State, City Officials And The Boston Foundation Announce the Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico Fund

State, City Officials And The Boston Foundation Announce the

Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico Fund

BOSTON - Today, Governor Charlie Baker, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Representative Jeffrey Sánchez and members of the Boston Foundation announced the Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico Fund to support and respond to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricanes Maria and Irma.  The fund has been formed in partnership with the Latino Legacy fund and in cooperation with the Alliance for Puerto Rico. Funds raised will be distributed for reconstruction and relief on the island of Puerto Rico and to support self-evacuees arriving in Massachusetts from Puerto Rico for temporary or permanent residence.

“Our hearts break for the people of Puerto Rico and their Massachusetts-based families and friends, whose lives were turned upside down by the devastation of these merciless hurricanes,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “As the proud home of one of the largest groups of Puerto Rican American communities in the country, the Commonwealth is pleased to join the City of Boston and the Boston Foundation to create the ‘Massachusetts Puerto Rico Fund.’ We stand ready to extend heartfelt welcomes to disaster survivors who seek temporary or permanent residence in Massachusetts and will provide any and all personnel and equipment requested throughout the recovery process. Lieutenant Governor Polito and I encourage all in Massachusetts to join us in supporting Governor Rosselló and our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico throughout this incredibly challenging time.”

"Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Puerto Rican people, those who live here and those who are on the island, as they recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Maria," Mayor Martin J. Walsh said. "We have been in close communication with officials from Puerto Rico and, with such a strong Puerto Rican community here in Boston, they know we are here to help, for as long as they need." 

This fund will be advised by an Advisory Committee of 10-12 experts from the Massachusetts Puerto Rican diaspora community, with Vanessa Calderon-Rosado serving as the Chairwoman and Representative Jeffrey Sánchez serving as the honorary Vice Chairman.  Governor Baker and Mayor Walsh will serve as honorary co-chairs to encourage all in Massachusetts to support this effort and Aixa Beauchamp and Juan Carlos Morales will serve on the executive committee.

“The apocalypse hit Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico's people are crying for help,” said Representative Jeffrey Sánchez. “The Puerto Rican community of our Commonwealth of Massachusetts is rallying with Gov. Baker and Mayor Walsh and myself in a unified guarantee that the community's vision becomes a reality. That vision is to assure that we rally together to make an impact with those organizations and individuals that are making a difference on the ground in helping the people of Puerto Rico.  Together, we can make a lasting impact in the lives of Puerto Rican families from our Commonwealth to our sister Commonwealth in the Caribbean.”

Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico Fund will work to collect donations from foundations, corporations and individual donors, and quickly direct funds to effective resettlement, recovery and relief organizations supporting the people of Puerto Rico impacted by these devastating hurricanes.  Initial gifts will be used as challenge grants to the community for a wide-ranging fundraising appeal and up to one third of funds raised will be immediately distributed.  The remainder of the fund will be deployed through 2018, for reconstruction and economic recovery projects on the island of Puerto Rico and to support resettlement efforts in Massachusetts. ​

Additionally, the Baker-Polito Administration yesterday announced the formation of a task force that will ensure that the state is prepared to support the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for individuals who chose to self-evacuate the island and seek temporary or permanent residence in Massachusetts. State officials remain in communication with the Government of Puerto Rico and federal authorities and are ready and willing to offer emergency assistance, such as personnel and equipment, at the request of Puerto Rico. 

TREASURER GOLDBERG ANNOUNCES LATEST UNCLAIMED PROPERTY EBAY AUCTION

TREASURER GOLDBERG ANNOUNCES LATEST UNCLAIMED PROPERTY EBAY AUCTIONProperties To Be Showcased Across The State Starting Monday, October 2nd In Boston

BOSTON, MA – Treasurer Deborah Goldberg today announced that her office will be displaying select items from the Unclaimed Property Division that will soon be auctioned on eBay.com.  The items will first be displayed at the State House in Boston on Monday, October 2nd, and will subsequently be shown in Cape Cod, New Bedford, Springfield and Worcester, all leading up to the online auction starting on Saturday, October 7th.

“We are excited to showcase these items in different regions across the state,” said Treasurer Deb Goldberg. “The Unclaimed Property Division’s eBay offerings are a proven success for maximizing revenue for the Commonwealth. This year’s auction is gearing up to be another big hit.”

The traveling showcase, which represents only a portion of the lots up for bid, will include items such as gold, silver, jewelry, collectible currency and high-end wristwatches.  The vast majority come from abandoned safe deposit boxes with contents that have gone unclaimed for a period of at least nine years. 

Treasurer Goldberg will host a preview of the auction items to the press on Monday, October 2nd at 11 a.m. in her office at the Massachusetts State House in room 227.      

The times and locations for the displays are as follows:

·            Monday, October 2nd from noon to 5:00 p.m. – State House Nurse’s Hall, Massachusetts State House, Boston, MA.

·            Tuesday, October 3rd from noon to 6:00 p.m. – Irish Village Cape Cod, 822 MA-28, South Yarmouth, MA.

·            Wednesday, October 4th from noon to 5:00 p.m. – Massachusetts State Lottery offices, 200 Theodore Rice Blvd, New Bedford, MA.

·            Thursday, October 5th from noon to 5:00 p.m. – Springfield State Building, 436 Dwight St., Springfield, MA.

·            Friday, October 6th from noon to 5:00 p.m. – Worcester State Lottery Office, 151 West Boylston Drive, Worcester

This is the eleventh time that the Commonwealth has used eBay to liquidate its unclaimed tangible property holdings.  Prior to that, the Treasury held a live auction for such items, a process that was far less profitable because of its limited reach to potential bidders. Since November 2005, the eBay auction has raised $2,469,576.32 for the state’s General Fund through the sale of 9,439 separate bid lots.

On Saturday, October 7th, at noon, 100 lots will be posted followed by a gradual release of additional items over the course of two months. In all, we expect to put out around 1,200 lots out to bid which can be viewed by using the eBay seller id “mass.state.treasury.”

Goldberg said that the Treasury needs to regularly liquidate older portions of its tangible property holdings due to storage constraints and logistical needs.  She noted that if an individual or their heirs later prove that a piece of sold property belonged to them, they will be fully compensated the sale price of the item. 

The Treasury also maintains a comprehensive list of approximately $2 billion in unclaimed monetary property, such as stock, insurance payments, and unclaimed bank accounts.  Individuals can search to see if they own such property at www.findmassmoney.com  or by calling 1-(888)-344-MASS.

###

Please Note:

Members of the media will have an advanced opportunity to view and film items at each of the five locations one hour prior to the lots being opened to public viewing.  The locations and times are as follows:

• Monday, October 2nd from noon to 5:00 p.m. – State House Nurse’s Hall, Massachusetts State House, Boston, MA.
• Tuesday, October 3rd from noon to 6:00 p.m. – Irish Village Cape Cod, 822 MA-28, South Yarmouth, MA.
• Wednesday, October 4th from noon to 5:00 p.m. – Massachusetts State Lottery offices, 200 Theodore Rice Blvd, New Bedford, MA.
• Thursday, October 5th from noon to 5:00 p.m. – Springfield State Building, 436 Dwight St., Springfield, MA.
• Friday, October 6th from noon to 5:00 p.m. – Worcester State Lottery Office, 151 West Boylston Drive, Worcester

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF INTERGENERATIONAL HOMESHARE PILOT PROGRAM Pilot provides affordable housing to graduate students while assisting local homeowners and increasing community stability BOSTON - Thursday, September 28, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced today the launch of the Intergenerational Homeshare Pilot, a collaboration with the Elderly Commission, the Mayor's Housing Innovation Lab, and nesterly, a local social enterprise working to make existing homes work better for today's households. The Intergenerational Homeshare Pilot will match households with a spare bedroom to students who are seeking an affordable place to stay during their studies, as well as an opportunity to engage with the local community. This pilot program is a goal from Mayor Walsh and the Elderly Commission's Age-Friendly Boston Action Plan, which aims to encourage age-friendly development along with alternative housing options by exploring the creation of an Intergenerational Homeshare, matching older homeowners with extra rooms to rent with people who need to rent a room. The pilot currently has eight pairings, and will run through December to determine the impact, feasibility, and resources needed to potentially scale this initiative into a City-wide program. "Boston is home to a growing number of seniors and students. We know that many of our older residents want to stay in their homes -- but need companionship and some simple home maintenance," said Mayor Walsh. "By matching established adults with extra space with students who are eager to engage with their communities, we're creating an innovative housing pilot that provides more affordable options for everyone." Seniors are the fastest-growing cohort of Boston's population, as outlined in the Walsh Administration's housing plan: Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030. In addition, AARP reports that nearly ninety percent of older households want to age in their homes and communities, but face challenges with social isolation, declining incomes and home maintenance. A national report by the Trulia housing economics research team estimates that there are more than 3.6 million spare bedrooms in the homes of U.S. Baby Boomers in metropolitan areas that have the potential to be rented out. More than 38,000 of these rooms are located in Boston. The study also demonstrates that graduate students could potentially save up to $24,000 annually by renting a room rather than a one-bedroom apartment. With the current demographic shifts and the need to increase affordable housing, the City and nesterly are collaborating to bring the innovative housing solution of intergenerational homesharing to the City of Boston. Demand for the program has been strong. Working in collaboration with local organizations and universities, nesterly received more than 80 applications to participate in only three weeks. nesterly then worked closely with the host and guest applicants to help them find housing opportunities that would go beyond logistical matching to create stronger community relationships. To date, eight successful matches have been made across Boston and surrounding towns through a newly developed website that helps hosts and guests easily connect with each other and agree to a mutually beneficial exchange. "It's going great!" said Brenda Atchison, one of the first participants in the program. "The City and nesterly were so thoughtful, and matched me with a wonderful architecture student from Greece. I'm an empty-nester, and Phoebus brings a presence into my home that makes it feel so much more alive and full. We're cooking dinner together; I'm showing him Roxbury's beautiful architecture. Not only am I learning from him, but I also like being able to feel as though I'm helping in another way -- his PhD program might have been a reach if he had to pay for a room alone, but now there is another alternative." "As our population ages, we need creative housing solutions that will support older adults' wellbeing and engagement in their communities, as well as help those who wish to remain in their homes to do so affordably," said Jennifer Molinsky, Senior Research Associate at the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. "The model for Intergenerational homesharing that nesterly and the City are putting forward has the potential to help people afford to stay in their homes while also forging new social connections that will enrich their lives-as well as their communities." The City and nesterly will continue to evaluate the pilot over the coming months to determine the program's success and to assess potential ways to expand it. In the meantime, residents can sign up up to host or rent at www.nesterly.io today. About nesterly nesterly is an award-winning social enterprise founded by recent MIT graduates Noelle Marcus and Rachel Goor. Their model offers a unique approach to solving the housing affordability crisis by capitalizing on the millions of empty spare bedrooms across the country. nesterly's digital community connects households who have spare space with young people willing to exchange help around the house for lower rent. They were named an Idea to Change the World in 2017 by MIT's IDEAS Global Challenge, and have been featured in The Atlantic, Forbes and NPR's Marketplace. To learn more or join the community, visit www.nesterly.io, or contact them directly at info@nesterly.net. About Age Friendly Boston We want to create an environment where older adults can continue to lead healthy, independent and productive lives in Boston. We're challenging the City's public agencies, businesses, cultural, educational, and religious institutions, and community groups to consider how they can change policy and practices to enhance the quality of life for our residents. About the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics and the Housing Innovation Lab The Mayor's Housing Innovation Lab was facilitated by a collaboration between the Department of Neighborhood Development and the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics (MONUM). The Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics serves as Mayor Walsh's civic innovation group. A City agency that was formed in 2010, New Urban Mechanics pilots experiments that offer the potential to improve the quality of life for Boston residents. The Housing Innovation Lab focuses their work on reducing the cost of housing. To learn more about MONUM, follow the office on Twitter or visit their website. To learn more about the Housing Innovation Lab, follow the office on Twitter or visit their website.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF INTERGENERATIONAL HOMESHARE PILOT PROGRAM

Pilot provides affordable housing to graduate students while assisting local homeowners and increasing community stability

BOSTON - Thursday, September 28, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced today the launch of the Intergenerational Homeshare Pilot, a collaboration with the Elderly Commission, the Mayor's Housing Innovation Lab, and nesterly, a local social enterprise working to make existing homes work better for today's households. The Intergenerational Homeshare Pilot will match households with a spare bedroom to students who are seeking an affordable place to stay during their studies, as well as an opportunity to engage with the local community. This pilot program is a goal from Mayor Walsh and the Elderly Commission's Age-Friendly Boston Action Plan, which aims to encourage age-friendly development along with alternative housing options by exploring the creation of an Intergenerational Homeshare, matching older homeowners with extra rooms to rent with people who need to rent a room. The pilot currently has eight pairings, and will run through December to determine the impact, feasibility, and resources needed to potentially scale this initiative into a City-wide program. "Boston is home to a growing number of seniors and students. We know that many of our older residents want to stay in their homes -- but need companionship and some simple home maintenance," said Mayor Walsh. "By matching established adults with extra space with students who are eager to engage with their communities, we're creating an innovative housing pilot that provides more affordable options for everyone." Seniors are the fastest-growing cohort of Boston's population, as outlined in the Walsh Administration's housing plan: Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030. In addition, AARP reports that nearly ninety percent of older households want to age in their homes and communities, but face challenges with social isolation, declining incomes and home maintenance. A national report by the Trulia housing economics research team estimates that there are more than 3.6 million spare bedrooms in the homes of U.S. Baby Boomers in metropolitan areas that have the potential to be rented out. More than 38,000 of these rooms are located in Boston. The study also demonstrates that graduate students could potentially save up to $24,000 annually by renting a room rather than a one-bedroom apartment. With the current demographic shifts and the need to increase affordable housing, the City and nesterly are collaborating to bring the innovative housing solution of intergenerational homesharing to the City of Boston. Demand for the program has been strong. Working in collaboration with local organizations and universities, nesterly received more than 80 applications to participate in only three weeks. nesterly then worked closely with the host and guest applicants to help them find housing opportunities that would go beyond logistical matching to create stronger community relationships. To date, eight successful matches have been made across Boston and surrounding towns through a newly developed website that helps hosts and guests easily connect with each other and agree to a mutually beneficial exchange. "It's going great!" said Brenda Atchison, one of the first participants in the program. "The City and nesterly were so thoughtful, and matched me with a wonderful architecture student from Greece. I'm an empty-nester, and Phoebus brings a presence into my home that makes it feel so much more alive and full. We're cooking dinner together; I'm showing him Roxbury's beautiful architecture. Not only am I learning from him, but I also like being able to feel as though I'm helping in another way -- his PhD program might have been a reach if he had to pay for a room alone, but now there is another alternative." "As our population ages, we need creative housing solutions that will support older adults' wellbeing and engagement in their communities, as well as help those who wish to remain in their homes to do so affordably," said Jennifer Molinsky, Senior Research Associate at the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. "The model for Intergenerational homesharing that nesterly and the City are putting forward has the potential to help people afford to stay in their homes while also forging new social connections that will enrich their lives-as well as their communities." The City and nesterly will continue to evaluate the pilot over the coming months to determine the program's success and to assess potential ways to expand it. In the meantime, residents can sign up  up to host or rent at www.nesterly.io today. About nesterly nesterly is an award-winning social enterprise founded by recent MIT graduates Noelle Marcus and Rachel Goor. Their model offers a unique approach to solving the housing affordability crisis by capitalizing on the millions of empty spare bedrooms across the country. nesterly's digital community connects households who have spare space with young people willing to exchange help around the house for lower rent. They were named an Idea to Change the World in 2017 by MIT's IDEAS Global Challenge, and have been featured in The Atlantic, Forbes and NPR's Marketplace. To learn more or join the community, visit www.nesterly.io, or contact them directly at info@nesterly.net. About Age Friendly Boston We want to create an environment where older adults can continue to lead healthy, independent and productive lives in Boston. We're challenging the City's public agencies, businesses, cultural, educational, and religious institutions, and community groups to consider how they can change policy and practices to enhance the quality of life for our residents. About the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics and the Housing Innovation Lab The Mayor's Housing Innovation Lab was facilitated by a collaboration between the Department of Neighborhood Development and the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics (MONUM). The Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics serves as Mayor Walsh's civic innovation group. A City agency that was formed in 2010, New Urban Mechanics pilots experiments that offer the potential to improve the quality of life for Boston residents. The Housing Innovation Lab focuses their work on reducing the cost of housing. To learn more about MONUM, follow the office on Twitter or visit their website. To learn more about the Housing Innovation Lab, follow the office on Twitter or visit their website.

國慶晚會首度移師台中 吳新興邀民眾與僑胞同慶雙十

「2017一起更好 全民狂歡夜」國慶晚會記者會今天在台中市政府舉辦，僑委會委員長吳新興出席表示，為了讓更多民眾與僑胞同歡，今年除擴大國慶晚會的規模，並首度移師台中市舉辦。 

吳新興表示，在國慶籌備委員會主任委員、也就是立法院長蘇嘉全的提議下，今年國慶晚會首度走出北部，移師到台中市舉行，希望讓僑胞也能看到台北以外縣市的進步，也促進中南部觀光產業的發展。

吳新興提到，今年返台參加國慶活動的僑胞逾5千人，較去年增加1千5百人，僑委會為鼓勵僑胞回台消費，並發行僑胞卡，持卡的僑胞在全台一千多家特約商店及醫療機構都享有折扣。僑委會希望同時照顧僑胞，又能推廣台灣觀光，創造雙贏局面。

立法院長蘇嘉全、台中市市長林佳龍、世界台商總會總會長林貴香、台中市政府行政團隊及多位市議員，以及玖壹壹等藝人團體亦出席記者會，一同鼓勵民眾參加國慶晚會。

「2017一起更好 全民狂歡夜」晚會將於10月9日在國立台灣體育運動大學田徑場舉行。除了廣邀全世界的僑胞返國參加，也歡迎全國各地民眾到台中市來一起歡慶雙十。(僑委會提供)

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Relief And Recovery Resources For The Citizens Of Puerto Rico

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Relief And Recovery Resources For The Citizens Of Puerto Rico

BOSTON— In the wake of the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Baker-Polito Administration today outlined the efforts Massachusetts is undertaking to provide assistance to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, including the formation of a task force that will ensure that the state is prepared to support residents of Puerto Rico who chose to self-evacuate the island and seek temporary or permanent residence in Massachusetts. State officials remain in communication with the Government of Puerto Rico and federal authorities and are ready and willing to offer emergency assistance, such as personnel and equipment, at the request of Puerto Rico. 

“My heart breaks for the people of Puerto Rico, whose lives were turned upside down by the devastation of these merciless hurricanes,” said Governor Baker.  “Puerto Rican communities across Massachusetts have also been traumatized by images of the destruction and by fears that loved ones there are in danger.  Massachusetts is ready to welcome disaster survivors and our administration is preparing to support those who seek temporary or permanent residence in Massachusetts. We stand 100% ready to send help to Puerto Rico, including personnel and equipment and will remain in constant communication with Puerto Rican officials as well as the federal authorities managing recovery efforts.”

“The damaging impacts of the back-to-back Hurricanes in Puerto Rico is unimaginable and our hearts go out to everyone affected by the storms, especially as many are still trying to make contact with loved ones,” said Lt. Governor Polito.  “Massachusetts is ready and willing to offer emergency management support to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico at their request, and we urge everyone looking to help to heed the requests of Puerto Rico by supporting disaster relief operations through cash donations to organizations listed on our state website.”

MEMA is in the process of working with federal and state agencies and non-profit  organizations to ensure that the state is ready to provide support for people who self-evacuate to Massachusetts from Puerto Rico.  The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to meeting the needs of disaster survivors who seek temporary or permanent residence in Massachusetts by providing financial, housing, health care, jobs, and reunification services, as necessary. Representatives from MEMA, Housing and Community Development, Health and Human Services, Education and several other state and local agencies are convening to start preparations to support those who seek assistance in Massachusetts.  

"The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and the Massachusetts National Guard​ have assets and personnel at the ready and can mobilize them post-haste if called upon to do so," said Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Secretary Dan Bennett, who oversees both agencies. "Puerto Rico and her citizens are foremost in our minds and we have made all necessary preparations to provide maximum support to ease the terrible suffering there."​

The administration has been informed by the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), which works closely with FEMA and coordinates state-to-state mutual aid through the EMAC system, that due to extreme logistical challenges in Puerto Rico, such as damaged infrastructure and reduced capabilities at air strips, officials are strongly discouraging self-deployment of personnel and unsolicited donations of goods.  At this time, Puerto Rico’s mutual aid needs are being met by the deployment of federal resources, and by using the EMAC system to facilitate assistance from states.  The public, which is eager to help, is being asked by Puerto Rico to make cash donations as follows:  

·       You can help support the recovery & reconstruction of Puerto Rico by directing donations to United for Puerto Rico, at http://unitedforpuertorico.com.

·       Donate to the Red Cross, which is deeply involved in Puerto Rico’s relief operations, by visiting http://www.redcross.org 

·       Donate to other disaster relief organizations working in Puerto Rico.  Many of these organizations are listed on the website of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD): https://www.nvoad.org/current-disasters/werespond/. The National VOAD asks people not to send unsolicited donated items.

Massachusetts is a member of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), which functions as a national online system available for all states and territories, including Puerto Rico, to facilitate mutual aid and coordinate the provision of certain emergency management assets.  MEMA continues to regularly monitor and respond to EMAC requests and is ready, willing, and able to assist if a request is made that the Commonwealth is able to fulfill; indeed, MEMA responded to an EMAC request from Puerto Rico to provide an EMAC support team, but Puerto Rico confirmed that the capability had been filled by another state. 

The Commonwealth is willing and able to deploy a wide array of personnel and equipment at the request of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, including but not limited to:

·        Sworn state and local police officers

·        National Guard personnel and resources

·        Hazardous Materials Technicians

·        Environmental Assessment Teams

·        Building, road and bridge inspectors

·        Incident Management Assistance Teams

·        Shelter supplies (cots, blankets, comfort kits) and Support Teams

·        Animal Rescue, Veterinarian Teams and Animal Shelter Teams

·        Swift and Moving Water Rescue Teams (personnel and boats)

·        Heavy equipment (dump trucks, plows, front end loaders, etc.)

·        Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Support Teams

·        Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) A-Team

·        Public Assistance Coordinators

·        Fire-Based Technical Rescue Teams

·        Mobile Command Centers

·        Public Safety Communications Support/Restoration Teams

·        Public Health Inspectors

·        Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialists

·        Coastal Zone Impact Assessment Personnel

·        Fire and Fire Code Inspectors

·        Saw crews

·        Public Information Officers

·        Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) staff

·        Disaster Mental Health Teams

·        Dive Teams

The Massachusetts National Guard (MANG) is in contact with the National Guard Bureau (NGB) as they work to identify and prioritize military resources needed for response operations in Puerto Rico.  Similar to the EMAC program, MANG is willing and able to assist in recovery efforts should federal officials identify and request one of their resources.

Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang and Eastern Bank President Quincy Miller Highlight the Value of Partnerships in Closing the Achievement Gap

Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang and Eastern Bank President Quincy Miller Highlight the Value of Partnerships in Closing the Achievement Gap

Boston, MA, Sept. 28, 2017 - National literacy and mentoring non-profit Read to a Child® announced that Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh read aloud to children in its Lunchtime Reading Program today at the Maurice J. Tobin K-8 School in Roxbury.  The mayor was joined by Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Dr. Tommy Chang, Eastern Bank President Quincy Miller and Read to a Child CEO Paul Lamoureux to highlight the importance of non-profit, corporate and community partnerships to help close the achievement gap and boost literacy skills in greater Boston public schools. Photos from today's event can be accessed via a link at the end of this release.

The Tobin K-8 School is one of 17 public schools in greater Boston where Read to a Child operates its Lunchtime Reading Program. Read to a Child enlists and manages a force of 1,700 corporate volunteers from more than 125 organizations that visit urban elementary schools once a week and read aloud one-on-one to at-risk children during lunch.  This time spent with a caring adult ignites a love of reading in struggling children, while providing students with the skills and self-confidence to succeed in school and in life.

"Thank you to Read to a Child and to the many area businesses that provide volunteer reading mentors for the Lunchtime Reading Program in our public schools," said Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. "These partnerships strengthen our efforts in boosting literacy skills among our students and closing the achievement gap. Because of the support from organizations like Eastern Bank, our children get the extra help and attention they need for a brighter future."

 

"Improving literacy and social-emotional skills in our youngest students is a major factor toward closing the opportunity and achievement gap," said BPS Superintendent Chang. "I am thankful to Eastern Bank, Read to a Child CEO Paul Lamoureux, and all of our community partners for helping us in these crucial efforts."

 

"Mayor Walsh and Superintendent Chang's commitment to promoting literacy and closing the achievement gap is evident," said Read to a Child CEO, Paul Lamoureux.  "In addition, Eastern Bank's support, along with that of our other corporate partners, is critical in enabling Read to a Child to serve the hundreds of struggling children that remain on our waiting lists in resource-challenged schools."

"Supporting Read to a Child's work in bringing community volunteers into under-resourced schools is a natural investment for us and a great way for us to give back to the community," said Eastern Bank President Quincy Miller. "To support the work of outstanding non-profits, Eastern Bank utilizes our Charitable Foundation to contribute, in a meaningful way, to the health and vitality of the communities in which we operate."

At today's event, students from the Tobin School presented Mayor Walsh, Superintendent Chang and Eastern Bank President Quincy Miller with personal copies of 'The Magician's Hat,' each signed by author and New England Patriot's wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell. The Mayor went on to read this book to the students and engaged them in a lively discussion.  Because the book ends with the question, "What are your dreams?" the Mayor received many imaginative responses from the students.

 

After the read-aloud session, the Mayor and Superintendent thanked Eastern Bank for its financial support of the Lunchtime Reading Program and thanked Read to a Child corporate partners for providing both financial support and more than 120 volunteer reading mentors for the Lunchtime Reading Program at the Tobin School. Read to a Child partners include ArcLight Capital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Charles River Associates, Citi Private Bank, Harvard School of Public Health, New England Journal of Medicine, Partners HealthCare, Posternak, Blankstein & Lund, LLP, and Wayfair.

"I deeply value our partnership with Read to a Child because I see the results of the dedicated mentors who come each week to read with our students," said Efrain Toledano, Tobin K-8 Principal.  "Our partnership with Read to a Child enables many of our students to improve literacy skills, develop a love of reading and become life-long learners. Also, as part of the mentoring relationships that develop, I see our student's self-confidence improving, a critical component of future success." 

中國北京小黃車進駐麻州 屋斯特，瑞維爾兩市搶先用

(Boston Orange)麻州的共享單車，一直以來都是”賀伯威(Hubway)”的天下，但現在有了挑戰者。來自中國北京的小黃車OFO，悄悄出現在屋斯特市(Worcester)，瑞維爾市(Revere)。

            瑞維爾市長Brian M. Arrigo的發言人Joe Gravellese說，該市將於未來幾週內，在不花納稅人錢的情況下，試用小黃車。

            他說，小黃車的代表找上他們，想推出試驗計畫，該市很快就同意了，因為小黃車將負擔員工及車輛費用。

            “特別是對那些住得離地鐵站不是很近，卻又想搭這公共交通工具，或者是想要能夠不需要開車，就能去買雜貨或者辦些瑣碎事的居民來說，會是件很好的事。

            瑞維爾官員表示，小黃車將從10月2日起推出200輛單車，如果試驗成功，明年可能擴大到其他地區。

            屋斯特市官員表示，在這個月的稍早以前，屋斯特市成為美國東岸第一個，繼西雅圖之後的全美第2個，引進小黃車城市，

            Ofo小黃車在屋斯特市政府支持下，將擺放400輛小黃車在該市街道上。Ofo計畫在今冬以後，擺放更多輛。           

            屋斯特市計畫安裝更多單車架，以因應預計增長的騎車人數。

            Ofo在2014年面世，如今已打進全世界170個城市，號稱自己是世界上第一個，也是最大的一個無車站共享單車平台。

            為了爭取使用者，該公司抨擊”賀伯威”之類的公司使用車架站，使用者必須把車還到指定地點，或是該公司指定的選定停車區”，或者是在公有土地上的一個合法地點，而不是在任一地點取車或鎖車，       

            “賀伯威”在波士頓市，布魯克蘭鎮，劍橋市，以及尚莫維爾市營運。

根據小黃車公司網站，要使用Ofo小黃車，顧客必須下載一個應用程式，能夠在地圖上顯示哪裡有車可取用。一旦找到哪裡有車，再點擊”解鎖”按鈕，然後掃描單車上的條碼，開鎖，騎車。顧客用完車後，只要把車鎖上就行。

使用Ofo小黃車系統，每小時一元，可經由應用程式付款。

            Ofo小黃車公司表示，正在和至少另外兩個有意使用小黃車的麻州城市協商。

            Ofo公司今年2月才又取得4.5億美元融資，公司估值已達10億美元。今年7月，該公司也宣佈，E輪募資籌得7億元，投資者包括阿里巴巴，Hony Capital，以及CITIC私募基金等。

            路透社在9月25日時刊出一篇報導，指Ofo正在籌募一輪新資金，數額達到10億餘元。在9月22日的世界無車日這天，Ofo宣佈進入四個歐洲國家，包括俄國，捷克，義大利及荷蘭。估計2018年會進入莫斯科試營運。