波士頓華埠社區中心4/21進昆士市辦研討會談精神健康

BCNC Quincy will host a day of conversations on Improving well-being and health of Asian American Youth and Families. As the primary social service provider for Asian families in Quincy, BCNC has served many families in crisis, including mental health issues. We have seen mental health among youth as an emerging, yet silent issue. 2 years ago, a high school committed suicide.

Mental health in the Asian community is often a stigma, along with language and cultural barriers, many youth and adults are not seeking help timely. As a community, we can do a lot more in prevention, in early identifying the problem and offer support.  The film Looking for Luke illustrates the life of Luke Tang. Luke was a well-liked, passionate, and brilliant Harvard sophomore who took his friends and family by surprise when he decided to take his own life. 

The symposium will include screening of the film to facilitate dialogues among service providers, parents and youth.  Let me know if you can cover this. 

WHEN:             Saturday, April 21, 2018 | 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

WHERE:           North Quincy High School, 316 Hancock Street, Quincy MA

WHO:              Youth, Parents/Caregivers, and Service Providers

9:00-9:15	Welcome Giles Li, BCNC & Michael Connor, North Quincy High School Assistant Principal Sandra Lee, BCNC-Community Agreement	Auditorium
9:15-9:50	Keynote Session Speaker: Justin Chen, MD, MPH, Massachusetts General Hospital
9:50-9:55	Screening Introduction
9:50-10:20	Screening of “Looking for Luke”
10:20-11:20	Moderated Panel & Audience Discussion
11:20-11:30	Break
11:30-12:30	Breakout Sessions – Youth – Balancing youth and parent wishes ·         Parents - How to Raise a Healthy and Successful Child in the United States ·         Providers - Social Emotional Health for Asian American Youth and Parents	Classrooms

Panelists include:

• Justin A. Chen, MD, MPH, is a psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School specializing in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders in young adults.
• Catherine Vuky, Ph.D., is a Clinical Psychologist with more than 15 years of experience providing direct care services to ethnic minority and immigrant children and families.
• Grace Su, MSW, LCSW, has been serving at BCNC as a Family Connector.  She has a Master of Social Work degree from Boston College and is a licensed certified social worker.
• Favian Liu, is currently a junior at Braintree High School. He has been coming to BCNC for six years, since he joined the youth summer program in 2012.
• Sandra Lee, is currently the Director of Youth Education at Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC). Sandra has a strong passion in education and empowering youth to contribute in their families, schools, and communities.
• Sara Tan, is the Co-founder, President and Executive Director of Enhance Asian Community on Health Inc. Sara is an industry veteran with more than 27 years of professional experience in the Information Technology and Non-Profit Organization. 
• Yoyo Yau, MA, LMHC, is the director of the Family & Community Engagement at the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center.  Yoyo is a licensed mental health counselor and certified Del Giacco neuro art therapy practitioner with a background in early intervention, mental health counseling and brain injury recovery. 

2018波士頓馬拉松賽圖片、視頻 (波士頓經文處專輯)

所有圖片由謝開明攝

Marathon Day

https://photos.app.goo.gl/34BcbI7pxKs8bXcJ3

Welcome Dinner party

https://photos.app.goo.gl/1I0zriXFSJF8ElH43

視頻

元極舞海外研習首站波士頓 逾百學員歌舞謝師

經文處處長徐佑典夫婦與僑教中心主任歐宏偉，波士頓僑務委員蔣宗人等出席開幕式。(鄭玉春提供)

波士頓經文處長徐佑典致詞。(周菊子攝)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)逾百名穿著紅衣白褲的元極舞學員，4月14、15兩日在麻州牛頓元極舞健身會承辦的中華民國元極舞協會海外研習營中，以無比活力，讓牛頓市的海德社區和波士頓的帝苑酒樓滿溢歡樂氣氛。

            駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長徐佑典，波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉，波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬不但4月14日早上出席開訓典禮，15日晚還和經文處副處長陳銘俊，另一名波士頓僑務委員梅錫銳等嘉賓參加謝師宴。

波士頓經文處長徐佑典，杜麗雲(中)和四各元極舞協會會長，右起，
周美桃，鄭玉春，楊淑萍，薛劍童。(周菊子攝)

            徐佑典在謝師宴中稱許元極舞學員充滿蓬勃朝氣，透露他母親也練元極舞大鼓，還把他在波士頓的首次公開演唱，獻給這次的元極舞大會。

            大波頓人跳元極舞，是波士頓元極舞聯誼會會長薛劍童帶出來的風氣，由於簡單易學，既可助人強身健體，還順理成章讓人結交朋友，豐富生活，加入學習行列的人越來越多。

            鄭玉春，周美桃，楊淑平等人擔任會長的麻州牛頓元極舞健身會，美東紐英崙元極舞協會，以及波士頓元極舞康樂會，就是因應練習者居住地點的交通便利，或者練習時間的調配需要，陸續成立，在不同地點練習的協會。

僑教中心主任歐宏偉(左一)害處長徐佑典(左舞)，處長夫人杜麗雲
(右舞)，與元極舞幹部合影。左二為薛劍童。右六為潘美蓮。(周菊子攝)

幾乎每年都會到海外不同地點，舉辦研習營的中華民國元極舞協會，在大波士頓學員多年催促，鄭玉春，宋玉琴等人承攬下聯絡麻州各地元極舞練習團體，協調日期，預定場地，安排接待等繁瑣事務後，今年終於由理事長潘美蓮率領李瑞琴、李秀敏、郭美麗等教練，來到波士頓舉辦研習營。

潘美蓮指出，波士頓學員的熱情，促使他們今年把訪美行程從往年的一月，改為四月，還選擇波士頓為第一站，再陸續到聖荷西南灣，舊金山，以及南加州等地舉辦海外研習營，帶海外學員複習按摩功及動功等元極功法，教”元極有愛”，”春滿人間”等元極舞，”萬物嚮明”靈球版，還有元極操。

麻州牛頓元極舞健身會跳"麻辣恰恰"的服裝，果然麻辣。(周菊子攝)

潘美蓮稱許麻州元極舞學員們學習認真，坦言因為語言問題，有時無法順利溝通，但大家都學得很投入，很讓人感動。她希望今年十月在雲林舉行的世界元極舞大會，會有很多波士頓學員參加。

各元極舞協會在謝師宴上還表演節目助興，搶鏡程度甚至讓台前的表演者和台下舉相機的群眾，儼如兩軍對壘，場面煞是有趣。美東紐英崙元極舞協會的撃鼓，獻唱感恩歌，麻州牛頓元極舞健身會換兩套衣服的表演舞蹈飄扇桐花情，麻辣恰恰，波士頓元極舞聯誼會跳”大阪城姑娘”舞，全博得場中如雷掌聲。

波士頓元極舞康樂會與經文處長徐佑典，僑教中心主任歐宏偉，以及遠道而來的
元極舞教練們合影。(周菊子攝)

元極舞總會的教學部長李瑞琴也表演 了"萬物嚮明靈球版"，總會長潘美蓮帶動跳的領著所有人跳了"我們都是一家人"，"感恩的心"兩首元極曲。

麻州牛頓元極舞健身會會長鄭玉春當晚過於激動，由司儀宋玉琴幫她說完感謝的話。她強調該會這次承辦波士頓站元極舞海外研習營，能順利，圓滿辦完，要感謝的人實在太多。除了兩個她要特別感謝的人之外，還要感謝經文處處長的全力支持，以及紐英崙客家鄉親會會長周一男夫婦，副會長林上田夫婦，前會長陳裕逢夫婦，顧問許炳煌，黃氏宗親會議長黃國麟及黃周麗桃夫婦等嘉賓的匡助，所有一切，都讓她心存萬分感激。(更新稿，圖片已於4月15日發表)

麻州牛頓元極舞健身會為了跳"飄扇桐花情"特地置辦了舞服。(周菊子攝)

波士頓經文處長徐佑典，杜麗雲夫婦稱讚元極舞學員們棒。(周菊子攝)

波士頓經文處處長徐佑典獻唱。鄭玉春說，波士頓僑社的人都說新處長人英俊，歌聲好，
還隨和，有如萬人迷。(周菊子攝)

美東紐英崙元極舞協會在會長周美桃(前右二)，顧問黃周麗桃(前右三)率領下演唱
"感恩的心"。(周菊子攝)

麻州元極舞學員練功。(周菊子攝)

元極舞理事長潘美蓮(左)與教練之一的李秀敏。(周菊子攝)

徐佑典拜會紐英崙中華公所、藝聯 發現CCBA好有錢

波士頓經文處處長徐佑典(右二)，夫人杜麗雲(右一)與僑教中心主任歐宏偉(左一)波士頓
僑務委員梅錫銳(左二)聽紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊講歷史。(周菊子攝)

                   (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)4月5日到任的駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長徐佑典，在4月14日拜會紐英崙中華公所，藝聯慈善社後，拜訪傳統僑團之旅告一段落。他感謝大波士頓各僑團對中華民國的支持，懇切表示將竭力維持彼此友誼與感情，並洗耳恭聽僑社建議。

波士頓新到任經文處處長徐佑典(右)強調經文處盼與僑胞合作。(周菊子攝)

                    徐佑典在紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊等人陪同下，14日一早先參觀了中華公所辦公室與僑委會贊助的圖書館，看到大樓內外的中華民國國旗，牆上的歷屆中華公所主席及往年活動照片，接著再去拜訪位於街口的藝聯慈善社，聽現任主席鄭慧民，湯偉雄，以及前任主席黃賢池等人簡述該社創辦緣由與近況。

陳家驊為徐佑典做的介紹，頗為仔細，他不僅點名介紹趕到中華公所，參加拜會活動，和徐佑典晤面的僑胞，還綜述了中華公所歷史。

陳家驊也指中華公所成員都是華人，從當年到現在，都支持自由、民主、法治。他還從家族歷史引申他個人對中華民國國旗的感情，指出紐英崙中華公所一度停掛國旗，還是靠前任中華公所主席阮鴻燦的努力，才又掛回了中華民國國旗。

紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊(左)發言。 (周菊子攝)

聽過華埠歷史的人幾乎都知道，波士頓華埠臥虎藏龍，各有派系，但有意見爭執時，只要中華公所出來調停，無論是誰都會給面子，中華公所也因此一直有著波士頓華埠龍頭老大地位。

不過，早年的中華公所主席由各姓氏公所派員輪流當值，一些人數較少的姓氏家族，輪到要當主席時，往往得向其他家族求援，調借人手。

那個時候，中華公所在好事福街上有個小小的辦公室，做為儲存文件與職員辦公，姓氏代表開會的場地。1983年發生一場爆炸意外，讓華埠因禍得福，雖然失去原有的辦公室，卻在政府協助下，取得中華公所現址。

波士頓經文處處長夫人杜麗雲(右)談吐落落大方。(周菊子攝)

經由陳毓璇，陳家驊，陳鐵堅等許多人的努力，中華公所後來爭取到投資者蓋大同村，為大約214戶人家提供可負擔住宅。1994年時，當年的中華公所主席黃述沾大膽借貸，把大同村的產權從投資者那而買了回來。

在那期間，還有陳毓璇等人與塔芙茨大學協商，為華埠社區爭取到喜露街50號做為將來的可負擔住宅建地。

陳家驊指出，中華公所現在是個很有錢的機構，這些物業的總值，加起來已有二，三千萬美元，另外的房屋，停車場出租等收入，每年也有逾百萬。中華公所正在思考，如何有效運用這些資產來造福社區。

波士頓經文處處長拜會中華公所，送茶為禮。右起，杜麗雲，徐佑典，陳家驊，梅錫銳，
歐宏偉。(周菊子攝)

在經文處副處長陳銘俊，僑教中心主任歐宏偉，波士頓僑務委員梅錫銳，紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊陪同下，波士頓經文處處長夫婦徐佑典，杜麗雲接著拜會藝聯慈善社，聽了藝聯慈善社的許多傳奇故事，包括該社由鄭慧民的父親與熱心人士創辦，曾為數難以計華裔移民提供臨時居所，介紹工作，不但幫助許多人安家樂業，甚至還購置墓地，安葬無依無靠，客死他鄉的同胞。                                                                                                                        徐佑典表示，這拜會之旅的確讓他對大波士頓僑社有了更深認識。他期待將來彼此合作無間。(圖片已於4月15日發表

波士頓經文處處長徐佑典(右二)拜會藝聯慈善社，送上茶葉一大盒。藝聯主席
湯偉雄(右起)，鄭慧明，前任主席黃賢池代表接受。(周菊子攝)

波士頓經文處處長徐佑典，杜麗雲夫婦(前中)拜會藝聯慈善社，與部分出席者合影。前右起，湯偉雄，陳家驊，
鄭慧民，黃賢池。歐宏偉(後右一)，雷國輝(右三起)，陳銘俊，梅錫銳，陳廉，李厚鵬等。(周菊子攝)

波士頓經文處處長徐佑典，早前還拜會了紐英崙昭倫公所。前排右起，許揚威，謝如鍵，徐佑典，陳銘俊，歐宏偉，後排右起，雷國輝，譚玉琴，
譚柏林夫婦，謝寶生，譚榮熾夫婦，談家權夫婦。(昭倫公所提供)

加斯林"薑味"籌款會表揚梅沛傑家族

加斯林糖尿病中心AADI的，右起，徐千田，金良城表揚梅錫銳夫婦，梅佩凡，梅沛傑夫婦一家人對"薑味"的支持。(周菊子攝)

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)加斯林糖尿病中心為“亞裔糖尿病研進會（AADI）”舉辦的籌款會，今年改名“薑味（A Taste of Ginger）”，3月23日晚在波士頓美術博物館（MFA）吸引四百多人到會，共籌得335,000餘元。

素描香菜館創辦人陳素描(左)與員工精心製作全麥包子
配黑木耳，黃瓜的健康菜餚。(周菊子攝)

加斯林糖尿病中心的資深副總裁暨首席科學家金良城當晚指出，經過多年深入社區的努力，已有更多亞裔認識了什麼是糖尿病，該如何防治。但研究調查所估計的到2030年時，全世界罹患糖尿病新個案中，幾乎有一半會是亞裔或太平洋島民，顯示“亞裔糖尿病研進會（AADI）”的工作，仍然艱鉅。

今年一月中出版了“還原糖尿病（The Diabetes Reset）一書的金良城指出，加斯林糖尿病中心將繼續與美國疾病防治中心合作，研究傳統亞裔飲食在減少染患糖尿病機率遇上的作用。

"薑味"長期贊助者趙廣華(左)與女友雙雙出席活動。
(周菊子攝)

今年的“薑味“籌款會，由常熟餐廳少東陳維禮，夏一樹夫婦，以及Deborah及C. Richard Carlson夫婦出任主席，表揚了加斯林糖尿病中心Beetham 眼科院的眼睛實驗門診中心首席主管Jennifer K. Sun。

會場上有廿六家中西食肆，以各色精緻美食取悅善長仁翁的味蕾，並以幻燈片打出“紐約市每兩名成人中就有一人患有糖尿病，或者有患糖尿病可能”，“傳統亞裔飲食有助降低體重，改善胰島素的敏感性”，“患有糖尿病的亞裔美人，染患肝臟併發病的機率比白人高”，“亞裔美人的體脂（BMI）超重指數應該是23，而不是25“等字樣，提醒出席者與亞裔有關的各項糖尿病資訊。

在波士頓美術博物館的美麗殿堂中，廿六家食肆擺出的各色精緻佳餚美點，當晚讓出席者目不暇給，聞香垂涎。

常熟餐廳的陳氏家族，也是"薑味"的長期支持者。
(周菊子攝)

”夏棚（Summer Shack）“名廚Jasper White和甄碧鳳合作，推出了羅伯高配羊肉片，“麵粉烘培店及餐廳（Flour Bakery & Cafe）“的張安柔擺出四川礁岩蝦，“燒酒（Shojo）“的梅沛傑擺出”小黃瓜冷湯“，全都讓人驚艷。Fuji集團的梁戰士，攤位上既有生魚片，也有多種壽司，惹得好多人一再回頭品嚐。

參加活動的食肆中，還有一對兄弟檔，張志安在水城（Watertown）開茶店MEM Tea，張志定開咖啡館Cafenation。他們兩人的父母程莉娜，張佐康都來幫人場。

出席者中的前昆士中學校長黃伯勳表示，今年出席的人多了，菜色也更多樣化，十分誘人。(圖片已於4月10日發表。

常熟餐廳少東兼大廚陳維禮，親自站台，為嘉賓解說
特製的魚丸湯作法。(周菊子攝)

新英格蘭台灣商會會長歐陽露(左)與創會會長
王本仁(右)聯袂出席。(周菊子攝)

韓裔麻州亞美局前任委員Kate Dong(右二)和韓文報
發行人Myong Chang(左一)。(周菊子攝)

黃氏公所議長黃國麟(左起)，黃周麗桃夫婦在"薑味"活動
中巧遇華美福利會副行政主任黃素芬及其夫Anthony Soto
夫婦，以及Mem Tea創辦人張志安。(周菊子攝)

波士頓華埠社區中心前任董事長鍾潔姿(中)，周榮亞
(左)夫婦與華美福利會董事張大衛(右)。(周菊子攝)

"薑味"今年的主席李超榮夫婦(左二，三)和徐千田醫師
(右二)等人。(周菊子攝)

龍鳳集團少東梅沛傑與合夥人從2012年迄今，陸續
又開了Shojo，BLR，Ruckus等三家餐廳。(周菊子攝)

JP富士集團董事長梁戰士(中)與大廚兼股東曹明(右)，
為"薑味"親自掌廚。(周菊子攝)

加斯林"薑味"主席禮超榮夫婦(左二，三)與Audrey Park，
廖國鵬，何南(周菊子攝)

左起，華林太極功夫學校創辦人余翠梅，正推動獎學金
計畫的伍振中，華史會總監甄翠嬿，華林功夫學校師傅
Amy，華人醫務中心董事長廖國鵬，華林功夫師傅
蘇靜恩。(周菊子攝)

陳潔瀅將出任麻州住宅及發展署副署長

陳潔瀅。(圖片由州政府提供)

(Boston Orange 周菊子整理報導)麻州州政府即將新增一名亞裔高官。曾任亞美社區發展協會行政主任的陳潔瀅(Janelle Chan)將於4月23日調升麻州住宅及社區發展署副署長。

麻州州長的住宅及經濟發展辦公室今(19)日宣佈，指派陳潔瀅出任住宅及社區發展副署長(undersecretary for Housing and Community Development)，監管麻州的可負擔住宅，社區服務，以及流浪漢援助等項目。新職從4月23日起生效。

陳潔瀅於2016年加入麻州政府，在麻州灣運輸局(MBTA)擔任物業長(chief of real estate)，推動該局鄰近地鐵站的土地發展。更早之前，她在位於波士頓華埠的亞美社區發展協會工作了六年，依序出任住宅發展長及行政主任。

麻州住宅及社區發展署的前任副署長為Chrystal Kornegay，現已轉往為可負擔住宅提供財務支援的麻州住宅(MassHousing)，出任主管。

麻州住宅及經濟發展辦公室首長Jay Ash在任命宣佈中表示，可負擔住宅一直是貝克(Baker)政府的施政重心，陳潔瀅在可負擔住宅方面有獨特資質，將可協助州政府增建可負擔住宅。

陳潔瀅畢業於加州柏克萊大學的族裔研究系，副修公共政策，是哈佛大學設計研究院的羅布學者(Loeb Fellow)，獲有麻省理工學院城市計畫碩士學位。

下為麻州州政府新聞稿:

Secretary Ash Names Undersecretary Housing and Community Development

BOSTON – April 19, 2018 – The Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development has announced Janelle Chan as Undersecretary for Housing and Community Development, effective April 23rd.

 “I am pleased to welcome Janelle to the team,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. Title: Janelle Chan“Janelle’s leadership in housing, real estate development, and community engagement makes her uniquely qualified to take the helm of the Department of Housing and Community Development. The Baker-Polito Administration has prioritized increased housing production, particularly new affordable housing, recognizing the benefits it will bring to the Commonwealth and to ensuring Massachusetts remains a top place to live, work, and raise a family. I am confident Janelle will bring exceptional expertise and commitment to this major effort."

Chan joined the Baker-Polito administration in 2016 as the Chief of Real Estate for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). In that role, she managed real estate and asset development in line with the Open for Business initiative, which allows for transit-oriented development projects on MBTA land. The MBTA is one of the largest landowners in the state. Prior to joining the MBTA, Chan was executive director at Asian Community Development Corporation.

 “I am thrilled to take on this new role,” said Chan. “I started my career in Massachusetts as a community advocate and urban planner, leading the Asian Community Development Corporation   Janelle Chanand taking significant housing development projects from concept to reality, so it is a tremendous opportunity to work on housing matters at the state level. I'll also draw from my time in the Baker-Polito administration managing the MBTA's real estate portfolio.  I am honored to now play a leading role in advancing the administration’s efforts to create more affordable housing options, working across the Commonwealth to support all of our communities.”

In her new role, Chan will lead a department that works with community and business partners to provide affordable housing options, financial assistance, community services, and other support to Massachusetts communities. She will design and implement housing and community development policy for the Commonwealth, including affordable housing development, public housing, federal housing and community development programs such as Community Development Block Grant and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, and the emergency assistance system for homeless families and individuals.

About Janelle Chan:

Janelle Chan joined the Baker-Polito administration in 2016 as the Chief of Real Estate for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and managed an extensive real estate and asset portfolio. Previously, Chan was executive director at Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC), where she maintained a real estate portfolio of over $120MM in housing and commercial real estate; oversaw the real estate development pipeline, which included the development of the One Greenway mixed-use, mixed-income development with 345 units of both affordable and market rate housing in downtown Boston; and managed the Participatory Chinatown project along with other community-capacity building programs such as housing counseling. Chan is a LEED Accredited Professional in sustainable development. She was a Loeb Fellow at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, earned a Master in City Planning degree from M.I.T. with a specialization in Housing, Community, and Economic Development, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ethnic Studies with a minor in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES FAIR HOUSING AND EQUITY OPEN HOUSE ON SATURDAY, APRIL 21

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES FAIR HOUSING AND EQUITY OPEN HOUSE ON SATURDAY, APRIL 21

Open House to inform residents of their rights, provide housing resources to ensure fair and equitable access to housing opportunities

BOSTON - Thursday, April 19, 2018 - Building on the Walsh Administration's commitment to providing opportunities for safe and affordable housing, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the 2018 Fair Housing and Equity (FHE) Open House, which will take place on Saturday, April 21 at 10:00 a.m. at the Bolling Building in Dudley Square, and is free and open to all residents who live or rent property in the City of Boston. "Safe and stable housing is the foundation to a person's future success," said Mayor Walsh. "My administration is committed to providing the resources to equip residents with the information and tools they might need to overcome housing challenges. We will continue our important work to increase equity and opportunities in housing for all Bostonians." The Open House will provide individuals with the opportunity to learn about City and nonprofit services that investigate housing discrimination, provide affordable and income-restricted housing, and other housing resources. "Mayor Walsh is committed to creating every opportunity for residents to access and keep affordable housing in Boston," said Boston's Health & Human Services Chief, Marty Martinez. "The Fair Housing Open House is an opportunity for residents, regardless of zip code or status, to obtain the tools needed to access Boston's affordable and income-restricted housing stock, and to learn about various services available to prevent and challenge housing discrimination." "Housing discrimination hurts communities and the Office of Fair Housing & Equity is an invaluable resource to Boston in working to end that discrimination through education and enforcement," said Jamie Langowski, Esq, Assistant Director & Clinical Fellow Housing Discrimination Testing Program at Suffolk University Law School. The Open House will facilitate panel discussions, presentations, and outreach materials all related to affordable housing and preventing housing discrimination in Boston. Boston residents, or soon to be residents, are encouraged to attend the Open House. "50 years after the Fair Housing Act was born, HUD remains firmly committed to creating a nation where every person has the same access to housing and economic opportunity," said Susan Forward, HUD New England Regional Director of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.  "It is in this spirit that we are excited to join the City of Boston's Office of Fair Housing in educating landlords and renters about housing discrimination rights and responsibilities at The Boston Fair Housing Open House." April 11th marked the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act, which ensures protections against discrimination of housing based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or disability. The Mayor's Office of Fair Housing and Equity implements these protections by investigating housing discrimination. FHE also protects residents by enforcing Affirmative Marketing policies that promote equal opportunity for residents to learn about new affordable and income restricted housing opportunities in Boston.

AG HEALEY TO CONGRESS: DON’T GIVE LAWYERS A LICENSE TO USE ABUSIVE DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES

AG HEALEY TO CONGRESS: DON’T GIVE LAWYERS A LICENSE TO USE ABUSIVE DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today led a bipartisan coalition of 20 state attorneys general urging Congress to oppose the so-called Practice of Law Technical Clarification Act of 2018, which would strip away protections against debt collection attorneys who use state courts to intimidate, harass and deceive consumers.

The letter states that, if enacted, the bill would amend the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) to exempt law firms and licensed attorneys engaged in “litigation activities,” allowing them to engage in abusive practices. The amendment would also bar individuals from suing debt collection lawyers for damages and reasonable attorneys’ fees.  

            “This bill gives a free pass to predatory debt collection attorneys that harass our residents and manipulate our court system to threaten elderly and disabled people,” said AG Healey. “Congress should reject this bill.”

The attorneys general argue that “certain debt collection attorneys and law firms routinely misuse their access to the judicial system to take improper advantage of unsophisticated consumers.” These debt collectors’ use of litigation to collect debts disproportionally affects the most vulnerable consumers, who often lack the resources to hire lawyers, including the elderly, disabled and poor.  

State attorneys general and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have brought numerous actions against the practices of abusive debt collection law firms, which include falsely threatening to garnish the income and social security benefits of elderly and disabled consumers, threatening consumers with arrest and imprisonment for failure to pay debts, improperly suing consumers in courthouses miles from their homes, and filing lawsuits without meaningfully reviewing pleadings and without proof that consumers owe the debt at issue.

AG Healey’s Office regularly receives consumer complaints about debt collection abuses and has taken legal action against a number of debt collectors. In July 2017, the largest debt collection law firm in Massachusetts, Lustig, Glaser & Wilson, P.C., agreed to pay $1 million in restitution and significantly change their practices after AG Healey took action against them for widespread consumer abuses impacting thousands of Massachusetts consumers. That same 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.

The AG’s Office is committed to combatting abusive debt collection practices. Consumers 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. 

Today’s letter comes in response to the House Financial Services Committee’s decision to vote the Practice of Law Technical Clarification Act out of committee.

Joining AG Healey in signing this letter today are attorneys general from California, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Washington D.C.