Governor Baker Grants $1.25M to Combat Youth Violence and Gang Activity

Governor Baker Grants $1.25M to Combat Youth Violence and Gang Activity

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today announced a $1.25 million funding increase for the Shannon Grant program to support regional and multi-disciplinary approaches to combat gang and youth violence. Communities and organizations from Pittsfield to Boston will see a funding boost to combat youth violence this summer.

“I am pleased that we are now able to increase our investment in these important programs as summer sets in to combat youth violence and gang activity that threatens public safety and access to opportunity in communities across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Baker. “These programs have delivered meaningful results and show the positive impact we can have when state and local partners join forces to tackle a serious and recurring problem such as youth violence.”

The Shannon Community Safety Initiative provides funding to communities that demonstrate high levels of youth violence and gang problems, a comprehensive plan to work with multi-disciplinary partners, and a commitment to coordinated prevention and intervention strategies.

“As summer begins, it is crucial that we continue to find ways to engage our youth and provide them with real alternatives to violence. Fully funding the Shannon program enables my department to continue working with at risk youth and provide them opportunities that might not otherwise be available,”said Commissioner William Evans. “I want to thank Governor Baker for his commitment to public safety and protecting our youth.”

Governor Baker authorized a $1.25 million supplemental allotment to the 15 Shannon Grant Community Safety Initiative Sites and Local Action Research Partners (LARPs). Communities customarily use this funding for social intervention and opportunity provision programs as well as gang task force personnel costs and overtime crime analysis. The governor’s action means that the Shannon Community Safety Initiative will be fully funded at $8.25 million.

The following are the communities and partners slated to receive supplemental funds:

Shannon Grant Sites:

·         Boston - $266,929.45

·         Brockton - $54,863.79

·         Fall River - $55,526.40

·         Fitchburg (incl. Gardner, Leominster) - $71,898.31

·         Haverhill (incl. Methuen) - $48,336.24

·         Holyoke (incl. Chicopee) - $58,761.45

·         Lawrence - $88,173.85

·         Lowell - $68,203.93

·         Lynn - $88,840.31

·         Metro Mayors Coalition (incl. Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, Winthrop) - $45,288.10

·         New Bedford - $66,641.00

·         Pittsfield - $44,808.31

·         Springfield - $103,310.79

·         Taunton (incl. Attleboro, Norton) - $44,808.70

·         Worcester - $61,833.40

Local Action Research Partners (LARP):

·         City of Brockton - $8,315.79

·         Community Resources for Justice - $10,728.44

·         UMass Lowell (Haverhill Site) - $4,076.58

·         UMass Lowell (Lowell Site) - $10,146.61

·         UMass Amherst - $12,349.28

·         North Shore Community College - $9,689.05

·         UMass Boston - $10,736.84

·         Roger Williams University - $3,101.80

·         Clark University - $12,631.58

波士頓華埠社區中心強調家庭 年會宣佈董事二下三上

波士頓華埠社區中心（BCNC）六月十六日晚在該會五樓舉行2015年會，報告過去一年成績輝煌，不但在昆士市新闢據點，還有多名員工獲外界表揚。在董事會二人卸任，三人加入後，將繼續以家庭為核心，加強個案管理模式，打造快樂幸福，茁壯的社區。

            波士頓華埠社區中心（BCNC）董事長鍾潔姿，行政主任李隆華在年會中分別致詞，並藉由2014年七月才從香港移民來美的周寶珍，鄺榮婷等一家人的故事，闡述服務機構的支持，可在改善移民生活起到多大作用。

李隆華指出，該中心去年成績輝煌，不但成功擴展進昆市服務，還獲麻州政府評為提供最佳成人教育服務機構之一，在南岸地區排名第一。許多員工因成就或外界表揚。該中心也開始和麻州兒童和教育局（Massachusetts Department of Children and families）合作。

他強調，BCNC相信為民服務時，既要尊重他們的家庭，也要顧及個人歷史，才能獲得最佳效果。他們今年的工作重點將是為家庭提供更深入的個案管理服務。去年他們以個案管理方式，為24個家庭服務，幫助他們把整體家庭狀況改善了約35%。在BCNC剛接觸到這些家庭時，他們大都都處於困苦無助狀況，接受服務後，危機狀況平均改善61%。

            波士頓市教育長Rahn Dorsey應邀為BCNC的年會做主講人，侃言波士頓市府不只嘗試努力打破成就（achievement）差距，更想彌平涉及社會正義的機會差距（opportunity disparity）。他認為學童的學習成就出現差距，很多時候是因為生活基本需求都還無法滿足。他認為BCNC有如一道門，移民或居民門打開了這扇門，就能獲得包括教育，社會服務，融入環境，改善求職技能等等的整合服務。

            他期望有心者，更加從社區整體角度出發，設計，策劃服務項目。

            鍾潔姿表示，華埠社區一直在努力的，就是強化社區。他們藉著從家庭角度出發的服務設計，希望從幫助個人著手，發揮連鎖效應，進而改善移民的整個家庭生活品質。

            現年十七歲，在查理士高中讀二年級的鄺榮婷，當晚代表她母親周寶珍敘述他們的故事。他們一家人是2014年7月10日才從香港移民來波士頓的，8月1日走進波士頓華埠社區中心，是因為人生地不熟，他們需要有人幫忙申請學校，特殊教育及醫療保險。她的六歲妹妹患有染色體異常綜合症，智力發育受影響，卻被分發到一般性的哈佛根德（Harvard Kent）小學。上學第一天，她母親牽著妹妹的手去領早餐，工作人員卻因為她妹妹太矮小，不相信她是該校學生，不肯發給早餐。他母親又急又氣，卻因為不會說英語，不知道能怎麼辦，於是再度求助BCNC，終於轉進了昆士小學的特殊教育班。

            波士頓華埠社區中心共有十四名董事，十六日晚歡送黃華娟，Christopher Lam卸任，歡迎律師陳朝聖（Russell Chin），光譜股權（Spectrum Equity）高級專員郭文莉，Narva & Company資深家族企業顧問Shari Wyner Narva等三名新董事上任，任期至2018年。

圖片說明：

            波士頓華埠社區中心董事會主席鍾潔姿（右二），行政主任李隆華（左一）送上鮮花，禮物，感謝卸任的董事黃華娟（左二），Christopher Lam（右一）。（菊子攝）

            波士頓華埠社區中心董事會主席鍾潔姿（左一），行政主任李隆華（右一），介紹三名新董事，右起，陳朝聖，郭文莉，Shari Wyner Narva。

            波士頓華埠中心董事合影。（菊子攝）

            波士頓市教育長Rahn Dorsey致詞，強調社區重要。（菊子攝）

波士頓2024有意在昆市辦奧運沙灘排球賽

儘管波士頓該不該在2024年承辦奧運賽，民意頗為兩極，已經改組的“波士頓2024“昨（十七）日進昆士市，公佈有意用史昆頓端公園（Squantum Point Park）做奧運會沙灘排球賽場地，預定七月辦公聽會，徵詢民意。

            波士頓2024是各代表波士頓本地競標承辦奧運會的非牟利組織。接掌該機構執行長職位的Steve Pagliuca表示，修訂後的承辦計畫，比賽規模中等，波士頓市仍是主要比賽場地所在，大約有廿五個地點。

            昆士市史昆頓端公園（Squantum Point Park）是個2001年起對外開放，由麻州保護及娛樂局管理的半島型州立公園，就在碼頭灣（Marina Bay）旁邊，對沙灘排球並不陌生，2007年時曾經承辦過長達四天的職業排球會比賽。

            六月十三日才以遊行，煙花和昆士民眾慶祝了旗幟日，昆士市長柯奇（Tom Koch），昨日表示，波士頓2024給昆市一個參與這國際盛事的機會。他很高興波士頓2024有意用昆市做比賽場地之一時，做的第一件事是排定日期辦公聽會，向民眾報告概況，聽取民意。

            波士頓2024執行長Rich Davey表示，他們建議到昆市辦沙灘排球賽，證明了他們希望和波士頓週邊城市合作的承諾。

在早前的計畫中，沙灘排球是安排在波士頓廣場（Boston Common）上舉行。奧運會籌辦者認為在電視轉播時，州政府大樓會成為很棒的背景。但該地點似乎遭遇最多反對聲浪。       

公共花園之友（The Friends of the Public Garden）董事三月份時曾要求波士頓2024把可能有一萬六千個座位的臨時體育館，搬走，

波士頓2024新主席Steve Pagliuca已承諾，要在六月份底前，完整公佈新計畫中的奧運會場地，以及財務概況。他希望反對派能等到他們公佈計劃後，再熱絡討論。

圖片說明：

            昆士市長柯奇（Tom Koch）出席波士頓2024發表會。（圖由波士頓2024提供）

            波士頓2024執行長Rich Davey進昆市報告。（圖由波士頓2024提供）

波士頓同源會頒獎鼓勵作文比賽參加者

（本報實習記者戴斯夢波士頓報導）波士頓同源會上週末在昆士小學禮堂獎勵美國同源會四十週年作文比賽波士頓三名參賽者，邀得中國駐紐約總領事館副總領事鍾瑞明頒給獎金各一百元。

美國同源會今年舉辦第40屆作文大賽，共有14個地區分會126名選手參賽。去年甫成立的波士頓同源會，共有三人參加。作文題目包括：1965年至1969年間，華裔工人在建造美國第一條交通鐵路中起了不可或缺作用。之外，華人對美國社會的貢獻還有哪些？

波士頓同源會李徐慕蓮表示，該會甫成立，一切才起步，因而決定表揚所有三名參加者，包括波士頓拉丁學校（Boston Latin School）的高雁婷和衛斯理（Wellesley）高中的趙智耀，趙志穎。

            15歲的高雁婷表示，她是從教堂那兒獲悉作文比賽的消息，花了一小時寫成文章。

 15歲的趙智耀和17歲的趙智穎是兩兄弟，都在衛斯理高中就讀 。弟弟趙智耀喜歡電腦編程，在文章中談林書豪等華裔對美國的貢獻如何激勵他；哥哥趙智穎更喜歡經濟，在文章中談華人把中華文化帶進美國，增加了美國文化的多樣性。

            波士頓同源會將在9月19日舉辦創意文化人才招聘會，活動內容將包括繪畫歌舞書法等領域。

圖片說明：

            波士頓同源會會長李徐慕蓮（前左三）邀中國駐紐約總領事館副總領事鍾瑞明（前右二）頒表揚狀給趙智耀（左四起向右），高雁婷，趙智穎。（戴斯夢攝）

MassDOT Completes Acquisition of Framingham Secondary Rail Line

MassDOT Completes Acquisition of Framingham Secondary Rail Line

Purchase of line supports existing needs for freight transport; creates potential for future pilot for passenger service

BOSTON – Wednesday, June 17, 2015 – Today, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced it had completed the acquisition of the Framingham Secondary Rail Line, a 21-mile segment of rail that connects Framingham and Mansfield.  The line was purchased from CSX Corporation for $23 million.

Purchase of the Framingham Secondary is a strategic investment that links the Framingham/Worcester, Needham, Franklin, and the Attleboro/Northeast Corridor commuter rail lines together.  The Framingham Secondary Line is also a major rail corridor for the shipment of freight between several key points in eastern Massachusetts, including Readville, Milford, Franklin, Fall River, and New Bedford, as well as Worcester.  The line is also used for passenger service to and from Patriots home games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.  For the purposes of planning for long-term infrastructure needs, purchase of the line provides added rail capacity that allows for passenger service to travel on alternative routes in cases where capital projects may disrupt normal service. 

“After careful consideration of the agreement to purchase the Framingham Secondary Rail Line from CSX, MassDOT concluded that acquiring this rail asset supports our goals of increasing use of freight rail, which takes trucks off our highways and reduces greenhouse gases by consolidating the movement of freight,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack.  “Additionally, purchase of the line establishes the interconnectivity of four of our major commuter rail lines, which allows us to plan for future rail upgrades in a way that will minimize disruptions by creating options for trains to continue providing passenger service by bypassing sections of rail on any of the four lines that would be under construction.”

Purchase of the line will also guarantee that game-day passenger service to Gillette Stadium for Patriots games will continue.  The rail line’s current condition is only slightly above standards required for passenger service.  MassDOT’s ownership of the line, coupled with infrastructure upgrades, will allow for the continuation of the successful game-day service.  During the 2014-2015 season, 17,128 riders took the train to Foxborough; 6,015 more riders came from Providence, through Mansfield along the southerly end of the Framingham Secondary. 

“Beyond the short-term value of supporting the shipment of freight, in the long term, the line has the potential to support future economic development,” said MassDOT Rail and Transit Administrator Astrid Glynn.  “The communities to the southwest of Boston are experiencing strong regional growth.  Should that trend continue, we would look to engage the surrounding communities in a conversation about the potential for a pilot program of additional passenger rail service.” 

Prior to enhanced service, the line would require significant upgrades to track, signals, and switches, to accommodate regular passenger trains. With preliminary upgrades set to begin next spring, any pilot of service would not begin before calendar year 2017.

Governor Baker Grants $5 Million for Regional School Transportation Funding

Governor Baker Grants $5 Million for Regional School Transportation Funding

Investment supports efforts of Commonwealth’s 85 regional school districts

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker announced today a $5 million investment in the Regional School Transportation Reimbursement Fund (RTR Fund) that supports student transportation efforts of 85 regional school systems throughout the Commonwealth. The Baker-Polito administration made the appropriation through a supplemental allotment to the RTR Fund for Fiscal Year 2015.

“Our communities depend on local aid for transportation and education and that support remains a top priority for our administration despite the budget deficit we inherited upon taking office,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are proud to include in our budget proposal significant increases for education and are pleased to now take this step to support those districts that need it.”

“The Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools (MARS) is very appreciative of the Baker Administration for providing $5 million for regional transportation during this fiscal year,” said MARS Executive Director Stephen Hemman.  “The large 9c regional transportation cut by the previous administration has caused fiscal concerns within regions. This will help toward providing regions with funds that they were counting on receiving this year. We clearly understand what the Baker administration faced when they came into office and we say thank you for your efforts in providing these funds.”

STATEMENT FROM TREASURER GOLDBERG ON CHARLESTON SHOOTING

STATEMENT FROM TREASURER GOLDBERG ON CHARLESTON SHOOTING 
BOSTON, MA -- State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg issued the following statement today about the shooting Wednesday evening in Charleston, South Carolina:

"Today our hearts ache with deep pain for the victims killed at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. This cowardly act of violence, in a house of worship, is starkly at odds with the very spirit that defines and built our nation -- a spirit of diversity, tolerance and equality. My condolences and prayers go out to those families who lost loved ones and to the people of Charleston, as we all struggle to make sense of this incomprehensible crime." 

Boston Book Festival 6/20

BOSTON BOOK FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES
WINNER OF INAUGURAL SHELF HELP INITIATIVE:
PAULINE A. SHAW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, DORCHESTER
TO RECEIVE 50 BRAND NEW K-5 BOOKS
AND AN IN-PERSON VISIT WITH A CHILDREN’S AUTHOR
-------
IN CONJUNCTION WITH ITS UPCOMING FREE FESTIVAL
HUBBUB: CREATIVE COMMOTION FOR KIDS -------
SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2015, COPLEY SQUARE, BOSTON, FREE!
[Boston, MA – June 5, 2015] In conjunction with the upcoming launch of its new children’s
festival, HUBBUB: Creative Commotion for Kids, on June 20, 2015, the Boston Book Festival announces the recipient of its inaugural SHELF HELP initiative, designed to cultivate and inspire a new generation of readers in Greater Boston: the Pauline A. Shaw Elementary School in Dorchester.
Initiated by the school’s library paraprofessional Morgan VanClief, this recently re-opened Boston Public School with six kindergarten classrooms will enjoy at least 50 brand new books and an in-person visit from a children’s author or illustrator sometime during the 2015-16 school year. Members of the public are encouraged to donate books to the program via an online wish list or can donate on-site at the Hubbub festival in Copley Square on June 20.
Ms. Morgan VanClief, reading at the Pauline A. Shaw Elementary School in Dorchester, MA

1

“Many of my students live in the inner city and come from low-income families,” says VanClief, “and don’t have access to books at home. To see them come to school and be fascinated by all that books have to offer is truly amazing. These students are not only eager to read and learn but are enthusiastic to share knowledge with their families, siblings, and grandparents outside of school.”
“The primary goal of my library program,” continues VanClief, “is to instill the love of reading for both pleasure and information. Currently, the students have been studying animals in their classrooms and learning to tell the difference between living and non-living. They came to me asking to learn more and wanting some stories that show both real animals and imaginary ones. Delving deeper into topics like these is giving our students ownership over the curriculum and empowering them to take charge and make decisions about their own learning.”
“With Shelf Help,” says BBF Deputy Director Norah Piehl, “we aim to support students’ discovery and expression of their own unique voices through access to an increased selection of books within their school environment. Words have great power to motivate and provoke all readers to explore themselves and their place in the world around them, and we hope that Shelf Help will encourage students to view themselves as such literary explorers.”
“We know,” says BBF Executive Director Deborah Porter, “that many elementary schools lack the resources to fully stock their school or classroom libraries with contemporary, high-quality books. Meanwhile, elementary school teachers and librarians just want to offer their students books that will motivate them to read, captivate their imaginations, and ignite their wide-ranging interests. We think that one of these schools deserves a little ‘Shelf Help’.”
-----------
Boston Book Festival’s inaugural HUBBUB Festival, an all-day free festival for kids and families of all ages, features dozens of entertaining and educational programs including fun-filled creativity, inventiveness, and exploration, such as an author presentation by Mo Willems, a special concert with Dan Zanes and Friends, and workshops with Esh Circus Arts, Urbanity Dance, and much more. Visit www.hubbubfest.org for all the details.
Author Mo Willems, musical Group Dan Zanes and Friends,and puppetry theatre the Squirel Stole My Underpants
All events are free except the Dan Zanes and Friends concert which offers a $15 ticket for adults and a $10 ticket for children ages 2-12. Tickets may be purchased online at www.hubbubfest.org. There are a handful of presentations that require complimentary online registration – they are noted on the website.
“The offerings for children at the annual Boston Book Festival have been so popular,” says Boston Book Festival founder and executive director Deborah Porter, “that it seemed only fitting to develop another festival focused solely on cultural enrichment for children and families. Our aim is to be inclusive to families

2

from every Boston neighborhood. With support from The Highland Street Foundation and others, we hope to encourage creativity with a combination of world-class authors and artistic acts, as well as hands-on activities and experiences where kids will experiment, design, and create. We believe that curiosity, excitement, wonder, and play are the keys to lifelong learning.”
---------------