National ACE - What Business Owners Should Know seminar 4/30 2-3PM ET

 

波士頓市長Kim Janey拜訪華埠商家 聆聽小企業民意 (圖片)

右起，喜臨門老闆梁國忠，華人前進會榮譽主席李素影，
波士頓市長Kim Janey，波士頓市議員Ed Flynn同席暢談，(周菊子攝)

波士頓市長Kim Janey和喜臨門老闆梁國忠。(周菊子攝)

波士頓市長Kim Janey和面包工坊老闆 Wei Liang Chen。
(周菊子攝)

肥牛火鍋老闆黃華林和波士頓市長Kim Janey。
(周菊子攝)

波士頓警察局A-1區警長也趕到現場，向波士頓市長
Kim Janey報告華埠一帶治安狀況。左起依序為，華埠
主街主任和陳素貞，波士頓警察局A-1區警長，市長聯絡員
許麗莎，肥牛火鍋老闆黃華林，波士頓市長Kim Janey。
(周菊子攝)

波士頓市長Kim Janey(右二)在華人前進會榮譽主席李素影
(右起)，華埠主街主任何陳素貞，波士頓市議員Ed Flynn，
華人前進會主任陳玉珍，前任華埠主街主任，現在
波士頓市府任職的何藹茵等人一起拜訪華埠商家。
(周菊子攝)

 

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $2.1 Million in New Funding for Career Technical Initiative

 Baker-Polito Administration Announces $2.1 Million in New Funding for Career Technical Initiative

DANVERS – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced $2.1 million in new funding to 10 vocational technical high schools as part of its Career Technical Initiative, to support additional training programs for students and adults. The funds will support training and skill-building programs in the construction, trades and manufacturing spaces across 23 different career pathways. Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito made the announcement at a visit to Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School alongside members of the Governor’s Workforce Skills Cabinet, students and school staff.

“As we vaccinate our residents and reopen our economy, our Administration remains focused on supporting businesses and workers to power our recovery, and the Career Technical Initiative will be a crucial part of that effort,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our Administration was committed to expanding these training opportunities for students and adults across the Commonwealth before the pandemic, and now this initiative takes on added importance as a crucial tool to connect people with new job opportunities and meet the needs of our employers.”

“The Career Technical Initiative is an important component to our economic recovery, because it helps connect people with career pathways in high-demand fields and expand our skilled workforce so our businesses can grow and thrive,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Congratulations to today’s recipients on these new awards, and we look forward to seeing these programs provide valuable training opportunities for people in growing STEM fields across the Commonwealth.”

Initially launched in January 2020, the Career Technical Initiative aims to train an additional 20,000 skilled trades workers over the next four years to help close skills gaps and meet the needs of businesses across the Commonwealth. The program aims to provide more Massachusetts residents access to career technical training using the state’s existing resources at vocational high schools, while simultaneously helping businesses grow by increasing the population of skilled workers able to be employed in trade and construction jobs.

“Getting people back to work is fundamental to our strategy for economic recovery, and the Career Technical Initiative represents a major component that helps address skill gaps across the Commonwealth and opens doors to new career paths for students and adults looking to join the workforce,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy.  “I want to congratulate all of the CTI grant recipients for their willingness to play a key role in maintaining the strength of the Commonwealth’s talent pipeline and wish them the best as they embark on their careers in key industries powered by a skilled, growing workforce.”

"As we look towards re-employment with a collective mission of fixing inequalities in the workforce, CTI will not just help people get jobs, but help them secure jobs in sectors that will remain in high demand for decades to come,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Rosalin Acosta. "CTI could be a pivotal difference maker for eliminating opportunity gaps and helping all communities in Massachusetts access resilient good paying jobs."

“CTI is part of a larger strategy to ensure more students have access to career and vocational technical programs,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “Students in career and technical education gain not only academic knowledge and technical skills, but they also see how what they are learning applies to the needs of employers, which gives them an advantage in their future careers.”

The Career Technical Initiative takes a multi-pronged approach to increase student enrollment and includes new state funding to help adults pay for classes, boosts business involvement in program development and credentials, and reduces licensure barriers to incentivize mid-career professionals to become vocational teachers. The initiative – developed by the Governor’s Workforce Skills Cabinet – has the support of school leaders and industry stakeholders. The Baker-Polito Administration has proposed $17 million in its Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) budget for this initiative.

An additional $1,480,000 in FY21 funds are also currently available to continue to support the Career Technical Initiative. Vocational technical schools may also apply for funding available to new and existing Career Technical Schools to support additional career pathways and retraining for adult workers or for funding for planning and program design. Learn more about applying.

Since its inception five years ago, the Workforce Skills Cabinet has awarded more than $92 million in Skills Capital Grants to high schools, colleges and other educational institutions to purchase new capital equipment and it has launched early college and early career programs at 60 high schools for over 7,000 students. To address the need to upskill workers and meet talent demand of employers, the WSC has worked across Secretariats to align funding that collectively trained 2,500 workers needing support and training for jobs in health care, finance, IT, and other high demand occupations at more than 700 companies through the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund and the Learn to Earn Initiative. In addition, the Administration prioritized growth in manufacturing by aligning manufacturing training resources under the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development to train 2,004 individuals since 2016. To support companies’ growth, the Skills Cabinet has invested grant dollars in companies to upskill their workforce through more than $20 million in Workforce Training Funds grants to train existing workers at companies for more than 16,000+ existing employees working at 700+ different businesses in FY20.

Career Technical Initiative Grant Recipients:

Greater Lawrence Technical School, $375,000: Greater Lawrence Technical School will provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Biotech Lab Technician, Carpenter, Electricians, HVAC, Plumber positions. Their grant partners include: MassHIre Merrimack Valley Career Center and Workforce Board and the following employer partners: Jones General Contractors, Ginkgo Bioworks, All-Pro Electricians, Capeless Plumbing & Heating, Marceau Construction Corp., CentiMark Corporation, National Mechanical Service Inc, Central Colling & Heating Inc, Correct Temp HVAC & Millipore Sigma.

Greater Lowell Technical HS, $100,000:  Greater Lowell Technical High School will provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Welder and Plumber positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire Lowell Career Center  and the following employer partners: UpNovr. Inc, Bouley Trucking, Welfab, Inc. Precise Industries, Ayotte Plumbing, Rick Jean Plumbing and Heating, Marcoux Plumbing and Heating.

Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, $240,000: Madison Park Technical Vocational High School will provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Welder and HVAC Technician positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire Boston Workforce Board and Career Center and the following employer partners: Feeney Utility Support Group, A-plus Welding & Engineering, Inc, Newmarket Business Association, General Air & Heating.

Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District, $100,000: Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District will provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Carpenter, CNC Machine Operator positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire Metro Boston, Metro South/West, Metro North and North Central Career Centers and the following employer partners: Tecomet, Feinmann, North River Builders, Nova Biomedical, Rolls Royce.

Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, $125,000: Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School will provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Plumber, Welder positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire North Central Career Center, MassHire North Central Workforce Board and the following employer partners: Fitchburg Welding Company, Tim’s Fabricators, Airgas, Brideau, Huhtala Oil Company, Spadafore Oil & Energy.

Nashoba Valley Technical High School, $300,000: Nashoba Valley Technical HS - Community Ed/Adult Ed will be using these grant funds to provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Automotive Services Technician, Plumber positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire Greater Lowell and North Central Career Centers and Workforce Boards and the following employer partners: Triangle Service Center, Acton Toyota of Littleton, Atamian Honda, Stansfield Tire Center, Viega LLC, J. Ellis Plumbing & Heating, Eric C. Foster Plumbing & Heating, Schlager Company, Basnett Plumbing, Heating & AC, and Local 12 Plumber’ Union.

Southeastern Regional School District, $150,000: Southeastern Regional School District will be using these grant funds to provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Welder, CNC Machine Operator positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire Brockton Career Center and Workforce Board and the following employer partners: DeAngelis Iron Works, Pine Hill Equipment, Rens Welding & Fabricating.

Greater Fall River Vocational School District, $100,000: Greater Fall River Vocational School District will be using these grant funds to provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Carpenter, Welder positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire Bristol Workforce Board and Career Centers and the following employer partners: Davico Manufacturing, Dartmouth Building Supply, North Atlantic Corporation.

Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, $540,000: Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School will be using these grant funds to provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for Welding, Electrical Technician, BioLab Technician, Automotive Services Technicians, HVAC, Plumber, Construction Craft positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire North Shore Workforce Board and Career Centers and the following employer partners: T.W. Webb Company, Cranney Home Services, National Mechanical Service, Tremblay Heating, Kelley Automotive Group, Mini of Peabody, Lyon Waugh Auto Group, Groom Construction, Menino Construction, Bilo Plumbing & Heating, Breen Sullivan Mechanical Services, partners: alem Metal, Inc., Krohne, Cotter Brothers Corporation, Local 22 Construction & General Laborer’s Union, Groom Construction, Harmonic Drive, Innovent Technologies, Lyon-Waugh Auto Group, Mini of Peabody, New England Biolabs.

Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, $90,000: Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School will be using these grant funds to provide training and placement services to prepare unemployed and underemployed participants for CNC Machine Operator, Welder positions. Their grant partners include: MassHire Merrimack Valley Career Center and Workforce Board and the following employer partners: Arwood Machine, Magellan Aerospace, Fairview Machine, Aero Manufacturing, Metacrafters, East Coast Welding & Metal Fabrication, Metal Tronics, LLC.

波士頓慈濟志工世界地球日清掃公園

世界地球日有新世代愛的足跡

撰文：蕭惠菁、甯靜嘉

活動前Emerald Necklace 志工(後排二位)與活動參與志工合影。

四月的波士頓  , 翠綠的大地在蔚藍的晴空下襯映出最美的春景 , 微風徐徐 , 溫暖到恰到好處的陽光 , 我們怎能放棄這大好的社區活動機會呢！慈濟波士頓聯絡處一如往年參與世界地球日的相關活動 ,  今年特別在疫情衝擊的條件下，參與 Emerald Necklace 環境保護組織，在波士頓Franklin Park Zoo附近空曠的社區公園清理垃圾，活動也依照防疫規則調整進行 , 如 : 每個時段人數的限制 , 皆在州政府規定的防疫準則下進行 , 以確保參加的社區志工達到社交安全距離的方式與人數的規範。

4/24 週六一早 , 志工們依照被分配的時間紛紛來到 , 經由 Emerald Necklace 組織協助填寫 COVID WAIVER 以確保每位民眾的健康狀況

慈濟用環保回收紙類、塑膠瓶製成相框，紐英崙中華專業人協會會長

康雅雰(左)和波士頓台灣影展協會會長蔡涵庭留影。

攝影者: 蕭惠菁

，此次慈濟波士頓聯絡處與紐英崙中華專業人員協會(NEACP)合辦 , 更是希望藉由結合社區，大家的力量一起參與環境清潔愛護地球的活動 , 並從中了解「環保 , 茹素 , 愛地球」其實很簡單 ,它就在我們生活中。隨後，慈濟志工蕭惠菁協助手套與清潔器具分發 ,  NEACP 的主辦人康雅雰協助帶隊出發，行動力陸續展開，過程中 , 就讀中醫研究所的慈濟志工陳慧盈 , 將沿路所見的藥草介紹給其他參與的志工，有如額外的尋寶遊戲，慈濟志工甯靜嘉 、林毓雅介紹「環保 , 茹素」實為一體 , 最重要是鼓勵大家盡量少用一次性用品，並將資源回收再利用，為了珍惜地球與環境保護，志工們精神抖擻，越做越歡喜。

許多參與者分享，在這麼好的天氣中，能夠全家一起出來曬曬太陽，一起做環保愛護地球的活動，真的非常開心，尤其居家防疫隔離這麼久的時間，第一次到戶外這麼長的時間，實屬難得，而且是如此有意義的活動，真的很棒！活動尾聲，大家坐在草坪上，一起享用蔬食便當，分享許久未曾面對面聊的話題，愉快的話語、笑聲為活動劃上句點，垃圾清理了，我們帶上愛環境的續航力，期待下一個再相聚的行動。

「在疫情之下 , 大家可以參與這個活動，很有意義。」—社區志工 River Yang  (慈濟波士頓聯絡處提供)

中華民俗藝術工作坊青少年參加世界地球日活動。攝影者: 甯靜嘉

慈濟志工在世界地球日貢獻一己之力。攝影者: 甯靜嘉

慈濟志工林毓雅、陳慧盈帶參與者玩大地遊戲。攝影者: 甯靜嘉

活動結束志工們歡喜享用 Ginger 日式餐廳贊助的蔬食便當
攝影者:蕭蕙菁。

WCVB社區計畫節目邀大波士頓華人談反亞裔仇恨浪潮 (圖片)

 

WCVB波士頓社區計畫主播

麻州亞美局前主任蔣如婷(中)等人去年在州政府大樓前
為反亞裔仇恨發聲。

在摩頓市教青少年製作插畫，表達心聲。

WCVB資深記者五沅媚(Janet Wu)訪問4名亞裔社區代表

麻州眾議員陳德基(Tackey Chan)。

亞美社區發展協會主任劉安琪(Angie Liou)。

波士頓市議員暨市長候選人吳弭(Michelle Wu)。

律師李保華(Paul Lee)。

傅萊明罕居民Jeff Chan。

華人前進會榮譽主席李素影(Suzanne Lee)。

越南移民援助中心Lissett Le。

WCVB訪問學者教授。

這輯訪談節目藉照片展示華埠社區活動。

90多歲的阮陳金鳳接受採訪，談華人在波士頓歷史悠久。

阮陳金鳳家族照片。

以上所有圖片截圖自WCVB播出的"社區計畫"節目。

波士頓學校委員會新學生代表Xyra Mercer上任

BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS WELCOMES NEW STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE BOSTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE     BOSTON - Wednesday, April 28, 2021 - Boston Mayor Kim Janey yesterday welcomed Boston Public Schools (BPS) student Xyra Mercer to City Hall for a swearing-in ceremony to announce Xyra as the new Student Representative to the Boston School Committee. Xyra was elected by her peers on the Boston Student Advisory Council (BSAC). “I am excited to welcome Xyra as the newest student representative on the School Committee, and I’m appreciative of the continued leadership of the Boston Student Advisory Council,” said Mayor Janey. “As BPS transitions into five days of in-person learning this week and prepares for a strong summer of enrichment and opportunities, student voices are going to remain at the center of all educational conversations. Xyra and her peers in the BPS community will play a critical role in shaping our plans now and moving forward.” Xyra is currently a junior at the Dr. William W. Henderson K-12 Inclusion School in Dorchester, where she is deeply engaged and involved in her school and her community at large. Xyra is a tour de force at her school, serving as the captain of the Debate Team, a member of Student Government, a leader of Vanguards (the Henderson’s women's empowerment group), a member of the Black Student Union, a voting member of the Henderson Governing Board, and an active member of the Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Boys & Girls Club. No stranger to public speaking or leadership roles, in 2019, Xyra gave a speech to BPS teachers, principals, and district leaders at the BPS August Leadership Institute. “I am grateful for the opportunity that my fellow peers have entrusted me with. As a student I believe that it is important and necessary for our voices to be heard in regards to our futures. We should be able to know the changes that are going to come and be able to also make those changes,” said Xyra. “Education is the key to the future. Schools provide many students a safe space, and when sudden changes are made without students' knowledge, that safe feeling can be violated. That is what I am here for, to include the students' voices that need to be heard.” Xyra Mercer was born and raised in Boston in a Jamaican household. Growing up, she traveled back and forth between the US and Jamaica while learning about her Caribbean culture with family and friends. She intends to pursue a career in education, with the ambition of obtaining a doctorate. She could also see herself pursuing a career in politics, as she believes there are many current issues in the country that are not being addressed. She would like to be a catalyst for change. “Xyra’s perspective will be critical as we continue to review all of our policies and support systems for students,” said BPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius. “Our schools are committed to creating joyful and welcoming learning environments that foster the powerful voices of students like Xyra. Students have and will continue to be the focus of all that we do. Incorporating Xyra’s voice into our School Committee will enhance and guide our most important decisions as they directly correlate to our students.” “The Boston School Committee enthusiastically welcomes Xyra as our colleague,” said Alexandra Oliver-Dávila, Chair of the Boston School Committee. “We have really important work to do in the next few weeks. I am glad Xyra will be there to share her experience and represent her fellow students so the Committee, BPS, and public will have a better understanding of how our decisions impact students and their families.” Xyra will serve on the Boston School Committee for the remainder of the school year and throughout the 2021-22 school year. Her first School Committee meeting will be today, Wednesday, April 28.

麻州，波士頓4/27新冠疫情數據

 

吳弭參選波士頓市長搶聲勢 一日集滿3000多簽名

吳弭(右)收集支持簽名。(推特截圖)

             (Boston Orange 綜合報導)波士頓市長選舉，參選者得在5月18日前繳交3000個有效簽名，才能名列9月21日的初選選票。波士頓市長候選人吳弭(Michelle Wu)競選陣營今晚4月27日宣佈，一早拿到表格後，12個小時就已集滿所需簽名。

             吳弭很高興的表示，他們在打造一個橫跨全市的多世代，多語聯盟，她感激每一個為她和鄰居拜票，收集簽名或支持她的人。

             27日一早，吳弭馬不停蹄的先去波士頓市政府領來讓民眾簽名支持她的表格，中午12點起，她陸續到任務丘(Mission Hill)的布里根圈，洛士百利的華盛頓公園購物商場，西洛士百利的羅奇兄弟(Roche Bros)超市，親自拜票，也為100多名義工打氣。

             吳弭競選團隊表示，他們在27日下午送了2200多份簽名到波士頓市政府選務局，晚上又收集到900多份簽名，將於28日早上送交波市府，完成手續。

             波士頓今年的市長選舉，迄今共有6名參選人。按照市政府的選舉日程表，有意參選者可在5月11日前申請參選，領取提名表，但早前傳聞的可能參選人，幾乎都已表態不會參選，麻州眾議員Nick Collins也在今日表示不參選，今年的選舉幾乎可確定為6人角逐局面。

             在這6名參選人中，最早宣佈參選的吳弭和Andrea Campbell，籌款成績截至三月底，都高達近百萬元，但第一份出爐的民調，在46%以上的選民表示心意未定之際，支持率最高的是吳弭的19%，波士頓代市長Kim Janey的18%。其他幾名候選人的支持率都只在2%到6%之間，差距頗大，要迎頭趕上並不容易。

               根據波士頓市的市長選舉歷史，2013年有12人參選，共花了1000多萬元參選，兩名打入大選的候選人，馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)，約翰康納利(John Connolly)依序各籌得300萬元和280萬元，兩相對比之下，今年的選舉還沒熱起來。