U.S. MAYORS UNANIMOUSLY PASS RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF EMPLOYERS OF NATIONAL SERVICE, SUBMITTED BY MAYOR WALSH

U.S. MAYORS UNANIMOUSLY PASS RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF EMPLOYERS OF NATIONAL SERVICE, SUBMITTED BY MAYOR WALSH

Resolution Presented at U.S. Conference of Mayors Calls on Municipalities to Become Employers of National Service

INDIANAPOLIS - Monday, June 27, 2016 - The United States Conference of Mayors today unanimously passed a resolution submitted by Mayor Martin J. Walsh that supports Employers of National Service, an initiative that recognizes the unique skills and experience AmeriCorps and Peace Corps alumni bring to the workforce. The resolution encourages public and private sector employers to expand the job opportunities available to those who have served in a national service role.   Announced by President Obama at the White House in September 2014 as part of the 20th anniversary of AmeriCorps, Employers of National Servicebuilds a talent pipeline which connects AmeriCorps and Peace Corps alumni with leading employers. "Boston has a long history of embracing the tremendous value of National Service. We know it plays a vital role in connecting passionate individuals with the skills to bring positive change to their communities," said Mayor Walsh. "We've seen the impact that our National Service members have had on our City, and we are thrilled to sign on as an Employer of National Service. Whether you helped start a library in Western Africa through the Peace Corps, spent time in a classroom with City Year, or served in one of thousands of AmeriCorps programs around the country, Boston wants you on our team. We challenge all cities to join as Employers of National Service and increase their capacity to take on the most important issues of tomorrow." The resolution passed this morning at the organization's 84th annual meeting in Indianapolis. The effort recognizes national service programs, such as AmeriCorps and Peace Corps, as a talent pipeline for dedicated employees with experience in public service, and urges cities employees to become Employers of National Service. "Boston is a trailblazer when it comes to service, and today the city takes that commitment to the next level," said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. "I commend Mayor Walsh for these bold new steps. Not only is Boston the silicon valley of service - the birthplace of innovative AmeriCorps programs like City Year, YouthBuild USA, Citizen Schools, and Jumpstart - but it has also been home to some of our most steadfast leaders in business and elected office. Mayor Walsh has continued this strong tradition, challenging his fellow mayors to match him in making their cities Employers of National Service." "Alumni of our service corps are highly qualified leaders with experience addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our nation and world today," Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet said. "Returned Peace Corps volunteers have so much to contribute to the workplace and we're thrilled to see Mayor Walsh and the city of Boston recognize these valuable skills." The City of Boston joins 13 other cities across the nation that have signed the resolution, including: Kansas City, Mo.; Nashville, Tenn.; Newton, Mass.; New York City, N.Y.; Philadelphia, Penn.; South Sioux City, Neb.; and Avondale, Flagstaff, Mesa, Phoenix, Tempe, and Tucson, Ariz. Since 1994, 980,000 Americans have given more than 1.3 billion hours of service to their country, earning more than $3 billion in education scholarships. The full resolution is included below: RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE ADOPTION OF EMPLOYERS OF NATIONAL SERVICE WHEREAS, National service, including AmeriCorps and Peace Corps, grant individuals opportunity to gain experience in a variety of fields, including disaster services, economic opportunity and development, agriculture, education, environmental stewardship, health, youth development, and veterans affairs; and, WHEREAS, National service develops essential skills, which make alumni strong leaders who are motivated, flexible, innovative, and outcome-oriented, who learn quickly, work well on diverse teams, and know how to mobilize others to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing our nation and our world; and, WHEREAS, National service makes AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni high-quality employees for any organization; and, WHEREAS, There are over 900,000 Americans who have participated in AmeriCorps since 1994 and over 215,000 who have participated in the Peace Corps since 1961; and, WHEREAS, on September 12, 2014, President Obama launched Employers of National Service; and, WHEREAS, Employers of National Service is the name given to the initiative co-sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps Alums, the National Peace Corps Association, and the Service Year Alliance, established to connect AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni with employers from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors; and, WHEREAS, Cities, in particular, stand to gain from an influx of motivated, passionate, dedicated civil servants, skilled and experienced in serving communities; and, WHEREAS, 12 cities have already joined on as Employers of National Service and recognize the benefit to their workforce, and 4 additional cities have just recently joined; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the United States Conference of Mayors urges all cities, townships, villages, etc. to become Employers of National Service.

Superintendent Chang Makes Strategic Plan Public, Welcomes Community Feedback

Superintendent Chang Makes Strategic Plan Public, Welcomes Community Feedback

Strategic Implementation Plan to Define Priorities for Years Ahead

Boston, MA - Monday, June 27, 2016 - Culminating over a year of research, discussion, and review of feedback from the community, Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Tommy Chang has presented the BPS Strategic Implementation Plan to the Boston School Committee. The plan builds on the district's strengths and addresses core challenges. The public is encouraged to send feedback to superintendent@bostonpublicschools.org. "The School Committee held community-based roundtable discussions to capture the voice of the public during the earlier stages of the plan's development," said School Committee Chairman Michael O'Neill. " I commend Superintendent Chang and the BPS leadership team for their hard work. It's critical that we hear from the community again to ensure that we're moving forward with a shared vision for our young people." The Strategic Implementation Plan consists of five focus areas: Implementing an inclusive, rigorous, and culturally/linguistically sustaining PK-12 instructional program that serves the development of the whole child. Attracting, developing, and retaining a highly effective team that is responsive to the diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic needs of Boston youth. Engaging families and community organizations as advocates and partners for equity, access, and results for all students. Delivering a coordinated system of high-quality support, customer service, and communications centrally and at schools. Building a sustainable financial system that invests resources equitably and strategically. Each focus area includes initiatives and milestones, which determines the makeup of the work. The plan further outlines development tracking methods with metrics that can provide insight into success rates and areas for continued growth. "Community feedback is invaluable," said Dr.  Chang. "We cannot build a better Boston without a collaborative process.This courageous plan will inform our guiding principles for how we best support our future teachers, scientists, public servants, and more. It is critical that we build in the technical systems to ensure our strategic plan is on target for the years ahead. We want to measure how we're doing as a district as we work toward our overarching vision of ensuring our students are on track for graduation, post-secondary education, and successful careers. For more information about the BPS Strategic Implementation Plan, please visit: http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/domain/2119.

AG HEALEY ON TODAY’S SUPREME COURT DECISION TO UPHOLD FEDERAL LAW BANNING DOMESTIC ABUSERS FROM OWNING GUNS

AG HEALEY ON TODAY’S SUPREME COURT DECISION TO UPHOLD FEDERAL LAW BANNING DOMESTIC ABUSERS FROM OWNING GUNS

            BOSTON – Today, Attorney General Maura Healey issued the following statement applauding the U.S. Supreme Court for issuing a decision in Voisine v. United States, reaffirming a federal law that bars people convicted of domestic violence from owning guns.

            “Today’s Supreme Court decision is an important victory for public safety. The issue of domestic violence unfortunately leads to many gun-related injuries and deaths in this country, so ensuring that convicted abusers do not have access to firearms is critical. If you are a victim of domestic violence and there is a gun in the house, you are 500 percent more likely to be killed. Our state has some of the toughest gun laws in the country and my office is dedicated to keeping them in place, including by defending laws that prevent people with a domestic violence conviction from getting a license to carry. We will keep working with our public health community to address the impact of domestic violence on victims and families in Massachusetts and connect them with the services and support they need to help prevent these situations from escalating.”

The case was brought by two men who lost their right to own or buy guns after being convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors in Maine. The Supreme Court ruled that a reckless domestic assault qualifies as a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, prohibiting individuals from owning or buying guns under federal law. Under Massachusetts law, domestic abusers are prohibited from buying or owning firearms and are required to dispose of any in their possession.

波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文將返台出任僑民處處長

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪（左）為波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文舉辦歡送會。（周菊子攝）

（Boston Orange 周菊子布魯克蘭鎮報導）駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處昨（24）日全員出動，在布魯克蘭鎮處長官邸聚餐，歡送波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文，以及領務組秘書洪毓羚。

郭大文預訂6月28日返台，已接獲派令，返台後將出任僑委會僑民處處長。

麻州牛頓市市長及市議會為感念郭大文在任期間與牛頓市的合作無間，不但美化了牛頓市環境，還豐富了當地文化生活，臨別送出一份大禮，指定6月23日為牛頓市郭大文日，讓他成為麻州本地歷任台灣派駐外地人員中，首位獲此榮譽者。

經文處處長賴銘琪表示，辦這歡送會主要是為感謝郭大文主任過去四年來 對經文處的貢獻，不但不辭僑務工作的繁瑣，辛苦，還在他上任波士頓處長這一年四個月以來，給他許多幫助。

賴銘琪指出，郭大文行事低調，身段柔軟，在服務僑社上更是有心，有誠意，讓他十分敬佩。

賴銘琪與波士頓經文處同事聯名寫賀卡，並集資送出一張禮券，祝福郭大文返台順心如意。郭大文也回送了一個瓷雕藍孔雀，聊表與經文處同仁們惺惺相惜之心。

曾任波士頓僑教中心主任的歐宏偉，即將於6月26日抵達，重掌波士頓僑教中心，預定下午一點起，會在郭大文主任陪同下，陸續到紐英崙中華公所及各姓氏僑團拜會。

            由於駐外人員一般都是三、四年一任，期滿就需調動，據悉，駐波士頓經文處明年將有一波幅度較大的人事變動。

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處同仁連袂歡送郭大文。（周菊子攝）

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處副處長陳銘俊（左起），處長賴銘琪，副組長陳文昌，連袂歡送波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文。（周菊子攝）

綠路6/25在華埠公園種豆

綠路今夏舉辦多項活動，6月25日早上11點至下午3點，在華埠公園邀人種豆。週三早上11點至下午2點，以及週五下午5點至7點半，將有流動圖書館開抵，7月2日的下午2點至4點，有亞美社區發展協會的清少年之聲(A-Voice)，在司徒麗英公園帶活動。

The Greenway’s seven water features, outstanding organic spaces, public art, andone-of-a-kind carousel make the parks an ideal location to promote and create play experiences. Play is an essential part of development, allowing opportunities to learn about the world, gain social skills, test theories, and develop language and motor skills. All too often, free play time is restricted by reduction of school recess, safety concerns, and a national increase in screen time.

The Greenway is excited to offer an innovative space for free, unstructured learning experiences, connecting kids, families and adults with the playful elements of our urban park space. Come play on The Greenway!

Questions? Contact our Play Coordinator, Katherine Levesque. 

GreenPLAY: Open Play Sessions

Our GreenPLAY activities will be happening throughout the season to provide kids and families with a mixture of unstructured play opportunities and guided activities. Greenway staff and volunteers will leverage the park's strengths and unique play equipment to create fun, memorable experiences. 

We will also welcome community guests to our play sessions; keep an eye on the play calendar in the sidebar for special play opportunities!

GreenPLAY in Chinatown ParkChinatown is a bustling neighborhood,  with both tourists and the community using the park. We hope to see you there to play, and we will have our Uni READ mobile reading library out during play sessions. 

• Wednesdays, 11a-2p
• Fridays, 5p-7:30p 
• Saturdays, 11a-3p 
• GreenPLAY @ Chinatown Park featuring Seed Babies
  Sat, June 25, 11am – 3pm
  Where	Chinatown Park, John F Fitzgerald Surface Rd, Boston, MA 02111, USA map
  Video call	Join meeting: 9ujq2adn0qddoan (rosekennedygreenway.org)
  Calendar	Play
  Created by	klevesque@rosekennedygreenway.org
  Description	Chinatown is a bustling community, with a mixture of neighbors and tourists passing through the park that can engage with play. We hope to see you there with our Uni Project mobile reading library. SPECIAL ACTIVITY: Join us to start sprouting your very own bean seeds! By keeping them close to you on a necklace, your seed will have the warmth it needs to grow. Come find out more! (Cancellations and timing shifts due to weather or unforeseen events will be broadcast through our Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/HelloGreenway)

GreenPLAY at the Rings Fountain
Already called "the most unconditionally happy spot in all of Boston", the Rings Fountain is the perfect backdrop for our open play sessions. Join us for our first few sessions in the Wharf District to build with our Imagination Playground! 

• Thursdays 11a-2p

PlayCubes in Chinatown Park

We are thrilled to partner with Design Museum Boston and Playworld  to bring temporary play structures to Chinatown Park as part of Design Museum Foundations Extraordinary Playscapes program!

PlayCubes, iconic cuboctahedrons designed by Richard Dattner, leave the play experience up to the child's creativity and imagination. Visit these unique playforms from now until fall. 

SaturPLAY with A-VOYCE

SaturPLAY is a series of youth-led interventions activating Mary Soo Hoo Park to make Chinatown a better place to live, work, and PLAY! Teenagers from the Asian Community Development Corporation's Asian Voices of Organized Youth for Community Empowerment (A-VOYCE) program envisioned, planned and implement these activities. 

May 7th (2-4pm): Games Day
June 4th (2-4pm): Outdoor Library
July 2nd (2-4pm): Independence Day
Sept. 3rd (2-4pm): Labor Day
Oct. 29th (6-8pm): Halloween Celebration

Youth Adventure Days

Building off the success of past programming, we will be working with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston to bring youth groups from around the area to experience play on The Greenway! Youth Adventure Days include lunch from our food trucks, exploring art and play throughout the parks, riding the Greenway Carousel at The Tiffany & Co. Foundation Grove, and playing in our Rings Fountain.

While we are still piloting this program, we'd love to hear from other interested youth groups, especially those that work with underserved neighborhoods. 

Play For All

As The Greenway builds its play programming, we will continue to look for innovative ways to engage everyone in everyday play experiences. Play can build community and spaces by providing engaging moments of pure fun.

Have a great idea for play? Contact us! 

因應美國高院裁決 波市府7/23為移民提供免費法律諮詢

波士頓市府將舉辦活動為受到美國高等法院對DAPA和擴展DACA案裁決影響的移民社區提供免費法律服務

波士頓 - 2016年6月23 日 - 波士頓市長偉殊今日宣佈，將於2016年7月23日在麥迪遜公園高中舉辦免費的移民法律咨詢活動，以因應美國高等法院維持臨時禁令的裁決，該禁令於2014年11月發佈，持續阻止實施美國公民及永久合法居民的無證移民父母暫緩遞解計劃 (DAPA)和入境兒童暫緩遞解(DACA)擴展項目。 市長偉殊表示「我感到失望，阻止“擴展DACA”和“DAPA”這些關於移民行政命令實施的臨時禁令依然存在」 。 「數以百萬計的美國家庭和數以千計的波士頓人為得到一些移民上的舒緩，都已等待太久，我的移民提升辦公室將和社區組織合作，在七月中舉辦“門診”活動，來教導受影響的個人，並決定他們是否符合其他形式的移民舒緩。 波士頓市長移民提升辦公室主任Alejandra St. Guillen表示，「高等法院裁決繼續阻止實施DAPA和擴展DACA，我們感到失望，」。她說，「透過我們的DACA/DAPA宣傳和教育活動，我們與社區夥伴合作，確保我們的居民獲得充分資訊並防止移民詐騙。」 「 我們將繼續支持符合2012年所宣布DACA原始版本資格的那些人提交申請和續期。 」 免費的移民法律咨詢活動將於7月23日週六上午10點至下午4點在洛士百利的麥迪遜公園高中舉行。 感興趣的人士可致電(617) 635-0008預約。 由於臨時禁令依然有效，目前無法辦理申請DAPA和擴展DACA。 但是，2012年所發佈的DACA暫緩遞解計劃原始版本仍接受申請和續期。 由於DAPA和擴展DACA已經宣佈了，在市長偉殊領導下的波士頓市府已採取步驟，為移民社區成員提供資訊及資源。 四月時，市長偉殊推出移民資訊角落，提供現有的有關資源及服務等資訊，以助促進波士頓是移民居民的健康。移民資訊角落座落在波士頓公共圖書館位於柯普利廣場的中央圖書館，以及24間鄰里分館。這移民資訊角落的推出，是波士頓市長偉殊和美國公民及移民服務（USCIS）主任里昂羅卓桂在2015年6月簽署了一封協議信的結果，藉著提供入籍手續材料，警告居民有關詐騙情形，並強調美國公民的福利及責任，來推廣波士頓的公民入籍。 2016年3月時，市長偉殊加入117名市長，郡主管，以及地方政府，還有美國市長會議，全國城市聯盟等的行列，向美國高等法院遞交了一份法庭摘要，支持在美國對德州一案上的對移民的行政行為。該訟案導致禁止實施擴展DACA及DAPA的臨時禁制令出現。 查詢有關提升移民辦公室的更多資訊，可點擊這裡。 CITY OF BOSTON WILL HOST EVENT TO OFFER FREE LEGAL SERVICE TO COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING ON DAPA AND EXPANDED DACA BOSTON - Thursday, June 23, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced a free immigration legal consultation event will be held on July 23, 2016 at Madison Park High School in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling to uphold the preliminary injunction that continues to prevent the implementation of the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and the expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) executive actions on immigration, announced in November 2014. "I am disappointed that the preliminary injunction preventing the implementation of the executive actions on immigration known as DAPA and expanded DACA remains in place," said Mayor Walsh. "Millions of families in the United States and thousands of Bostonians have been waiting too long for some form of immigration relief. My Office for Immigrant Advancement is working with community organizations to hold a clinic in July to educate affected individuals and to determine eligibility for other forms of immigration relief." "We are disappointed that the Supreme Court's ruling continues to prevent DAPA and expanded DACA from being implemented," said Alejandra St. Guillen, Director of the Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement. "Through our DACA/DAPA Outreach and Education Initiative, we are coordinating with community partners to make sure that our residents are well-informed and to prevent immigration scams. We will continue to support those who are eligible for the original version of DACA announced in 2012 to submit their applications and renewals." The free immigration legal consultation event will be held at Madison Park High School in Roxbury from 10AM to 4PM on Saturday, July 23rd. Interested individuals should call (617) 635-0008 for an appointment. Because the preliminary injunction remains in effect, applications for DAPA and expanded DACA are not available. However, applications and renewals for the original version of DACA, announced in 2012, continue to be available. Since DAPA and expanded DACA were announced, the City of Boston under Mayor Walsh's leadership has taken steps to offer information and resources to members of the immigrant community. In April, Mayor Walsh launched Immigrant Information Corners to provide information about resources and services available to help advance the well-being of the city's immigrant residents. The Immigrant Information Corners are located at the Boston Public Library's Central Library in Copley Square and 24 neighborhood branches. The launch of the Immigrant Information Corners is the result of a letter of agreement signed by Mayor Walsh and Leon Rodriguez, Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), in June 2015 to promote citizenship in Boston by providing materials on the naturalization process, warning residents about scams, and highlighting the benefits and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. In March 2016, Mayor Walsh joined 117 mayors, county executives, and local governments, as well as the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities in submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the executive actions on immigration in United States v. Texas, the lawsuit that led to the preliminary injunction preventing the implementation of expanded DACA and DAPA. To learn more about the Office for Immigrant Advancement, click here. ###