APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE FOR BOSTON EATS MINI-GRANTS

APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE FOR BOSTON EATS MINI-GRANTS

BOSTON - Friday, March 22, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced mini-grant applications are now available for community partners interested in creating summer meal sites through the Boston Eats program, which provides free meals to youth age 18 and under across the City of Boston. Organizations are encouraged to apply here by the April 5, 2019 deadline.

“The ability to access healthy meal options is directly linked to a young person’s health and success,” said Mayor Walsh. “I am encouraged by the strong partnerships we have made to address the summer meal gap, and connect our youth to easily accessible and healthy meal options as they transition into a new school year.”

Led by the Mayor's Office of Food Access (OFA), the Boston Eats program aims to increase community participation through a series of mini-grants to be distributed to partners who will create nontraditional summer meals sites in 30 locations across the City of Boston. These mini-grants are made possible through a partnership between OFA, Project Bread’s Child Nutrition Outreach Program, and the YMCA of Greater Boston, and by funding provided through the Boston Children’s Hospital’s Collaboration for Community Health.

“Our partnership with Children's Hospital will enhance our Boston Eats program and feed more youth when meal options may be limited,” said Chief of Health and Human Services Marty Martinez. “I’m proud of the work carried out by the Mayor’s Office of Food Access to further reduce barriers in accessing healthy meal opportunities so Boston youth have access to reliable and healthy food options year-round.”

In 2017, OFA and its partners piloted an open meal site initiative at Boston City Hall and Mattapan Public Library, through which nearly 3,000 meals were served. The following year, the program expanded to more Boston Public Library branches, municipal buildings, farmers markets, and Boston Housing Authority locations. These sites served a combined total of nearly 19,000 meals to youth in the City of Boston. The success of the program displayed a significant need for the Boston Eats program.

Meals are available on a first-come-first-serve basis with no identification or registration required for youth. In addition to providing meals, these sites provide a safe space for youth to engage with their peers when school is not in session and connect families with other resources in their neighborhoods.

“For more than 25 years, Boston Children’s has dedicated resources and used its expertise to improve child health outcomes beyond the walls of our hospital,” said Sandra L. Fenwick, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boston Children’s Hospital. “Through the Collaboration for Community Health, we’re able to further extend by helping more community partners to implement programs and strategies that are vital to a child’s overall health.”

In Greater Boston, one in nine children struggles with hunger. When school is out for the summer, food at home is not always available and hunger over the summer can result in overall learning loss and decreased physical and mental health by the time the fall comes around again. The aim of this program is to encourage community partners to provide food for youth to help strengthen communities from the ground up, starting with their children.

ABOUT THE MAYOR’S OFFICE OF FOOD ACCESS:

The mission of the Mayor’s Office of Food Access for the City of Boston is to improve equitable access to nutritious food with respect to affordability, physical accessibility, and cultural connectedness. In pursuit of this mission, OFA will foster a more food secure community with vibrant, inclusive food culture, reflective of the diverse residents of the City.

ABOUT PROJECT BREAD:

Project Bread is an organization committed to providing food access across Massachusetts through “advocacy, education, and community action.” The Child Nutrition Outreach Program, in particular, is aimed at utilizing the School Breakfast Program and Summer Food Service Program to help end child hunger. For more information on Project Bread, visit www.projectbread.org.

ABOUT THE YMCA:

The YMCA is a leading community organization working on bringing people together across the country committed to youth development and fostering healthy living habits. The Y works on strengthening communities from the ground up with programs encouraging healthy living and social responsibility. The Y aims to nurture potential by encouraging equal opportunity access to allow meaningful change to occur in communities from the youngest to the oldest constituents. To learn more about the YMCA, visit: https://www.ymca.net/

台北市府生技產業參訪團感謝BTBA在波士頓協辦生技論壇

台北市政府生技產業參訪團團長劉佳明(左三)感謝波士頓台灣生物科技協會(BTBA)會長朱齊治(右一)，鄭永志(右三)，以及李坤珀(右二起)，Ariel Ye，張筱琦等人協助籌辦訂3/22在MIT舉辦的台北生技論壇。(周菊子攝)

第15屆"薑味" 訂3/25在MFA舉行

左起，金良城，甄碧鳳，徐千田在往年的"薑味"活動
中留影。(周菊子攝，檔案照片)

金良城夫婦(右)和長期支持"薑味"的荷花苑家族。
(周菊子攝，檔案照片)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)加斯林糖尿病中心將於3月25日(週一)晚，在波士頓美術博物館(MFA)舉辦第15屆”薑味(Taste of Ginger)”籌款晚會，出席者將有機會品嘗30多家餐館，多位名廚的手藝與特色菜餚，進一步獲取治療糖尿病資訊。

右起，阮陳金鳳，陳毓璇都支持金良城的"薑味"籌款會。
(周菊子攝，檔案照片)

            今年的籌款會主席李超榮，Audrey Paek一早就藉由電子郵件，臉書等各種傳播媒體，廣告週知，今年的”薑味”，不但有”老虎媽媽(Tiger Mama)”的Tiffani Faison，”麵粉烘培及蛋糕”的張柔安，”夏棚(Summer Shack)”的 Jasper White，”Bon Me”的 Alison Fong， “墨水塊富士(Fuji at Ink Block)”的梁戰士，”Artu”的 Nancy Frattroli等名廚烹煮的佳餚，還有凱爾特人隊(Celtics)季後賽門票，和”薑味”名廚共進晚餐，和30多名好友同乘”鴨船”等的無聲拍賣品供挑選。

            加斯林糖尿病中心在研究過程中發現每兩名亞裔就有一人會得糖尿病，或者出現糖尿病前期症狀，而且大多數亞裔染患的是乙型糖尿病之後，加斯林糖尿病的首席科學家金良城創辦了亞裔門診(AADI)，致力推廣防治糖尿病知識，甚至還推出”美食鍋”項目，編制適合糖尿病患者食譜。

右起，甄碧鳳，徐千田醫師，Jasper White，蔡明昊
在早期的"薑味"籌款會中合影，(甄碧鳳提供)

            金良城坦言，為什麼亞裔比歐美人士更容易染患糖尿病，他們迄今還不十分確定，只知道一定和環境有關係，因為1980年代，日本人染患糖尿病的比例，比歐美人士低多了，三，四十年之後，亞裔基因沒變，患糖尿病的比例卻高了12%以上。

            根據研究機構的調查，在亞裔之中，染患糖尿病的風險程度也不一，菲律賓人和印度人等東南亞人比東北亞人的染患率更高些。

            至於要如何察覺自己是否有染患糖尿病的風險，由於亞裔的體質多半不胖，想要從外觀體型來找跡象不容易，金良城指出，因應辦法包括，BMI指數在23以上，或家族有染患糖尿病史，就應該做檢測，可以要求醫師做名為A1C的檢測。

            加斯林糖尿病中心從2000年起就開辦了全美第一個亞裔門診，在治療亞裔糖尿病患者上已很有經驗，金良城認為AADI能夠為亞裔病患提供在文化上更適合他們的飲食，運動計畫等治療建議。此外，由於亞裔體質的不同，在接受不同治療方法時，可能引起的副作用也和歐美人士不盡相同，加斯林糖尿病中心的AADI以其累積了將近20年的經驗，更容易為亞裔病患量身打造治療計畫，包括用什麼藥，用多少劑量等等。他們也將考慮針對亞裔，整理出不同藥劑用量建議，給醫師做參考。

            金良城指出，適度運動很重要，但有趣的是很多亞裔都不認為走路，散步或跳舞是運動，這是他們在面相亞裔，推廣防治糖尿病時得克服的困難之一。加斯林糖尿病舉辦”薑味”籌款會，就是為了在針對亞裔的防治糖尿病上繼續努力。

            “薑味”籌款會的廚藝主席甄碧鳳透露，”薑味”籌款會的原始概念，來自Summer Shack的Jasper White。當年Jasper White染患糖尿病，主治醫師是徐千田。在閒談中，Jasper White知道了”亞裔門診”需要營運經費，但不知如何籌款，於是把她和”老虎媽媽(Tiger Mama)”的Tiffani Faison這幾個在1985年時，一起參加麻州和廣東省友好省交流活動，飛到廣東，在白天鵝酒店住了二星期的好朋友找來，運籌帷幄的策畫出”薑味”籌款會，並從此年年舉辦，今年已是第15年。

            查詢”薑味”籌款會詳情或購票，可上網https://secure2.convio.net/jodc/site/SPageServer?pagename=2019ATasteofGinger。

City Council Passes Good Foods Purchasing Program Ordinance

City Council Passes Good Foods Purchasing Program Ordinance

Sponsored by Councilor At-Large Michelle Wu, program aims to leverage Boston’s purchasing power to align with healthy, local, sustainable, fair and humane practices along the food supply chain

BOSTON – On Wednesday, March 20th, 2019, the Boston City Council voted to pass an Ordinance Regarding Good Food Purchasing Standards in the City of Boston, sponsored by Councilor At-Large Michelle Wu. The ordinance aligns City spending on food, including Boston Public School lunches, with key values: support for local economies, environmentally sustainable production systems, fair labor practices, humane treatment of animals, and nutrition. Under the ordinance, the Boston Public School system would be required to conduct a baseline analysis and implement a plan in partnership with a community advisory committee.

“The Boston Public School system is one of the largest daily food providers in the city, so we have a tremendous opportunity to ensure the food we’re serving to students is healthy and locally sourced, and reflects equity and justice along the entire food supply chain. I’m proud to see the City Council demonstrate national leadership in taking this next step towards aligning the food purchasing power of Boston with our values.” said Councilor Wu.

Boston is the first city in the Northeast to pass this type of ordinance, following other major cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington DC. By requiring its city departments and vendors to adopt Good Foods Purchasing standards, Boston will leverage its purchasing power to promote health and nutrition in public schools, fair working conditions for employees, and economic opportunity in our communities.

Upon completion of a baseline Good Foods Purchasing assessment of food procurement practices, Boston’s agencies and departments will be required to develop and adopt multiyear action plans with baseline measures for success towards Good Food Purchasing Standards. Agencies will be required to incorporate the standards into new procurement contracts, and to provide reports to the City Council.

哈佛大學新校長首次出訪到中國 北大演講談五四，說天安門

(Boston Orange) 哈佛大學校刊今(20)日報導，該校校長巴科巴科(Lawrence S. Bacow)就任後首次出訪亞洲，19日在北京大學以”大學追求真理的使命”為題，發表演講，強調學術自由的重要。

該文稿稱，巴科的訪問中國，正值中美貿易及策略歧異加深，中國對國內不同意見的箝制更嚴之際，中國政府頗擔心，近代史中的許多不安定的歷史性事件，可能促使人們抒發對現狀的不滿。

這些歷史性事件諸如，1919年的五四運動，1949年中華人民共和國創立，1959年的西藏暴動、鎮壓，以及達賴喇嘛的飛到印度，還有1989年在天安門廣場野蠻鎮壓民主抗議活動。

巴科在北大致詞時，說完感謝話後，就指前述歷史事件具歷史里程碑意義，也是中國最高學府北大的核心象徵。

他表示自己很榮幸，在象徵著年輕華人追求真理，了解真理形塑未來力量的這五四運動百週年之際，來到北大拜訪。他說，甚至到了現在，北大前校長蔡元培好像還在對大家說，”大學是學習的大講堂，偉大是因為遵循自由思想的大原則”是在蔡元培的前瞻性領導下，巨大的智慧力量，以及戲劇性的社會改變才釋放出來。

新華社的報導，側重在哈佛校長巴科和中國國家主席習近平，3月20日在人民大會堂晤面。該文稱習近平稱讚巴科，舊任校長後首次出訪，就到中國，體現了巴科對中美教育交流的重視，並稱中國願意和哈佛大學等美國教育科研機構更廣泛合作，交流。

哈佛大學校長巴科此行出訪，行程包括香港，北京，上海，東京。

MAYOR WALSH AWARDS 221 ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND PROJECTS OVER $480,000 IN BOSTON CULTURAL COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL GRANTS

MAYOR WALSH AWARDS 221 ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND PROJECTS OVER $480,000 IN BOSTON CULTURAL COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL GRANTS

Performance by OrigiNation, one of the 2019  Boston Cultural Council grantees  Mayor Walsh with Model Equity Organization grantee Marian Taylor Brown of Arts Connect International, and Chief of Arts and Culture Kara Elliott-Ortega BOSTON - Wednesday, March 20, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture, in partnership with the Boston Cultural Council (BCC), have awarded 221 Boston arts organizations and projects Boston Cultural Council organizational grants, totaling $487,000. This marks the City's largest ever investment in local arts organizations, and is part of an effort to bring accessible opportunities to engage in the arts throughout the entire City.   "The organizations that received Boston Cultural Council grants this year demonstrate the enormous power of creative expression, and reflect the cultural vitality of our city," said Mayor Walsh. "I'm eager to see how each organization strengthens Boston's neighborhoods through arts programming in 2019." Grants of up to $5,000 were awarded to organizations in two categories. Organizations with a budget of less than $1 million received general operating support, and organizations with a budget of over $1 million received project-specific support. In order to be eligible for either award, organizations had to either be based in the City of Boston, or offer programming in the City. The City of Boston contributed $300,000 in funding and the Mass Cultural Council (MCC) contributed $187,000 in funding to the BCC. A total of 244 applications were received. Organizations were evaluated on a series of criteria, including diversity of the organization, how well they serve historically represented populations, whether they provide public benefit, and whether they meaningfully reflect the goals and ideas of the Boston Creates cultural plan. "The support of the Boston Cultural Council is very significant to us, as it represents public investment in the diversity of LGBTQ art," said Harold Steward, Interim Executive Director of The Theater Offensive, a 2019 BCC grantee. "It lends credence to our aesthetic of theater that is by, for, and about Boston residents with a goal of building community and understanding among neighbors by amplifying often untold perspectives and unheard voices. We so appreciate the support of the City of Boston investing public funds in programs like ours that directly support community members." The selected organizations represent an array of disciplines, including visual arts, theater, film, music, dance, and the humanities. The number of grantees has increased by 40 this year, with 181 organizations receiving BCC grants in 2018. For a complete list of 2019 grantees, visit here. "Boston is home to so many incredible arts organizations and cultural institutions that work tirelessly to bring opportunities to engage in creative expression to every individual, in every neighborhood," said Chief Kara Elliott-Ortega. "It's great to see Boston provide increased support and resources to these organizations year after year, and witness the impact it has on our local communities." This year, the BCC developed an equity statement and awarded several organizations with an additional Model Equity Organization award of $5,000 in an attempt to further promote cultural, economic, and racial diversity in the arts. The winners of the 2019 Model Equity Organization award were Urbano Project, Arts Connect International, and BAMS Fest. "For ACI the Model Equity Organization award is a beautiful recognition of both the work that we are currently doing, as well as the work that we endeavor to do," said Marian Taylor Brown, Executive Director & Founder of Arts Connect International. "It is particularly significant for us this year as we are running an inaugural Arts Equity Summit March 22nd - 24th where award monies will support the participation of local Artist Fellows attendance. We thank all of the organizations, artists, and individuals who are doing this cultural work around the city, and are especially thankful to the Boston Cultural Council for their leadership in the creation and piloting of this award." A reception was held Monday at MassArt's Pozen Center to congratulate the 2019 grantees. To learn more about the BCC Organizational Grants, visit  here.

DA Rollins: Child Sexual Assault Defendant Allegedly Used Smartphone App to Share Child Pornography

DA Rollins: Child Sexual Assault Defendant Allegedly Used Smartphone App to Share Child Pornography

BOSTON, March 20, 2019 — Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins today announced the indictment of an East Boston man for sexually assaulting one child, enticing another to create child pornography for him, and transmitting dozens of graphic sexual images of minors through a smartphone application.

A Suffolk County grand jury yesterday returned indictments charging DOMENIC D’AMORE, 29, of East Boston with:

·         three counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14,

·         four counts of trafficking in persons for sexual servitude,

·         four counts of dissemination of matter harmful to a minor,

·         three counts of posing a child in a state of nudity,

·         eight counts of dissemination of child pornography,

·         two counts of possession of child pornography, and

·         two counts of possession with intent to distribute child pornography.

D’Amore was arraigned in January in Chelsea District Court in connection with the case.  Yesterday’s indictments move the case to Suffolk Superior Court, where it will be adjudicated.

“These charges are disturbing and represent some of the worst crimes against children,” District Attorney Rollins said.  “Survivors who have been exploited through child pornography may never be fully able to put these offenses in the past, because the images of their abuse live on.  They bear the pain of knowing that individuals across the globe – and possibly even in their own community – are viewing photos and videos of the most painful and degrading moments of their lives.”

The charges stem from an investigation that began in December when workers at a Revere pawn shop notified Revere Police that they found images depicting child pornography on a phone that the defendant sold at the business.  A forensic examination of that phone and a second phone belonging to the defendant revealed hundreds of graphic images and videos of children being sexually abused or posed in a sexual manner.   Prosecutors said that the defendant had shared and received similar graphic images through the Kik app on multiple occasions, including a single day in November during which he allegedly shared at least 75 files containing child pornography.  Detectives also became aware that an email service provider filed two CyberTips with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that each report separate instances of images identified as child pornography being uploaded to an email account.  Police determined that the email account belonged to the defendant. 

In messages sent on Kik, the defendant allegedly made statements that he had sexually abused a young child who was known to him.  The child underwent a forensic interview at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County and disclosed abuse by the defendant.

He is also charged with trafficking in persons for sexual servitude for allegedly enticing a teenage victim to create child pornography.  In a text exchange discovered on a second phone belonging to the defendant, he allegedly made statements offering to pay the victim in return for sexual images and acts and instructed the teen to pose nude in photos.  In addition to receiving those photographs from the victim, the defendant is also accused of sending sexual images to the child.

“Allegations like these are incredibly difficult for many adults to fathom, but in order to protect the children in our lives, we have to talk about and acknowledge the potential risks that exist online,” District Attorney Rollins said.  “It’s vital that parents and guardians have open discussions with their children about ways they can stay safe, both online and off.  Above all, children need to know that they can talk to caring adults in their lives about anything that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe and that they won’t get in trouble for what they say. As the parent of a teenager, I know these conversations are difficult and awkward, but our children’s safety, physical, and mental health depend on it.”

While the victims and witnesses of any crime should call 911 in an emergency, there are additional resources available to report suspected crimes against children.  In Suffolk County, survivors of child abuse and exploitation and their non-offending caretakers can receive comprehensive services at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County.  The CAC can be reached at 617-779-2146.  Anyone who believes that a child in Massachusetts may be the victim of abuse can call the Department of Children and Families’ Child at Risk Hotline at 1-800-792-5200.  Those concerned that a child is being exploited online may report a Cybertip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST or www.cybertipline.com. Finally, if parents want help navigating online risks and how to discuss them with children and teens, District Attorney Rollins offers the Stop Block and Talk internet safety training program for caregivers and professionals.  Information on the program and helpful resources can be found at http://www.suffolkdistrictattorney.com/stop-block-and-talk.

Assistant District Attorney Allyson Portney of Rollins’ Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Unit led the grand jury investigation resulting in today’s indictments.  Catherine McGuane is the DA’s assigned victim witness advocate.  Arraignment in the Magistrate’s Session of Suffolk Superior Court is expected at a later date.

台北生技產業團到訪波士頓 新英格蘭台商會設宴洗塵

台北市府生技產業參訪團訪波士頓。前排右起，林國鐘，
王本仁，蔣宗壬，史美芳，李伊莉，後排右起，謝水龍，
莊玫紅，團長劉佳明，羅一中，李以惠，吳思慧。
(周菊子攝)

         (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 台北市長柯文哲即將於三月廿一，廿二日訪問波士頓。共23人的生技產業參訪團已先行抵達，昨(19)日開始參訪行程。

             台北市長柯文哲此行預定訪美9日，17日首站抵達紐約後，接著往華府，亞特蘭大，預定21日抵達波士頓，將拜會波士頓市長，出席”台北生技論壇”，和哈佛大學費正清中心學者閉門座談，與青年學子來一場”柯P與你相談青年的煩惱”。 

               由於波士頓是全美排名第一的生技重鎮，台北市府特地安排了一個共有23人的生技產業參訪團，在三月十九日至廿一日之間，參訪大波士頓內約12個重要生技機構，企業，期以學習波士頓能在近十年間蛻變成全美，甚至全世界生技重鎮的原因，為完善南港生技育成中心，南港生技園做努力。

            生技產業參訪團由工研院產業服務中心主任劉佳明擔任團長，團員包括台北市產業發展局主任莊玫紅，創服育成中心助理執行長詹益鑑，安麗莎(Aulisa)醫療器材董事長連炎等人。

台北生技產業參訪團與新英格蘭台灣商會會長李以蕙
(前左四)等人合影。(周菊子攝)

            3月22日，台北市府還將和工研院、波士頓台灣生物科技協會(BTBA)合作，在麻省理工學院Samberg大樓，舉辦一場”台北生技論壇”。柯文哲將在論壇中粽述台北生技產業發展概況，相關輔導政策。麻州，波士頓，以及劍橋市府均將派代表出席歡迎。麻州生命科學中心(Mass Life Science Center)，麻州生物協會(Mass Bio)將就麻州生物醫藥業概況，以及創新、成長的生態聚落做簡介。會上還將安排企業分享台北和麻州的合作經驗。

            3月19日晚，生技產業參訪團拜會了麻州國際貿易投資辦公室(MOITI)，麻州生命科學中心，麻州生物協會，Ginko Bioworks，麻州挑戰後，新英格蘭台灣商會邀約了和紐英崙玉山科技協會，紐英崙客家鄉親會等本地社團和生技界人士，在Summer Shack設宴歡迎。駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦公室科技組組長謝水龍也應邀出席。

新英格蘭台灣商會會長李以惠表示，大波士頓是全世界矚目的生物重鎮，人才鼎盛，當晚應邀出席者中就有布羅德研究院(Broad Institute)的哈佛大學醫學院副教授許益祥。該會很高興有機會為促進台北與麻州的交流盡一分心力。

新英格蘭台灣商會，紐英崙玉山科協，紐英崙客家鄉親會等僑團歡迎台北生技產業參訪團。
(周菊子攝)

            

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY TO JOIN BOSTON'S TUITION-FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROGRAM

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES BENJAMIN FRANKLIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY TO JOIN BOSTON'S TUITION-FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROGRAM Boston's tuition-free community college program to expand to first-ever private college

BOSTON - Wednesday, March 20, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (BFIT) will be the first private college to participate in Boston's Tuition-Free Community College Plan. Launched by Mayor Walsh in 2016, Boston's Tuition-Free Community College (TFCC) program makes college more affordable for Boston residents who have earned their high school credential. BFIT joins Roxbury Community College, Bunker Hill Community College, and MassBay Community College as a participant in the program. Students enrolled through the program have an average graduation rate of 70 percent over three years, significantly higher than national averages. "BFIT's mission aligns with our commitment to providing a path to the middle class for Boston's young people," said Mayor Walsh. "I am pleased to announce that we are adding BFIT to the list of colleges participating in our Tuition-Free Community College Plan, providing more opportunities for Boston's students to access higher education. When everyone has a chance to move forward, Boston succeeds." BFIT is a Boston-based nonprofit technical college dedicated to meeting the Massachusetts skills shortage by training and educating Greater Boston's diverse, urban youth for well-paying jobs in today's high demand industries. Qualified incoming BFIT students will be able to participate in the program beginning in Fall 2019. More than 90 percent of BFIT students graduate with either a well-paying job or with plans to pursue advanced higher education. Currently, 316 students are attending the three participating community colleges through the program. In the most recent cohort, 84.5 percent of TFCC students identify as African American or Hispanic/Latino. Run by the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development (OWD), TFCC matches students with coaches from  Success Boston to help them navigate the challenges of higher education. Through this two-fold approach - both financial and interpersonal support - the plan aims to help more Boston students afford, attend, and complete college. TFCC is funded through the Neighborhood Jobs Trust, which collects linkage fees from large-scale commercial developments in the city. "The Tuition-Free Community College Plan will make the dream of a college diploma attainable for many more deserving students who otherwise would not be able to afford it," says BFIT President Anthony Benoit. "The program's financial support will allow more of Boston's young people to earn a BFIT degree and qualify for rewarding careers, uplifting themselves, their families, and their communities." Students enrolling in the Tuition-Free Community College Plan must be Boston residents who have graduated from a high school in Boston, graduated from high school as a METCO student or earned their HiSET or GED. The students must also be eligible for a Pell Grant as determined by the U.S. Department of Education and meet HUD guidelines for having a low to moderate household income. Jeremiah E Burke High School senior Ianna Montila is taking free college classes through BFIT's Advanced Standing Associates Program (ASAP). She is looking forward to the financial help the new program can provide when she starts going to BFIT full-time in the fall. "College is really expensive," said Montila.  "I was worried that I wouldn't be able to finish my degree with ASAP, but this opportunity would take a burden off my shoulders. I won't have to feel like I need to work to meet the monthly bill for this class or that class." Montila hopes to earn her associate degree in Biomedical Engineering Technology in 2020. Included in Mayor Walsh's 2019 legislative agenda is "An Act Establishing Tuition Free Community College in Massachusetts (House Bill 1245)," filed by Representative Chynah Tyler. The legislation would authorize a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees for community college courses for certain low income and low- and moderate- income students. In addition, the Mayor's legislative agenda includes a proposal that would allow the City of Boston to adjust the Linkage Program, which is used to fund TFCC as well as other workforce training programs.