MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF GRANTS FOR GREEN AND MOBILITY JOBS

 

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF GRANTS FOR GREEN AND MOBILITY JOBS

BOSTON - January 21, 2022 - Today, Mayor Michelle Wu announced the recipients of the City’s Catalyst Grants for Green Job and Mobility Training, to help connect residents with career opportunities in the green economy. This grant program is a part of Boston’s equitable and sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding gives Boston residents and organizations the resources and tools to invest in critical workforce development to benefit our communities and economy for years to come. “As a coastal city vulnerable to rising seas and extreme heat, Boston must be a national leader in driving a just transition to a green economy,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “As we work to create a city Green New Deal, this is just the beginning of green workforce development for all Boston residents, delivering short and long-term benefits to Boston’s hardest hit communities.” The catalyst grant funding was made possible through the American Rescue Plan, a federal stimulus package to assist cities in their equitable recovery from COVID-19 while centering the needs of residents. The City of Boston’s FY22 operating budget commits direct grants to programs that are training and placing individuals in green jobs and in direct grants to programs for mobility jobs. This grant complements the City’s announcement for the Youth Green Jobs Training Program, a partnership to provide career development opportunities for young people who are unemployed or underemployed, in green jobs and careers that help prepare for the impacts of climate change. These programs serve the dual purpose of supporting residents who are disproportionately impacted by climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic by enhancing public health and economic opportunity. “Climate change is a significant threat to Boston residents but it also presents us with an opportunity to employ people in good paying jobs that put them at the front line of protecting our city.” said Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space. “I am enthusiastic to see the projects that these organizations complete and the ways they support Boston’s environmental and economic justice goals.”  "Moving to a green transportation system will require new skills and investments that will create new career opportunities for all Bostonians," said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Chief of Streets. "To make progress towards our climate goals, we need to invest in a workforce that is ready to maintain bikes and bike infrastructure, prepare buildings for electric vehicles, and support shared transportation services, from public transit to electric scooters." “These grants are proactive in combating the ever-present effects of climate change while also addressing the need to provide career development opportunities for our underrepresented communities,” said Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. “Utilizing the funding to invest in these job training programs will aid in establishing a robust green economy that benefits all of our communities in the City of Boston.”  The City has awarded the distribution of $614,962 to four organizations to provide training and placement services to prepare and connect Boston residents to green and mobility job opportunities. These organizations include Bikes Not Bombs, Benjamin Franklin Institute, Building Pathways Inc., X-cel Conservation Corps, and Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation. The City of Boston is working to support and enhance existing training programs and programs to increase diversity in the building trades through upskilling and incumbent worker training. The four grant recipients will work to develop jobs for Boston residents including youth, those recovering from substance use, individuals experiencing homelessness, residents recently incarcerated, women and people of color from under-represented neighborhoods, and those who are underemployed/ unemployed. “With the City of Boston’s funding, Bikes Not Bombs (BNB) will give Boston youth the opportunity for apprenticeship, skill building, and career development. BNB uses the bicycle as a vehicle for social change – and this funding will open the door for Black and marginalized Boston residents to achieve economic mobility, build relationships, and work towards a healthier Boston,” said Elijah Evans, Executive Director of Bikes Not Bombs.  “Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology’s HVAC&R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, & Refrigeration) Technology program offers state-of-the-art technical training that leads to jobs in the clean energy sector,” said BFIT President and CEO Aisha Francis. “We are thrilled to be working with our partners St. Francis House and the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services’ Access to Recovery Program who are similarly committed to provide people facing barriers to employment with a pathway to a green-economy career that offers strong salaries and growth opportunities. Program participants come from diverse backgrounds, including those who are in recovery from addiction and/or homelessness.”   “We know that 86,000 buildings in Boston need to be retrofitted to achieve carbon neutrality. We also know that with this challenge is the opportunity to expand workforce opportunities for underrepresented communities. The funding will support our Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program to prepare Boston residents for family-sustaining green careers in the building trades,” said Mary Vogel, Executive Director of Building Pathways. “As a result of COVID-19, many Boston residents have faced unemployment. Green infrastructure and wastewater management is critical - and as Boston works to become more sustainable, the fields are constantly evolving with new opportunities for employment,” said Don Sands, Executive Director of X-Cel Education.  “We are looking forward to utilizing the City of Boston’s funding to provide training for residents who are eager to learn, work, and open the door for opportunities,” said Danilo Morales, Eco-Innovation Specialist of the Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation. This distribution of funds reinforces the Wu Administration’s commitment to a Boston Green New Deal and creating accessible careers of the future for Boston’s residents. Recently, Mayor Wu signed her first ordinance to divest City-funds from the fossil fuel, tobacco, and private prison industries. Additionally, Mayor Wu announced new, lower community choice electricity rates and outlined steps to reduce vehicle emissions and electrify the City fleet. The City Council recently voted in favor of Mayor Wu’s proposed appropriation order for $8 million in federal funds to eliminate fares on the 23, 28 and 29 MBTA bus routes for a two-year period.

波士頓市長吳弭提醒民眾這個週末氣溫零下 注意保暖

MAYOR WU URGES CAUTION AS BITTERLY COLD WEATHER ARRIVES THIS WEEKEND

BOSTON - Friday, January 21, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced a cold weather advisory and winter safety tips in response to the bitterly cold temperatures expected tonight and this weekend. Boston is forecasted to experience wind chills as low as zero overnight tonight into Saturday, January 22. This follows a wind chill of below zero Thursday night into Friday.    “As Boston is impacted by another round of brutally cold weather, I urge all our residents and families to take precautions to stay safe,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “While our City is prepared for more winter weather, I’m reminding residents to check on others, especially those more vulnerable to cold temperatures.”   Due to the low temperatures and strong wind gusts, there is an increased risk for hypothermia and frostbite in vulnerable populations, such as those experiencing homelessness, the elderly, and young children. Cold weather may also exacerbate health issues in high-risk populations.   The current City of Boston cold emergency threshold is 1 day or more of -10°F or below observed wind chill. Additionally, the current City of Boston cold advisory threshold is 1 day or more of 0°F or below observed wind chill.   Mayor Wu is advising residents to take precautions, reminding them to check in on older adults, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness. If you see an individual experiencing homelessness and vulnerable individuals out in the cold who appear immobile, disoriented, or underdressed for the cold, please call 911. If residents are aware of anyone staying in a vehicle or a place not intended for living during these extreme cold temperatures, they are encouraged to call 911 as well.    While the temperature forecast does not reach the threshold for declaring a weather emergency, Boston Centers for Youth & Families’ (BCYF) community centers will be open for people to warm up during their normal operating hours tomorrow. They are also open for pre-registered regular programming. Due to COVID-19 public health regulations, all people entering BCYF community centers must wear a face covering (covering both the nose and mouth) and must sign in and include contact information. Locations open on Saturday can be found at Boston.gov/BCYF.   The Boston Public Library's Central Library in Copley Square will be open during normal operating hours tomorrow, and is available for people in need of a place to warm up. Visitors to all BPL locations are required to wear face coverings fully covering their nose and mouth.   City COVID-19 testing sites are running on normal operating hours, but are subject to change as the forecast updates. A full list of City testing sites and any changes to hours can be found here.   The Southampton Street Shelter and Woods Mullen Shelter will remain open 24/7. Amnesty is in effect and anyone with a non-violent restriction may come in.   The Boston Police Department (BPD) is making announcements on every shift for officers and all personnel to be on the lookout for vulnerable people on the streets. BPD will conduct wellness checks or assist with transportation to available shelters and coordinate with emergency medical personnel for unsheltered homeless persons in distress. The BPD Street Outreach Unit will be available as a resource to assist the districts, outreach providers and 911 dispatch as needed.     KEY SAFETY TIPS INCLUDE:   Dress for the weather:   Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, residents are required to wear face coverings in all indoor public places. Wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear mittens over gloves; layering works for your hands as well. Always wear a hat and cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.   Dress children warmly and set reasonable time limits on outdoor play. Restrict infants' outdoor exposure when it is colder than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.   Watch for signs of frostbite:   Signs of frostbite include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately.   Watch for signs of hypothermia:   These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. If you or someone you know shows any of these symptoms, contact a healthcare provider immediately. If symptoms are severe, call 911.   Heating guidelines for property owners and tenants:   In accordance with the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code, the heating season officially begins on September 15 and runs through June 15. Property owners must heat habitable spaces at a minimum temperature of 68 degrees between 7 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. and 64 degrees between 11:01 p.m. and 6:59 a.m. In case of emergency, property owners are encouraged to keep a list of licensed contractors (electrician, plumber, and general contractor) on file. Tenants experiencing problems with their heating system should check the thermostat, ensure the dial is turned on, and report insufficient or no heat problems to the property owner or manager immediately. If your landlord or property manager is unresponsive, call 311 to file a complaint.   Heating safety:   Never try to heat your home using a charcoal or gas grill, a kitchen stove, or other product not specifically designed as a heater. These can cause a fire or produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide very quickly.  Have your heating system cleaned and checked annually. Install and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home. Carbon monoxide is an invisible gas produced whenever any fuel is burned. Common sources include oil or gas furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, stoves, and some space heaters. It has no smell, taste, or color. It is poisonous and can be deadly. Keep space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn, including people. Space heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room, or go to bed.   Tips to keep water flowing and pipes unfrozen during extreme cold:   The Boston Water and Sewer Commission recommends homeowners locate a home's main water shut off valve, and learn how to use it. Should a frozen pipe burst, shutting the main valve quickly will minimize flooding and property damage. Homeowners should insulate pipes in unheated areas like basements, garages, and crawl spaces. Use inexpensive hardware store materials to prevent pipes from freezing and to keep warm water flowing. Circulate warm air around pipes by keeping cabinet doors open. Circulate a trickle of tap water through pipes during extreme cold to help prevent them freezing up. Locate your water meter, protect it from drafts, and make sure basement doors and windows are shut tight. If pipes do freeze, slowly thaw them with a hair dryer, if possible. Never use an open flame to thaw pipes. If water is lost in all taps, call BWSC 24-hour Emergency Assistance Line at 617-989-7000.     Emergency home repair resources:    Income-eligible homeowners and Boston's residents over age 60 can receive assistance with winter emergencies and repairs, such as fixing storm damage, leaking roofs, furnaces, and leaking/frozen pipes. For assistance, residents should call the Mayor's hotline at 311 or the Boston Home Center at 617-635-HOME (4663).    In addition, the Mayor's Seniors Save program helps income eligible Bostonians over the age of 60 replace old, inefficient heating systems with a brand new heating system, even before a failure occurs during the cold winter months. Older adults can also call 311 or the Boston Home Center at 617-635-HOME (4663) to be connected with a City staffer to provide additional details.      For alerts, including cold-weather alerts, residents are encouraged to sign up for Alert Boston. For more information, please visit the Winter in Boston guide and follow @CityofBoston on Twitter.

華美福利會企業簡報賽 環保業ChopValue Boston奪冠

華美福利會亞裔企業簡報賽參賽者和評審。(視頻截圖)

ChopValue Boston 創辦人Elaine Chow。

                         (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 華美福利會(AACA)的首屆亞裔企業培訓輔導項目 (ABTM)簡報賽，日前經10人評審，選出優勝者，發出共1萬2000元獎金給已創辦企業組的第一、二、三名依序為ChopValue Boston， FreshZen Foods，Three Circles Studio，新創企業構想組為Joy In Tutoring。

。              這一比賽原定在”越助中心”舉行，因為新冠病毒疫情加劇，改在網上辦理。AACA的「下一步」項目主任Andy Goldberg說明，這次的簡報賽，共有8人參加已創辦企業組，首獎5000元。3人參加新創企業組。得獎者將自動獲得入讀華美福利會下一期的企業培訓及輔導班。

FreshZen Foods的Ruby Chan

              已創辦企業組第一名ChopValue Boston，由創辦人Elaine Chow做簡報，是一家藉由已有國際連鎖的科技方法處理回收的一次性筷子，再以之為材料，製作成環保傢俱，或壁飾等物品的公司。Elaine Chow 表示，該公司計畫從大波士頓各中餐館回收一次性筷子，再找本地廠商生產，全程以無碳方式進行，期以達到減碳減排的環保理想。

              第二名FreshZen Foods由Ruby Chan做簡報。有家人在餐館業工作的她透露，踏進這辣醬及調味料生意，完全是意外，但FreshZen的調味料不但用料天然，還低碳少糖，推出後意外地大受歡迎，因為打算擴大行銷到紐約及西岸，所以來參加比賽，增加籌資機會。

Three Circles Studio由創辦人Kevin Thai

              第三名的Three Circles Studio由創辦人Kevin Thai做簡報，是一家攝影公司，主要業務是幫助企業領袖克服面對相機鏡頭時的緊張與不安全感，進而幫助他們在網際網路上打造個人品牌，同時為企業領袖拍出專業水準的照片。Kevin Thai坦言，他已開業數年，口碑及業績都不錯，但要擴展或更上一層樓，幫助更多人，就得有突破。

              新創企業構想組的優勝者為Joy In Tutoring，由Nina Truong做簡報。她的構想是把輔導課業服務和餐飲結合在一起，藉由創造出一個有趣，溫馨的場所，來促成對學生課後學習更有益的環境。

Joy In Tutoring，的Nina Truon

              共11個參加簡報賽的項目，種類十分多元，有丁偉簡報以摩頓市有69年歷史工廠為基礎，發展以植物為基礎的食品包裝材料，有Lan Mi的Cobblestone 資本，要針對移民及特定族裔來設立房地產投資基金，Bowen Gao要在配音業方面做更多元發展，Vanessa Ly要向更廣的大眾介紹越南菜餚等等，參與評審的10名專家，都民間創意的多元化讚嘆不已。

              Andy Goldberg表示，賽後，各參賽者和評審們私下交流，都獲得不少寶貴意見。華美福利會將在整理分析「亞裔企業簡報賽 (Asian business pitch contest) 」過程與結果後，再決定是否或何時舉辦下一次的活動。

                 有意研習華美福利會企業培訓及輔導班者，可洽Andy Goldberg，電郵 abtm@aaca-boston.org ，或電話 617.953.0954。

The Advancing Justice Affiliation Continues In-Language Bystander Intervention Training for the Asian American Community Nationwide

 The Advancing Justice Affiliation Continues In-Language Bystander Intervention Training for the Asian American Community Nationwide

 

[Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.] – The Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliates in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. continue to offer virtual Bystander Intervention Training – Stop Anti-Asian and Asian American and Xenophobic Harassment in 2022 and are now proud to offer trainings in Asian languages for limited English proficient members of the community.

 

Washington, D.C.-based Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC) and Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles (Advancing Justice – LA) offer accessible in-language trainings in Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. Additionally, Advancing Justice – AAJC offers trainings in Hindi, provides simultaneous interpretations along with English facilitations, and uses bilingual slides. Advancing Justice – LA trains directly in Asian languages, accompanied by translated slides as part of the interactive experience. Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Chicago (Advancing Justice – Chicago) provide bilingual trainings in Mandarin, Cantonese, and Hindi, with verbal presentations in both English and the Asian language and slides in Asian languages only.

 

Since the Advancing Justice affiliates in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. and Hollaback! started training in the last two years, they have trained over 150,000 people. Of all people who reported witnessing harassment after completing the training, 75% reported intervening, a best practice in reducing trauma and de-escalating violence.

 

“The Asian American community has borne heightened discrimination as some have sought to place blame for the pandemic on us,” said Marita Etcubañez, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at Advancing Justice – AAJC. “We have heard from many in our community about the fear and anxiety they are feeling as Asian Americans have experienced increased hate crimes and hate incidents in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. Through our trainings, we share practical, actionable strategies that we hope our participants will be able to use to safely intervene in and stop harassment, and also mitigate the harm for the person who faced harassment.”

 

“It is a privilege and a testimony to our collective commitment to the Asian American community that we are able to expand and offer these culturally competent, useful trainings with more Advancing Justice affiliates,” said Dax Valdes, Senior Trainer with Hollaback!. "We always look for ways to make our sessions more accessible, so we can reach more community members who may be wondering what to do when they see someone else getting harassed, on public transportation or at the grocery store, for example. Offering these trainings in Asian languages is a crucial step in meeting communities where they are.” In Hollaback's evaluation and research, they found that 98.8% of those trained reported that as a result of the training, they were able to recognize and intervene when harassment occurs.

 

According to Christina Yang, General Counsel and Pro Bono Director at Advancing Justice – LA, “It is essential for us to train directly in Asian languages and make bystander intervention trainings more accessible to broader audiences, especially those who are still under attack and scapegoated for the COVID-19 pandemic.”

 

“As an organization that strives towards racial equity through community organizing, it is imperative that we respond to the requests from different communities and partners across the Midwest. We are excited to be a part of a strong affiliation and movement to make this training more inclusive for so many.” said Catherine Shieh, Anti-Hate Training Coordinator at Advancing Justice – Chicago.  

 

Upcoming Asian language Bystander Intervention Trainings:

 

Chinese

• January 31 – Training with simultaneous interpretation in Cantonese & Mandarin, 3pm Hawaii / 4pm Alaska / 5pm Pacific / 6pm Mountain / 7pm Central / 8pm Eastern. Click here to register.

• February 3 – Cantonese training, 1pm Hawaii / 2pm Alaska / 3pm Pacific / 4pm Mountain, 5pm Central, 6pm Eastern. This training will also be offered in March and April. Click here to register.
• February 10 – Mandarin training, 1pm Hawaii / 2pm Alaska / 3pm Pacific / 4pm Mountain, 5pm Central, 6pm Eastern. This training will also be offered in March and April. Click here to register.

 

Hindi

• April 20 – Training with simultaneous interpretation in Hindi. 3pm Hawaii / 4pm Alaska / 5pm Pacific / 6pm Mountain / 7pm Central / 8pm Eastern. The registration link will be posted here soon.

 

Korean

• January 25 – Korean training, 2pm Hawaii / 3pm Alaska / 4pm Pacific / 5pm Mountain / 6pm Central / 7pm Eastern. This training will also be offered in February, March, and April. Click here to register.

• February 17 – Training with simultaneous interpretation in Korean, 3pm Hawaii / 4pm Alaska / 5pm Pacific / 6pm Mountain / 7pm Central / 8pm Eastern. Click here to register.

 

Tagalog

• January 26 – Tagalog training, 1pm Hawaii / 2pm Alaska / 3pm Pacific / 4pm Mountain / 5pm Central / 6pm Eastern. This training will also be offered in February, March, and April. Click here to register.
• March 23 – Training with simultaneous interpretation in Tagalog, 3pm Hawaii / 4pm Alaska / 5pm Pacific / 6pm Mountain / 7pm Central / 8pm Eastern. The registration link will be posted here soon.

 

Thai

• April 7 – Training with simultaneous interpretation in Thai, 3pm Hawaii / 4pm Alaska / 5pm Pacific / 6pm Mountain / 7pm Central / 8pm Eastern. The registration link will be posted here soon.

 

Vietnamese

• February 17 – Vietnamese training, 12pm Hawaii / 1pm Alaska / 2pm Pacific / 3pm Mountain / 4pm Central / 5pm Eastern. This training will also be offered in March and April. Click here to register.

• March 1 – Training with simultaneous interpretation in Vietnamese, 3pm Hawaii / 4pm Alaska / 5pm Pacific / 6pm Mountain / 7pm Central / 8pm Eastern. The registration link will be posted here soon.

Statement from Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford on President Biden’s First Year in Office

 Statement from Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford on President Biden’s First Year in Office

“When President Biden and Vice President Harris took their oaths of office on the steps of the Capitol, they stood at the intersection of compounding crises: a virus raging unchecked across the country and an economic recession. Despite Republican efforts to halt their popular agenda, President Biden led Democrats in passing historic pieces of legislation, getting millions of vaccines in arms, putting money back in people’s pockets, and making infrastructure investments that are critical to America’s future. Although much work remains to be done, Bay Staters are better off now than they were one year ago, and President Biden and Vice President Harris are just getting started.”