TREASURER DEBORAH GOLDBERG ANNOUNCES 5 APPOINTEES TO CANNABIS ADVISORY BOARD

TREASURER DEBORAH GOLDBERG ANNOUNCES 5 APPOINTEES TO CANNABIS ADVISORY BOARD New Advisory Board Will Study and Make Recommendations on the Regulation of Marijuana Within Massachusetts

BOSTON – Treasurer Goldberg today announced 5 appointments to the Cannabis Advisory Board. The Board, which will consist of 25 members, is tasked with studying and making recommendations on regulating marijuana within Massachusetts.

“I am pleased to announce my five candidates to the Cannabis Advisory Board,” said Treasurer Goldberg. “I am confident that they will make a meaningful impact on the formation of this new industry in Massachusetts.”

The new marijuana law, signed by the Governor today, requires the Governor, Treasurer and Attorney General to appoint 5 members to a new Cannabis Advisory Board. Those members appointed by the Treasurer are required to have expertise in marijuana cultivation, marijuana retailing, marijuana product manufacturing, laboratory sciences and toxicology, and providing legal services to marijuana businesses. 

Treasurer Goldberg’s Appointees to the Cannabis Advisory Board are as follows:

Norton Arbeláez

Norton Arbeláez is a first-generation American whose family instilled early on the value of education and the importance of community involvement. In 2009, Mr. Arbeláez founded RiverRock Medical Marijuana Center in Denver after a family member’s palliative use of cannabis convinced him of its enormous medical potential. He currently serves as that company’s Chief Legal Officer. He served on the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Board, the City of Denver’s Medical Marijuana Workgroup, and Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper’s Amendment 64 regulatory task force. In 2010, he founded Colorado’s Medical Marijuana Industry Group. This non-profit lobbying and policy group promotes responsible cannabis regulatory frameworks, serves as a resource and partner for policymakers and protects the rights of medical marijuana patients. He currently serves on the group’s board of directors. At the University of Oklahoma, Mr. Arbeláez received a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in International Studies summa cum laude and, in 2006, Mr. Arbeláez graduated from Tulane University Law School.

Dr. Alan Balsam

Dr. Alan Balsam currently serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Tufts Medical School and Boston University (BU) School of Public Health.  He was Director of Public Health and Human Services in Brookline for 21 years, where he led their innovative and nationally recognized Department of Public Health.  Dr. Balsam was instrumental in overseeing the creation of a medical cannabis dispensary in Brookline, including regulatory oversight.  Prior to that, he created and led the Division of Elder Health at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for seven years.  Dr. Balsam earned a PhD in Nutrition from Tufts University, an MPH from BU, an MS in Foods and Nutrition from Framingham State University, and a BS in Sociology from Brandeis University.  Over the past 25 years, Dr. Balsam has taught graduate level courses in Food Safety, Food and Nutrition, and Local/ Municipal Public Health at BU.

Michael Dundas

Michael Dundas is President and CEO of Sage Naturals, Inc., a Massachusetts Registered Marijuana Dispensary (RMD) with licenses to operate in Cambridge, Somerville and Needham. He has advised numerous cannabis industry participants and is an expert in cannabis cultivation, products manufacturing, retailing, and regulatory compliance. Before being named CEO in November 2014, Mr. Dundas served as Sage’s Chief Compliance Officer. He was responsible for drafting the organization’s successful application for state licensure and for shepherding the company through the regulatory process. Mr. Dundas played an instrumental role in founding the Commonwealth Dispensary Association, a trade organization that represents Massachusetts RMDs. He currently serves in his second term as the Association’s Board Secretary. Mr. Dundas holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of California at Berkeley, a Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco School of Law, and is admitted to practice law in California, Massachusetts, and New York.

Jaime Lewis

Jaime Lewis has over a decade of experience leading medical marijuana dispensary operations and managing the production of medical marijuana-infused products. Prior to joining Mayflower Medicinals, Ms. Lewis was the Chief Operating Officer of a large Colorado medical dispensary operation, where she was responsible for operations, strategic planning, business development, governmental affairs and community relations. She is the founder of Mountain Medicine, an infused cannabis product manufacturer and distributor to Colorado dispensaries. Ms. Lewis is a founding member and former chair of the Cannabis Business Alliance, an influential trade organization that functions as the Colorado industry’s chamber of commerce, and a current board member and chair of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), where she serves as a national spokesperson for the regulated cannabis industry. As an NCIA board member and a founder of the Cannabis Business Alliance, Ms. Lewis has effectively supported business involvement and trade group engagement. Ms. Lewis recently launched NCIA’s infused Products Council, and was instrumental in facilitating a collaboration with the Council on Responsible Cannabis Regulation on a new Packaging and Labeling Standards Committee. She has provided testimony and guidance to legislators and regulators across the United States, supporting the creation of responsible regulations.

Shanel Lindsay

Shanel Lindsay is an attorney, inventor, and cannabis advocate. Ms. Lindsay graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and Northeastern University School of Law and began her career as a judicial law clerk for the Massachusetts Superior Court. She then joined the Boston law firm of Sugarman, Rogers, Barshak and Cohen, serving as a civil litigator for Fortune 500 companies in the areas of business, insurance, and employment law before becoming Employment Counsel and Director of Human Resources for the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission. Ms. Lindsay is an active member of the National Bar Association, previously serving as Deputy Regional Director from 2009-2013 and currently as a regional board member. With over a decade of experience processing cannabis for medicinal use, Ms. Lindsay leveraged her knowledge and skill set to develop the Nova and Ardent's suite of products that allow patients to expertly make accurate therapeutics using any strain or form of the plant. A founding member and co-chair of the Northeast Cannabis Coalition, board member of the Massachusetts Patients Advocacy Alliance, and ardent advocate for cannabis legalization on the east coast, Ms. Lindsay is dedicated to improving public understanding of cannabis’ medicinal benefits. 

Governor Baker Signs an Act to Ensure Safe Access to Marijuana

Governor Baker Signs an Act to Ensure Safe Access to Marijuana

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today signed bipartisan legislation to update state laws governing the cultivation, sale, and adult use of marijuana following a voter-approved ballot question in 2016. Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito were joined by several legislators at a signing ceremony at the State House to enact H. 3818, An Act to Ensure Safe Access to Marijuana.

“We appreciate the careful consideration the legislature took to balance input from lawmakers, educators, public safety officials and public health professionals, while honoring the will of the voters regarding the adult use of marijuana,” said Governor Baker.  “We look forward to appointing members of the Cannabis Control Commission and the Cannabis Advisory Board to join us in working with Treasurer Goldberg, Attorney General Healey, local officials, law enforcement and all other stakeholders involved to implement the enhanced law safely and responsibly throughout the Commonwealth.”

Highlights from H. 3818:

·       This law outlines the ability of cities and towns to exercise local control to ban or limit the development of marijuana establishments to address municipal concerns.

·       Sets the special excise tax on adult use marijuana sales to 10.75% to support the costs of regulating the industry and to fund initiatives in public health, public safety, police training, restorative justice and workforce development. 

o   There is a local option for cities and towns to add a 3% tax on top of the combined 17% between sales and the marijuana specific excise tax.

o   Medical marijuana will remain untaxed.

·       Establishes a 5 member Cannabis Control Commission to regulate both the adult use and medical marijuana industries consisting of one appointee each from the Governor, Treasurer and Attorney General. The remaining two members will be agreed upon by the majority of those 3 constitutional officers.

·       Establishes a 25 member Cannabis Advisory Board with 5 appointees each from the Governor, Treasurer and Attorney General. The remaining 10 appointees are ex officio appointees with expertise and knowledge relevant to the Board’s mission.

·       Establishes requirement that the Cannabis Control Commission set potency limits for edible marijuana products and that it adopt packaging requirements that conform to a detailed list of health and safety protections.

Click here to read the bill.

CAPAC Members Recognize World Hepatitis Day

CAPAC Members Recognize World Hepatitis Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today is World Hepatitis Day, an opportunity to learn more about viral hepatitis. One in ten Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders live with chronic hepatitis B and two-thirds of those who are infected are not aware of their status. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus released the following statements:

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

“Even though Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) account for approximately 6 percent of the total U.S. population, we account for over 50 percent of those living with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). If left untreated, it can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death. In fact, HBV is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths for AAPIs. The tragic thing is that this virus is both preventable and treatable. We must continue to emphasize the importance of getting tested, and ensure that individuals living with viral hepatitis have access to life-saving care and treatment. As we commemorate World Hepatitis Day, I remain committed to raising public awareness and working to eliminate this silent killer.”

Senator Mazie K. Hirono:

“Millions of Americans live with viral hepatitis, including nearly ten percent of all Asian American and Pacific Islanders who live with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and account for more than half of all HBV cases in the United States. Through increasing access to prevention and treatment resources, we can continue momentum toward eliminating this debilitating disease and end the battle against viral hepatitis.”

Congressman Ami Bera (CA-07), CAPAC Healthcare Task Force Co-Chair:

“As a doctor, viral hepatitis is a disease that affects millions of people across the globe, killing nearly 1.34 million people in 2015 – and those numbers are climbing. On World Hepatitis Day, I join my fellow CAPAC colleagues to highlight that this disease disproportionately impacts the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. The challenge with hepatitis is that so many with the disease don’t know they are infected. World Hepatitis Day is a great opportunity to raise awareness, increase testing and diagnosis, and ensure that patients have access to the treatment they need. The United States plays a critical role in fighting global diseases and we must continue building momentum to eliminate viral hepatitis worldwide.”

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), CAPAC Healthcare Task Force Co-Chair:

“Over 400 million people around the world live with hepatitis, and 25% of those living with hepatitis are co-infected with HIV. As co-chair of CAPAC’s Health Care Task Force, I am working with my colleagues to ensure that all Americans are aware of their status and how to stay healthy. Today, on World Hepatitis Day, we must step up and protect the health of ourselves, our families, and our communities from this silent killer.”

Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), Co-Chair of the Congressional Hepatitis Caucus:

“AAPIs are disproportionately affected by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer if left untreated. AAPIs account for more than 50% of HBV cases in the United States, though we make up only 6% of our total population, and we are 8-13 times more likely to develop liver cancer from the virus than other groups. We must continue to educate the AAPI community on the risks associated with the virus, as well as the importance of getting tested. I am proud to have introduced a resolution in Congress expressing support for World Hepatitis Day, and to have requested in appropriations legislation that the National Institute of Health intensify its current effort to find a cure for HBV. We won’t stop until we find a cure.” 

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40):

“As a CAPAC associate member and a co-chair of the Public Health Caucus, I know the debilitating and even deadly impact that hepatitis has on Americans, especially AAPIs and other minorities.  That is why, on this World Hepatitis Day, I recommit to doing all I can to raise awareness of hepatitis, and to prevent, treat, and eradicate this terrible disease.”

Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09):

“I join my CAPAC colleagues in observing World Hepatitis Day. This global ‘silent killer’ is responsible for causing liver disease, cancer, as well as an increasing number of deaths in virtually every community. As the Representative for an incredibly diverse district, I am especially concerned with how hepatitis impacts communities of color. Viral hepatitis affects Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) at a disproportionate rate; AAPIs comprise over half of the documented chronic hepatitis B infections. When such an adverse disease continues to pervade our communities, it is of utmost importance to prioritize our health in the form of spreading awareness, scheduling a screening, and educating ourselves on its harmful dangers in the fight to eradicate viral hepatitis.”

麻州亞美局即日起接受獎學金、新委員申請 9/23辦青年領袖會

               (Boston Orange)麻州亞美局(Asian American Commission)將於9月23日(週六)舉辦第六屆青年領袖會議，即日起接受大專學生申請獎學金，歡迎各界人士申請加成為新委員。
               麻州亞美局(AAC)27日宣佈，定9月23日的早上9點至下午2點，假查理士街的越美社區中心(VietAID)辦第六屆青年領袖研討會。
               麻州亞美局的獎學金，獎額1000元，以即將升讀大學者為對象，即日起接受申請，尤其歡迎醫療健康，人類及社會服務，公共事務等領域的學生。
                8月1日起至9月16日止，麻州亞美局也將接受各界申請，加入21名麻州亞美局委員行列。該局鼓勵以往曾經申請，但未獲指派者重新申請。
               麻州亞美局強調，21名委員席位，由麻州7名首長個指派3人，麻州亞美局現任成員無權挑選。查詢申請詳情可上網http://www.aacommission.org/about/membership/。

SAVE THE DATE Asian American Commission’s 6th Annual Young Leaders Symposium Date: September 23, 2017 Location: Vietnamese American Community Center (VietAID) 42 Charles Street, Boston, MA  02215 Time: 9am to 2pm   Our 6th Annual Young Leaders Symposium is designed to engage young leaders and promote leadership. This year’s attendees will learn about all the aspects of a great leader through communication, public speaking, the importance of setting goals and planning, networking, conflict resolution, and decision making. More information to come regarding speakers and registration.

Accepting Scholarship Applications! The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Asian American Commission’s AAPI (Asian American & Pacific Islander) Scholarship.  We are pleased to continue its annual scholarship in the amount of $1000 for an incoming or current college student to use towards their undergraduate education expenses.  We would like to consider candidates who would like to continue his or her studies towards a career in health, human or social services and/or civic engagement and have a passion for giving back to the AAPI community in Massachusetts. Please click on the icon to get to the scholarship introduction and application. The application must be fully completed and returned (via email, hand-delivery, or regular mail) to Bora Chiemruom, Executive Director of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Asian American Commission by August 18, 2017 for consideration. Scholarship to be presented at the Young Leaders Symposium on Saturday, September 23, 2017.

Accepting Commissioner Applications! The Asian American Commission of the Commonwealth of MA invites you to apply to become a Commissioner. Applications will be accepted during the period of August 1, 2017 to September 16, 2017. If you, or someone you know, are interested in further serving and supporting the Asian American & Pacific Islander communities of MA, please consider applying and/or spreading the word! If you submitted an application to be a Commissioner in the past and were not selected in previous years, please resubmit your application to be considered for this current application cycle. Please note that appointments are determined by the appointing offices and NOT by the Commission. You can access the application at the link, below: http://www.aacommission.org/about/membership/ If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Bora Chiemruom, Executive Director at bora.chiemruom@aacommission.org.

AG SECURES $1 MILLION FOR CONSUMERS EXPLOITED BY LARGEST DEBT COLLECTION LAW FIRM IN MASSACHUSETTS

AG SECURES $1 MILLION FOR CONSUMERS EXPLOITED BY LARGEST DEBT COLLECTION LAW FIRM IN MASSACHUSETTS

Law Firm Filed More Than 200,000 Lawsuits, Many for Inaccurate or Unsubstantiated Debts

BOSTON – The largest debt collection law firm in Massachusetts and its two owners have agreed to pay $1 million in restitution and significantly change their practices after Attorney General Maura Healey took action against them for widespread consumer abuses impacting thousands of Massachusetts consumers.

A consent judgment – entered against Lustig, Glaser & Wilson, P.C. (Lustig) and its two principals, Ronald E. Lustig and Kenneth C. Wilson – alleges they routinely sued consumers for debts they did not owe or debts that were inaccurate, and consistently violated state law and abused the court system in their pursuit of debts.

“This firm has clogged our court system with more than 200,000 lawsuits against Massachusetts residents. In case after case, the firm has used faulty or inaccurate information to intimidate people into making payments,” AG Healey said. “We will not stand by while debt collectors exploit consumers and demand money that doesn’t belong to them. This settlement will make the business of debt collection fairer and more transparent for the people of Massachusetts.”

“For low-income families, breaking the cycle of poverty is complex enough without getting harassed for unsubstantiated debt,” said Ruthie Liberman, Vice President of Public Policy at EMPath. “It can be a barrier to landing a job or finding an apartment. Our thanks to the Attorney General for looking out for them.”

Pursuant to the terms of the settlement, Lustig has paid $1 million to the AG’s Office that will provide restitution to potentially thousands of Massachusetts consumers, including those who were on social security and other exempt income who paid Lustig, despite proving that their income was exempt from court-ordered collection. 

            Lustig has also significantly changed its debt collection practices as a result of this settlement, including the following:

·         Protect consumers on exempt income: Lustig is now required to disclose to consumers that certain income is exempt and will cease collection if the consumer is elderly or disabled and relies solely on exempt income. These protections also extend to consumers who are experiencing a financial hardship, such as earning wages below a certain threshold or receiving unemployment benefits.

·         Prohibit collection of debts without proof: Lustig must now obtain documentation and verify the accuracy of a consumer’s debt before attempting to collect. Lustig cannot rely solely on spreadsheets as a basis to sue consumers – a practice that was commonplace at the firm previously.

·         Require review by an attorney: Lustig is barred from suing any consumer for a debt unless an attorney has meaningfully reviewed appropriate documentation and determined that there is sufficient evidence to support its claims. Lustig must stop filing affidavits signed without personal knowledge. 

·         Stop misuse of collection lawsuits: Lustig cannot use court processes, such as payment review hearings and civil arrest warrants, to apply pressure and intimidate consumers who have no ability to pay the debt or are living on exempt income. 

·         Respond appropriately to consumer disputes: Lustig must cease collection unless it investigates the dispute and provides consumers proof of the debt.

The AG’s Office filed a lawsuit against Lustig and its two owners in 2015, alleging that beginning in 2011, Lustig filed tens of thousands debt collection lawsuits annually in Massachusetts, based largely on unsubstantiated and often inaccurate debts owned by national debt buyers. Many of these lawsuits were filed against consumers whose only source of income was social security or other types of income that were legally exempt from court-ordered payment.

The complaint alleged that to make their practice possible, Lustig allegedly relied on simple spreadsheets provided by national debt buyers, which allowed them to process up to thousands of consumer accounts for collection and litigation in a single day, all while knowing that the information was often inaccurate and unverified. The AG’s Office alleged that Lustig also filed deceptive lawsuits against consumers, used false and misleading court filings, and demanded payment of time-barred or dismissed debts.

AG Healey’s Office regularly receives consumer complaints about debt collection abuses and has taken legal action against a number of debt collectors.

Earlier this month, the AG’s Office sued a Lowell debt collection attorney and was granted an injunction barring him from threatening consumers with arrest or imprisonment for nonpayment of small debts. In September 2016, the AG’s Office announced that Ditech Financial, LLC, a national mortgage servicer, paid $1.4 million and agreed to strengthen its policies over its alleged abusive debt collection practices that affected more than 5,000 borrower accounts in Massachusetts. 

The AG’s Office is committed to combatting abusive debt collection practices. Consumers who have been impacted by Lustig or who have questions or concerns about such practices can call the Attorney General’s consumer hotline at 617-727-8400 or file a complaint with the office. 

This matter was handled by Assistant Attorneys General Peter Downing and Benjamin Golden, Legal Analyst Sarah Petrie, and Division Chief Max Weinstein, all of AG Healey’s Consumer Protection Division, Investigator Anthony Crespi, and Maja Kazmierczak, Cornelio Lozada and James McAdam the Consumer Advocacy and Response Division’s Debt Collection team. 

AARP表揚三位亞太裔社區英雄 熱心服務50歲以上民眾獲獎

AARP表揚三位亞太裔社區英雄

熱心服務50歲以上民眾獲獎

AARP Celebrates

Asian American & Pacific Islander Community Heroes

AARP Honors Individuals Who Serve AAPIs Age 50-plus

【華盛頓哥倫比亞特區2017年7月27日訊】–AARP隆重宣布第二屆亞太裔社區英雄獎的三位獲獎者。此獎項旨在表揚在非營利組織中辛勤工作，全心服務50歲以上亞太裔民眾的職員和義工。

亞太裔社區英雄獎的三位得獎者及其所屬機構將各獲$1,000現金獎：

• 紐約市Glen Oaks社區印度之家南亞裔老人中心主任Dilafroz Nargis Ahmed, Desi Senior Center Director, India Home, Glen Oaks, NY

Ahmed服務紐約市皇后區的孟加拉新移民社群三十年。自從加入印度之家南亞裔老人中心以來，他一直致力於提供一個符合文化的環境，幫助改善弱勢南亞裔耆老的生活品質。自2014年起，Ahmed更努力把印度之家打造成為一個適合老年移民共聚交誼、在新國家互相扶助適應生活、並建設屬於自己社區的場所。Ahmed還幫助稍為年長的孟加拉裔民眾獲得社會服務及找到工作。

• 費城東南亞裔互助協會聯盟外展職員Shongchai Hang, Outreach Worker, South East Asian Mutual Assistance Associations Coalition, Philadelphia, PA

Shongchai Hang致力服務東南亞難民和移民長者超過30年。特別是在過去的11年中，Hang一直在東南亞裔互助協會聯盟擔任老撾裔移民外展工作，協助費城不同的低收入社區民眾改善生活。在每週的長者聚會上，他鼓勵不同文化背景的長者建立溝通橋樑，在這方面發揮不可或缺的作用。 他還幫助社區成員發揮自己領導潛力，例如招募和支持老撾裔長者擔任東南亞裔互助協會聯盟的長者委員會成員。與此同時，Hang還幫助老年人申請不同的社會服務和善用醫療保健系統。Hang深諳多種語言，他通曉老撾語、苗族語、泰語和英語，因此能夠為多個不同文化背景的長者社群提供服務。

• 新澤西州澤西市泛美公民行動聯盟創始人及榮譽會長Linda Mayo, Founder and President Emeritus, Pan-American Concerned Citizens Action League, Jersey City, NJ)

Linda Mayo服務澤西市菲律賓裔和亞裔社區超過30年。1992年，她並創立PACCAL，成為澤西州第一個關注菲律賓和其他亞裔健康和公眾服務需求的機構，並特別著重老年人和退伍軍人等方面，使得PACCAL成為哈德森縣衛生局（DHHS）老人服務辦公室轄下唯一承認的亞裔服務機構。 PACCAL是一個多功能組織，除了為長者舉辦社交和娛樂活動，並協助耆老和退伍軍人成功申請可負擔房屋、協調公民入籍和選民登記、及幫助家庭暴力受害者、和舉辦教育、藝術和文化講座。

“恭喜Dilafroz、Shongchai和 Linda，感謝他們對亞太裔耆老的無私奉獻和提供的卓越服務，” AARP 多元文化引領亞太裔受眾副總裁 Daphne Kwok（郭為婉）說： “他們是無聲的英雄，每天都努力地改善老年人及其家屬的生活。他們付出了無法衡量的時間、才能與熱情，不單改善長者和其家屬的生活，更造福整個亞太裔社區。他們的獲獎實至名歸。AARP讚揚2017年社區英雄獎三位獲獎者和所有被提名人士，他們啟發我們每個人更進一步，更好的服務長者。”

AARP收到了來自亞利桑那州、加州、科羅拉多州，佛羅里達州、喬治亞州、夏威夷、伊利諾伊州、新澤西州、紐約州、賓州、德克薩斯州，華盛頓州和華盛頓哥倫比亞特區等全國各地的提名表格。 這些傑出的候選人包括在醫療保健、住房、社會服務、教育和媒體工作的行政總監、職人員和義工。AARP挑選了當中10名佼佼者進入決賽，並由AARP旗下的亞太裔Facebook網友投票選出最終三名社區英雄。

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 27, 2017 – AARP is proud to announce the winners of its 2nd Asian American and Pacific Islander Community Hero Awards that were created to acknowledge the hard-working staff and volunteers of non-profit organizations serving AAPIs age 50-plus.

Three AARP Asian American and Pacific Islander Community Hero Award winners and their organizations will each receive a $1,000 cash prize:

• Dilafroz Nargis Ahmed, Desi Senior Center Director, India Home, Glen Oaks, NY

Dilafroz Nargis Ahmed has helped new immigrants in the Bangladeshi community in Queens, New York for three decades. At Desi senior center India Home, Ahmed works to improve the quality of life of vulnerable South Asian seniors in a culturally appropriate environment. Since 2014, Ahmed has strived to make India Home a comfortable place for immigrant seniors to come together, adjust to living in a new country, and build community. Ahmed also helps Bangladeshi older adults access services and find jobs.

• Shongchai Hang, Outreach Worker, South East Asian Mutual Assistance Associations Coalition, Philadelphia, PA

Shongchai Hang has been dedicated to serving Southeast Asian refugee and immigrant elders for more than 30 years. For the past 11 years, Hang has worked as SEAMAAC’s Lao Outreach Worker to help diverse low-income communities in Philadelphia. At weekly Elders Gatherings, he plays an integral role in building bridges between elders from diverse communities. He helps community members to see their own leadership potential, by recruiting and supporting Lao elders to serve on SEAMAAC’s Elders Council. Hang also helps seniors apply for social services and navigate the health care system. Hang’s ability to speak Lao, Hmong, Thai, and English allows him to serve diverse groups of seniors.

• Linda Mayo, Founder and President Emeritus, Pan-American Concerned Citizens Action League (PACCAL), Jersey City, NJ

Linda Mayo has served the local Filipino & Asian American community for more than 30 years. In 1992, Mayo found PACCAL, the first organization in Jersey City to address the health and human service needs of Filipinos and other Asians with a focus on senior citizen and veterans’ programs. It holds the distinction of being the only Asian Provider Agency recognized by the Hudson County Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office on Aging. PACCAL is a multi-service organization that organizes social and recreational activities for seniors, assists seniors and veterans apply successfully for affordable housing, coordinates citizenship and voter registrations, helps victims of domestic violence, and holds education, art and cultural workshops.

“Congratulations to Dilafroz, Shongchai, and Linda for their exemplary contributions and dedication to our seniors,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience Strategy. “They are unsung heroes who every day are improving the lives of seniors and their families. They devote their time, talents, and passion to making a difference—not only to the elders and their families— but to the greater community. AARP commends all of our 2017 Heroes and all of those who were nominated for inspiring each and every one of us.”

AARP received submissions from around the country including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, and Washington, DC. The stellar nominees included executive directors, staff, and volunteers who work in healthcare, housing, social services, education, and media. Ten finalists were selected by AARP, and the winners were chosen by AARP AAPI Facebook visitors.

摩頓高中"學而賺"獎助金項目蓋出微型環保屋

Learn and Earn Grant inspires “Tiny House” at MHS

Malden High School Transition Coordinator Kelli Collomb gives
Mayor Christenson a "tour" of the tiny house

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Ted Lombardi, Principal of Malden High School recently announced that Malden High School has been awarded a "Learn and Earn" Grant by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center for academic year 2017-2018. MHS was the recipient of this grant for the 2016-2017 year as well.

Mayor Christenson, City of Malden Building Inspectors, MHS
Staff and Program participants with their Building Permit for
the tiny house!

Twenty students completed an application process to become part of the “Learn and Earn” program where they complete more than 80 additional hours of classwork to learn about how to create career paths, write resumes and learn interview skills. They also learn important lessons about dependability and professionalism in the workplace. The Signal Success curriculum (designed to teach young people essential skills for future success) from Commonwealth Corporation guides their learning in this area.  Students also explore clean energy jobs and receive enhanced learning and classwork in environmental science, circuitry, clean energy generation, and construction.

As the culminating project for the 2016-17 schoolyear grant, students are in the process of building a clean and energy efficient “Tiny House.” Students work 25 hours each week and are paid $11 per hour for their labor. The building will serve as a model to teach them about green construction, efficiency, clean energy use and generation, solar energy, and smart technology. The construction and planning for the energy efficient Tiny House began in the “Maker Space” at Malden High School with modular parts, and has now been moved onto the grounds of Malden High School. The Maker Space at Malden High School houses technologies like 3D printers, robotics, microcontrollers and electronics, a fully-functioning wood-shop, and the resources to build and experiment with planning and construction. By the end of the summer 2017, the basic construction of the tiny house will be complete, with a number of clean energy components actively running.

Participating youth have also engaged in worksite visits, learning and experiential projects and training with the City of Malden Building Department, Tufts University, and Solar City. Students also have the opportunity to earn pre-apprenticeship hours through their work on the Tiny House through an agreement with the Division of Apprentice Standards.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center is a publicly funded agency dedicated to accelerating the success of clean energy technology, companies and projects in the Commonwealth- while creating high quality jobs and long-term economic growth for the people of Massachusetts.  Since it began operating in 2009, Mass CEC has helped clean energy companies grow, supported municipal clean energy projects and invested in residential and commercial renewable energy installation, creating a robust marketplace for innovative clean technology companies and service providers.

Stay tuned as youth and staff complete the project, and get ready for additional projects in Clean Energy in 2017-2018! (摩頓市府提供)

Governor Baker Signs Bipartisan Pregnant Worker Protection Legislation

Governor Baker Signs Bipartisan Pregnant Worker Protection Legislation

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today signed H. 3680, An Act Establishing the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a bipartisan bill to extend protections to pregnant workers in the Commonwealth.  The legislation will prohibit workplace and hiring discrimination related to pregnancy and nursing, and require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for expectant and new mothers in the workplace.  This includes access to less strenuous workloads, altered work schedules, time off with or without pay and private nursing space.

The Governor was joined by members of the Legislature at a signing ceremony at the State House to enact H. 3680, An Act Establishing the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which closes gaps in federal law for employers of six or more.

“This bipartisan legislation extends critical protections to women in the workplace and I thank the Legislature for their collaboration with advocates from both the women’s health and business communities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These provisions are important to expectant and working moms supporting their families and raising healthy children.”

“As a working mom, I know how important it is to balance job responsibilities and family life to support our kids,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Ensuring women in the workplace raising their children have access to these protections is important to the strength and safety of our economy, families and communities.”

“No expecting mother should have to choose between a healthy pregnancy and a paycheck,” said Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst). “This legislation would ensure that women’s medical needs are addressed without imposing undue burden on employers throughout Massachusetts.”

“This is a proud day for Massachusetts and reinforces our dedication to protecting our residents - especially as events in Washington threaten the safety and security of women,” said Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “By bringing diverse stakeholders to the table we drafted a consensus-based bill that can be implemented smoothly and stand the test of time. I want to sincerely thank the advocates who courageously shared their stories; they are heroes who have made Massachusetts a more just and safe place.”

"Pregnant workers will never again have to choose between keeping their job and the health of their pregnancy," said Senator Joan Lovely (D-Salem). "This bill becomes law with the full support of the Governor, legislature, advocates and employers. Pregnant workers and their families deserve the protections contained in this law to ensure their health, safety and prosperity. It is a clear recognition of the important role these individuals play in our households, economy and society."

Representative David Rogers (D-Cambridge) said, “Today, once again, Massachusetts has acted boldly to advance the cause of civil rights, women’s rights, and equal opportunity.  The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a bill I introduced, makes clear that women seeking reasonable assistance from their employers for certain conditions or needs related to their pregnancy must be treated fairly. I thank Speaker DeLeo for his leadership, the ninety-nine of my House colleagues who co-sponsored this legislation and, most of all, the many courageous women who stepped forward to tell their stories while the bill was under consideration. Together today we send a powerful message in support of equal opportunity in our Commonwealth.  And we must be mindful of the moment. It is particularly heartening that Massachusetts is taking this action at a time when many in our national government seem determined to go in the wrong direction on women’s rights.”