全美亞太裔耆英中心訪波士頓聽民意

全美亞太裔耆英中心舉辦的聆聽之旅，逾百人出席。

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)全美亞太裔耆英中心(National Asian Pacific Center on Aging)今(9月29)日早上在紐英崙中華公所禮堂，舉辦聆聽之旅，邀請說中文，韓文，越南文等不同亞裔語言耆英出席，和聯邦政府社會服務部門官員當面晤談。

右起，林良華，安豐貴，陳建立， Roberto Medina，Raymond Hurd
，梅伍銀寬，陳家驊，證券及交易局代表等在會末合影。(周菊子攝)

全美亞太裔耆英中心執行長林良華(Wesley Lum)表示，美國現在每天都有大約10,000人年齡達到65歲，未來15年，大概也都這樣。到2040年時，幾乎每4個美國居民中，就有1人65歲或年紀更大，美國歷史將第一次出現老年人比15歲以下年輕人還多的情況。

目前住在美國的亞裔耆英約有160萬人，約等於全美人口的4%，佔亞裔人口的9%。到2040年十，在波士頓的亞裔耆英人數，估計會增長52%。

陳建立(右一)向出席者報告，自己剛接任中華其應會董事長。(周菊子攝)

為進一步了解亞裔耆英的需要，全美亞太裔中心和白宮亞太裔太平洋島民計畫(WHIAPPI)合作，舉辦”聆聽之旅"，巡迴六個城市，請耆英把需要，以及所面對的挑戰，障礙整理出來，排列優先順序，再匯整成一份報告，做為未來修訂措施參考。

在麻州及波士頓市府老人局代表，局長出席致意後，出席耆英們分別就訪問服務，社會福利，看護，文化及語言，老年痴呆症，財務與經濟保障，醫療保險/處方藥，住屋，移民，行動獨立，免遭詐欺的安全性，交通等各議題做進一步討論。

安豐貴(右一)分享經驗。

聯邦政府平等就業機會局的安豐貴，社會安全局的區域傳播主任Roberto Medina，醫療護理及醫療補助服務中心(CMS)區域長Raymond Hurd，以及證券交易局代表等人應邀出席，現場回答耆英們的提問。

安豐貴以他個人的成長經驗指出，儘管美國是個很民主的法治國家，仍然不時傳出少數族裔遭遇歧視，被人欺負的事情。該局每年接到的抱怨個案都逾萬宗。該局因此積極深入社區，希望民眾知道，遇狀況時，有地方求助。

梅麗梨為耆英做翻譯。

社安局的Roberto Medina透露，人們最常問自己”甚麼時候可以退休"，但這得看各人的年齡，收入，工作年期等等，實在是個見仁見智的問題。一般來說，只要工作滿十年，就有資格從62歲起退休，申請領取社會安全金。但是每個人每月可領多少社會安全金，是要以工作35年為基準來計算的，能拿到多少，還要看是幾歲時申請退休。如果是在62歲時退休，可領結算金額的75%，若66歲再退休，可領100%，若是等到70歲以後才退休，更可以領到132%。

會場擺放的相關資料。

CMS的Raymond Hurd，他被問到最多的問題是，醫療保險分ABCD四類，到底各有甚麼不同。他指出，A類保民眾去醫院，ㄖ類保看醫生。C類及D類則是用於購買處方藥等的醫療保險。他建議麻州居民和Shine這服務機構接洽，以更便捷地找出最適合自己的醫療保險計畫。

波士頓華埠社區辦籌款會 提前為波市長競選連任打氣 (圖片)

波士頓華埠僑領陳毓禮(右四)為波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Marty Walsh)(左三)
辦籌款會。右起，陳文珊，梅麗梨，梅伍銀寬，粱國忠等人。(周菊子攝)

紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊為籌款會擔任司儀。

陳郁璇(左起)邀波士頓國民黨常委張韻蘭，前任常委王競芳，以及陳台榮等人和波士頓市長馬丁華殊合影。

部分出席者。

陳毓禮(立者)。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(左二起)和華埠僑領陳毓禮，以及善單鳳琴，
陳家驊，陳文棟(左一)，陳文珊(後左)，鄺劍峰(後右)等人合影。

後左起，京川園，新金門，五味七品，樂嚐軒，五味七品等餐廳東主，
都支持陳毓璇(前左起)，陳毓禮，陳家驊等人主辦的籌款餐會。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(左)高興的和波士頓消防局副局長黃瑞瑜，僑領
陳毓禮合影。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(中)笑說，中華耆英會握有那麼多選票，
當然要對該會兩名重要人物，梅伍銀寬(右)，梅麗梨(左)好一點。

FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT for Asian Health Initiative

FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT

Asian Health Initiative

Request for Proposals (RFP)

Tufts Medical Center is seeking innovative programs to promote the health of Boston’s Chinatown and Asian community.  The priority health issue to be addressed in a new three year funding cycle for the Asian Health Initiative (AHI) is reducing cigarette smoking, and its related health consequences such as lung cancer, and exacerbation of other chronic illnesses.

Grants will be awarded to individual organizations for up to $50,000 per year, for up to three years. Examples of initiatives may include, but are not limited to clinical and nonclinical  outreach, education, prevention efforts, referrals to medical services, smoking cessation programs, and/or support groups.

The submission deadline for proposals is November 1, 2016.  For a copy of the RFP or more information about the Asian Health Initiative, please visit www.tuftsmedicalcenter.org/commhealth.

Potential applicants are invited to attend a bidders’ conference to learn more about the RFP and consult with experts on October 11 at 3PM in Proger Room A, Tufts Medical Center. Should you have any questions regarding the RFP, please call the Office of Community Health Improvement Programs at (617) 636-1626.

IMAGINE BOSTON 2030 ANNOUNCES FINALIZED SUGGESTED READING LIST TO ENGAGE RESIDENTS IN THE CONVERSATION ON BOSTON'S FUTURE

IMAGINE BOSTON 2030 ANNOUNCES FINALIZED SUGGESTED READING LIST TO ENGAGE RESIDENTS IN THE CONVERSATION ON BOSTON'S FUTURE

Final reading list incorporates community feedback, adds five additional titles to broaden conversation on Boston's future

Imagine Boston 2030 bookmarks are available at Boston Public Library locations. BOSTON - Thursday, September 29, 2016 - As part of Imagine Boston 2030's community engagement process, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced Imagine Boston 2030's finalized suggested reading list, adding to the original list released in August. Members of the community voted on five additional books to complete both the adult and youth titles on the list. The Imagine Boston reading list offers residents the opportunity to learn more about the background on some of the history and concepts that are helping to inform conversations about the future of our city. The texts were chosen by members of the Mayor's team, and selected for their historical analyses and their relation to Boston. The five additional titles include: Adult Reading List "The Last Hurrah" by Edwin O'Connor "Invisible Cities" by Italo Calvino "Don't Mess with Tanya: Stories Emerging from Boston's Barrios" by Ken Tangvik Youth (Ages 3+) Reading List "Bus Route to Boston" by Maryann Cocca-Leffler "From Mud Huts to Skyscrapers: Architecture for Children" by Christine Paxmann   "This engagement initiative received great input from the community and has started an important conversation - one focused on how can we learn from our past to create a better Boston for the future," said Mayor Walsh. "This finalized reading list represents a wide range of issues and stories that are relevant to all Bostonians, and together we can use these books as tools in our efforts to make Boston the best it can be in 2030." After the release of the initial list, Boston residents of all ages were asked to vote on the final books to complete the adult and youth selection. Members of the community responded and voted on a finalized list that includes urban histories of cities like Boston, as well as explorations of concepts and theories that shape modern cities. The goal of this initiative is to utilize this shared reading experience to develop a broader discussion with the community on the task of building a more equitable and inclusive Boston by 2030. The final Imagine Boston 2030 Reading List is below, with the new additions in bold: Adult Reading List  "Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City" by Matthew Desmond  "The Death and Life of Great American Cities" by Jane Jacobs "Chain of Change: Struggles for Black Community Development" by Mel King "The Given Day" by Dennis Lehane "Common Ground" by J. Anthony Lukas "All Souls: A Family Story From Southie" by Michael Patrick MacDonald "The Power Broker" by Robert Caro  "Karma and Other Stories" by Rishi Reddi  "The Resilience Dividend: Being Strong in a World Where Things Go Wrong" by Judith Rodin  "Villa Victoria: The Transformation of Social Capital in a Boston Barrio" by Mario Luis Small  "Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time" by Jeff Speck "The Price of Inequality: How Today's Divided Society Endangers Our Future" by Joseph E. Stiglitz "The Last Hurrah" by Edwin O'Connor "Invisible Cities" by Italo Calvino "Don't Mess with Tanya: Stories Emerging from Boston's Barrios" by Ken Tangvik   Youth(Ages 3+) Reading List "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing" by M. T. Anderson "The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau "Pennies for Elephants" by Lita Judge "What's the Big Idea? Four Centuries of Innovation in Boston" by Stephen Krensky "Make Way for Ducklings" by Robert McCloskey "Fantastic Cities: A Coloring Book of Amazing Places Real and Imagine" by Steve McDonald "Beneath the Streets of Boston" by Joe McKendry "On the Loose in Boston (Find the Animals)" by Sage Stossel "Bus Route to Boston" by Maryann Cocca-Leffler "From Mud Huts to Skyscrapers: Architecture for Children" by Christine Paxmann Imagine Boston 2030 has also asked community leaders to participate in this initiative, and many of them have been encouraged to submit blog entries discussing the readings. Each blog entry will highlight one book's relation to Boston and its ability to add value to the planning process. These blog postings will be coming soon and will be posted on Imagine Boston 2030'swebsite. Earlier this week, Mayor Walsh announced the launch of Imagine Boston 2030's new engagement team, who will visit community events in Boston neighborhoods to seek feedback from residents on refined strategies for guiding equitable growth through 2030. The Mayor's Office has partnered with the Boston Public Library to make the entire Imagine Boston reading list available to Boston residents. Residents are encouraged to stop by their nearest local branch to access these titles and pick up a bookmark. "Boston is a literary City and we hope that with this list, residents will not only read the books, but be encouraged to have conversations about the topics and ideas in the books, how they compare to Boston today, and how we, as a community can envision Boston in the future," said Natalia Urtubey, Director of Engagement for Imagine Boston 2030. "We hope that this list will serve as a tool to guide community conversations around the future of Boston, and energize people to participate in upcoming engagement activities." About Imagine Boston 2030 Imagine Boston seeks to knit together citywide planning efforts, public engagement and feedback, and City priorities to guide our city into 2030. A citywide plan will serve to implement the ideas set forth and to offer additional ideas for the physical and economic development of Boston. Just as importantly, Imagine Boston 2030 will help Boston's citizens articulate a shared vision for equitable prosperity, innovation, education, health, equity and arts and culture. Residents are encouraged to share their ideas and connect with Imagine Boston 2030 on  Twitter,Facebook and Instagram using #ImagineBoston and#IB2030bookworm.

Boston Public Schools Debut Interactive Model for Math Education, Launches Partnership with New Classrooms

Boston Public Schools Debut Interactive Model for Math Education, Launches Partnership with New Classrooms

Tech Boston Academy in Dorchester Pilots New Program, Supports District-Wide Plan to Personalize Learning

BOSTON, MA - Thursday, September 29, 2016 - Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang today joined Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, and School Committee Chairperson Michael O'Neill to announce a partnership with New Classrooms, a national nonprofit on a mission to personalize education by redesigning how a classroom works. New Classrooms brought its first school-based learning model, Teach to One: Math (TTO), to TechBoston Academy in Dorchester.   "Congratulations to Boston Public Schools' TechBoston Academy and New Classrooms on the formation of this new partnership," said Mayor Walsh. "Our top priority is to meet the diverse needs of every single student throughout our public schools. New Classrooms will be an innovative partner in this mission, and I look forward to students at TechBoston Academy benefiting from this personalized partnership model." This year, Tech Boston Academy's 360 middle school students are receiving customized daily schedules, curriculum and learning experiences to meet their individual math needs through the learning model. "The School Committee is appreciative of the outstanding partners of the Boston Public Schools," said Chairperson Michael O'Neill. "Math can be extremely challenging, and this unique, personalized learning model will ensure that each student is well prepared." The adoption of TTO is part of a district-wide effort to personalize learning after teachers noticed students were entering middle school with different foundational math skills. Teachers faced the challenge of providing students with varying lessons, learning approaches and timelines so they could learn additional skills while also moving forward through the curriculum. "To set our students up for future success, we needed to empower our teachers with the tools to make personalizing math a reality," said Superintendent Chang. "With Teach to One, our teachers have more collaboration time while students are engaging in challenging lessons that meet them at their level of understanding." TTO provides teachers with a curated bank of high-quality learning resources that match students' skill levels and address knowledge gaps. It assigns each student to one of nine instructional approaches, called modalities, daily based on the previous day's assessment. The model was found to deliver 1.5 years of learning in a school year. "Boston Public Schools is joining the many districts and schools around the country who see personalized learning as key to student acceleration," said New Classrooms CEO Joel Rose. "We're privileged to be working with and learning alongside Boston Public Schools to best support their unique school community at TechBoston Academy." This new model of personalization helps solve an important problem: almost two-thirds of U.S. eighth graders are off track in math when they enter high school.These students have a less than 20 percent chance of graduating high school ready for college. In the 2015-16 school year, 24 out of the 25 schools using TTO saw academic gains above the national average. In Boston, TTO's implementation is being funded by Boston Public Schools with support from the Barr Foundation and Strategic Grant Partners. "Teach to One reimagines the traditional classroom to create a more personalized approach to math instruction," said Leah Hamilton, Director of Education for the Barr Foundation. "When each child's experience is tailored to their unique academic needs and ways of learning, the results are remarkable. We are pleased to be able to help TTO bring its proven model to new schools in Massachusetts and New England, including Tech Boston Academy."

TREASURER DEB GOLDBERG ANNOUNCES COLLEGE SAVINGS PROGRAM IN WESTERN MASSACHUS

TREASURER DEB GOLDBERG ANNOUNCES COLLEGE SAVINGS PROGRAM IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Pilot Initiative to Take Place in the Town of Monson

MONSON, MA – State Treasurer Deb Goldberg, in collaboration with Monson Savings Bank, announced today a new college savings initiative. Expanding on the successful launch of the Worcester program just 40 miles northwest, $eedMA Monson looks to enroll the 2016-2017 class of kindergartners with 529 College Savings Accounts through Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA).

“I am thrilled to see this important work expand to more communities across the Commonwealth,” said Treasurer Deb Goldberg. “Access to an affordable higher education is critical to ensuring the economic stability of Massachusetts families.”

$eedMA Monson will be available to all kindergarteners enrolled in Monson Public Schools. Each child will receive a commitment of $50 through Monson Savings Bank to cultivate a 529 college savings account at the start of the 2016-2017 school year.

“MEFA is pleased to be a partner in this initiative with Treasurer Goldberg, her team, and the town of Monson,” said Tom Graf, Executive Director of MEFA. “It is exciting to work with Monson families on creating a plan for saving for college.”

“I am thrilled that Monson Savings Bank has stepped forward to support this unique and vitally important initiative which will pay off huge dividends for the kindergarten students and families of Monson,” said Robert Bardwell, Director of School Counseling, Monson Public Schools. “$eedMA Monson gives our students a chance to save for college which will no doubt advantage them when they are ready to seek further education and training after high school. And to think Monson is only the second pilot in the state is exciting and a tremendous opportunity for our community.”

$eedMA Monson aims to increase the percentage of children saving for higher education by delivering high-quality financial education programming to students and their families, building a culture centered around saving for the future and employing prudent budget management. These accounts have been proven to boost postsecondary enrollment and graduation rates, which will result in higher paying jobs. Parents and families will receive more information about $eedMA Monson in the upcoming months through informational sessions administered by the Treasurer’s Office of Economic Empowerment.

“Monson Savings Bank is very pleased to be a part of this initiative and to be able to offer this opportunity to our Monson students. We are also proud to be the 2nd community in the state of MA to be participating in this program. We look forward to working with Quarry Hill Elementary School and eventually offering this pilot program to other school districts in our business area,” said Steve Lowell, President and CEO of Monson Savings Bank.

Treasurer Goldberg created the Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE), led by a deputy treasurer, with the deliberate goal of implementing a range of economic empowerment initiatives, including closing the gender wage gap, increasing access to financial education, improving college affordability, and investing in STEM careers and education.

Beacon Hill Leadership Moves To Rename Brookline Avenue Bridge In Honor Of David Ortiz

Beacon Hill Leadership Moves To Rename Brookline Avenue Bridge In Honor Of David Ortiz

Governor Baker, Senate President Rosenberg, Speaker DeLeo Propose Bridge Naming for the retiring Boston Red Sox legend

BOSTON – Massachusetts took the first official step toward naming a bridge in honor of legendary Red Sox player David Ortiz tonight.

As part of a joint-plan between the House, Senate and Governor’s office, the House Committee on Ways & Means Committee put language out to poll as part of a supplemental budget that would rename the Brookline Avenue bridge, between Lansdowne Street and Newbury Street, and spanning the Massachusetts Turnpike, the “David Ortiz (‘Big Papi’) Bridge.”

The legislation states the honor is “in recognition of his athletic accomplishments during fourteen seasons as a member of the Boston Red Sox, and his personal contributions to the Commonwealth, notably, his charitable commitment to children in New England and the Dominican Republic who do not have access to the critical pediatric services they need, and in helping our city heal in the face of the Boston Marathon bombing tragedy.”

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will place a “suitable marker on the bridge bearing the designation in compliance with the standards of the department.”

“David Ortiz’s accomplishments and heroics on and off the baseball field have made him a living legend, and his heartfelt contributions to the communities here and in his native Dominican Republic have made him an icon,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “As a lifelong Red Sox fan, I am thrilled to be able to help our Commonwealth create a lasting ‘Thank You’ to Big Papi through the renaming of this bridge.”

 “I’m so excited to be part of this process of giving David Ortiz, one of the greatest Red Sox of all time, his proper due by naming a bridge in his honor,” House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) said. “David has not only been an extraordinary baseball player, he has been an exemplary and inspirational member of our community, most notably after the Boston Marathon bombings. As a fan, I will miss his stride up to the plate followed by a clutch hit and the ballpark exploding into applause.”

“David Ortiz has been a big part of our community both on and off the field,” said Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst).  “Whether is it leading the Red Sox to multiple World Series Championships or all of his charitable work, he has truly been the pride of Boston.  I am proud that we can honor him by naming this bridge after him so his legacy can live on after his playing days have ended.”

 “David Ortiz has meant so much to the City of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and all of Red Sox Nation,” said Representative Brian S. Dempsey, House Chair of the Committee on Ways & Means (D-Haverhill).  “Whether it be his clutch curse breaking hits on the diamond, his now legendary speech to rally the spirits of this city in the aftermath of the Marathon Bombing, or his prodigious charity work, ‘Papi’ has left a lasting impact.  I am proud that we can recognize his efforts and wish him well as he ends his career with what we hope is another memorable playoff run.”

 “As a Red Sox fan, I’m proud that the Commonwealth is taking this step to recognize one of our athletic legends,” said Senator Karen E. Spilka, Senate Chair of the Committee on Ways & Means (D-Ashland). “David Ortiz is a major force in baseball, and he has also made significant contributions to our community over the course of his long career.”

Once the House Ways & Means Committee poll is completed, the House will act on the measure tomorrow. The legislation will then go to the Senate.