AG HEALEY AWARDS GRANTS TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITY FOR WOMEN, MINORITY WORKERS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

AG HEALEY AWARDS GRANTS TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITY FOR WOMEN, MINORITY WORKERS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

 BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today announced that her office is awarding $90,000 in grant funding to organizations across the state to promote equal opportunity for women and minority workers and small business owners in the construction industry.

The Equal Opportunity in the Construction Trades Grant program is providing funding to non-profit organizations, apprenticeship programs, labor unions, and vocational schools to conduct worker training and outreach programs..

“The construction industry provides good-paying jobs for thousands of Massachusetts residents,” said AG Healey. “These grants will help diversify the industry and expand economic opportunity for women and minority residents.”

“We are pleased to see the Attorney General’s Office use this settlement in this way to support initiatives that will help promote diversity in the construction industry,” said Greg Beeman, President of the Massachusetts Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors. “This funding will help woman and minorities enter an industry that offers meaningful, long-term careers and good, family-supporting wages.”

According to a 2014 report by the National Women’s Law Center, women represent nearly half of the workforce but hold only 2.6 percent of all construction jobs nationwide. There are more than 7.6 million men working in the construction industry and only 206,000 women.

“Building Pathways is pleased to be the recipient of a Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office Equal Opportunity in Construction Trades Grant,” said Mark Vogel, the executive director of Building Pathways. “The funding will support our efforts to create opportunities for low-income, low-skilled Boston area residents, particularly in under-served communities, to access and prepare for building trades apprenticeships and careers in the construction industry. Through apprenticeship preparedness training, outreach to young adults, and advocacy, Building Pathways provides the critical link between greater Boston’s diverse communities and access to family-sustaining careers that empower individuals and strengthen our communities.”

“Southeastern is excited to be a grant recipient of the Equal Opportunities in Construction Trades Grant,” said Southeastern Regional Vocational-Technical High School Superintendent Luis G. Lopes. “Funds will help with activities for our ‘Non-traditional Careers Outreach Program’ which will support and enhance our continuing effort to serve students seeking non-traditional educational programs and occupations. These activities include informational sessions for middle school students and their parents, establishment of a non-traditional student and careers program for our high school students, and trips to post-secondary trade schools, technical institutes, and apprenticeship programs.

The AG’s Equal Opportunity in the Construction Trades Grant program will provide funding to the following organizations:

·         Building Pathways, Inc. (Roxbury): The apprenticeship program, sponsored by the Building and Construction Trades Council of the Metropolitan District in partnership with the Action for Boston Community Development and the Boston Housing Authority, will conduct outreach and recruitment and provide occupational training and career coaching to low-income minority workers in the Greater Boston Area.

·         Community Labor/United Northeast Center for Tradeswomen’s Equity (Boston): The nonprofit organization will hire a “pipeline navigator” to coordinate outreach for information sessions and workshops geared toward assisting workers seeking apprenticeship programs and construction jobs.

·         Southeastern Regional Vocational-Technical School District (South Easton): The vocational school district will create an outreach program that will include an open house for parents and students, field trips to construction job sites for students, and participation in the Girls in Trades and SKillsUSA conferences.

·         Worcester Roots (Worcester): The nonprofit organization will reach out to formerly incarcerated individuals and minority workers about jobs in the construction industry. The organization will also create a construction and trade opportunities grant resource guide and hold trainings for union officials and chambers of commerce on best practices for engaging with underrepresented communities in the workforce.

·         YouthBuild Boston (Boston): The nonprofit organization will expand its 12-week pre-apprenticeship program and focus its outreach efforts on focus on female and minority workers in Roxbury, Mattapan and Dorchester.

·         Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School (Fall River): The vocational school district will train HVAC and electricity students in its Build Your Future Program, which targets women and minority students.

·         YWCA of Western Massachusetts (Springfield): The organization will enroll 28 women in construction skills training.

The grant program utilizes funds from a settlement the AG’s Office reached with construction companies over allegations of falsely certifying compliance with equal opportunity requirements. 

            This is one-year grant program that will run through May 31, 2018.

BOSTON LAUNCHES "5TH QUARTER OF LEARNING," A GROUNDBREAKING PARTNERSHIP THAT WILL USE CITY AS A CLASSROOM FOR ENRICHED SUMMER EXPERIENCE

BOSTON LAUNCHES "5TH QUARTER OF LEARNING," A GROUNDBREAKING PARTNERSHIP THAT WILL USE CITY AS A CLASSROOM FOR ENRICHED SUMMER EXPERIENCE

Mayor Walsh, BPS Reallocate $2 million to Proven, Innovative Approach

Photos from the Mayor's Office are available here. BOSTON - Wednesday, June 14, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh joined Boston Public Schools (BPS) and community leaders today to launch the "5th Quarter of Learning," building on Boston's groundbreaking public-private summer learning initiative in an effort to ensure more students than ever before gain access to the area's rich tapestry of natural, cultural, and higher education resources. The enhanced initiative, unveiled today by Mayor Walsh and BPS Superintendent Tommy Chang, will engage 2,200 high-need students in an innovative approach that blends rigorous academic learning with hands-on enrichment. Students, for example, can engage in sailing, archery, salsa dancing, and tennis while building critical thinking, perseverance, and teamwork skills. An additional 10,000 Boston students will enroll in a network of 110 summer learning programs, all focused on the same measures of program performance and skill development.    "A student's education shouldn't stop at the end of the school year when the '4th quarter' of learning closes," said Mayor Walsh. "To make sure our students don't fall behind, they must learn year-round. This summer, Boston is looking to become a national leader with an innovative '5th Quarter' approach that inspires real-world learning. This is a groundbreaking effort, backed in solid research and with many of Boston's greatest partners on board, to help ensure its success for Boston students and families." Based on recent national research from RAND showing the significant academic benefits of this approach, BPS is re-envisioning traditional summer school by allocating $2 million, which includes funds from Boston After School & Beyond, to support 31 school and community sites selected through a competitive process. The city will serve as a classroom for students as they engage in academic content with BPS teachers in enriching settings such as Zoo New England, Hale Reservation, Courageous Sailing, the New England Aquarium, Simmons College, and Thompson Island. "Blending enrichment such as arts, sailing, outdoor science and oceanic expeditions through our 5th Quarter initiative brings learning alive for students year-round," said Superintendent Chang. "We know that when rigorous learning is engaging, it goes a long way toward closing opportunity and achievement gaps. This summer programming opens doors for students to explore a world beyond their own and realize the possibilities that are within their reach." "Rigor and engagement go hand in hand," said Chris Smith, executive director of Boston After School & Beyond, which helps fund and manage the citywide initiative with the City and school district. "When we engage young people in stimulating settings, they can develop and practice the skills they will need to succeed in college, career and life." A wide body of research shows that, on average, students lose knowledge and skills over the summer months, and that this phenomenon - known as "summer slide" - has a disproportionate, cumulative effect on low-income youth. BPS and Boston After School & Beyond developed the 5th Quarter with local programs, schools, and funders to reverse this trend. "We are so grateful to have these types of innovative learning opportunities for our students," said Jason Gallagher, principal of the Harvard-Kent Elementary School in Charlestown, which collaborates with Courageous Sailing and Massachusetts General Hospital on summer programs. "Many of our partners are right here in our own backyard. It's wonderful to be a part of a true community effort to provide our students with the best possible interactive learning experiences over the summer." A national study based on a randomized controlled trial, conducted by RAND and funded by The Wallace Foundation in Boston and four other cities, revealed that students who had at least 80 percent attendance in academic summer programs outperformed the control group in math and reading on fall tests and on the subsequent spring MCAS exams. Participating students also gained an advantage in social and emotional skills in the fall after the second summer. "The 5th Quarter enables us to engage young people who need the most help," said Alexandra Oliver Dávila, a Boston School Committee member and executive director of Sociedad Latina, a Mission Hill nonprofit that serves predominantly Latino students. "After five weeks, many students become leaders who approach learning with new purpose." Representative Alice Peisch filed House bill 2868 to expand Boston's 5th Quarter approach statewide, with cities and local partners sharing in the cost. The Joint Committee on Education reported out the bill favorably to the House Committee on Ways and Means in May. The 5th Quarter grew out of the Boston Summer Learning Project, which was launched in 2010 by Boston After School & Beyond and the Boston Public Schools, with support from the Boston Opportunity Agenda, and raised over $10 million to develop, research, and scale the model. Boston families still seeking programming for summer 2017 are encouraged to visit partnerbps.org/summer for a full listing of school and community summer programs.

Governor Baker Nominates Attorneys Randle, Goodwin to Courts in Western Massachusetts

Governor Baker Nominates Attorneys Randle, Goodwin to Courts in Western Massachusetts

BOSTON—Today, Governor Charlie Baker nominated Ellen M. Randle of East Longmeadow to serve as an Associate Justice of the Probate and Family Court, Hampden County Division, and Karen L. Goodwin of Amherst to serve as an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court. Randle has 32 years of legal experience and concentrates her practice in family law, probate disputes, and civil litigation; Goodwin's 31 years at the bar have focused on trial work in both the private and public sectors.

“Attorney Randle and Assistant U.S. Attorney Goodwin have, over the last three decades and throughout their impressive careers, demonstrated a strong commitment to serving Massachusetts’ families and their communities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I am confident Attorney Randle’s and Assistant U.S. Attorney Goodwin's experience will serve their respective courts well.”

“I am pleased with the nominations of two well-respected and skilled women attorneys from Western Massachusetts,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “If confirmed by the Governor’s Council, their respective courts and communities will benefit greatly from Attorney Randle’s and Assistant U.S. Attorney Goodwin's judgment and wisdom.”

The Probate and Family Court Department has jurisdiction over family-related and probate matters such as divorce, paternity, child support, custody, parenting time, adoption, termination of parental rights, abuse prevention and wills, estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and changes of name.

For more information on the Probate & Family Court, visit: http://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/trial-court/pfc/

The Superior Court is a statewide court of general jurisdiction - handling both criminal and civil actions.  The court’s 82 justices sit in 20 courthouses in all 14 counties of the Commonwealth.  The Superior Court has original jurisdiction in civil actions over $25,000, and in matters where equitable relief is sought.  It also has original jurisdiction in actions including labor disputes where injunctive relief is sought, has exclusive authority to convene medical malpractice tribunals, has appellate jurisdiction over certain administrative proceedings, and may hold sittings for naturalization in any city or town.  The court has exclusive original jurisdiction of first degree murder cases and original jurisdiction of all other crimes.

For more information about the Massachusetts Superior Court, visit http://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/trial-court/sc/

Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and recommended to the governor. Governor Baker established the JNC in February, 2015 pursuant to Executive Order 558, a non-partisan, non-political Commission composed of volunteers from a cross-section of the Commonwealth's diverse population to screen judicial applications. Twenty-one members were later appointed to the JNC in April, 2015.

About Ellen M. Randle

Ellen Randle currently serves as a partner at Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas, LLP. Randle began working for the firm in 1984 as an associate before becoming a partner in 1991, focused on handling divorces, adoptions, and other proceedings in the Probate & Family Court. Additionally, she has worked on appellate matters and served as an appointed Discovery Master in several cases. Attorney Randle started her career in 1983 as a Law Clerk to Chief Judge Andrew A. Caffrey of the United States District Court, District of Massachusetts, in Boston. Randle graduated cum laude from Boston College Law School in 1983 and magna cum laude from Tufts University in 1980, studying political science and history. She currently lives with her family in East Longmeadow.

About Karen L. Goodwin

Karen Goodwin has served as an Assistant United States Attorney at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Springfield since 1991, handling both civil and criminal litigation.  She started her legal career in 1984 as a litigation associate at Day, Berry and Howard in Hartford, CT, after working for six years as a newspaper reporter in Arkansas and Connecticut. She is active in the Springfield Schools Volunteers program, providing academic support to public school students.  Goodwin graduated magna cum laude from the University Of Connecticut School Of Law in 1984 and from Oberlin College in 1976, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English and history. She has lived in Springfield and Longmeadow and now resides in Amherst.  

波士頓台僑也為中巴建交感憤怒

              (Boston Orange)六月十三日，中國與巴拿馬簽署建交公報，中華民國的邦交國，又少一個。國際社會因傳說中國給出30億美元無息貸款，備加關注此事。大波士頓僑胞則和曾駐波士頓的現任外交部長李大維一樣感到憤怒。一些曾為學子，今是僑胞的年輕人，開始更深入研究台灣的國格。

              波克萊台灣商會顧問，來波士頓三十多年，也開公司生產電子零件三十多年的郭競儒表示，聽到這消息時，真的是既覺遺憾，又感憤怒，不懂中國大陸為什麼選擇做這種與促進兩岸良好關係完全相反的事，也不滿巴拿馬罔顧與台灣100多年情誼，忘記了台灣一直那麼慷愾的提供金錢及技術援助。她認為在這情況下，僑胞與台灣同胞們更應該堅定，團結支持中華民國，支持自由民主的台灣，全民共體時艱的維持尊嚴，絕不妥協的走自己的路。

              郭競儒坦言，她來美多年，在美經商，客戶中也有中國大陸公司。雖然中巴建交，對她的公司及生活影響不大，但到底台灣是她的家鄉，這件事提起來就讓人憤慨。

              來自香港，現任紐英崙中華公所主席的陳家驊，近年來在許多場合都強調民主，自由。談及中巴建交一事，他直言不諱表示反對中共對台灣的高壓政策。他認為中共應該對台灣用懷柔政策，爭取民心，才能讓大家都認同自己是炎黃子孫，中華兒女，兩岸人民其實有著血濃於水的關係。他表示，打壓只會引人反感，理念也和九二共識背道而馳。

              一些來自台灣的年輕人，對中巴建交，台灣邦交國又少一個，只剩下20個，很可能越來越少這現象，也都感慨十分，一方面對中國大陸打壓台灣的國際空間感到憤怒，一方面討論起台灣本身有著”妾身何屬”的問題，台灣的國格，國家地位到底是建立在有幾個邦交國的數目上，還是建立在其他事務上。過去這些年來的大環境，台灣經常以經濟體形式出現在國際社會中，和東德、西德，南韓、北韓，越南、越共等的處境都不一樣。

美国南加州侨界隆重庆祝香港回归20周年

轉載:

美国南加州侨界隆重庆祝香港回归20周年

http://www.aacyf.org/?p=7452

在香港回归20周年之际，美国港澳之友会牵头召集南加州侨界在洛杉矶中国隆重庆祝香港回归20周年，中国驻洛杉矶总领事馆副总领事王雷，南加州当地多个城市的华裔副市长、市议员，出席了当天的庆祝活动。

庆祝活动的大会主席李锦生表示，这是第一次在洛杉矶华埠举行大型的香港回归庆祝活动。海外华人本著爱祖国、爱家乡的理念，对香港回归在中国历史上、具有祖国统一、民族復兴意涵的重要里程碑纪念日，感触最深，为香港回归感到欢欣鼓舞。20年来香港同胞与祖国人民团结合作，取得了令世界瞩目的成就。

庆祝活动执行主席、美国港澳之友会会长陈灿培介绍，港澳之友会於1991年在洛杉矶成立，自发由1999年起，每5年举办庆祝港澳回归中国宴会。本次庆祝活动花费了一个月的时间筹备。

当天的庆祝活动还举办了华裔知名收藏家陈灿培提供的李小龙图片及杂志展；精彩的中式双节棍大破日本浪人武士刀；特别礼聘艺人黄嘉程（模仿香港知名歌星张学友）的演出。2016年中华小姐环球大赛的友谊小姐黄嘉欣、美国亚裔小姐冠军钟天慧等也应邀参与晚宴。

当晚的500名来宾中，以来自香港的移民占绝大多数。出席庆祝活动的华裔民选官员也大部分是来自香港的移民，基本上都是以粤语交流。

由于历史原因，早期在洛杉矶华人，有相当比例是来自家乡在广东、先到香港、再辗转来到美国定居的移民。目前在各行业都有一批杰出的香港移民代表。而这些在海外的香港移民对于祖国的发展、以及自身的族群认同，则有其特别强烈的感受，对于香港回归、国家强盛，感到特别的自豪和骄傲。（AACYF洛杉矶讯）

哈佛大學校長Judy Faust宣佈2018年6月離職

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓整理報導)哈佛校報15日發表消息，哈佛大學校長佛斯特(Drew Gilpin Faust)將於2018年6月卸任。

               哈佛大學創校迄今已380餘年，佛斯特明年卸任時，將共當了11年的哈佛校長，帶著哈佛大學渡過經濟衰退的動盪，走向多元化。

               佛斯特是在週三發給學校師生的一封電子郵件中宣佈了她的將離職，立即在哈佛校園及世界各地校友，高等教育間引起議論。

               現年69歲的佛斯特是哈佛第28任校長，也是第一位女校長。她在電郵中表示，能在母校和大家共事，帶領哈佛，是難以言喻的榮譽。過去10年來，她和大家分享了許多重要時刻，也面對了許多挑戰，一起使得哈佛更強壯。

               佛斯特的任期比全美一般大學校長都長。她並沒說下一步計畫做什麼，只說是時候讓哈佛掀開下個篇章。哈佛最近才完成一輪募資，迄今籌得80億元。她的離職和募款活動告一段落的時機彷彿不謀而合。

               哈佛企業(Harvard Corporation)這哈佛大學管理機構中的資深學者李威鳳(Bill Lee)表示，身為內戰歷史學家，原籍維琴尼亞州的佛斯特將休假一年，專注學術工作。李威鳳也是10年前提名佛斯特出任校長的校長搜尋委員會成員。

               對哈佛學生來說，佛斯特留下的最重要影響是她改變了學校內的社交生活面貌，打破了許多會社只收男會員的情況。

               李威鳳也稱許佛斯特在許多方面幫助了哈佛大學的成長，把哈佛團結成單一機構，同時更廣泛的把哈佛開放給那些以往不可能成為哈佛社區一分子的學生，教員。他特別提出兩點，一是藉著不讓學生們畢業時負債累累的新財務援助政策，她使得哈佛大學更為多元化，二是她廢除了古老的官僚作法，使得校內師生可以更緊密的共事。

               佛斯特是在2007年時被邀請出任校長，當時她既無擔任大專院校校長的經驗，也沒有哈佛大學的學位。她的獲聘為哈佛大學有史以來的首名女校長，具有創時代意義，但她在被人問到當哈佛第一位女校長的感覺如何時，她說，”我是哈佛校長，不是哈佛女校長”。

               波士頓商業雜誌在關於佛斯特將卸任的報導中指出，佛斯特在位這10年，既有爭議，也很成功。2012年時，她處理震動校園的學生欺騙醜聞，隨後透露學校在未公開情況下搜查了14,000個學校的電子郵件帳戶。2014年時，她組成防止性攻擊工作小組來因應人們對於學要如何處理這類案件的顧慮。

               去年秋天，在發現關於女運動員的網上猥褻”偵察報告”於2012年設立後，她暫停了男子足球隊。

               哈佛的360億元餽贈金，過去10年一直是校內爭議的主題之一。在2009年會計年度中，這金融危機中最糟的年份，那筆經費的價值跌了27%，共損失110億元，不但導致哈佛手頭拮据，還導致哈佛裁員。

哈佛新建奧斯頓科學及工程學校園這很有野心的計畫，2010年暫停，就是因為經濟衰退。不過2015年來自風險基金億萬富豪John A. Paulson的4億元捐款，這計畫得以重新啟動。

根據最近的可查資料，佛斯特的2014年收入是120萬元。

ON 10TH ANNIVERSARY, MAYOR WALSH CELEBRATES POSITIVE IMPACT OF JOHN HANCOCK'S MLK SCHOLARS PROGRAM ON YOUTH AND CITY

ON 10TH ANNIVERSARY, MAYOR WALSH CELEBRATES POSITIVE IMPACT OF JOHN HANCOCK'S MLK SCHOLARS PROGRAM ON YOUTH AND CITY

Through more than 6,000 jobs, Boston teens have earned nearly $10 million since the inception of one of the nation's largest corporate-based teen summer jobs programs

BOSTON - Tuesday, June 13, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh yesterday joined John Hancock interim President and CEO Michael Doughty and other corporate and civic leaders to celebrate 10 years of the company's MLK Scholars Program. Since its inception, John Hancock has funded more than 6,000 jobs and provided nearly $10 million in wages for youth summer jobs.   The event also served to kick-off the 2017 teen summer job program (#BostonWorks), which will give 642 Boston teens a summer job, financial literacy training and leadership development experience. John Hancock works in close partnership with The Boston Globe, Boston University and Partners HealthCare to the offer MLK Scholars Program. "John Hancock's MLK Scholars Program understands the need for Boston's business and community leaders to lead the charge in providing our City youth with meaningful opportunities," said Mayor Walsh. "I congratulate John Hancock on 10 years of commitment to supporting our young people through the MLK Scholars Program. We will continue to work collaboratively with our community and corporate partners to create more employment resources for youth in Boston and positively shape our City." Along with gaining valuable paid work experience, teens also receive coaching and guidance to help empower them to achieve their goals. Scholars attend bi-weekly forums at Boston University, which are designed to expose them to business and civic leaders, challenge them to learn new skills, and inspire them to realize the difference they can make in their communities. Mayor Walsh continues to make youth summer employment a priority, challenging businesses to partner with the City to increase employment opportunities for Boston's youth. John Hancock remains a leader in the effort.   "MLK Scholars is one of John Hancock's signature philanthropic initiatives, and we are committed to helping the City's young people gain the knowledge and skills they will need to achieve upward economic mobility," said Hancock's Doughty. "As we celebrate 10 years, we proudly reflect on all that has been accomplished and more fully appreciate the value created when young people gain meaningful work experience. Better preparing our youth in a fast-changing economy is essential to building individual and community prosperity." As part of the kick-off event, Mayor Walsh addressed two hundred Boston teens at John Hancock's headquarters in South Boston. The event included a motivational appearance by Paralympic gold medalist and 4-time Boston Marathon champion Tatyana McFadden. Following the speaking program, the teens participated in an interactive exercise, engaging one-on-one with the Mayor, McFadden, other business and civic leaders, and each other. "John Hancock's MLK Scholars program addresses two important social factors that have a profound influence on future health: education and employment," said Dr. David Torchiana, President and CEO, Partners HealthCare. "We are both pleased and committed to collaborate with John Hancock and the City of Boston to provide excellent educational and professional opportunities to help Boston young people grow up healthy and ready to join Boston's workforce."   "For over a decade The Boston Globe has partnered with John Hancock, the City of Boston, Boston University, and Partners HealthCare to provide work opportunities and life-skills training to the next generation of leaders through the MLK Scholars program," said Linda Henry, Boston Globe Managing Director. "Working with nonprofit organizations in Greater Boston, the 600 talented and motivated teenagers in this year's program will directly impact their communities by showcasing their talents and experiences." "At Boston University we recognize the importance of these internship program opportunities, which is why we are pleased to support the MLK Scholars program, working with great partners--Mayor Walsh and the City of Boston, John Hancock, The Boston Globe, and Partners HealthCare," said Boston University President Dr. Robert A. Brown.   Mayor Walsh's summer jobs program has funded 3,300 positions for the summer of 2017. Under the Walsh Administration, 30,600 youth summer jobs have been funded, representing an 18 percent increase from 2013 despite the increase in minimum wage from $8 to $10 hourly.    About the John Hancock's MLK Scholars Program The MLK Scholars Program provides funding to local community-based not-for-profits to enable them to offer meaningful summer employment opportunities to Boston youth. Organizations are given the flexibility to hire youth of their choosing and must provide internal resources to help Scholars succeed in their jobs. In addition to the knowledge gained from the work experience, the program offers a unique series of job readiness and life-skills workshops that prepares the Scholars for the days and years ahead. For more information, please click  here. About Mayor Martin J. Walsh's Summer Jobs Program The City of Boston and the Boston Private Industry Council have worked to organize private sector employers, from the region's leading companies to neighborhood small businesses to provide Boston youth with summer job opportunities for the Mayor's Summer Jobs Initiative. Urban teens develop positive work habits, including but are not limited to the habits of paid work opportunities, attendance and punctuality, speaking and listening, accepting direction and criticism, and problem solving and taking initiative. Through this program, Mayor Walsh aims to tackle Boston's most pressing community priorities today, and at the same time, addresses employer needs by preparing a skilled and motivated workforce for the very near future.