Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards for STEM Week 2026 Design Challenges

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards for STEM Week 2026 Design Challenges

Seven organizations will engage more than 10,000 students across Massachusetts in hands-on STEM learning and career exploration

BUZZARDS BAY — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced nearly $465,000 in STEM Week 2026 Design Challenge grants to seven nonprofit organizations that will engage more than 10,000 PK–12 students across Massachusetts in hands-on STEM learning and career exploration. These STEM Design Challenges come just ahead of Massachusetts STEM Week, October 19–23, 2026, underscoring the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s focus on expanding hands-on STEM opportunities for students across the Commonwealth.

The STEM Design Challenges are a key part of Massachusetts STEM Week 2026, giving students opportunities to apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills to real-world problems, explore college and career pathways, and engage with professionals from industries across the Commonwealth. This year’s theme, “STEM starts now,” emphasizes that STEM learning can begin at any age, from our youngest learners to adults, and that STEM education and career opportunities are available right now in Massachusetts. This year’s Design Challenges will expose students to fields including advanced manufacturing and biomanufacturing, environmental engineering, clean energy and sustainability, robotics, space science and aerospace, and accessibility.

“We want every student in Massachusetts to have the chance to get excited about STEM and see how it connects to the world around them,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These Design Challenges give young people the chance to try something new, solve real problems and see where their interests can take them. We’re excited to bring these experiences to more than 10,000 students across our state.”

“One of our goals on the STEM Advisory Council is to connect students with the incredible opportunities we have right here in Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These Design Challenges bring schools, afterschool programs, employers and community partners together to give young people meaningful, hands-on experiences. Students get to build new skills, meet STEM professionals and learn about careers they may not have considered before.”

STEM Design Challenge grants aim to expand access to applied STEM learning and increase participation among students who have historically been underrepresented in STEM, including students of color, girls, low-income and first-generation students, English learners, and students with disabilities. The grants also support educators with professional development and resources to implement STEM programming and encourage employer engagement that connects classroom learning with real-world STEM applications and career pathways.

“We want students from every background and every community to have access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “These Design Challenges are especially focused on reaching students who have historically been underrepresented in STEM and giving them opportunities to build skills and confidence. ‘STEM starts now’ means giving every learner the chance to start exploring STEM today and discover where those experiences can take them in college, careers and beyond.”

During Massachusetts STEM Week, child care providers, schools, colleges, employers and community organizations across the Commonwealth come together to provide hands-on learning experiences, introduce learners to STEM professionals and careers, and demonstrate how STEM skills are used to solve real-world challenges. 

The STEM Design Challenge grants are awarded through the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council and advance the Council’s three priorities: STEM skills for all learners through applied learning; guided pathways to college, careers and lifelong learning; and alignment to economic and workforce development through employer partnerships.

“Massachusetts Maritime Academy is proud to host the STEM Advisory Council and support its work to expand hands-on STEM learning and strengthen pathways into careers across the Commonwealth,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, President of Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “From giving young people opportunities to explore STEM and discover where those interests can take them, to providing industry professionals with specialized training for fields like offshore wind, Massachusetts is building the skills and talent needed for our future workforce.”

The grants were announced during a meeting of the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council at Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay. While on campus, Council members also had the opportunity to see another example of applied learning supported by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC): the Academy’s new Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) facility. MassCEC awarded over $2.5 million to Massachusetts Maritime Academy to develop the facility, which provides hands-on safety training to prepare offshore workers for emergency water evacuations. MassCEC serves on the STEM Advisory Council and has supported investments in education and workforce training that connect learners with skills needed by Massachusetts industries.

The seven FY27 STEM Design Challenge grantees are:

Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development — Blackstone Valley Hub will offer “From Problem to Response: Solving Real-World Challenges,” empowering high school students to tackle meaningful, real-world challenges in biomanufacturing using STEM and design thinking. In partnership with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), Blackstone Valley Hub will provide programming and support for the MassMakes Innovation Challenge at the Massachusetts Manufacturing Mash-Up (Mash-Up) and the MassMakes Innovation Showcase, reaching approximately 600 high school students.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts — Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts will offer “Detect & Design: Imagine It. Create It,” an exciting slate of STEM challenges engaging more than 300 students in grades K–12 through hands-on STEM design and engineering experiences. Programming will include scientific investigation, sustainable engineering and robotics activities delivered through events, school-based programming and GSEMA’s STEM-ON-THE-GO mobile learning program. Students will also engage with STEM professionals from RTX to learn about engineering and career pathways.

Museum of Science — The Museum of Science will offer “Engineering Careers Exploration,” engaging upper elementary and middle school students in hands-on engineering activities that connect real-world problems with STEM careers. Students will explore careers related to disaster recovery, the environment, health and product design, while this year’s funding will also support development of a new Accessibility Careers Exploration. Student-facing accessibility resources will be available in English and Spanish. The Museum estimates its STEM Week activities will reach approximately 300 educators and 3,000 students.

The Space Consortium, Inc. — The Space Consortium will offer its Space Exploration Design Challenge, a series of nine space-themed activities expected to reach more than 1,000 PK–12 students through six in-person events and three hybrid statewide programs. Activities will include astronomy and solar observation, space career exploration, science media literacy, space ethics and United Nations planetary-defense simulations. The Consortium will draw on a Massachusetts network of more than 120 experts and relationships with organizations including Massachusetts General Hospital, Draper, Busek, universities and the Massachusetts Space Grant Consortium.

Wade Institute for Science Education at Manomet Conservation Sciences — The Wade Institute, in partnership with the Hitchcock Center for the Environment and Lloyd Center for the Environment, will offer “H2Whoa! Hydroengineers at Work.” Students in grades 5–8 will investigate water pollution and drought and use nature-inspired engineering to design systems that capture and filter water. Participating educators will receive professional development, curriculum and classroom materials to implement the challenge with their students. This design challenge will reach up to 100 participating educators, who in turn will reach approximately 5,000 middle school students.

Work-Based Learning Alliance, Inc. — Work-Based Learning Alliance will offer a “Designing a Sustainable Future” challenge engaging 250 high school students from across Massachusetts. Students will work in interdisciplinary teams to design a sustainable urban aquaculture farm integrating solar energy, recirculating water filtration and community food solutions. The hybrid experience will include engagement with industry professionals, support and professional development for participating educators, and a statewide showcase where students will present their designs and receive feedback from industry professionals.

YMCAs of Massachusetts — YMCAs of Massachusetts will offer a “GreenFit: Design a Sustainable YMCA,” engaging more than six YMCA’s statewide and more than 55 middle and high school students in a hands-on design challenge focused on sustainability. Students will apply STEM skills and the engineering design process to explore how YMCA facilities can become more sustainable.

Governor Healey Announces New Milestone for MBTA Safety Improvements

Governor Healey Announces New Milestone for MBTA Safety Improvements

Federal Transit Administration officially closes its safety management inspection of the DPU’s safety oversight management of the MBTA

FTA also transfers direct oversight of the MBTA that began in 2022 to DPU

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey today announced a major new milestone representing the continued turnaround at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) over the past four years. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) formally closed its years-long review of the Department of Public Utilities' (DPU) safety oversight of the MBTA, returning direct supervision of the MBTA’s safety equipment and management back to the agency. 

“When I took office, the T was in a dire state. After years of underinvestment, workers and passengers alike didn’t feel safe on the rails. Today, the T is safer, more reliable, and more affordable for the riders who use it every day,” said Governor Maura Healey. “That’s in large part thanks to the investments we have made in the T and the DPU, as well as strong leadership of Phil Eng, DPU’s Robert Hanson and their teams. Riders can now have confidence that there are dedicated leaders at both the MBTA and DPU working every day to keep them safe.”

“With the FTA’s role overseeing special directives concluded, we have officially closed the book on the serious safety issues we saw four years ago,” said DPU Commissioner Staci Rubin, who oversees the DPU’s transportation divisions. “We made a commitment to invest in the Rail Transit Safety Division, strengthen technical expertise, and build more rigorous oversight processes—and we delivered. This was made possible thanks to our dedicated rail safety staff and support from the Legislature. The DPU is well positioned to ensure safer T operations in the years to come.” 

“This is a huge accomplishment for the T and the DPU, and I am extremely proud of this milestone. The closure of federal SMI oversight into the T was no small feat and reinforces that the investments the MBTA is making in our workforce, service, and infrastructure are paying dividends. We will continue to build off of the success of the last three years as we work with our state oversight partners at the DPU,” said Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “The MBTA is a different agency than it was three years ago, and while we know we have more work to do, 99% of our CAPs have been submitted, and the safety of riders and the workforce continues to be at the forefront of everything we do. This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the tremendous support of the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Legislature, and I thank them for their leadership and support, which has enabled the MBTA to make these extraordinary strides in safety, more reliable service, better conditions for our workforce, and so much more. As we take this moment to celebrate this achievement, we are grateful to showcase how important investing in our workforce, tracks, vehicles, and infrastructure is to ensuring the MBTA is the world-class system our region can be proud of."

Through its Rail Transit Safety Division, the DPU is the State Safety Oversight Agency in Massachusetts, meaning that it is responsible for overseeing the safety of equipment and operations of the MBTA.

In 2022, after several major safety incidents at the MBTA under the prior administration, the FTA placed the DPU’s Rail Transit Safety Division under directives to make significant changes to its staffing, operations, funding, and safety practices. The FTA found that the agency was under-resourced and could not provide adequate safety oversight of the MBTA. The DPU was ordered to increase its oversight of the MBTA’s safety protocols including track maintenance, uncontrolled train movements, management of the Operations Control Center, and personnel training.

“The safety of MBTA passengers and employees depends on strong oversight and a solid working relationship with the DPU,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “I want to give credit to Rail Safety Division Director Robert Hanson and his team for bringing a renewed sense of professionalism to this work. Robert is a national leader in safety oversight, and we are lucky to have his team working on behalf of all of us who ride the T.”

With support from Governor Healey and the Legislature, the DPU took significant steps to overhaul its MBTA oversight. The DPU created the Rail Transit Safety Division and hired its first Director, Robert Hanson. Hanson is a veteran transit safety official, having served previously with the Amtrak Police Department. The Division has more than doubled in staff size since its inception to include investigators, engineers, data analysts, lawyers, and an experienced leadership team. The Division’s constant engagement in both the field and administrative oversight ensures that safety remains the top priority across the MBTA’s subway system. The Rail Transit Safety Division conducts independent inspections of the MBTA’s subway cars, stations, and carhouses, and produces external safety and compliance audits of the MBTA.  

Over the years, the DPU has made steady progress towards these goals. In 2024, the FTA gave the DPU a satisfactory report for its recent Triennial Audit and closed Special Directive 22-8 that same year. 

Additionally, Governor Healey has made record investments to improve safety and reliability across the MBTA system. That includes eliminating all slow zones by repairing tracks, upgrading cars and stations, increasing hiring and deploying new anti-collision technologies. 

On September 11, 2026, the FTA issued a letter to the DPU, formally closing the final special directive, essentially returning direct responsibility of the remaining safety actions to the DPU. The FTA found that the DPU has satisfied all requirements and has demonstrated significant improvements in its capacity to independently oversee the safety of MBTA rail operations. 

麻州州長 Maura Healey 呼籲州議會立法管制人工智慧

     （Boston Orange編譯）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）今（18）日再次呼籲州議會，應將人工智慧（AI）安全與透明度條款，寫入正在審議的「Mass Wins 經濟發展法案」中。州長此舉旨在推動第三方獨立評估與縮短重大事故通報時限，強制企業接受監督，杜絕「自導自演」的自我審查。

    早在 9 月 14 日時，奚莉州長就已提出警告，指 AI 的發展速度絕不能超越政府建立安全保障的能力，還曾致信 Mass Wins 法案協商委員會，提出建立獨立監督機制與保護居民的政策架構。今日公開呼籲，是希望促使麻州議會正視現實社會中的 AI 發展趨勢。

    奚莉州長表達的焦慮，正是當前社會對科技可能失控的深切不安。《波士頓環球報》專欄作者 Yvonne Abraham 今（18）日發表的深入剖析文章指出，包括 OpenAI 與 Anthropic 在內的科技巨頭及高層，近日接二連三公開「求救」，承認開發中的模型可能帶來網路攻擊或生物武器蔓延等災難性風險。然而面對著巨額利益與商業競爭，沒有任何一家公司敢單方面放慢腳步，這才形成業者竟集體要求政府「出面阻止自己」的荒謬情境。

    麻省理工學院（MIT）的一項調查顯示，專家評估在未來五年內，AI 引發重大災難的機率高達一成以上。麻州州長今日推動立法，呼應了加州、紐約州與伊利諾州等地，企圖藉由法律強制執行針對 AI 的第三方評估與風險控管這趨勢。

Governor Healey Calls for Strong AI Safety and Transparency Protections in Mass Wins Act

Urges independent safety evaluations and stronger reporting requirements for most powerful AI models

BOSTON- Governor Maura Healey today called for the inclusion of strong artificial intelligence (AI) safety and transparency protections in the Mass Wins economic development bill currently being negotiated by the Legislature. The Governor supports requiring independent evaluations of the most powerful AI models and stronger requirements for companies to report serious safety incidents.

Governor Healey’s recommendations build on her call earlier this week for stronger safeguards and independent oversight as increasingly powerful AI systems are developed and deployed. In a letter to members of the Mass Wins Act Conference Committee, she called for a framework that protects residents while allowing Massachusetts researchers, entrepreneurs and businesses to continue leading in innovation.

“AI has enormous potential to drive scientific discovery, strengthen key industries, improve public services, and create new opportunities for businesses and residents across Massachusetts,” said Governor Healey. “At the same time, the rapid pace of AI development raises serious concerns about safety, accountability, privacy, civil rights, the future of work, and public trust. We cannot allow this technology to move faster than our ability to put appropriate safeguards in place, and we can’t let the responsibility for managing these risks rest with technology companies alone. We need strong action on both the state and federal levels.”

Governor Healey is calling for the final legislation to include strong safety and transparency requirements for the most powerful AI models, building on provisions included in the Senate version of the Mass Wins Act. The Governor is also recommending that the final bill strengthen two areas:

• Independent safety evaluations: Create a path toward independent reviews of the most powerful AI models instead of relying only on companies to determine whether their own systems are safe. Governor Healey is also calling on government, industry and academia to help develop strong safety standards and build the expertise needed to conduct these reviews.

• Earlier reporting of serious incidents: Require companies to report serious safety incidents sooner, giving the state greater visibility into potential risks and the ability to respond before more people are harmed.

Massachusetts’ work comes as states across the country begin developing frameworks governing the safety of frontier AI systems. California, New York and Illinois have enacted laws addressing areas including safety protocols, transparency and reporting of critical safety incidents.

羅氏基因泰克波士頓創新中心剪綵 執行長Schinecker談競爭力憂中國發展快

羅氏基因泰克創新中心剪綵。（周菊子攝）

    （Boston Orange周菊子劍橋市綜合報導）瑞士醫療巨頭羅氏（Roche, RHHBY）與子公司基因泰克（Genentech）合作，設在哈佛大學企業研究園區的創新中心，今（ 17） 日在總公司執行長Thomas Schinecker，以及麻州長奚莉（ Maura Healey）、波士頓市長吳弭（ Michelle Wu）聯袂到賀的隆重中，剪綵啟用。

麻州州長Maura Healey（左三）和波士頓市長吳弭（右二）與羅氏高層。（周菊子攝）

    羅氏執行長Thomas Schinecker表示，新成立的這羅氏基因泰克波士頓創新中心（Roche Genentech Innovation Center Boston），將結合 AI 與數據科學，推動藥物開發，作為心血管、腎臟及代謝疾病（CVRM）的研發樞紐，打造從早期藥物發現到晚期臨床開發的一站式研發基地，是羅氏與基因泰克在全美投資500 億美元製造與研發計畫的重要里程碑，將與北卡羅來納州霍利斯普林斯（Holly Springs）及奧勒岡州希爾斯伯勒（Hillsboro）等地的現有設施形成強大協同效應。

羅氏執行長Thomas Schinecker表示選擇波士頓，看重的是人才。（周菊子攝）

麻州州長Maura Healey很高興羅氏基因泰克選擇來麻州。（周菊子攝）

    Thomas Schinecker指出，全球生物製藥夜的版圖，正在快速移轉，無論是在科學品質、開發速度還是創新能力上，中國的生物技術已取得巨大進步，在進入早期臨床開發階段的創新候選藥物中，佔據了將近40%的市場份額，已經快達到美國的水準了。這提醒著人們，競爭格局變化得有多快。投資會轉移，人才會轉移，隨著時間推移，國家也可能會失去其競爭優勢。

    波士頓既是全球生命科學重鎮，又有哈佛大學等頂尖學府環繞，人才鼎盛，是該公司決定進駐哈佛大學企業研究園區（Enterprise Research Campus, ERC）的一大原因。

波士頓市長吳弭期盼和羅氏合作，培訓人才。（周菊子攝）

    今天的剪綵揭幕式，麻州長奚莉（ Maura Healey）、波士頓市長吳弭（ Michelle Wu） 以及聯邦眾議員 Jake Auchincloss聯袂出席，都為這全球生技業五大巨頭之一的羅氏，來到麻州做重磅投資，感到興奮。

聯邦眾議員 Jake Auchincloss強調多元人才是社會現實。（周菊子攝）

    奚莉州長指出，醫藥研發的終極目的是為了救人，這座創新中心代表著全球生技與醫療的未來與希望。她笑說早前曾和麻州經濟發展長Eric Parley到加州的基因泰克參訪，加州也的確也很棒，但她要驕傲的説，麻州的人才與研發實力都無與倫比，麻州政府將透過「麻州生命科學中心」以及《麻州領先法案》（Mass Leads Act）和《蓬勃經濟法》（DRIVE Act），繼續把麻州打造成全美最適合生技投資與人才引進的地方。

羅氏基因泰克波士頓創新中心（Roche Genentech Innovation Center Boston）
的負責人 Manu Chakravarthy。（周菊子攝）

    吳弭市長則說，在全球被公認為現代生物技術產業（Biotech）始祖的基因泰克成立50週年之際，慶祝基因泰克來到波士頓，實在是太有意義了，波士頓市的核心價值是「公共利益」，希望波士頓能成為羅氏最成功的投資。她還提到波士頓將要準備慶祝400週年，雖然和羅氏總部所在的瑞士Basel有2000年歷史相比，實在不足為道，但波士頓將繼續作為全球創新與提升人類生活品質的堅實夥伴。

哈佛大學教務長John F. Manning。（周菊子攝）

    目前羅氏在美國有大約 2.5 萬名員工、15 個研發中心及 13 個製造基地。羅氏在波士頓市的基因泰克創新中心，已和哈佛大學企業園區簽下10年租約，佔用9.5萬平方英尺，3層樓的面積，其中2層做辦公室，可容納500人，另一層將是實驗室，已有規劃，還未施工。

(羅氏今年五月才斥資7.5億美元，併購了位於波士頓的 Path AI ）

麻州經濟發展長Eric Parley。（周菊子攝）

麻州長Maura Healey和波士頓市長吳弭與羅氏高層合影。（周菊子攝）

PLANNING ADVANCES NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN BRIGHTON AND DORCHESTER Staff provide informational update on Anti-Displacement Action Plan

BOSTON – Thursday, September 17, 2026 – The Planning Department this month recommended approval of two new development projects representing approximately 49,735 square feet (SF). Both were approved. The newly approved development proposals will create 82 new homes, including 11 that are designated income-restricted, and will support approximately 46 construction jobs. The projects advanced today will help make Boston a more resilient, affordable, and equitable city. Staff also provided the Board an informational update regarding the One Year Progress Report on the Anti-Displacement Action Plan - A Place to Thrive. One year into implementation, the City has made tremendous progress on advancing initiatives outlined in the original plan, and launched new initiatives that fulfill key goals of the plan. The BPDA Board originally adopted the two-year framework in July 2025 and it included more than 40 targeted policies, programs, and resources that City departments committed to advance that will address residential, small business, and cultural displacement. Of the now 53 initiatives included within the plan’s tenets of Protect, Preserve, Produce, and Prosper, nearly 70 percent are advancing, and 15 of the initiatives are under direct oversight of the staff of the Planning Department. Some of these initiatives include: the Article 80 Direct Displacement Disclosure that is being piloted now to mitigate displacement of residents and businesses; free home flood assessments for Port Norfolk residents whose homes may be threatened by future flooding; the Housing Accelerator Fund; and the Office to Residential Conversion Program. Development Projects Project at 697 Cambridge Street to build new housing in Brighton Housing: 42 units, seven income-restricted units Jobs: Approximately 27 construction jobs Community: Public realm & sidewalk improvements This project will add a three-story addition atop an existing two-story commercial structure, resulting in a five-story residential building in Brighton. The project will create 42 new units of housing, ranging from studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. The Allston-Brighton Needs Assessment, which was adopted by the BPDA Board in 2024, coincides with the site of this project and encourages additional housing in the neighborhood. The project will create a wider sidewalk on nearby Dustin Street, and much-needed streetscape improvements to Cambridge Street. As part of the project’s community benefits, the project will contribute $5,000 to Allston Main Streets in support of the organization’s regular maintenance of the neighborhood. The project will also contribute $5,000 to local youth sports leagues. In addition, this project will support the current tenant, Brazilian Women’s Group, in finding a new location to continue their work and there will be no disruption in services.  2062 Dorchester Avenue project will bring new homeownership opportunities to Dorchester Housing: 20 homeownership units, four income-restricted units Jobs: Approximately 19 construction jobs  Community: Public realm & sidewalk improvements Sustainability: Preservation of existing trees Located in Dorchester, this project will build a four-story building with 20 homeownership units. The units will be a mix of studios, one-, and two-bedroom units. This will be a transit-oriented development as it is in close proximity to Ashmont Station, offering access to the Red Line train, the Mattapan Trolley, and several MBTA bus routes. Thirty-four long-term bike parking spaces will also be located on the ground floor of the building. The project will improve the public realm by creating better sidewalks and preserving multiple existing trees. The project will also contribute $5,500 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the bikeshare system.  In addition to these projects, the Board approved: A Notice of Project Alteration at 176 Lincoln Street in Brighton to amend how the project fulfills its inclusionary requirements. The renewal and extension of the Tufts Medical Center Institutional Master Plan. The renewal and extension of the Boston University Charles River Campus Institutional Master Plan.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Seeks Developer to Transform Former Lancaster Industrial School for Girls into Hundreds of Homes

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Seeks Developer to Transform Former Lancaster Industrial School for Girls into Hundreds of Homes

Redevelopment will create at least 288 new homes, with potential for additional housing and neighborhood-serving businesses

 

LANCASTER — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) has released a Request for Proposals seeking a developer to transform the approximately 72-acre former Lancaster Industrial School for Girls property into a new, walkable neighborhood with at least 288 homes.

 

The redevelopment will be guided by a community-informed plan developed with the Town of Lancaster and will include a mix of housing, public spaces and potentially neighborhood-serving commercial uses. Depending on future local approvals, the site could ultimately support up to 386 homes. 

 

“We created State Land for Homes because Massachusetts has underused public land that can and should be helping us build the housing people need,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This project is a great example of what that looks like. We’re taking a large state-owned property that has sat vacant and putting it back to work to create hundreds of new homes, while building on the vision developed with the Lancaster community.” 

 

“Building more homes is one of the most important things we can do to make Massachusetts more affordable,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By working with Lancaster from the beginning, we have a plan that can turn this property into a neighborhood with different housing options, walkable public spaces and opportunities for local businesses.” 

 

The RFP seeks qualified development teams to redevelop the historic campus in accordance with a Regulating Plan developed by Speck Dempsey, a planning and urban design firm, in collaboration with DCAMM and the Town of Lancaster. The plan emphasizes walkability, a range of housing options, active public spaces, historic preservation and high-quality architectural design. 

 

The Regulating Plan was developed through an extensive public engagement process between summer 2025 and spring 2026. DCAMM and Speck Dempsey held three community meetings, an open design studio and two pop-up outreach events to gather feedback from residents and local leaders. Proposals submitted through the RFP must conform to the plan and reflect the architectural character developed through that process. 

 

"The Girls Industrial School occupies a beautiful site with some lovely historic buildings, specimen trees and mighty hedgerows, but, more than that, deeply intelligent traces: roads and paths laid out at a time when there was a more natural sense of topography and placemaking. By embracing these roads and paths, preserving almost every majestic tree and hedgerow, and organizing itself around its best historic buildings, the plan creates a place of unique character while minimizing infrastructure costs and ecological impact," said Chris Dempsey and Jeff Speck, Co-Founders of Speck Dempsey. 

 

Under the Affordable Homes Act, the site is authorized for at least 288 homes as-of-right. The Regulating Plan also envisions the potential for additional housing and neighborhood-serving retail and commercial uses along a walkable main street. 

 

If additional local approvals are secured through rezoning or an agreement between DCAMM, the Town of Lancaster and the selected developer, the project could ultimately include up to 386 homes as well as commercial uses that support an active mixed-use neighborhood. 

 

"This redevelopment will turn long-vacant state property into new homes, creating a new neighborhood for Lancaster residents and putting the land back on local tax rolls," said Juana Matias, Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. "This is exactly the kind of transformation that Governor Healey's Affordable Homes Act was designed to unlock, and we're proud to help bring this project to life." 

 

DCAMM, in consultation with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), anticipates selecting a development team in late 2026 or early 2027. Following selection, the property is expected to transfer to the developer within approximately 18 months, with construction beginning thereafter. 

 

"This is one of the most spectacular sites in the entire State Land for Homes portfolio,” said DCAMM Commissioner Adam Baacke. “As a result of an unparalleled collaboration with the Lancaster community and Speck Dempsey, the development enabled by the Regulating Plan will complement the strength of the setting with a thoughtful combination of new development, historic preservation, and protection of significant natural landscape features that will combine to create a neighborhood we will all be truly proud of." 

 

DCAMM will continue working closely with the town of Lancaster as the project advances and anticipates the town will consider proposed rezoning this fall to allow for additional housing and neighborhood-serving commercial uses. That process will include public hearings and consideration by Town Meeting. 

 

 "The Town of Lancaster has been working closely with the State and its consultants for over a year to understand the type of development that could occur on this property,” said Jason Allison, Chair of the Lancaster Select Board. “The resulting regulating plan incorporates numerous suggestions by the Town's residents on how to honor the site with a thoughtful, unique development." 

 

The Lancaster redevelopment advances the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s State Land for Homes initiative, which transforms underused state-owned property into new housing. Since Governor Healey launched the initiative in 2025, the Administration has advanced plans for more than 5,600 homes across nearly 700 acres of state-owned land in 33 Massachusetts communities. 

 

For more information about the Request for Proposals, visit the project website.

Bay State Stonewall Democrats Joins Leaders Across Massachusetts Calling On Mike Minogue To Denounce And Refund Donations To Far-Right PragerU

Bay State Stonewall Democrats Joins Leaders Across Massachusetts Calling On Mike Minogue To Denounce And Refund Donations To Far-Right PragerU

Today, the Bay State Stonewall Democrats joins a broad coalition of leaders representing families and communities across Massachusetts calling on Republican candidate Mike Minogue to denounce and apologize for funding the far-right media organization PragerU, immediately refund every dollar his family foundation has donated to it, commit that his foundation will provide no further financial support to the right-wing group, and publicly declare that he would never bring PragerU materials into Massachusetts public schools.

Public tax records and reporting show that the Michael and Renee Minogue Foundation has donated thousands of dollars to PragerU, and the Minogue foundation continues to list the Prager University Foundation among its past and current recipients. When asked about the contribution, Mike Minogue said, "a very good resource."

PragerU's messages to our kids and families include:

Minimizing slavery in a series marketed towards young children stating that "being taken as a slave is better than being killed, no?"

Promoting a number of racist statements, including "all it really takes for a brown person to nearly get away with murder is telling the police that a white person said or did something racist," "I can't even blame somebody for being racist at this point," and telling immigrants that they should "Stay over there. Don't flee your country and then bring that hellhole over here."

Blaming immigrants for crime, condemning multiculturalism, and stereotyping all immigrants as violent criminals.

Calling autism a "social contagion"

Attacking the LGBTQ+ community, claiming that kids are only identifying because it is "trendy," that the community is trying to "pervert" the minds of children, and saying "gay people shouldn't be proud to be gay."

Stating that "kids graduating high school barely know how to read and write but able to list off 97 genders," condemning any teaching about global warming, history of racism and sexism in the US, and seemingly calling for an end to sexual education.

Calling feminism "the root of so many evils and ills in our society."

Saying abortions are "not moral" and attacking the validity of reproductive freedom.

Pushing vaccine misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, calling life-saving vaccines "genetic engineering modification," and promoting a speaker that claims they developed lung cancer from vaccines and that you shouldn't trust your doctor.

Downplaying the consequences and impact of climate change.

Questioning the theory of evolution.

Claiming income inequality is a "good thing."

"Every Massachusetts family deserves a Governor who won't fund groups that attack their kids for who they are. Mike Minogue has a choice: keep taking money from an organization built on this kind of rhetoric, or actually stand up for the LGBTQ+ families he claims to represent," said Jeremy Comeau, Co-Chair of Bay State Stonewall Democrats.

"Massachusetts families are watching what their leaders are willing to fund, and Mike Minogue's answer so far is an organization that tells LGBTQ+ kids they shouldn't be proud of who they are. He can return this money and rule PragerU out of our schools, or he can keep defending it. Either way, voters deserve to know where he stands," said Holly Ryan, Co-Chair of Bay State Stonewall Democrats.

As PragerU seeks to expand its role in public education across the country, Minogue has both financially supported and publicly promoted its work – a record that leaves him unfit to serve as Governor for all Massachusetts children and families.

麻州撥款520萬元將資助 5 計畫培訓439人轉職生技產業

     （Boston Orange編譯）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）和麻州生命科學中心（MLSC）今（17）日宣佈，將撥款520多萬美元，經由「開路者」（Pathmaker）計畫資助5項培訓計畫，在劍橋市等6個市鎮提供439個培訓名額，協助居民轉職生技產業。

    這一輪資金共分給五家培訓機構。位於貝德福（Bedford）的米德爾塞克斯社區學院（Middlesex Community College）獲撥金額最高，取得2,179,977美元，將提供169個優良製造規範（cGMP）培訓名額。

    Bioversity 獲得1,872,000美元，將為波士頓和洛厄爾（Lowell）居民提供156個基礎營運名額。

    其餘獲得資助的機構為劍橋市的 Just A Start，獲588,657美元，培訓49人; 伯靈頓（Burlington）的東北大學（Northeastern University），獲500,000美元，培訓53人; 以及阿普頓（Upton）的黑石谷技術學院（Blackstone Valley Technical Institute），獲124,320美元，培訓12人。

    Just A Start 另外獲得近8.3萬美元的專案補助，將和蛋白質創新研究所（Institute for Protein Innovation, IPI）以及莫德納（Moderna）等企業結盟，引進自動化液體處理與機器人技術，培育56名實驗室人才。

    麻州生命科學中心總裁泰勒（Kirk Taylor, MD）指出，該計畫以縮短培訓時程並精準對接產業需求為方向，自2023年6月推動以來，已累計挹注近1,900萬美元，在麻州開創1,690多個培訓機會。

Governor Healey Announces More Than $5.2 Million to Expand Career Pathways in the Life Sciences

MLSC Pathmaker awards will help create 439 life sciences training opportunities across Massachusetts

CAMBRIDGE — Governor Maura Healey and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) today announced more than $5.2 million in awards through the Pathmaker program to expand workforce training and create 439 opportunities for Massachusetts residents to prepare for careers in the life sciences.

The awards will support five training programs in Boston, Lowell, Upton, Cambridge, Bedford and Burlington, helping residents gain hands-on skills and industry experience while connecting Massachusetts life sciences employers with the workers they need to grow.

“Massachusetts leads the world in the life sciences because of our people, and we want more residents to have a chance to build a career in this growing industry,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These investments will give hundreds of people hands-on training and a clear path to good jobs, while helping our life sciences companies find the skilled workers they need to grow and succeed here in Massachusetts.”

“We’re connecting people with the skills and experience they need to step into great careers and building a workforce that meets the needs of employers across our state,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Programs like Pathmaker create more opportunities for residents, strengthen our local economies and help make sure Massachusetts continues to lead in the life sciences.”

“Massachusetts’ leadership in the life sciences is built on the strength of our workforce, and we need to ensure residents across the state have clear pathways into this innovative industry,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley, Co-Chair of the MLSC Board of Directors. “These Pathmaker investments are aligning education and training programs directly to the needs of life sciences employers, giving participants the skills and hands-on experience to launch meaningful careers while helping Massachusetts companies find the talent they need to grow and compete.”

Administration officials and the MLSC announced the latest round of Pathmaker awards during an event at Just A Start in Cambridge. For more than 50 years, Just A Start has worked to expand access to housing, education and workforce development opportunities that help individuals and families achieve greater economic mobility. Its workforce programs include biotechnology training that prepares residents for careers in the life sciences.

“Building a pathway into the life sciences starts with giving people a chance to experience the industry firsthand,” said MLSC President and CEO Kirk Taylor, MD. “When a participant can step into a laboratory, work with the same equipment used in the field, and learn directly from experienced professionals, they can begin to see themselves entering a lifelong career in the ecosystem. That is the kind of opportunity Pathmaker is designed to create.”

“Massachusetts has an incredibly strong life sciences sector, but too many residents lack access and the skills to secure careers in the industry,” said  Just A Start Executive Director Carl Nagy-Koechlin. “The Pathmaker program has enabled Just A Start to expand and evolve our biotechnology training model to meet the needs of residents and the sector. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue preparing talented individuals for meaningful careers while strengthening the life sciences workforce across the Commonwealth.”

As part of this effort, Just A Start is partnering with the Institute for Protein Innovation (IPI) to bring specialized laboratory automation training to its Pathmaker programming. IPI is a nonprofit research institute dedicated to advancing protein science and developing protein-based tools and resources that accelerate biological research. Through a Post-secondary Education and Training grant of nearly $83,000 from the MLSC’s Education and Workforce Development Grant Program, the partners will integrate automated liquid handling equipment and training into Just A Start’s existing Biotechnology Careers Training programs, including its nine-month program and accelerated 10-week Pathmaker program.

The partnership will serve 56 trainees annually and provide hands-on experience with applied biomedical automation workflows, including automated liquid handling protocols, preparing materials for laboratory testing, documenting experimental data and using basic scripts to control robotic processes. Industry partners, including Moderna and Opentrons Labworks Inc., will help inform curriculum and skills development, while IPI will support curriculum development and instruction. 

“Scientists have traditionally learned at the bench, working alongside experienced researchers who provide access to tools and knowledge of their fields,” said Kevin Harvey, PhD, President and CEO of IPI. “As a nonprofit research institute that combines an academic culture with industry-level automation and scaling, IPI is embracing the opportunity to extend that model beyond well-equipped laboratories and even degree programs. Through partnerships with Just a Start and other MLSC Pathmaker organizations, we want to broaden access to cutting-edge protein science and automation, and help build the next generation of scientists who are ready and confident to succeed in a rapidly changing biotech landscape.”

The Pathmaker awards announced today include:  

Bioversity, Boston & Lowell – $1,872,000 to support 156 training seats  

Bioversity is a certificate program designed to provide Boston and Lowell residents, 18 years and older, who have a high school diploma or GED, with a hands-on, in-person training in the technical and soft skills necessary to be hired upon graduation into entry-level scientific operations roles (e.g. lab operations, facilities, and environmental health and safety) at local life sciences companies.

Blackstone Valley Technical Institute, Upton – $124,320 to support 12 training seats  

Blackstone Valley Technical Institute’s eight-week biomanufacturing training provides participants with an introduction to the industry and the technical skills needed to pursue careers in the field. Participants will earn industry certifications and connect with industry leaders while developing the skills and knowledge needed to pursue employment in biomanufacturing.

Just A Start, Cambridge – $588,657 to support 49 training seats 

The Biotechnology Career Accelerator program (BCAP) builds on more than 30 years of experience from Just A Start’s Adult Career Training program with an intensive, 10-week training model designed to accelerate entry into lab support and biomanufacturing careers. Participants develop industry-relevant technical skills through classroom and hands-on laboratory training using industry-standard equipment, while also receiving career development and employment support.

Middlesex Community College, Bedford – $2,179,977 to support 169 training seats Middlesex Community College (MCC) is home to one of the first state-of-the-art good manufacturing practice training facilities in Massachusetts and provides students with hands-on experience that directly aligns with industry standards and employer needs. 

Northeastern University, Burlington – $500,000 to support 53 training seats  

The program at Northeastern University’s Biopharmaceutical Analysis & Training Lab (BATL) facility provides training in the key areas of protein therapeutic manufacturing and cell/gene therapy manufacturing. Participants will learn the basics of manufacturing these products with an emphasis on current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). 

The MLSC launched the Pathmaker program in June 2023. The program aims to accelerate life science career entry by condensing training program timelines, harmonizing core competencies to create alignment between industry and training providers, branding training programs to signal to companies that these programs are producing ready-to-hire candidates for entry-level roles, and expanding outreach about training/career opportunities with a strong focus on targeting underrepresented communities. To date, Pathmaker has awarded nearly $19 million and created over 1,690 training opportunities.

麻州將重審Pre-K-12學校財務 指派Kristen Smidy與Amy O’Leary出任基金預算審查委員會委員

    (Boston Orange編譯) 麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）宣佈2027會計年度重啟基金預算審查委員會（Foundation Budget Review Commission），並指派Kristen Smidy與Amy O’Leary出任委員，檢討「第70章」（Chapter 70）教育經費的現行分配公式，讓學前至12年級（Pre-K-12）學校的財務更健全。

    奚莉州長表示，她上任以來已把K-12年級學校的經費增加了一倍，並大幅增加鄉村學校、交通與特殊教育經費，如今要重新檢視經費公式，是為確保符合當前學生與社區需求。她說，Kristen Smidy了解西麻州學校的挑戰，Amy O’Leary畢生致力為幼兒拓展學習機會，她們兩人的經驗極具價值。

    副州長Kim Driscoll指出，每個社區的辦學需求不同，教育經費的分配必須反映這些差異。她認為兩位委員和學生、教育工作者、家庭及社區有數十年直接合作經驗，他們的看法能幫助麻州確保審查出各地學校實際情況。

    教育廳長Steve Zrike表示，他曾任督學，深知經費公式對學區決策的影響，他期待與兩名委員一起檢視公式，讓經費更能支持學校及幼教系統。

    Kristen Smidy曾任教師、校長及督學，在西麻州教育界服務近20年，目前是基礎與中等教育委員會委員，並擔任新英格蘭學校與學院協會（NEASC）公立學校委員會認證與學校改善副主任，此前擔任蓋特威地區學區督學近五年。

    Amy O’Leary是麻州非營利組織「兒童策略」（Strategies for Children）執行董事，致力推動幼教改革，曾擔任「全民幼教運動」主任，並服務於幼教與照護諮詢委員會。加入該組織前，她在波士頓艾利斯早期學習中心擔任幼教教師與計畫主任。

    委員會中的政府成員包括茲里克、中小學教育廳長佩德羅·馬丁尼茲（Pedro Martinez）、幼教廳長艾美·柯蕭（Amy Kershaw）、預算助理廳長克里斯多福·馬里諾（Christopher Marino）、稅務廳地方服務處資深副廳長尚恩·克羅寧（Sean Cronin）及鄉村事務主任安·戈比（Anne Gobi）。

Governor Healey Appoints Leaders in Western MA K-12 Education, Universal Pre-k to Foundation Budget Review Commission

Kristen Smidy and Amy O’Leary to serve as Governor appointees

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey has appointed Kristen Smidy and Amy O’Leary to the Foundation Budget Review Commission. The fiscal year 2027 budget reconvenes this Commission to review the Chapter 70 formula and strengthen Pre-K-12 school financing.   

Smidy is a former teacher, principal and superintendent with nearly 20 years of experience as an educator in Western Massachusetts. O’Leary brings more than two decades of experience as a preschool teacher, early education program director and nationally recognized leader in early childhood education.  

 “Since taking office, we’ve doubled K-12 funding and significantly increased rural school, transportation and special education funding. Now, we’re taking a fresh look at the school funding formula to make sure it is meeting the needs of students and communities today,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Kristen Smidy understands firsthand the challenges facing schools in Western Massachusetts, and Amy O’Leary has spent her career expanding opportunities for our youngest learners. Their experience will be invaluable as we work to make sure every student in Massachusetts has access to a great education.”  

“Every community has different needs when it comes to supporting its schools, and those differences need to be reflected in how we approach education funding,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Kristen and Amy bring decades of experience working directly with students, educators, families and communities. Their perspectives will help us make sure this review reflects what schools are actually experiencing on the ground, from Western Massachusetts to communities across the state.”  

“As a former superintendent, I know firsthand how important the school funding formula is to the decisions districts make every day on behalf of their students and educators,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “Kristen and Amy bring deep experience from across our education system and understand how decisions about funding translate into classrooms and programs. I look forward to working alongside them as we take a thoughtful look at how the formula can best support our schools and early education mixed delivery system.”  

Smidy currently serves on the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education as an appointee of Governor Healey. She currently serves as the Associate Director for Accreditation and School Improvement on the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on Public Schools after almost five years as superintendent for the Gateway Regional School District in Huntington, Massachusetts. She previously served as the principal of Hampshire Regional High School and began her career as a 6^th and 7^th grade social studies teacher at Duggan Middle School in Springfield. Smidy has served on the Legislative Committee for the Massachusetts School Superintendents, the Connecticut Valley Superintendent Roundtable Executive Board, and the Massachusetts Inclusive Higher Education task force.  

“I’m looking forward to working with the Commission and bringing my experiencing managing rural school budgets to the table. This is a long-awaited opportunity to take a hard look at where the formula works, where it doesn’t, and work together to build something that actually makes sense for communities across the Commonwealth,” said Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Member Kristen Smidy.  

O'Leary is the Executive Director of Strategies for Children, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization that leads the way towards meaningful change in early childhood systems across Massachusetts. She has held numerous leadership roles, including Director of the Early Education for All Campaign and is the host of The 9:30 Call, a daily statewide gathering that connects and informs the early childhood community. O’Leary also serves on the Advisory Council on Early Education and Care and the Early Education and Care Workforce Council. Before joining Strategies for Children, she worked as a preschool teacher and program director at Ellis Early Learning in Boston's South End. O'Leary was elected twice to the Governing Board of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  

“I grateful to Governor Healey and honored to serve on the Foundation Budget Review Commission and contribute to a conversation that is fundamental to the future of education in Massachusetts. The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s continued focus on innovative ways of breaking down silos and strengthening connections and partnerships across the education continuum will ensure that our approach to education funding reflects the real costs of providing high-quality learning and support for children, families, educators, and schools. I look forward to bringing an early childhood perspective and my experience to this work and to collaborating with colleagues across education, government, business, and local communities to ensure that the foundation budget reflects what it truly takes to provide every child with the opportunity to thrive—from the earliest years through graduation,” said Amy O’Leary.  

The Healey-Driscoll administration’s members on the Commission include Secretary of Education Steve Zrike, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez, Commissioner of Early Education and Care Amy Kershaw, Assistant Secretary for Budget Christopher Marino, Department of Revenue’s Division of Local Services Senior Deputy Commissioner Sean Cronin and Director of Rural Affairs Anne Gobi.  

TAAF 和 AAJC 宣佈合作 將攜手為50團體提供因應反亞裔仇恨犯罪能力

        （Boston Orange編譯）亞裔基金會（The Asian American Foundation, TAAF）與亞裔促進正義會（Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC）9月17日在華府（D.C.）宣佈合作，由TAAF資助AAJC，為「安全國家網路」（Safety National Network）旗下近50個團體提供培訓與技術支援，提升因應反亞裔仇恨的能力。

        AAJC 將憑藉長期處理民權案件的經驗，為各地組織提供仇恨事件的即時應變指南與轉介培訓，定期分析仇恨趨勢與聯邦政策，並針對個案處置、社群教育、公關及民權問題提供一對一支援。

        TAAF 執行長陳國禎（Norman Chen）與 AAJC 總裁暨執行董事楊約翰（John C. Yang）指出，直接服務社區的基層組織常需在第一時間處理危機，急需長期資源支援。TAAF 在 2021 年疫情高峰期成立的「安全國家網路」，旨在提供緊急救助與保護，並強化追蹤應變與預防，從 2023 年以來，已在 14 個都會區服務逾 10 萬名民眾。雖然社會大眾對反亞裔仇恨事件的關注在疫情後有所減退，但亞裔社群仍持續遭受仇恨與歧視，且除了傳統的種族偏見外，近期更受到反移民以及針對南亞裔言論升溫的影響。

        TAAF 的 2026 年「STAATUS 指數」顯示，逾 20% 的亞裔及太平洋島民在過去一年中曾遭遇種族騷擾；AAJC 分析 FBI 數據也顯示，2025 年反亞裔仇恨犯罪率仍高達疫情前的 2.5 倍以上，顯示目前亞裔面臨的威脅依然嚴峻。兩機構盼藉此合作，為全美亞裔建構更完善的安全防護網。

The Asian American Foundation and Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC Announce New Partnership to Strengthen Community Safety

Collaboration will equip nearly 50 organizations in TAAF’s Safety National Network with training, resources, and technical assistance to more effectively respond to anti-Asian hate, discrimination, violence, and profiling.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) and Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC) announced a new partnership to bolster the capacity of nearly 50 organizations in TAAF’s Safety National Network, a coalition of leading national, regional, and local groups responding to anti-Asian hate, violence, discrimination, and profiling.

Through a grant from TAAF, Advancing Justice – AAJC will provide organizations in the network with training and technical assistance to strengthen their ability to respond to hate incidents and emerging threats. Drawing on Advancing Justice – AAJC’s civil rights expertise, the collaboration will also ensure TAAF’s partners have the resources needed to navigate long-term challenges as historic patterns of anti-Asian prejudice and scapegoating continue to impact Asian American communities.

“As we mark five years since the creation of TAAF’s Safety National Network, we remain committed to investing in the frontline organizations that are providing direct services and critical resources to communities across the country,” said Norman Chen, CEO of TAAF. “The alarming rise in anti-Asian rhetoric and incidents in recent months, paired with the findings of TAAF’s State of AAPIs research on the safety of Asian Americans in key cities, underscore the need to bring new resources and support to our partners on the ground.”

“Community organizations are at the front lines when it comes to helping people who experience hate or discrimination, and they need the tools and support to respond effectively,” said John C. Yang, President and Executive Director at Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC. “This partnership with TAAF will help us strengthen the capacity of trusted organizations across the country to better respond in the immediate aftermath of an incident and build the knowledge and infrastructure necessary to protect our communities for the long term.”

As part of the partnership, Advancing Justice – AAJC will provide organizations in TAAF’s Safety National Network with:

Practical guidance for local organizations responding immediately after an incident of hate, violence, profiling, or discrimination;

Tailored trainings on how organizations can connect community members to appropriate support;

Updates and analysis on anti-Asian hate trends, emerging risks, and federal policy developments; and

One-on-one support for incident response, community education, communications, civil rights concerns, and referrals.

TAAF launched the Safety National Network in 2021 to deploy emergency relief to victims of anti-Asian hate incidents at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to improve incident tracking, protection, response, and prevention measures. Since 2023, members of the network have served over 100,000 community members across 14 metropolitan areas. 

But while public focus on anti-Asian hate incidents has faded since the pandemic, Asian American communities continue to face hate and discrimination, fueled not only by anti-Asian bias but also by escalating anti-immigrant and targeted anti-South Asian rhetoric. According to TAAF’s 2026 STAATUS Index, over 1 in 5 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders reported being insulted or harassed because of their race in the past year. And per Advancing Justice – AAJC’s recent analysis of the FBI's Hate Crime Statistics, anti-Asian hate crimes in 2025 remained elevated more than 2 ½ times more than before the pandemic.

GBCCA文協慶70週年 喜見代代傳承 賀扯鈴隊奪全美冠軍

大波士頓區中華文化協會（GBCCA）2屆幹部。（文協提供）
右起談繼欣，湯耀武，趙寧，梅靜蘭，葛幼梅，陳瑞虹，吳德惠，徐宗玲，李翠蘭，
黃田瑜，蘇錫民，吳宇懷，李茜，陳韻潔等人。（文協提供，張昀）

  （Boston Orange周菊子麻州報導）大波士頓區中華文化協會（GBCCA）9月12日在傅萊明罕酒店（Framingham Hotel）暨會議中心慶祝70週年，350多人共聚一堂，寒暄敘舊，向先驅、耆老致敬，聽法官陳遠芳分享，藉會刊宣佈將設1萬元迷你獎助金，支持創新的社區項目。

文協董事長葛幼梅（中）和會長吳德惠（左），以及蘇錫民齊切蛋糕。（文協提供，張昀）

杜甫的詩句曾說，人生七十古來稀。在大波士頓，除了傳統僑社的中華公所，洪門致公堂，安良工商會，紐英崙婦女新運會，中華廣教學校，各個姓氏公所這些機構外，超過70歲的還真是不多。

沈維新（左二），何毓琦 、胡小非夫婦（前右三、四）和熊元俊（前右一），以及
不在圖中的羅芬，都是年逾 90 的文協資深會員。（文協提供，張昀）

70年前，文協是由幾個家庭攜手創辦的，很多人還記得已辭世的李瑞駿和趙鍾英夫婦，阮郇標 陳詒夫婦。就像文協現任會長吳德惠在致歡迎詞中說的，要向1956年創立以來的先驅們，歷任會長、幹部、志工，以及每一位薪火相傳的夥伴們致敬，因為沒有這些人的努力與堅持，文協這個大家庭不會茁壯、傳承至今。

    為了紀念70週年，文協找出了共63名歷任會長名單，從1957年的阮郇標到2026年的吳德惠，印在週年慶刊上，讓長期參與文協活動的人，看著那些名字，勾起許多回憶。

文協70週年慶由陳裕逢率領金龍進場。（文協提供，張昀）

    尤其是當年在大波士頓大名鼎鼎，和西人法餐名廚Julia Child並比爭輝，都被美國郵政局印在郵票上的Joyce Chen（廖家艾），居然早在1960年時，也曾當過文協會長，更是讓人驚覺，文協一直是大波士頓華人社區中最臥虎藏龍的組織。

文協會長吳德惠（右）邀去年升任麻州最高法院法官的陳遠芳做70週年慶嘉賓。
（周菊子攝）

董事談繼欣（後左二）招呼麻州最高法院法官陳遠方（前左三），以及
麻州眾議員馬惠美（前右二）等嘉賓。（周菊子攝）

    吳德惠會長為了向文協過去這70年致敬，還和團隊成員一起翻天覆地的搜集資料，製作了一段幻燈片簡報，來述說「文協的故事」，帶出席者回味該會從1956年成立，1993年集資購屋，花了許多時間籌款，募捐，才終於在牛頓市買下2層高的一整棟華人中心，陸續有趙鍾英等幾個家庭創辦家庭夏令營，葛幼梅等人經營青少年中文夏令營，陳瑞虹創辦華心中文學校，潘台春和歐陽東美創立國樂團，龍俐麗創辦，湯耀武和薛正璇落力經營雲鶴社，王麗文長年指揮合唱團，成立知音舞團，吳萍萍和楊哲修負責卡拉OK社，文協每年參加《波士頓第一夜》大遊行，推出過生肖花燈，扯鈴隊贏得2026美國全國扯鈴比賽公開組團體冠軍等，各式各樣的點點滴滴，都讓人看到文協的龐大與內容豐富。

9月12日這天，由文協第二代的李波平和謝雲哲擔任司儀，即將舉家遷往他州的陳裕逢，以教練身份，率領嚴曉敏領隊的文協巾幗舞龍隊金龍出場舞動，為文協70週年慶拉開序幕。

司儀李波平（右）是李瑞駿和趙鍾英的兒子，和從高中起就擔任文協志工，助教雨老師
的謝雲哲（左），邀請第三代的孩子們上台抽出幸運中獎者。
會長吳德惠的孫子周承信（前）熱心效勞。（周菊子攝）

    應邀到會的嘉賓有麻州最高法院法官陳遠芳 (Gloria Tan)，麻州眾議員馬惠美（Amy Mah Sangiolo）。

大波士頓文協國樂團已交由創辦古箏樂團的楊信宜（左）擔任團長。（周菊子攝）

    吳德惠會長致詞時先說，很榮幸的，這天有26名歷任會長能夠撥冗出席，一起慶祝，為文協的70週年慶這里程碑平添更豐富意義，再請場中出席眾人依年齡站隊，從90歲到20歲以下，讓人見到文協每一個年齡層，有如大家庭一般的濟濟一堂，更期許後人傳承文協精神，邁向另一個輝煌70年。

其中年逾90的何毓琦 、胡小非夫婦，以及沈維新，熊元俊和即將90歲的談善明等長者出席在座，最是教人覺得文協也已經歷史悠久。

劉瑋珊（左起）、朱惠元，張建宇，汪榮華演出三段京劇。（周菊子攝）

    阮郇標醫生的兒子Robin Yuan當天也出席了，還捐出五本他親筆簽名，關於他外祖父戴琛生平事蹟的著作「紅衣主教（Red Bishops）」 ，作大會摸彩獎品。

武安武術團演出舞獅。（周菊子攝）

    陳遠芳法官是台灣移民後代，在德州長大，因為身為少數族裔，曾面對過許多偏見與種族歧視，又受華人埋頭苦幹的傳統影響，在校力求學業優異，出校只盼平穩度日，直到有天有人很認真的“推”了她一把，才讓她從律師成為了法官。為此她鼓勵那些已有成就者，要提攜後進，傳承經驗的為年輕人鋪路，更提醒後輩，要有智慧，懂得平衡“等待機會”和“不讓任何一個機會從身邊擦肩而過”。

        陳遠芳看到文協成員有如大家庭般的和樂融融，凝聚力極強，笑說她該勸身為台大校友的父母，搬來麻州同住，加入文協這很棒的社區。

武安武術團。（周菊子攝）

王麗文（左四）率知音舞團演出。（周菊子攝）

為了讓文協團員們歡度一日，這場70週年慶安排了很多表演，有章德鄰和林欣怡任教練的武安武術社舞獅，楊信宜的波士頓古箏樂團演奏，扯鈴隊表演，劉瑋珊率領他所創辦京劇社的張建宇，朱惠元，汪榮華表演「蘇三起解」，「遊龍戲鳳」，「謝瑤環」等京劇選段，王麗文率知音舞團跳「醉春風」，合唱團18人唱「原鄉人」，「菊花台」，郭雅志和何濤以管子與二胡合奏「月光愛人」，郭雅志，金薇薇， 林遊嵐，邵婉如，徐宗玲等人合奏葫蘆絲「You Raise Me Up」，吳萍萍, 楊哲修, 劉瑋珊, 李茜, 吳德惠, 柯乃南, 賴超強等人攜手演出薩芝楠編劇，梁雁文導演的「穿越70載」，余嘯渝帶隊跳排舞。最後還有一連13首卡拉ＯＫ。

郭雅志（左起）陪著學生們，徐宗玲，邵婉如，林遊嵐、金薇薇演奏葫蘆絲。（周菊子攝）

大波士頓中華文化協會的現任幹部有董事長葛幼梅，學校委員會陳瑞虹，樓宇委員會湯耀武，執行委員會會長吳德惠，委員薩芝楠，吳宇懷，徐宗玲，陳韻潔。2027年將由李翠蘭接任會長，黃田瑜，李茜，顏曉敏，張涵捷接任執行委員。（訂正版，感謝吳德惠會長和吳萍萍指正）

文協的扯鈴隊贏得2026全美扯鈴公開賽團體組冠軍。（周菊子攝）

文協扯鈴隊表演螢光扯鈴。（周菊子攝）

吳萍萍、楊哲修（前右四、三）負責的文協卡拉OK社隊伍。（周菊子攝）

GBCCA前會長周一男（左二）教授說，前會長談善明（前右二）即將90。（周菊子攝）

文協會長吳德惠（右三起）和薛正璇，湯耀武，以及前會長程中林等人及家人
在文協70週年大海報前留影。（周菊子攝）

胡美惠律師（右三）聽說陳裕逢夫婦（左一）即將遷往他州，趕快找
李小玉醫師夫婦合影，留下紀念。（周菊子攝）

吳宇懷（後右起）、翁卓毅和陳瑞虹（前左起），文協首任會長阮郇標
的兒子Robin，以及林遊嵐（前右）等人同桌暢敘。（周菊子攝）

蕭雲（右）曾任文協會長。（周菊子攝）

龍俐麗（左）創辦了文協麾下的雲鶴社。（周菊子攝）

左起，作家張鳳，北一女校友會創辦人趙小怡，作家王尚勤。（周菊子攝）

左起，李台醫師，周健夫，王麗文夫婦。（周菊子攝）

文協會長吳德惠（右）和1988年會長，年逾80的胡世沛。（周菊子攝）

陳裕逢（中）扮演萬紅叢中一點綠。（周菊子攝）

文協合唱團演出。（吳萍萍提供）

小品「穿越七十載」。（吳萍萍提供）

文協慶70週年，350餘人歡聚一堂。（周菊子攝）

文協太極班合影。（張鳳提供）