BCYF TEEN SUMMER PROGRAM 325 slots

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES REGISTRATION OPEN FOR BCYF TEEN SUMMER PROGRAMMING  In total, 325 slots across all programming

BOSTON - Thursday, June 10, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey and Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) today announced that registration has opened for a variety of summer teen programs. The programs are expected to run from Monday, July 12 through Friday, August 20. Interested youth can apply here. "Summer programming is a great way to engage teenagers throughout the City while empowering and inspiring them to learn. As our city recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, I am thrilled that we are able to bring back these popular summer programs and provide Boston’s teenagers with such unique opportunities,” said Mayor Janey. “These programs foster important skills, such as creativity and leadership that allow for positive growth and success in the future. I would like to thank the BCYF for all they do and for making these programs possible.” Boston teens can register now for BCYF Snap Shot teen photography program, BCYF SuperTeens pre-employment program for young teens, and BCYF Girls Leadership Corps and Jr Leadership Corps. More information can be found here. BCYF Snap Shot Teen Photography program is a unique summer job program for youth ages 16 to 18, in partnership with the John Hancock MLK Summer Scholars Program. Youth receive a paycheck while participating in the program. This hybrid program will introduce participants to all aspects of photography. Led by a professional photographer, the program includes opportunities to conduct “photo shoots,” visits to museums and art galleries, digital photo editing lessons, online personal development workshops led by John Hancock, and opportunities to serve as a “staff photographer” for BCYF. BCYF SuperTeens program teaches teens ages 13 and 14 life readiness and resiliency to help prepare them for their upcoming academic year and future employment. For summer 2021, SuperTeens will be back and in person at our centers. The program will focus on opportunities to enhance communication, collaboration, teamwork and problem solving. The SuperTeens will be mentored by BCYF staff throughout the summer, and they will participate in both online workshops and in person job shadowing activities that will highlight employment skills. The SuperTeens will also participate in weekly social and recreational activities, including a new Learn to Crew program on the Charles River, neighborhood beautification projects throughout the city through the painting of murals, as well as visits to some of Boston’s museums and historical sites.  Participants will have the opportunity to earn their first paycheck in the form of a stipend, and they will also be provided with opportunities that encourage civic engagement and physical health and wellness. The SuperTeens program is sponsored by Comcast and The Foundation for BCYF, and is generously supported by MassHousing, MCCA, NBT II Foundation and Children’s Hospital. BCYF Girls Leadership Corps (GLC) provides the girls with gender-specific workshops and activities. Special pop-up guests will be invited to speak with the girls. Workshop topics will include self-defense with Girls LEAP, leadership skills, empowerment with the YW F.R.Y.E. program, Media Girls, Girl Scouts and more. The GLC girls are currently planning activities that Boston girls are invited to register for including Girls Day Out on Tuesdays and Thursdays, featuring Zumba and walking in Hemingway Park, Girls Nights on Mondays, and Girls Self-Expressions weekly on Wednesdays, promoting self-love through writing, poetry, and song, while allowing girls to explore their feelings and emotions.  BCYF Girls Leadership Corps Junior will take place on Wednesdays and Fridays for girls ages 8-11. This summer, the program participants will have the opportunity to participate in a series of workshops and activities that tie into outdoor adventures while promoting teamwork, and building self-esteem and leadership skills.  “We are looking forward to providing our teens with engaging and fun summer programming,” said William Morales, Commissioner of Boston Centers for Youth & Families. “We have a diverse menu of virtual options planned and look forward to seeing our youth again.  About Boston Centers for Youth & Families Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) is the City of Boston’s largest youth and human service agency. BCYF operates 36 community centers in Boston that offer a variety of engaging and enriching programs for people of all ages created through community input and need. BCYF also oversees citywide programs including the nationally-recognized violence intervention and prevention SOAR Program( formerly Streetworker Program), the GIRLS Initiative, Camp Joy special needs program and many aquatic offerings.

波士頓慈濟人文學校歡送畢業生 校長叮囑感恩、尊重、愛

波士頓慈濟人文學校校長彭淑敏(左一)，副校長齊君明(後右一)，駐波士頓經文處處長孫儉元(後右五)，
僑教中心主任潘昭榮(後左二)和畢業生及家長合影。(周菊子攝)

慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處負責人長金滿(左二)，慈濟人文學校校長
彭淑敏(右二)邀請波士頓經文處處長孫儉元，僑教中心主任潘昭榮
(左一)出席畢業典禮。(周菊子攝)

         (Boston)波士頓慈濟人文學校6月6日在會址草坪舉行畢業典禮，歡送6名畢業生，頒發第47、48屆美東中文學校協會獎狀，表揚10名教職員及多名學生。一名畢業生致詞時表示將回校服務，引得慈濟老師們興奮歡呼。

                   校長彭淑敏送給畢業同學們5個字，「感恩，尊重，愛」，期盼畢業學生們秉持慈濟扶貧濟困精神，善用所學，未來開闢一條自己的路。

                 典禮結束前，慈濟老師們突然群湧上台，向校長彭淑敏獻花，司儀謝宜芳代唸賀卡，道出老師們感謝彭叔敏在新冠病毒疫情期間，勇敢堅定的承擔責任，帶著他們因應挑戰，許願一起胼手胝足迎向未來，場面十分溫馨。

波士頓交文處處長孫儉元(右)頒發優良教師獎。

                 彭淑敏謙虛的說自己受之有愧，懇切表示學校是所有人一起耕耘的地方，屬於每一位學生，老師及校務人員，學校辦得好，是所有人一起努力的功勞，也是駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元，僑教中心主任潘昭榮等嘉賓、貴人支持的結果。

                  波士頓慈濟人文學校今年有黃慧勤，廖子杰，賴冠豪，黃安歷，劉昌銓，呂文騫等6名畢業生。

代表畢業生致詞的廖子杰在慈濟學了10年中文。他坦言全靠父母不辭辛苦接送，他才有機會學中文那麼多年；黃安歷則是小學六年級後才轉學來到慈濟。他說為報師恩，畢業後打算回校當助教，搏得台下就一片掌聲、歡欣笑聲。

畢業生與得獎在校同學合影。

波士頓慈濟當天還藉著畢業典禮的機會，敦請駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元，僑教中心主任潘昭榮頒發美東中文學校協會第四十七屆及四十八屆各項奬項，表揚各得獎人，包括資深行政人員馮美霞、翁艾迪、張秀玲、齊君明；資深教師徐禎禧，高鄭傑，楊靜如，盧惠芳，范潤萃，賴俐均；優良教師高鄭傑，盧惠芳，郭靜如，范潤萃，以及獲得榮譽學生獎的廖子傑，賴冠豪，黃彥霖。獲得優秀學生獎的黃慧勤，陶天樺。中年級組高蕙湲參加演講，也獲奬勵。

僑教中心主任潘昭榮頒發榮譽學生獎。

波士頓慈濟人文學校當天還由副校長齊君明頒發了校內演講比賽，靜思語繪畫比賽獎項，以及各班的成績優良獎，成績進步獎及勤學獎。

校長彭淑敏另外安排了一個環節，感謝已工作三年，即將卸任的教務主任王月娥。    

波士頓慈濟人文學校將於6月13日舉辦新學年招生說明會，查詢詳情可上網http://www.tzuchiacademyboston.org ，或發電郵tcaboston@gmail.com。

司儀謝宜芳(左三)請副校長齊君明頒獎。

波士頓慈濟人文學校老師們向校長彭淑敏獻花，感謝她在疫情間仍堅定
帶領主導學校營運。

第42屆波士頓龍舟節訂6/13網上舉行

波士頓龍舟節海報

(Boston Orange)今年跨入第42屆的波士頓龍舟節，礙於新冠病毒疫情，將於6月13日中午12點，在官網上以視頻形式舉行。

波士頓龍舟節在2020年因為新冠疫情，同時取消了比賽及文化節慶表演。今年雖然仍然無法舉行比賽，但將在網上推出表演節目，並有政要嘉賓致詞。

表演節目將包括中國國家藝術基金會推送的傳統及現代表演，香港中樂團演奏”龍船”，波士頓地區亞洲藝術團體的印度，韓國，日本，菲律賓文藝表演，美國各地中國文化團體提供的文藝演出，龍舟隊及往年龍舟賽的回顧照片及視頻。

這場網上香港龍舟節將由2019年全美傑出女青年冠軍Dora Guo，中國語言大學國際關係碩士生Dylan Walker主持。

查詢可上網www.bostondragonboat.org ，國粵英語電話(617) 259-0286，電郵info@bostondragonboat.org。

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES THE SUCCESSFUL EXPANSION OF CONSERVATION LAND AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES IN ROSLINDALE

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES THE SUCCESSFUL EXPANSION OF CONSERVATION LAND AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES IN ROSLINDALE   BOSTON - Wednesday, June 9, 2021 - In a cross-departmental effort to support both Boston’s climate-ready resiliency and the creation of new affordable home ownership units, Mayor Kim Janey today announced that the property at 108 Walter Street in Roslindale was transferred to the Boston Conservation Commission and will be added to the Roslindale Wetlands Urban Wild, providing close to an acre of buffer at the edge of the Roslindale Wetlands, as well as a more accessible point of entry to the existing urban wild. In 2020, the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) acquired 104-108 Walter Street in Roslindale to expand the Roslindale Wetlands Urban Wild and create affordable housing. The parcel at 104 Walter Street has been designated for affordable homeownership units.  “The procurement of these parcels offers the City of Boston a unique opportunity to protect our wetlands and build needed affordable housing units in Roslindale," said Mayor Janey. “I’m grateful to the community advocates who worked alongside City agencies to simultaneously expand open space and housing opportunities.” The BPDA used its Urban Renewal tools to acquire the private 104-108 Walter Street parcel for $1.4 million to support affordable housing and protect wetland resources. In April, the BPDA issued an RFP for four affordable homeownership units at 104 Walter Street, and the responses are currently under review. The Walter Street acquisition makes progress on several strategies included in Boston’s Climate Action Plan, such as expanding green infrastructure, growing the urban tree canopy, and accelerating neighborhood stormwater management actions. A 35,000 square foot parcel has been added to the existing 9.5-acre Roslindale Wetlands Urban Wild, offering habitat protection and trail connections in the property, which is in the top five of Boston’s land acquisition priority sites and was the largest unprotected property in the Roslindale Wetlands Urban Wild. To pay for this acquisition on behalf of the Conservation Commission, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department received a state Landscape Acquisition for Natural Diversity (LAND) grant and used a FY21 Capital Budget initiative, called the Climate Resilience Reserve.  "Wetlands like the Roslindale Wetlands Urban Wild are vital to Boston's natural environment, water quality, and our resilience as we face the impacts of heat, stormwater flooding, and pollution," said Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, the Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space. "The Walter Street acquisition shows that equity, affordable housing development, and climate resilience can and should go hand-in-hand. We look forward to more opportunities like this to create a greener, healthier, and more equitable city for our residents." The Roslindale Wetlands Urban Wild is regionally significant as one of the few remaining protected natural areas with sizable wetlands in urbanized Boston. Conservation of 108 Walter Street will provide prominent public access, connection to the Emerald Necklace, and secure a trail connection and habitat protection for the Roslindale Wetlands Urban Wild. The Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s Urban Wilds Program is investing $500,000 in capital improvements elsewhere in the Roslindale Wetlands Urban Wild, which includes wetlands crossings, trail upgrades with footbridges for ADA accessibility for walking and birdwatching, removing piles of dumped construction debris, and other ecological restoration work. This site also provides habitat for pollinators and the local ecosystem that contributes to the health of nearby gardens and Lawrence Farm, Boston’s only farm. Construction work for the improvements in the Roslindale Wetlands begins this month.  “It is exciting to see the City’s new Local Wetlands Ordinance be used so quickly to add to and further protect such important wetlands resource areas,” said Michael Parker, Chair of the Boston Conservation Commission. “To be able to do so while creating much needed affordable housing adjacent to protected open space fulfills the City’s vision of equitable access to, and enjoyment of, quality open space. The Roslindale Wetlands Urban Wild is a treasure and will be kept that way for future generations to enjoy as much as we do now.” Building on the partnerships formed around the design and passage of Boston’s Local Wetlands Ordinance in December 2019, the City worked collaboratively with neighborhood stakeholders and local advocates to protect natural climate-resilient resources and affordable housing assets in the densely built up neighborhood of Roslindale. To strengthen the City’s efforts to maintain accessible open space, neighborhood volunteers are in the early stages of planning strategies to widen access and are exploring the creation of audio tours and maps. “We are thrilled that the City of Boston is acquiring 104-108 Walter Street for climate resiliency and four units of affordable home ownership, addressing a critical neighborhood need. LANA is heartened by the City’s response to conserve this unique habitat as part of the Roslindale Wetlands Urban Wild and advance equity with the creation of affordable homeownership. We want to thank our neighbors and partners for their help and support in making the acquisition happen. We’re looking forward to working with the City on the next steps for developing affordable home ownership at 104 Walter and providing better access to the Roslindale Wetlands Urban Wild," said Kathy McCabe, President, Longfellow Area Neighborhood Association. “For nearly twenty years the Roslindale community and the Roslindale Wetlands Task Force have advocated for such an outcome through community outreach and awareness, sustained advocacy, and constructive engagement with past and present elected officials and agencies committed to protecting these resources. Today’s announcement by Mayor Janey captures why this is such a great victory not only for Roslindale but for the entire city,” said Jim Taff, Roslindale Wetlands Task Force. In December 2019, the City of Boston signed the Local Wetland Ordinance, an ordinance unanimously approved by the Boston City Council, with the goal of taking another step to protect Boston against the impacts of climate change and promote climate resiliency throughout the City. The Local Wetlands Ordinance gives the City greater authority to protect its wetlands, which are crucial to controlling flooding and protecting Boston's neighborhoods and green space. The ordinance directs the Boston Conservation Commission to consider future climate impacts like rising sea levels in applications for new developments, construction, or special events. It was informed by Boston’s Climate Ready Boston report, which shows when and where different climate impacts will affect our City.

AG HEALEY URGES BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO PROTECT OPERATIONS FROM RANSOMWARE ATTACKS

 AG HEALEY URGES BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO PROTECT OPERATIONS FROM RANSOMWARE ATTACKS

Following Hacking Incident at Steamship Authority, AG’s Office Stresses Importance of Precautions to Protect Data Security

 BOSTON – In response to an alarming increase in the frequency and impact of ransomware attacks across public and private sectors, Attorney General Maura Healey is urging members of the business community and government entities, including law enforcement agencies, in Massachusetts to immediately assess their existing data security practices and take appropriate steps to upgrade security measures to protect their operations and consumer information.

 AG Healey’s advisory follows a memo from the Biden Administration discussing the urgent threat ransomware poses to American businesses and government entities with suggestions to mitigate its impact.

 “Leaders from the public and private sectors have an important and critical responsibility to public safety and welfare to protect against these threats,” AG Healey said. “We strongly encourage all Massachusetts businesses and government organizations to take the appropriate steps to strengthen data security and ensure its computer networks are secure as required by law. Our office will work with federal law enforcement partners to identify and hold the criminals responsible for these ransomware attacks accountable.”

 Ransomware is a form of computer malware that encrypts files on a computer or network, rendering the systems that rely on them unusable. Malicious actors then demand a ransom in exchange for decryption. Ransomware actors often target and threaten to sell or leak exfiltrated data or authentication information if the ransom is not paid.

 Ransomware attacks are constantly evolving and on the rise. Just last week at the Steamship Authority in Massachusetts, ransomware caused massive disruption to its ticketing and reservation systems. And an attack on JPS SA, a Brazilian company known as the world’s largest meat processing company, led to production shutdowns and lost profits and wages. Last month, a criminal group employed ransomware to lock the systems of Colonial Pipeline, a pipeline operator for the East Coast, causing a multi-day operational shutdown and leading to a spike in gas prices, panic buying, and localized fuel shortages in the southeast. 

 On June 2, Anne Neuberger, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology, issued a memo titled “What We Urge You To Do To Protect Against The Threat of Ransomware,” with the following recommendations:

 Implement the five best practices from the President’s Executive Order: President Biden’s Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity Executive Order outlines five, high-impact, best practices to safeguard networks: multifactor authentication (because passwords alone are routinely compromised), endpoint detection & response (to hunt for malicious activity on a network and block it), encryption (so if data is stolen, it is unusable) and a skilled, empowered security team (to patch rapidly, and share and incorporate threat information in your defenses). These practices will significantly reduce the risk of a successful cyber-attack.

• Backup your data, system images, and configurations, regularly test them, and keep the backups offline: Ensure that backups are regularly tested and that they are not connected to the business network, as many ransomware variants try to find and encrypt or delete accessible backups. Maintaining current backups offline is critical because if your network data is encrypted with ransomware, your organization can restore systems.
• Update and patch systems promptly: This includes maintaining the security of operating systems, applications, and firmware, in a timely manner. Consider using a centralized patch management system; use a risk-based assessment strategy to drive your patch management program.
• Test your incident response plan: There’s nothing that shows the gaps in plans more than testing them. Run through some core questions and use those to build an incident response plan: Are you able to sustain business operations without access to certain systems? For how long? Would you turn off your manufacturing operations if business systems such as billing were offline?
• Check Your Security Team’s Work: Use a third party tester to test the security of your systems and your ability to defend against a sophisticated attack. Many ransomware criminals are aggressive and sophisticated and will find the equivalent of unlocked doors.
• Segment your networks: There’s been a recent shift in ransomware attacks – from stealing data to disrupting operations. It’s critically important that your corporate business functions and manufacturing/production operations are separated and that you carefully filter and limit internet access to operational networks, identify links between these networks and develop workarounds or manual controls to ensure industrial control system (ICS) networks can be isolated and continue operating if your corporate network is compromised. Regularly test contingency plans such as manual controls so that safety critical functions can be maintained during a cyber incident.

 The Massachusetts Data Security Regulations, which the AG’s Office regularly enforces, also requires entities to employ many of the above safeguards with respect to personal information about Massachusetts residents that an entity maintains, stores, transmits, or processes electronically.

 All organizations, regardless of sector, size, or location, must recognize that no company is safe from being targeted by ransomware. Detailed guidance and resources from the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency on how to guard your entity against ransomware attacks can be found here.  

 The National Institute of Standards and Technology also provide guidelines and practices for organizations to better manage and reduce cybersecurity risk. More information can be found here.   

波士頓學校委員會主席辭職 Kim Janey支持、尊重

Statement from Mayor Kim Janey on the Boston Public School Committee   Please note, the statements from Alexandra Oliver-Davila and Dr. Lorna Rivera have been updated with additional background information. Please visit here to access.  I respect and support the decisions of Alexandra Oliver-Davila and Dr. Lorna Rivera to resign as members of the Boston School Committee. Ms. Oliver-Davila and Dr. Rivera have been dedicated stewards of the committee and passionate advocates for Boston families. Their private remarks, which were recently made public, were unfortunate and unfairly disparaged members of the Boston Public Schools community. As women of color who advocate for racial equity in our schools, I also understand their comments were made in the wake of death threats and unacceptable racist attacks that were frightening, offensive, and painful. As their time on the school committee ends, their work to lift up equity in Boston Public Schools must continue.  I thank Ms. Oliver-Davila and Dr. Rivera for their years of service to our city and their dedication to improving Boston Public Schools for every family. They leave an important legacy of temporary and permanent policies adopted by the School Committee that create more equitable approaches to advanced work courses, attendance, grading, graduation, student information sharing, grade promotion, and exam school admissions.  As a Black woman, I know that racism hurts. The rocks and racial slurs thrown at me as a child left a lasting impression. I believe we can only heal the wounds of bigotry when we find the courage to call it out and commit to the shared work of dismantling structural racism. The shared experience of Ms. Oliver-Davila and Dr. Rivera, and their decision to step down, amplifies the need for meaningful dialog and important work we must do as a city to address racism. Sadly, their departure also leaves a void in Latina leadership on our school committee that I am determined to address.  Equity in Boston Public Schools cannot wait. As Mayor, I am committed to advancing the equity agenda that is now underway. That includes proceeding with a vote on exam school admissions this summer. I am also committed to preserving Latinx representation on our school committee. I am working to immediately begin the application process for new school committee members to lead the next chapter of equity and opportunity in our schools. ‌ ‌

6/13日骨髓捐贈登記在慈濟

 

波士頓香港人權組織發起6/12遊行撐香港

     

麻州府撥發320萬獎助致力平等施打新冠疫苗機構

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $3.2 Million for COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Efforts

BOSTON (June 8, 2021) –  The Baker-Polito Administration today announced $3.2 million in grants and contracts to community-based organizations as part of the Massachusetts Vaccine Equity Initiative to increase awareness and access to the COVID-19 vaccine in the 20 cities and towns hardest hit by the pandemic. The awards are part of the Administration’s investment of $27.4 million in federal funds announced in March.

The funds, which will be distributed to select community- and faith-based organizations statewide, aim to reduce barriers to vaccination for communities and populations most disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Seven new community-based organizations, community health centers, and behavioral health centers have been awarded $2.2 million to support vaccine navigation services and customized vaccine administration, building on $6.8 million previously awarded to 25 other organizations.

Award recipients:

• SSTAR Family Healthcare Center 
• North Shore Community Health Center
• Boston Health Care for the Homeless
• Latino Health Insurance Program
• Caring Community Health Center
• Community Health Connections
• Holyoke Health Center

These organizations will receive funding to link individuals to vaccination services in the community, and to directly administer vaccination to groups that are not reached by other outreach efforts. These include populations who may benefit from one-on-one vaccination support, such as substance use disorder treatment facilities, places of worship, homeless encampments, food pantries/congregate meal locations, LGBTQ+ community programs, shelters and day programs, and immigrant assistance centers.

“As we work to build trust in the vaccine across the Commonwealth, we also put our full trust in community-based organizations to know what their communities need, and how to best serve them,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “Our goal has always been to work toward equity by finding solutions that are right for each community.”

An additional $1 million in funding is being administered by Health Resources in Action (HRiA) in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, building on $2.8 million in previously awarded funds. These funds are being awarded to 23 organizations (resulting in 61 total organizations through this funding) to support their efforts to expand vaccine education and awareness that address the specific needs of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and other communities of color within the 20 prioritized communities.

Newly funded organizations:

• African Community Center of Lowell
• Asian American Civic Association
• Asociacion Ministerial Evangelica Del Area de Lawrence
• Autism Sprinter
• Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston
• Black Springfield COVID-19 Coalition
• Brockton Workers Alliance
• Building Audacity
• Catholic Social Services of Fall River
• Chelsea Black Community
• Disability Policy Consortium & Boston Center for Independent Living
• Greater Framingham Community Church
• Immigrants Assistance Center
• JAHAN Women and Youth Intercultural
• Justice 4 Housing
• Lawrence Community Works
• Massachusetts Council of Churches
• Pioneer Valley Project
• Randolph Community Partnership
• Sociedad Latina
• Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts
• Spanish American Center
• YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts

About the Vaccine Equity Initiative

Announced by the Baker-Polito Administration in February 2021, the Vaccine Equity Initiative focuses on 20 cities and towns with the greatest COVID-19 case burden, taking into account social determinants of health and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). These communities are Boston, Brockton, Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Framingham, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Methuen, New Bedford, Randolph, Revere, Springfield, and Worcester.

Boston City Council At-Large Candidate Jon Spillane Calls on School Committee Chairwoman Oliver-Dávila to Resign

 Boston City Council At-Large Candidate Jon Spillane Calls on School Committee Chairwoman Oliver-Dávila to Resign 

“Boston deserves public officials who strive to meet the highest standards”

Boston, MA -- Today, Jon Spillane, candidate for Boston City Councilor At-Large, released a statement following news reports regarding texts exchanged by Boston School Committee Chairwoman Alexandra Oliver-Dávila: 

“Chairwoman Alexandra Oliver-Dávila should resign from the Boston School Committee immediately. Like her two former colleagues who recently resigned, she made unacceptable comments that denigrate Boston residents and tear at the fabric of our City. 

Boston deserves public officials who strive to meet the highest standards. As we navigate the future, competency, accountability, and transparency must be the priorities for positions of public trust. What has happened at the School Committee has been unacceptable, and Bostonians deserve a better sort of leadership.” 

波士頓商會年度小企業獎 6企業上榜

  Chamber Announces Six Small Businesses as 2021 Small Business of the Year 

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce is pleased to award six small businesses with the title of Small Business of the Year. The annual Small Business of the Year Awards showcase the contributions of businesses to our communities, celebrating their vision in the categories of Diversity and Inclusion, Cultural Excellence, Community Impact, Innovation and Growth, CEO Leadership, and Small Business Champion.  

“Congratulations to the six honorees of our annual Small Business of the Year Awards. The region’s small businesses have always been the heartbeat of our economy, fueling job growth and economic opportunity in our communities. Through the challenges of the pandemic, small businesses exhibited grit and perseverance, and during the economic recovery, we must continue to support, celebrate, and champion small businesses,” said James E. Rooney, President and CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.  

Small Business of the Year Award Categories and Honorees are as follows: 

• Diversity & Inclusion: Coils to Locs 
  Founded by a cancer survivor, Coils to Locs supports hospital cancer centers and medical hair loss salons’ ability to provide access for all of their clients regardless of hair type by offering contemporary, high quality, coily, curly synthetic wigs.  
• Cultural Excellence:  Strategy Matters 
  Strategy Matters, a consulting group, works with businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and public-private partnerships to address organizational and societal challenges.  
• Community Impact: Forward Financing 
  Forward Financing, a financial technology company, helps small businesses quickly access capital needed to grow their business. Forward Financing has provided funding to more than 26,000 small businesses nationwide.  
• Innovation and Growth: tonneson + co 
  Tonneson + co provides expertise in assurance, corporate tax, mergers and acquisitions, global accounting services, and individual and fiduciary tax to privately-held businesses, nonprofits, multi-family offices, and individuals.  
• CEO Leadership: Moonshine 152 
  Moonshine 152, a restaurant in South Boston, reimagines traditional Asian recipes with uniquely New England flavors and produce. Moonshine 152 continues to shine as a favorite restaurant for many, representing the region’s multicultural history through a distinct menu.  
• Small Business Champion: The Castle Group   
  The Castle Group, a women-owned public relations agency with national and global expertise, delivers creative ideas, strategies, and tactical execution to fuel client campaigns.  

About the Greater Boston Chamber

We are the convener, voice and advocate of our region's business community, committed to making Greater Boston the best place for all businesses and all people to thrive. We help our members and Greater Boston succeed by convening and connecting the business community; researching, developing and advocating for public policies that contribute to our region’s economic success; and providing comprehensive leadership development programs designed to grow strong business and civic leaders. Learn more at BostonChamber.com. 

波士頓華裔退伍軍人會陳文浩連任會長 將籌建紀念碑

波士頓華裔退伍軍人會就職典禮部分出席者合影。(周菊子攝)

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元(中)，僑教中心主任
潘昭榮頒發表揚狀給連任波士頓華裔退伍軍人會會長的陳文浩(左)。
(周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)波士頓華裔退伍軍人會6月6日傍晚，在紐英崙中華公所會議廳舉行新屆職員就職典禮，緬懷6名辭世老兵，宣佈將籌建波士頓華裔退伍軍人紀念碑。

                                    這328分會新屆職員基本上連任，有會長陳文浩，資深副會長Edward Woodruff，副會長馮武成，秘書長周暢，財政李錦棠，武裝中士梅桂泉，牧師Amy Au。

                                        新一屆的執行委員會成員為，主席余國華，以及Genie Boland，黃國麟，司徒文信。

波士頓華裔退伍軍人會新屆幹部宣誓就職。(周菊子攝)

                                        駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元，波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮，麻州退伍軍人會會長Tony Dias，波士頓市退伍軍人會會長的幕僚長Bryon Bishop，波士頓榮光會秘書長鄭增壽，出席中華公所代表楊思聖等嘉賓應邀出席。

                                        就職儀式簡單隆重，由Jake Comer主持，帶領出席者向國旗宣誓效忠，陳余寶愛唱美國國歌，會長陳文浩致歡迎詞，Milton Lashus主禮。

剛當上麻州退伍軍人會會長的Tony Dias(右)特地出席。(周菊子攝)

                                            陳文浩先感謝協辦就職典禮等一應細節人員，以及紐英崙中華公所主席鄭慧民的慷慨出借會議廳，恭喜Tony Diaz當上新任的麻州退伍軍人會指揮官，繼而報告，該會在新冠病毒大流行期間，捐贈了價值超過56,000元的口罩，手套，醫用罩袍等物資給地方上的醫院，診所，以及社區組織。該會多名還出席了在華埠牌樓前舉行的反對歧視亞裔行動。

                                            陳文浩指出，昆市亞協服務中心(QARI)派發黃口哨給地方社區，協助人們防範攻擊，該會考慮促請紐英崙中華公所帶頭，也在波士頓華埠發起類似行動。

波士頓榮光會秘書長鄭增壽(左起)，出席中華公所代表楊思聖應波士頓
華裔退伍軍人會會長陳文浩之邀，和經文處處長孫儉元，僑教中心主任
潘昭榮等到會觀禮。

                                        去年，礙於疫情，中華公所大樓關閉了，該會未能舉辦常規會議，好在有周暢協助，完成了所有的會長報告，財政報告，紀念報告，並以電郵發給了所有會員。他也感謝余國華帶領會員在國殤日插旗，妝點英雄廣場，感謝司徒文信追蹤紀念亞裔退伍軍人的狀況。

波士頓華裔退伍軍人會為慈是老兵製作相框。

                                        在去年新冠病毒肆虐期間，波士頓華埠退伍軍人會痛失數名會員，包括曾參與第二次世界大戰的黃君裕(Arthur Wong)，黃庭琛(Seamy Wong)，Robet Hong，參與韓戰的余錦芳(Gim Fong)，Kwok Chi Yee，參與越戰的Walter Lee等人。

                                            陳文浩表示，該會一度有100多名會員，但是隨著時日消逝，會員凋零，如今人數已少了許多，新年度的一大任務，因此將是招募新會員。他感謝所有會員對該會的支持

波士頓華裔退伍軍人會秘書長周暢(左)稱2年前加入，剛從吉列
公司電子工程師一職退休的鄧健民。是該會最新成員。(周菊子攝)