system, the creation of a statewide public awareness campaign, RESPECTfully, to promote healthy relationships among Massachusetts youth, the implementation of multi-disciplinary Human Trafficking Guidelines for Law Enforcement, and the awarding of $1 million in grant funding to promote healthy relationships and prevent sexual assault and dating violence through prevention education.

 

The Baker-Polito Administration’s proposed FY22 budget reaffirms this commitment to survivors of sexual assault through $96 million in total funding to ensure that survivors have access to critical services and supports, a 48% increase from FY15. This includes $50.3 million for the Department of Public Health to carry out domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and survivor services, as well as emergency and transitional residential services for victims and their children, $6 million to support statewide SANE programs for adults and adolescents in hospital settings and pediatric SANE programs in child advocacy centers, and $1 million for the grant program focusing on promoting healthy relationships and preventing dating violence among youth.

 

Anyone who is struggling with sexual assault is reminded that free, confidential, 24/7 support from a local rape crisis center is a phone call away. Call SafeLink at (877) 785-2020 or visit www.mass.gov/service-details/sexual-assault-prevention-and-survivor-services

Charlie Baker congratulate UMass Amherst men's ice hockey team on its NCAA championship

 Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito join University of Massachusetts (UMass) President Marty Meehan and UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble R. Subbaswamy to participate in a ceremony to congratulate the UMass Amherst men's ice hockey team on their championship victory in the NCAA Division I Tournament.

吳弭、Deval Patrick，祖伯格，John Keenan on Derek Chauvin's verdict

 

Mayor Janey offers her thoughts on the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial

 

Governor Charlie Baker Releases Statement on the Chauvin Verdict​

 Governor Charlie Baker Releases Statement on the Chauvin Verdict​

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today released the following statement:  

“Eleven months ago, Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin subdued and handcuffed George Floyd, and then knelt on his neck for over 8 horrific minutes. 

“Since then, many states and municipalities, horrified by the viral video of George Floyd’s death, have enacted significant law enforcement reforms – including here in Massachusetts. 

“But for many, the most important unanswered question since that awful night has been much more personal: Where is the justice for George Floyd – and for that matter, Officer Chauvin?

“Nothing can reverse the pain, suffering and agony of George Floyd’s family and friends, but this decision does make clear that Officer Chauvin was not above the law. He was given a fair trial, found guilty, and he will pay a price for his actions.

“But as the countless, tragic events that took place at the hands of law enforcement before and after George Floyd’s death make clear, there is much to do to correct, reform and reimagine the way law enforcement officers are trained, and how they and their departments are held accountable for their actions.

“Massachusetts enacted one of the most comprehensive police training, transparency and accountability laws in the country at the end of last year. We owe it to all those whose lives have been lost to do all we can to successfully implement that law, and sustain its aspirations far into the future.”

Patrick Rose內部調查報告今日公開 Kim Janey直言波市警局前任長官們忽視職責

(Boston Orange 編譯)波士頓市警察Patrick Rose的經過編輯內部調查報告，今天(4月19日)下午公佈了。波士頓市長Kim Janey發表聲明，稱警察局顯然沒試過要開除他，整件事讓人深感不安，完全無法接受。 Kim  Janey保證，做為市長，她將竭盡所能讓這種事情不再發生。 Kim Janey在聲明中表示，公佈波士頓市前警察Patrick Rose經過編輯的內部調查報告，旨在為1996年的內部事務調查，提供透明，負責的流程，也維持市府保護性暴力受害人的義務。 根據市府法律部門對Rose警員內部事務調查的審閱，顯然的波士頓市警察局之f前的領導們忽略了他們的保護及服務職責。儘管1996年的內部事務調查發現可信證據，支持對Rose警員性侵青少年的控訴，似乎警察局並沒有試圖開除他。 Rose能夠留在警察局繼續服務20年，甚至最後成為波士頓巡警協會會長，讓人深感不安，也完全不可接受。更有甚者，Rose還在他的職涯期間得以和年輕的性侵受害人繼續接觸，而且我們現在知道，他還繼續侵犯了其他幾名兒童。             Rose的性侵行為得以掩蓋。以及那時候警察局所展現的明顯缺乏領導力，讓人感到非常困擾。這種秘密文化不可以被容忍。當執法人員違犯了他們保護及為社區服務的神聖職責，我們別無選擇的要揭露他們的不良行為，試圖重新建立信任。               那將是Stephanie Everett在5月3日就職，成為新設的警察問責及透明辦公室(OPAT)主任後的優先要務之一。我已要求Everett律師調查這宗案件的流程。她將在45天內遞交一份計畫，來改革警察局的內部事務流程。我們不會羞於使用OPAT的權力來解決任何其他讓人關切的個案。               我和倖存者社區團結一致。做為市長，我誓言會盡我所能地來確保這種事不再發生。 Statement from Mayor Kim Janey on the Release of Former Boston Police Officer Patrick Rose’s Internal Affairs File

In releasing a redacted version of former Boston Police Officer Patrick Rose’s internal affairs file today, we seek to provide transparency and accountability around the internal affairs process in 1996, while upholding our legal obligation to protect the identities of victims of sexual violence and our moral responsibility to avoid retraumatizing them. In light of this goal, we are providing as much information to the public as possible about the circumstances surrounding the internal affairs investigation and how leadership at the time responded to the findings. Based on a review of former officer Rose’s internal affairs file conducted by the City’s Law Department, it is clear that previous leaders of the police department neglected their duty to protect and serve. Despite an internal affairs investigation in 1996 that found credible evidence to sustain the allegation against Rose for sexually assaulting a minor, it appears that the police department made no attempt to fire him.  It is deeply unsettling and entirely unacceptable that Rose remained on the force for two decades and eventually became the president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association.  What’s more, Rose was allowed to have contact with young victims of sexual assault during the course of his career, and we now know that he allegedly went on to assault several other children. His alleged behavior is disgusting, and the apparent lack of leadership shown by the department at the time is extremely troubling. This culture of secrecy cannot be tolerated.  When members of law enforcement violate their sacred duty to protect and serve the community, we have no choice but to expose their misconduct and attempt to rebuild trust. That work is among the highest priorities for Stephanie Everett when she begins her role as Executive Director of the newly created Office of Police Accountability and Transparency (OPAT) on May 3. I have asked Attorney Everett to investigate the process followed in this case. Within 45 days, she will deliver a plan for review and, as necessary, for reform of the police department’s internal affairs procedures. We will not shy away from using the powers of OPAT to address any other concerning cases that may come to light with the urgency they deserve.  I stand together in solidarity with the survivor community, and as Mayor I pledge to do everything in my power to make sure this never happens again.   **Note**: The redacted internal affairs file and a cover memo explaining the Law Department’s process for reviewing the file can be found here

僑委會鼓勵海外僑校開辦台灣華語文教育中心 將補助開辦費

             (Boston Orange 麻州報導)僑委會在美東時間4月20日晚和北美華文媒體舉行視訊會議，說明臺灣與美國去年12月簽訂「臺美教育倡議」，該會刻正提供補助，鼓勵海外僑校成立華語文教育中心，另以台北市政府「酷課雲」平台，發展數位雙語雙向教學。

                僑委會委員長童振源指出，在世界各地陸續關閉中國孔子學院之際，歐美多國期盼台灣能夠填補華語文教學的需求缺口，台灣將由外交部，教育部及僑委會這三個單位分頭進行，依序針對大學院校，以及僑校及社區來設計辦理教育項目，爭取繁體字的海外華語文市場。

                 目前世界各地50多國，大約有1054所僑校，其中361所在美國，共約8156名老師，逾9萬3500名學生。僑委會希望藉由提供開辦，營運費用補助，提供教材，教師培訓支援等方式，鼓勵各地僑校以其現有資源，針對非華裔人士，開辦華語文教育中心。

                僑委會推動相關工作的策略有三，一為輔助現有僑校成立台灣華語文學習中心，藉由僑校師資來教主流社會人士華語；二為加強和在美國中小學執教台裔教師的聯繫，同時鼓勵僑校老師進修，取得教師執照，進入美國中小學任教；三為加強應用科技，和台灣智能教育產業合作，包括葉丙成研發的以「闖關」遊戲來教語文等方法。

                僑委會另將以六大做法來支援台灣華語文教育中心，包括以數位方式培訓華語師資，邀華語教師到台灣參加研習營，提供僑委會的「全球華文網」數位教材，舉辦歌唱，作文比賽等文化活動，邀華語學員到台灣參加青年營，觀摩團，英語服務營等活動，舉辦國際交流競賽等。

                
為因應世界科技應用趨勢，僑委會還將和台灣的智能產業及華語教學機構合作，為華語文教育中心提供數位化的營運協助，包括僑委會與臺北市政府攜手推動的「酷僑專案」，在線上教學平臺「酷課雲」建僑教專區，放置教學用影片供海外僑校選用。

童振源希望僑校老師未來也能在「酷課雲」開課。

曾任波士頓僑教中心主任的黃正杰，這晚以僑教處專員身分出席會議，進一步說明台灣華語文教育中心將以18歲以上，非華裔學員為主要對象，今年試辦之後，預定每年二期，每期三個月，每堂課3小時，一般最少10到15人等開辦基準。僑委會將酌情發給補助費，協助開辦華語文教育中心的各項費用。

當晚出席會議的大紀元時報波士頓社長馮文鑾透露，新英格蘭地區目前只有明慧學校有意開辦，其他僑校礙於疫情，目前都不做此考慮。

僑委會為鼓勵各地僑校開辦台灣華語文中心，先後於4月19，20兩日舉行了視訊會議，討論前述內容。僑委會僑務通訊社社長郭淑貞19日晚也全程出席了。

波士頓市文化委員會撥款48萬元資助153個藝文組織

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES $489,000 AWARDED TO 153 ORGANIZATIONS IN BOSTON CULTURAL COUNCIL GRANTS Grants support local organizations offering arts and cultural programming in Boston.

 

BOSTON - Tuesday, April 20, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey, together with the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture and the Boston Cultural Council (BCC), today announced 153 arts and cultural organizations have received grants totaling $489,000 through the Boston Cultural Council. These grants support the organizations’ general operating expenses, with the goal of enhancing the quality of life in Boston through the arts.

 

 

Photo of Boston Cultural Council grantee and Modeling Equity Organization DEAFinitely, Inc. performing at Boston Children’s Museum on January 20, 2020, courtesy of Kathy Wiiman//Ball Square Films.

 

“The arts are integral to ensuring our city is a culturally vibrant place where everyone is able to thrive,” said Mayor Janey. “These organizations have done incredible work over the past year to engage our communities during such a difficult time, and we are proud to support them as they continue to carry out this much needed work.”   The Boston Cultural Council works with the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture to annually distribute funds allocated by the City of Boston and the Mass Cultural Council for local arts and culture programming. BCC members are Boston residents appointed by the Mayor, and serve for up to two consecutive three-year terms. Council members are selected on the basis of their demonstrated commitment to Boston's cultural community and their knowledge of various arts disciplines.  This year, the Mass Cultural Council contributed $245,900 and the City of Boston contributed $250,000. The Boston Cultural Council received applications from organizations across the entire city, representing a wide variety of artistic disciplines. Here is a complete list of the 2021 grantees. For the second year in a row, grant amounts were determined by budget size. Organizations with budgets under $2 million received grants between $2,000 and $5,000. This funding strategy aims to better support small- to medium-sized organizations. Organizations were evaluated on a series of criteria, including diversity of the organization, service to historically underrepresented populations, benefit to the public, and reflection of the goals and ideas of the Boston Creates cultural plan. The Boston Cultural Council also awarded the Modeling Equity Organization grant for the third year in a row. OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center, Little Uprisings, and DEAFinitely, Inc. were each awarded an additional $5,000 for meaningfully addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion in leadership, board, staff, and programming, and their ongoing work to serve historically underrepresented groups.  “This award from the BCC will invigorate DEAFinitely’s performing arts and mentoring programs as we start a new chapter of empowerment and resolve after a year of isolation and grave injustices,” said Jamie Robinson, Founder/Creative Director of DEAFinitely, Inc., a 2021 Boston Cultural Council grantee and Modeling Equity Organization award recipient. “We thank BCC for shining a light on communication and Deaf cultural access as integral parts of diversity, equity and inclusion for all Boston cultural organizations.” In addition to supporting arts organizations through Boston Cultural Council grants, the City of Boston has also allocated $200,000 to supporting individual artists through the Opportunity Fund. Artists can apply for $1,000 grants for professional development experiences or community arts events. The deadline to apply for funding in FY2021 is June 4, 2021. Interested artists can learn more at boston.gov/opportunity-fund. "We aim to make opportunities to engage in the arts and creative expression accessible to all, and one way we're doing that is by celebrating organizations that represent the racial and ethnic diversity of the city, and lifting up those who are going above and beyond in their own work to advance equity, access, and social justice in Boston,” said Kara Elliott-Ortega, Chief of Arts and Culture for the City of Boston. “We look forward to supporting all of our grantees as we work together to make Boston a city that uplifts our communities." A virtual reception celebrating this year’s grantees will be livestreamed to the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture’s Facebook page (@ArtsinBoston) on May 20, 2021 from 6-7 p.m. To learn more about the Boston Cultural Council, visit here.

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Nearly $1.6 million in Travel & Tourism Recovery Grants to 59 Organizations

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Nearly $1.6 million in Travel & Tourism Recovery Grants to 59 Organizations

Administration also opens new capital grant program to expand, renovate tourism destinations and attractions

BOSTON — Today, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, and Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) Executive Director Keiko Matsudo Orrall announced $1,587,791 in awards to 59 tourism organizations, chambers of commerce, and municipalities as part of the newly created Travel and Tourism Recovery (TTR) Grant Pilot Program.  The announcement was made virtually and included recipients of the awards.
 

Funds from the TTR Grant Pilot Program are dedicated to marketing projects that support the My Local MA campaign, enhance tourism recovery, and have the potential to increase non-resident visitation.  The program’s goal is to strengthen the Massachusetts economy through the development and enhancement of the state’s tourism industry.  Examples of projects aligned with the program’s goals include Old Sturbridge Village’s “Come and Stay” campaign; the towns of Concord and Lexington's joint promotion of “Two Historic Towns; One Memorable Trip,” and the East of the River Chamber of Commerce for website development, video, signage and increasing access for diverse populations and people with disabilities.
 
"The tourism and hospitality industry is vital to the economic well-being of Massachusetts," said Governor Charlie Baker

.  "Our administration recognizes the challenges this industry has faced during the pandemic, and these grants will support the Commonwealth's recovery by allowing grant recipients to market to their local strengths.”
 
"Our administration is committed to leveraging the resources and tools available to assist the tourism and hospitality industry recover," said Lt. Governor Polito. "We are grateful to our tourism councils, municipal colleagues, and regional and local chambers of commerce for their continued partnership, as we tackle this challenge together."
 
Lt. Governor Polito also announced the opening of the Destination Development Capital (DDC) Grant Program. This $2 million competitive grant program will award funds to strengthen the economy through development projects that will expand, construct, restore, or renovate Massachusetts tourism destinations and attractions, and aid in destination recovery and resiliency. This program was created in the economic development bill signed by Governor Baker in January. 
 
“Massachusetts continues to make critical investments that support our small businesses, visitor destinations, downtown districts, and rural areas,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Kennealy. “These investments are critical to helping our tourism and hospitality industry rebound from the impacts caused by this public health crisis, and will allow our communities to recover as we approach the summer tourism season.”
 
“This new TTR funding is a perfect complement to the Commonwealth’s ‘My Local MA’ campaign, which focuses on supporting local businesses throughout the pandemic,” said MOTT Executive Director Matsudo Orrall. “With these grants, tourism groups and local municipalities can market their assets directly to prospective vacationers, targeting tourists in the New England region and the Mid-Atlantic states drive market.”

“The funding being announced today is a critical first step in the recovery of the tourism, arts, and culture industries,” said Senator Ed Kennedy, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development. “The marketing campaigns created with use of these funds will draw attention to the wide variety of attractions and experiences Massachusetts offers, bringing in new visitors from outside of the state and reminding those already here that there are hundreds of fun, cultural, and educational experiences right here in our own backyards.” 

"The impacts of COVID-19 are far reaching. We have seen the numerous devastating effects on this industry that was first to close and likely last to reopen,” said Rep. Carole Fiola, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development.  “These grants are an important tool to support these organizations in beginning their recovery and help the Commonwealth build back travel and tourism stronger than it was before. I look forward to working with the industry to continue with this critical recovery."
 
"Old Sturbridge Village is extremely grateful for the hard work done by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and the generous support through the Travel and Tourism Recovery Grant,” said Jim Donahue, President and CEO of Old Sturbridge Village.  “We look forward to stimulating travel to Massachusetts through our ‘Come and Stay’ campaign and encouraging visitors of the Village to help local businesses recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic."
 
“The Town of Concord is so grateful for this generous grant award and looks forward to working with MOTT and our partners in the Town of Lexington on this historic campaign,” said Concord Town Manager Stephen Crane.  “The economic impact of the pandemic has reinforced the need to work together in both traditional and non-traditional ways so our communities can come back stronger than ever.”
 
“The East of the River Five Town Chamber (ERC5) is grateful to the Baker-Polito Administration and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism for the grant funds which will allow our organization, and by extension the communities we represent, to enrich our outreach to both underserved businesses and tourists exploring our five town region,” said Nancy L. Connor, ERC5 Executive Director.

Funded through the Tourism Trust Fund, the TTR Grant Program was open to any public, nonprofit agency, 501(c)3, or 501(c)6 that has been in operation in Massachusetts for at least two consecutive years since January 2019, and is in good standing with taxes and licenses/registrations in the Commonwealth.
 
The TTR and DDC programs are in alignment with the Baker-Polito Administration’s Partnerships for Recovery Plan to help stabilize and grow the Massachusetts economy. The plan focuses on getting people back to work, supporting small businesses, fostering innovation, revitalizing downtowns, and ensuring housing stability. Through Partnerships for Recovery, the Administration has awarded more than $660 million to small businesses, and has opened new grant programs to revitalize downtowns, create winter community spaces, support cultural institutions and foundations, and fund regional economic development organizations. 

2018年波士頓馬拉松賽冠軍Des Linden今年再來戰

             (Boston Orange 編譯) 2018年波士頓馬拉松賽冠軍Des Linden今(19)日參加首屆愛國者日馬拉松賽，跑到終點線時宣佈，將於10月11日以約翰漢考克專業體育隊員身分，參加第125屆波士頓馬拉松賽。

             第8次參加波士頓馬拉松賽，曾兩次參加奧林匹克馬拉松賽的Des Linden說，參加這第125屆波士頓馬拉松賽，可是一生只有一次的機會。

             Des Linden和5名前線工作人員及社區人士，今日在波約斯頓街(Boylston)上，一起跑了今天的這”愛國者日馬拉松賽”。傳統上，波士頓馬拉松賽就是在愛國者日舉行的。

             波士頓體育會執行長Tom Grilk今日在跑者們衝過終點線後，給了他們一個驚喜，邀請它們參加10月份的波士頓馬拉松賽，以感謝他們的工作與服務。

             Des Linden在2018年時，冒著勁風驟雨，成為1985年以來，第一位拿到公開組冠軍的美國女跑者。在她的參賽歷程中，她曾5次名列波士頓前5名，其中包括2011年奪得亞軍。上星期她打破了5000英里的全國記錄，以2小時59分54秒，跑完31.7英里。她誓約翰漢考克(John Hancock)專業體育隊宣佈的第一位第125屆波士頓馬拉松賽選手。

             第125屆波士頓馬拉松賽將於明日，4月20日美東時間的早上10點開始，經由波士頓體育會的網上平台”選手村Athletes’ Village，接受報名。4月23日下午5點截止受理。報名將並不會以先到先得的方式處理。挑選過程將和往年一致。申請人在4月20至23日之間遞交的申請及合格時間，將由波士頓體育會確認並排序，預定5月初發通知。

             在親自參加路賽之外，波士頓體育會將舉辦歷史性的虛擬波士頓馬拉松賽，以慶祝這第125屆波士頓馬拉松賽。虛擬賽的報名日期從3月30日就開始了，已經有105個國家，以及全美50州的選手報名參加了。虛擬波士頓馬拉松賽將於10月8日至10日的比賽週舉行。

Des Linden to Race 125th Boston Marathon

2018 CHAMPION ANNOUNCED AS FIRST MEMBER OF THE JOHN HANCOCK PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE TEAM

BOSTON— Des Linden, the 2018 Boston Marathon champion and two-time Olympic marathoner, today announced that she will compete in the 125th Boston Marathon on Monday, October 11, as part of the John Hancock Professional Athlete Team. Linden made the announcement at the Boston Marathon finish line after running in the inaugural Patriots’ Day Mile.

“The 125th Boston Marathon is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to race the Boston Marathon in the fall,” said Linden, who will run the Boston Marathon for the eighth time. “After a hiatus last year, I’m excited to return to the streets of Boston, in front of the best fans in the world, and take part in this historic race.”  

Linden joined five frontline workers and community members in running the Patriots’ Day Mile on Boylston Street earlier today. Patriots’ Day is the traditional day for the Boston Marathon. Upon crossing the finish, Linden and B.A.A. President and C.E.O. Tom Grilk surprised the group with invitational entries to October’s Boston Marathon in appreciation for their work and service. Linden thanked the group for their service to the community and, in the spirit of her mantra, for continuing to show up during challenging times.

“Des Linden has been part of the Boston Marathon family for more than a decade, and her 2018 victory is one of the most memorable wins in race history,” said Grilk. “We look forward to Des’s return to Boston later this year and know that she’ll be aiming for the top of the podium once again.”

A fan favorite, Linden won the 2018 Boston Marathon prevailing through strong wind and rain to become the first American women’s open division champion since 1985. Linden has finished among the top five at Boston five times, including a runner-up showing in 2011. Last week, Des set a world best and national record for the 50K distance, completing 31.07 miles in 2:59:54. She is the first member of the John Hancock Professional Athlete Team to announce their participation in October’s 125th Boston Marathon.

Registration for the 125th Boston Marathon opens tomorrow, April 20 at 10:00AM ET, through the B.A.A.’s online platform Athletes’ Village. Registration for qualified athletes will remain open through 5:00PM ET on April 23, and entry is not first-come, first-served. The selection process will remain consistent with prior years: applications and qualifying times submitted between April 20 and April 23 will be verified and ranked by the B.A.A. based on the amount of time an athlete has run under their respective qualifying standard. Applicants will be notified of acceptance or non-acceptance once the B.A.A. has verified all applications in early May.

In addition to the in-person road race, the B.A.A. is also holding a historic virtual Boston Marathon in celebration of the 125th running of the Boston Marathon. Registration for the virtual race opened on March 30 and has already seen athletes from 105 countries and all 50 states register. The virtual marathon will take place over race weekend October 8–10.

牧師 MARIAMA WHITE-HAMMOND將出任波士頓市環境、能源、公開空間長

Reverend Mariama White-Hammond is appointed as Chief
 of Environment, Energy, and Open Space

         (Boston Orange 綜合報導)波士頓市長Kim Janey在地球日前夕，特地選擇在位於多徹斯特的夜鶯社區花園(Nightingale Community Garden)，宣佈牧師Mariama White-Hammond將於4月26日接任波士頓市環境，能源及開放空間長。

                該職務的前任，Chris Cook已定接任蘿絲甘迺迪綠路保護會(The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy)主任。

           Mariama White-Hammond是多徹斯特新根AME教堂創堂牧師，綠色正義聯盟(Green Justice Coalition)成員，得獎無數，包括Barr學者，凱特爾人我們中的英雄，洛士百利創辦人日獎等等。

Mayor Kim Janey 

波士頓市環境，能源及開放空間內閣麾下包括環保局，公園及娛樂局。做為首長，White-Hammond將監管能源，氣候變化，可持續性，樓宇安全，歷史保存及開放空間，以及”波士頓做好氣候準備(White-Hammond)”，《建築物能源報告及披露條例》，《出租登記冊》，還有”波士頓綠色創新(Greenovate Boston)”等的政策及項目。她也將持續推動波士頓於2050年達到二氧化碳零排放這目標。

White-Hammond上任後將三管齊下，採用創新方法來減緩極端的熱，在夏天時設計平等的涼爽計畫，藉由社區花園來加強人們取得食物的便利，並針對年輕人創造新的綠色工作管道。

波士頓市長Kim Janey辦公室也藉此機會強調，Kim Janey提出的2022會計年度預算，包括許多環保項目，例如:

撥款4800萬元給”

Chris Cook is taking ED position at Greenway.

更新波士頓信託(Renew Boston Trust)”的第2，第3階段，辨識市有樓宇改造能源項目，為未來節省能源。

撥款500萬元給”波士頓海港為氣候做準備(Climate Ready Boston Harbor)”項目，以期降低海水因氣候變化而上升，可能造成沿海地區淹水等的損害。

撥款2000萬元，在堡壘點通道設計，建造適應氣候的水前公園。

每年撥款170萬元來持續地在全市種植街道樹。

撥款180萬元重鋪多徹斯特公園通道。

撥款750萬元充鋪後灣，芬衛區通道，以改善進出方便及場地狀況。

撥款1550萬元來完成科普利(Copley)廣場的重新設計，以優化其因應高交通流量和暴風雨水量的能力。

經由波士頓市第一個平等採購試驗計畫，撥款940萬元來重新設計及建造新的Malcolm X公園。

           White-Hammond牧師在波士頓出生，長大，高中就開始參與社區，擔任同儕健康教育者。她參加的”嬉合項目(Project HIP-HOP - Highways Into the Past – History, Organizing and Power)”，這教導年輕人民權運動歷史，鼓勵年輕人參加社運，對她有很大影響。參與該機構13年後的2014年，她上了波士頓大學神學院，並於2017年取得神學碩士學位，被任命為非洲衛理公會主教長老。2018年她在多徹斯特創辦了會眾多族裔的新根AME教堂。

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES REVEREND MARIAMA WHITE-HAMMOND APPOINTED AS CHIEF OF ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY, AND OPEN SPACE

BOSTON - Monday, April 19, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today announced that she has appointed Reverend Mariama White-Hammond as Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space for the City of Boston. In this role, Rev. White-Hammond will be responsible for leading the Cabinet in achieving its mission of enhancing environmental justice and quality of life in Boston by protecting air, water, climate, and land resources, as well as preserving and improving the integrity of Boston's architectural and historic resources. The Reverend will assume the role previously held by Chris Cook, who has been named the next Executive Director of The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy. 

Rev. Mariama White-Hammond has extensive background in embedding equity and environmental justice into Boston’s communities. She is the founding pastor of New Roots AME Church in Dorchester, a multi-racial, multi-class community. In this work, Rev. White-Hammond utilizes an intersectional lens to connect ecology, immigration, climate change, energy policy and economic justice. She is a fellow with the Green Justice Coalition, which brings together eight social/environmental justice groups from around Massachusetts. Rev. White-Hammond is a public speaker throughout the nation and was a leader for both the 2017 Boston Women’s March and Boston People’s Climate Mobilization. She has received numerous awards, including the Barr Fellowship, the Celtics Heroes Among Us, The Roxbury Founders Day Award and the Boston NAACP Image award. She was selected as one of the Grist 50 Fixers for 2019 and Sojourners 11 Women Shaping the Church. 

“Reverend Mariama White-Hammond is an advocate, facilitator and pastor who has extensive experience in creating a more just, inclusive and sustainable Boston,” said Mayor Kim Janey. “I am confident that Rev. White-Hammond is the right person to accelerate our efforts around environmental justice, while expanding our green jobs pipeline and helping us achieve our goal of carbon neutrality, all of which are critical elements of our recovery and renewal agenda.”

The Cabinet includes the Environment Department and the Parks and Recreation Department. As Chief, Rev. White-Hammond will oversee policy and programs on energy, climate change, sustainability, building safety, historic preservation and open space, including Climate Ready Boston, the building energy reporting & disclosure ordinance, rental registry, and Greenovate Boston, the city's community outreach initiative on sustainability. She will also continue to move the city towards its goal of being carbon neutral by 2050, as part of Carbon Free Boston. Rev. White-Hammond will begin her new role on April 26th.

“I want to thank Mayor Janey for her leadership and willingness to tackle the inequities in our neighborhoods that have been exacerbated by climate change,” said Rev. White-Hammond. “I am committed to supporting Mayor Janey’s agenda for recovery, reopening and renewal through an equity lens and that creates sustainable opportunities for Bostonians.” 

Rev. White-Hammond joins the City of Boston with a three-pronged agenda to combat climate change and the environmental inequities that have been intensified by COVID-19. This roadmap consists of utilizing innovative approaches to mitigate extreme heat and create equitable cooling plans during the summer, enhancing food access through community gardens, as well as creating a new green jobs pipeline targeting workforce development for the younger generation. 

Mayor Janey’s Administration is taking steps to recognize and address the risks of climate change, and to protect Boston’s urban ecosystem. Last week, Mayor Janey proposed the following investments for environmental resilience and climate justice in the Fiscal Year 2022 budget proposal:

·    $48 million for Phase 2 and 3 of Renew Boston Trust, which is designed to identify energy retrofit project opportunities in City-owned buildings to create future energy savings. 

·    $5 million for a Climate Ready Boston Harbor study to support the development of a study that will examine the feasibility of measures along and within the Boston Harbor to reduce vulnerability of coastal flooding due to sea level rise caused by climate change.

·    $20 million to design and implement a signature, climate resilient waterfront park along the Fort Point Channel.

·    $1.7 million per year for the ongoing program of street tree planting throughout the city

·    $1.8 million to repave pathways at Dorchester Park 

·    $7.5 million to repave pathways at the Back Bay Fens to improve accessibility and site conditions

·    $15.5 million to complete the park redesign at Copley Square to optimize resilience to high-traffic events and storm-water

·    $9.4 million to redesign and construct a new Malcolm X Park through the City’s first Equitable Procurement Pilot program

Rev. White-Hammond was born and raised in Boston and began her community engagement in high school when she worked as a Peer Health Educator. She was particularly shaped by her involvement in Project HIP-HOP (Highways Into the Past - History, Organizing and Power), a youth organization focused on teaching the history of the Civil Rights Movement and engaging a new generation of young people in activism. After college, she returned to Boston, and became the Executive Director of Project HIP-HOP, where she joyfully engaged young people in community organizing and culture making. After 13 years at Project HIP-HOP in 2014, Rev. White-Hammond left the organization to attend Boston University School of Theology. In 2017, she graduated with her Master of Divinity and was ordained an elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In 2018 she founded New Roots AME Church, a multi-racial congregation in Dorchester