Baker-Polito Administration & Mass State Lottery Remind Residents of Upcoming VaxMillions Giveaway Deadlines

 Baker-Polito Administration & Mass State Lottery Remind Residents of Upcoming VaxMillions Giveaway Deadlines

 

BOSTON — Today, the Baker-Polito Administration and the Massachusetts State Lottery reminded residents of upcoming deadlines for the Massachusetts VaxMillions Giveaway, which opened for registration on July 1.

 

VaxMillions Giveaway Drawings will be held once a week for five weeks beginning Monday, July 26 and continuing every Monday through August 23. Registration for the first drawing closes on Thursday, July 22, one week from today, with the first drawing occurring on Monday, July 26. Winners will be announced later in the week following each drawing.

 

Massachusetts residents ages 12 and up and who are fully vaccinated prior to each drawing are eligible to enter the giveaway.  Residents ages 18 and older who are fully vaccinated prior to each drawing will have the opportunity to enter to win one of five, $1 million cash prizes. Residents between 12-17 years of age who are fully vaccinated prior to each drawing may enter for the chance to win one of five $300,000 scholarship grants.

 

Eligible residents are able to enter the giveaway at VaxMillionsGiveaway.com.  For residents who do not have access to the internet or require assistance, a call center can be reached by calling 2-1-1 during the below hours:

 

• Monday-Thursday: 8:30 AM-6:00 PM
• Friday: 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
• Saturday-Sunday: 9:00 AM-2:00 PM

 

Live call center workers are available in English and Spanish, and 100 additional languages are available through translators.

 

Residents are reminded that they have time to get fully vaccinated in order to enter the drawings. An entry before one of the weekly entry deadlines makes you eligible for all of the weekly drawings that take place after you register. 

 

The full schedule of drawing and announcement dates is below. Residents are reminded that some COVID-19 vaccines require two doses, and they must receive all doses before entering the drawing. 

 

 

Residents must be fully vaccinated before registering, but if they are not vaccinated by the registration date for a certain drawing, they will still have the opportunity to complete vaccination and register for subsequent drawings. Residents will only have to enter once to qualify for all drawings occurring after the date of their registration.

 

Massachusetts residents 18 years of age and older who have received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, will have a chance to win one of five, $1 million cash prizes. 

 

Massachusetts residents between 12 and 17 years of age who have received two doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will have a chance to win one of five $300,000 scholarship grants via a 529 College Savings Plan managed by the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA). Funds in a 529 plan can be applied to cover tuition, room and board, and related expenses at any college, university, or technical or trade school or other post-secondary educational institution eligible to participate in a student aid program administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Winners with a qualifying disability may elect instead to receive an equivalent financial contribution to a special needs trust or federally qualified ABLE account to cover qualified expenses.

 

The Commonwealth launched the Massachusetts VaxMillions giveaway as one of many strategies to increase awareness of the availability and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines and encourage residents to get vaccinated to keep themselves, their families and their communities safe.

 

Only legal, permanent residents of Massachusetts who are fully vaccinated can enter the drawings. Residents must have received their vaccine doses within Massachusetts. Residents must be fully vaccinated prior to submitting their entry. 

 

Residents can email support@vaxmillionsgiveaway.mass.gov or call 2-1-1 to report any instances of fraud or suspicious activity associated with the VaxMillions Giveaway Promotion. Residents are reminded that official prize notification emails related to the VaxMillions Giveaway will come from a Massachusetts Department of Public Health email address ending in “@mass.gov.” More information on tips for identifying suspected fraud can be found here.

 

There are over 900 vaccination locations across the Commonwealth, with appointments and walk-ins widely available. Residents seeking a vaccine can visit mass.gov/COVIDVaccine to find a vaccine location that is convenient for them.

 

For more information on the Mass VaxMillions Giveaway, visit VaxMillionsGiveaway.com.

查理貝克宣佈1.39億元抵稅優惠建成1346戶可負擔出租住宅

 

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $139 Million in Funding and Tax Credits to Produce and Preserve 1,346 Units of Affordable Rental Housing 

Twenty-eight projects in 21 communities will add 1,526 total housing units, including transit-oriented and Passive House developments 

LAWRENCE — Today, Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy and Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Jennifer Maddox joined local legislators and officials to announce affordable housing awards for 28 projects in 21 communities across the Commonwealth. These awards will advance the development of 1,526 new rental units, including 1,346 rental units affordable for low- and extremely low-income households.  

Through the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the Baker-Polito Administration awarded $93.3 million in direct subsidy funding and allocated $45.8 million in federal and state housing tax credits that will generate approximately $310 million in equity in support of these projects. The projects are located in every region of Massachusetts, and include new construction, historic rehabilitation, and the preservation of occupied projects in need of rehabilitation. Additionally, some projects are transit-oriented, and eight of the construction projects will be built to Passive House design standards.  

“As Massachusetts continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that we continue to prioritize new affordable housing development to help our most vulnerable families,” said Governor Baker. “Stable housing is the foundation of healthy, prosperous communities, which is why our administration has proposed an immediate infusion of nearly $1 billion in federal recovery funds to rapidly increase capacity for production in every part of the state.” 

“We are proud to support an excellent project here in Lawrence, another step in an amazing transformation of the Arlington Mills National Historic District into a thriving residential neighborhood, zoned for up to 1,000 housing units,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “Since 2015, we’ve invested in revitalization efforts like this across the state, creating new housing, jobs, and new opportunities for cities and towns and have directed more than $1.4 billion to our affordable housing ecosystem. Cities like Lawrence are using state and federal funds to pursue a new vision that puts housing at the center of communities.” 

“Here in Massachusetts, we have seen the negative impacts of our housing crisis affect nearly every region. Through our new Housing Choice reforms, new programs, and increased capital investments, the Baker-Polito Administration is helping move great projects forward, more quickly,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Kennealy. “Solving our housing crisis helps all of our households, enabling our working families to put down roots in communities, stabilize vulnerable families, and provide opportunities for cities and town to grow. We are excited to deploy federal recovery funding to supercharge the pipeline of affordable housing in Massachusetts.” 

“Today’s awards will bring new, affordable housing that meets the diverse needs of our Commonwealth, including new senior housing in Randolph, new permanent supportive housing for unaccompanied adults in Quincy, preservation of currently affordable housing in Holyoke, and new family housing in West Roxbury,” said Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Maddox. “These projects will provide thousands of households with access to safe, quality, affordable housing in every region. Affordable housing development and preservation is an integral part of our strategy to address our housing crisis, and we are fortunate to have a rich ecosystem of stakeholders and developers committed to the future of Massachusetts and our families.” 

Today’s announcement was made in Lawrence at the site of a project that will transform a former mill into new housing for residents. The historic adaptive re-use project, sponsored by Trinity Financial, Inc., will create 87 new units of housing at 608 Broadway, with 66 units restricted for households earning less than 60% of the Area Median Income, including 17 units further reserved for households with extremely low-incomes or making the transition from homelessness. DHCD will support the project with federal and state low-income tax credits (LIHTC) and subsidy funds, and the City of Lawrence will provide funding as well. MassHousing is supporting the project with a $22.75 million permanent mortgage, a tax-exempt short-term equity bridge loan, and $2.1 million in workforce housing financing.

“I am proud to be a part of the state’s efforts to expand access to affordable housing and ensure that each of our residents can find a place to call home in an increasingly expensive housing market,” said State Senator Barry Finegold.  “In addition to putting a roof over the heads of the state’s most vulnerable residents, affordable housing boosts economic growth and is a crucial part of post-pandemic recovery.  This is especially important in a city like Lawrence, where the unemployment rate remains double that of the state average. Congratulations to all the grant recipients and thank you for your dedicated work providing stable housing to those who need it most.”

“This funding will provide critical state investments to the City of Lawrence as we continue to make affordable housing in Massachusetts more accessible to those facing financial uncertainty,” said State Representative Frank A. Moran.  “The conversion of 608 Broadway will accomplish this goal by creating 87 new units of housing, while also celebrating Lawrence’s rich industrial history by ensuring that our mill buildings are utilized and brought into the modern age. I would like to thank Governor Baker and the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development for their continued support of initiatives such as this in Lawrence.” 

"Having accessible housing options in Lawrence is a necessity for our community members and their well-being,” said Lawrence Mayor Kendrys Vasquez.  “Lawrence is a community; safe and affordable housing is vital for our residents to thrive. This partnership between the city and the state will provide Lawrencians opportunities to deepen their roots in the city that they love. I am proud of the work we are doing to create housing opportunities and grateful to all the people partnering with us."

"Trinity Financial is grateful for the Baker-Polito Administration’s leadership on affordable housing and their commitment to the Gateway City of Lawrence," said Dan Drazen, Vice President, Development at Trinity Financial. "This tax credit award will enable us to leverage both public and private funding and undertake a transformative adaptive reuse project. Building upon the momentum of our adjacent Arlington Point project, which was completed in 2019, the 608 Broadway project will breathe new life into a historic asset, provide mixed-income housing and continue the multi-phase revitalization of the Arlington Mills Historic District."

Last month, Governor Baker announced a plan to devote $1 billion from the Commonwealth’s direct federal aid to funding homeownership and housing priorities, a significant investment to help increase housing production and reduce barriers to owning a home as part of the ongoing COVID-19 recovery effort. This funding plan calls for $200 million to fund rental housing production and provide increased housing options to workers and residents of disproportionately impacted municipalities, and $300 million to finance the statewide production of senior and veteran housing. These new housing resources build upon over $1.6 billion in separate federal funding that has already been allocated to entities throughout the Commonwealth for housing purposes since the start of the pandemic. 

The Baker-Polito Administration has shown a deep commitment to increasing the production of housing across all income levels. Since 2015, the administration has invested more than $1.4 billion in the affordable housing ecosystem, resulting in the production and preservation of more than 22,000 housing units, including over 19,000 affordable units. In 2018, Governor Baker signed the largest housing bond bill in Massachusetts history, committing more than $1.8 billion to the future of affordable housing production and preservation.

This year, Governor Baker signed economic development legislation titled An Act Enabling Partnerships for Growth that includes substantial new funding for affordable and climate-resilient housing, as well as targeted zoning reforms to advance new housing production. In June, the administration and MassHousing made the first commitments through the CommonWealth Builder program, an initiative intended to create homeownership opportunities and build generational wealth in communities of color. The administration has also supported the development of more than 17,000 mixed-income housing units through the successful MassWorks Infrastructure Program, reformed the Housing Development Incentive Program, and worked with communities to implement smart-growth development and planning efforts. 

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES GRANTEES OF SUMMER 2021 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FUND

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES GRANTEES OF SUMMER 2021 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FUND

BOSTON - Thursday, July 15, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey and the Office of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Office of Public Safety (OPS) today announced the allocation of $110,000 in grant funding to 14 local, non-profit organizations through the 2021 Youth Development Fund. The City of Boston sought to support organizations with summer programming to ensure youth and young adults have a safe and productive summer. The Youth Development Fund grants to Boston youth-serving nonprofits will be used to increase or scale up programs for the summer, for June through August. 

“As part of our 2021 Summer Safety Plan, we have chosen local youth-serving organizations from around Boston as recipients of Youth Development Fund grant funding. We are striving to make this summer a season of safety and healing for our young people,” said Mayor Janey. “This summer’s grantee organizations are doing the crucial work of engaging our youth during their time off from school in ways that are healthy, safe, and positive.”

Awards were made to applicants that aim to strengthen or expand summer violence prevention efforts for youth and young adults, ages 10 to 25. Funding will support activities that fit into the City of Boston’s framework of violence prevention, intervention, response and recovery. The Youth Development Fund prioritized:

• Applicants expanding intentional engagement for high-risk and underserved groups

• Applicants from Boston neighborhoods that are disproportionately impacted by youth violence

• Applicants with a proven track record of successfully implementing practices within the Positive Youth Development and/or Meaningful Youth Engagement frameworks

Of organizations granted, 50% are led by a person of color and 64% are led by a woman.

Summer 2021 Youth Development Fund grantees:

All Dorchester Sports and Leadership: ADSL operates Girls Fit First, a program that provides fitness and youth development classes for girls aged 14 to17, emphasizing mind and body wellness. 

Boston Project Ministries: BPM’s Mental Health Ambassadors program works to decrease stigma surrounding mental health, educate the community about mental health, and create innovative spaces for self-care and healing. 

Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc.: Bridge will expand specialized age- and culturally-appropriate violence intervention services by adding its street outreach footprint into Roxbury, Chinatown, and Mission Hill. 

Cape Verdean Association of Boston: The Cape Verdean Association of Boston runs the Cabral Youth Leadership Academy, which seeks to foster leadership and public-speaking skills among Cape Verdean youth aged 15 to 22. 

Caribbean Youth Club, Inc.: The Caribbean Youth Club serves newly arrived Afro-Caribbean immigrant and refugee youth by delivering culture specific resettlement services. 

Catholic Charitable Bureau of the Archdiocese of Boston, Inc.: Catholic Charities’ Teen Center is reopening its full-time summer academic enrichment and camp program for middle and high school students. 

College Bound Dorchester: College Bound Dorchester operates Boston Uncornered, a corner-to-college intervention model designed to break cycles of disruption and move disconnected and gang-involved youth into and through college. 

Friends of St. Stephen's Youth Programs: St. Stephen’s Youth Programs promotes equity in education, employment and opportunity through long-term relationships with youth and their families and communities. 

Level Ground Mixed Martial Arts: Level Ground MMA empowers urban youth through transformative athletic, academic, and employment opportunities. 

Partners for Youth with Disabilities: PYD builds the skills and abilities of young people with disabilities, and increases the inclusivity of workplaces, organizations, and communities. 

The City School: The City School works with young people ages 14 to19 living in Boston who are emerging leaders and have a passion for social justice, focusing primarily on Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan. 

The One Love Foundation in honor of Yeardley Love: One Love educates young people about healthy and unhealthy relationships, empowering them to identify and avoid abuse and learn how to love better. 

Third Sector New England/MissionWorks: The Youth Ubuntu Project has involved over 900 Latinx, African, Caribbean and Asian teens in youth leadership and solidarity, leading programs like Immigrant Youth Speak Out, six intensive summer leadership programs, a series of social justice actions, and a campaign to improve BPS English Learner instruction. 

We Are Better Together - Youth Empowerment Project: The Youth Empowerment Project is based on a harm reduction philosophy, providing counseling, stabilization, and case management with an emphasis on enhancing individuality for street-involved youth. 

Baker-Polito Administration Kicks Off Statewide Small Business Tour in Lowell

 Baker-Polito Administration Kicks Off Statewide Small Business Tour in Lowell

Visits to main street businesses and roundtable conversation spotlight recovery, discuss additional support proposed through ARPA funding 

 

LOWELL – Today, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito joined Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy and local business, community, and municipal leaders on the first stop of a statewide small business and downtown conversation tour.  The purpose of the tour is to celebrate the Commonwealth’s reopening and discuss the Administration’s $2.9 billion proposal for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to jumpstart the Commonwealth’s economic recovery, including $450 million for economic development.

 

“Our plan for ARPA funding will provide immediate relief to help the Commonwealth’s main streets and downtowns recover from the COVID-19 pandemic in a sustainable way,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “Our goal with this tour is to hear directly from business owners in communities hit the hardest and highlight the once-in-a-generation opportunity to make a significant impact for so many in need.”

 

“Small businesses are fundamental to the character of our downtowns and main streets and our proposal to use federal funding targets the communities and neighborhoods hit the hardest to ensure an equitable recovery,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We look forward to getting back out into communities across the state to engage with and work with our partners at the local level in order to restart and re-energize Massachusetts’ economy.”

 

The tour, which officially launched today, will continue throughout the summer and will stop at approximately two dozen city and town centers across Massachusetts. Each stop will include a tour of downtown and main street businesses and a roundtable conversation with business owners, community leaders, and state and local officials to engage directly on how the Administration can continue to offer necessary support for economic recovery.

 

While Massachusetts is known as a global leader in industries such as life sciences and the innovation economy, research conducted by the US Small Business Administration found that prior to the pandemic, more than 45 percent of the entire Commonwealth’s workforce was employed by a small business. 

 

“COVID-19 created unprecedented economic pressure on the small business community across Massachusetts,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy.  “As we continue taking steps to put the effects of this virus behind us, our proposal to direct $2.9 billion to existing, proven programs will accelerate the Commonwealth’s economic recovery with a focus on equity and sustainability.”

 

In June, the Baker-Polito Administration filed a plan to put $2.9 billion of Commonwealth’s direct federal aid from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to use immediately through existing, proven programs to support key recovery priorities including housing and homeownership, economic development and local downtowns, job training and workforce development, health care, and infrastructure.  The proposal expressly targets support for lower-wage workers and communities of color.

 

Included in the Administration’s plan is $450 million for economic development.  Of that total, $100 million will be allocated specifically for downtown development to concentrate economic growth activities, resources, and investments within local neighborhood areas in municipalities disproportionally impacted by COVID; $250 million will support investments and regional collaboration aimed at invigorating downtowns and main streets throughout Massachusetts; and $100 million will be designated for efforts to support cultural facilities and tourism assets throughout Massachusetts.

 

During the pandemic, the Administration established the largest state-sponsored business relief program in the nation that distributed approximately $705 million in direct financial assistance to over 15,000 small businesses throughout the Commonwealth.  That program, which was administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, awarded grants based on a combination of factors including demographic priorities, businesses operating in the sectors most heavily impacted by the pandemic, and in Gateway Cities, to ensure funding was distributed equitably throughout Massachusetts.  Over the course of the program, 43 percent of grants were awarded to minority-owned businesses, and 46 percent of grants went to women-owned businesses.

MAYOR JANEY ENCOURAGES BOSTON RESIDENTS TO CLAIM THEIR CHILD TAX CREDIT

MAYOR JANEY ENCOURAGES BOSTON RESIDENTS TO CLAIM THEIR CHILD TAX CREDIT

BOSTON - Thursday, July 15, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today announced a citywide push to ensure that all eligible families in Boston receive their Child Tax Credit (CTC), a newly expanded federal tax credit that experts believe could cut child poverty in half. While most families will receive the money automatically in monthly payments from July to December, 2021, families who do not file taxes will need to take action to claim the CTC. The Mayor’s Office of Financial Empowerment is conducting outreach to these families to ensure an estimated 5,100 Boston children do not miss out on dollars crucial to their care and well-being. 

“The Child Tax Credit is a precious opportunity for families to gain their financial footing and provide the best they can for their children,” said Mayor Janey. “This money can make a world of difference, whether it’s for essentials like food and diapers, quality child care, or savings for college. I urge all Boston residents to review their eligibility for the Credit, seek help from our Office of Financial Empowerment if they need it, and start planning now to make the most of this money for their families.” 

The expanded CTC is designed to defray the costs of child-rearing and child care, provide more child care options, and support return to work for those who have lost their jobs or income. To be eligible for the full CTC, married couples must earn no more than $150,000 and heads of household must earn no more than $112,500. Qualifying families will get the full CTC amount even if they owe taxes. 

 The full CTC provides families with:

• $3,600 per child under 6 years old

• $3,000 per child 6-17 years old 

Eligible children must have a Social Security Number. 

 Starting July 15, the first half of the CTC will be automatically deposited in monthly payments of $300 or $250 into the bank accounts of most eligible families. The second half of the CTC will be made available as a tax refund next year. Families that did not file a 2019 or 2020 tax return claiming the Child Tax Credit or did not share their information with the IRS to receive stimulus payments will need to claim the CTC using the Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-up Tool. 

The Mayor’s Office of Financial Empowerment is spreading awareness of the CTC through an informational website (which includes translations in 12 languages) and is providing over-the-phone assistance through its Financial Navigators program, which can be reached at the Boston Tax Help Coalition Help Line at 617-356-8229. Partnering City departments and local community organizations are also offering assistance to those who have questions about the CTC or need help claiming it. 

They include:

• Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD)

• Allston Brighton APAC

• Children’s Health Watch

• Codman Square Health Center

• Community Labor United

• Dorchester House

• Greater Boston Legal Services

• Jewish Vocational Service (JVS)

• Mayor’s Office of Food Access

• Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Advancement

• Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities

• Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement

• Shah Family Foundation

• Street Cred

• United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley

• Urban Edge

“The expanded Child Tax Credit will have an immediate impact on families working their way out of the vicious cycle of poverty,” said Kira Khazatsky, chief operating officer of Jewish Vocational Service (JVS). “The average increase of $2,000 annually will give these hardworking families an incredible boost that will assist them in paying for child care, transportation and education as they re-enter the job market. Without this support many parents would be left on the sidelines unable to achieve their dreams for their families.”  

"This advance payment should be a boost for low-income families with young children,” said Paul Creighton, executive director of the Allston Brighton APAC Family Service Center. “This money from Uncle Sam will assist families during the transition from COVID 2020 to post-COVID 2021.”

The Boston Tax Help Coalition, a division of the Mayor’s Office of Financial Empowerment, continues to provide free tax preparation to individuals who have yet to file their 2020 taxes. This service is available at two Boston Tax Help Coalition locations: Allston Brighton APAC and Street Cred. 

 Learn more about the Child Tax Credit:

• IRS (Internal Revenue Service) website

• IRS Non-filer Sign-up Portal

• Boston Tax Help Coalition website

The Boston Tax Help Coalition is part of the Mayor's Office of Financial Empowerment. The Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE) was created in 2014 to address racial wealth disparities and connect City residents with access to credit building programs, financial education, individualized financial coaching, and income support. Residents who seek to improve their financial stability can use these free programs to achieve economic well-being and pursue financial prosperity. OFE is also a lead partner on Boston Builds Credit, the first municipal credit building program in the United States. OFE is an affiliate of the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development and the Boston Planning & Development Agency. 

Equity Coalition calls on School Committee to approve the “100 percent” admissions policy for Boston Exam Schools advocates for All-Elected School Committee

 Equity Coalition calls on School Committee to approve the “100 percent” admissions policy for Boston Exam Schools advocates for All-Elected School Committee

The Boston Coalition for Education Equity calls on the School Committee to vote to approve the Exam School Task Force’s 100 PERCENT admissions policy WITHOUT DELAY and to move forcefully to provide all BPS students an education that’s AS  HIGH-QUALITY as that offered by the three exam schools.

We applaud School Committee Chair Robinson---for putting the 100 percent proposal back on the table after a maneuver by some city councilors almost derailed it—and applaud Superintendent Cassellius for recommending the 100% plan tonight.

The 100 percent policy assigns seats through a competition that’s fairer than in the past,  because students will compete against peers who are in roughly comparable socio-economic circumstances.

Over the past few weeks, strong community support has been demonstrated for the 100 percent plan, a recommendation that was the result of nearly five months of study, debate, and vigorous public comment. 

If successful, tonight’s vote will represent a historic step forward for equity in Boston’s Exam Schools. A step that was in large part driven by individual activists and organizations coming together over many years from across the city: citizens young and old, Black, White, LatinX, and Asian-- from every neighborhood in Boston.

The sustained, active debate over this issue proves the case for an ALL-ELECTED School Committee. Boston residents care about their schools. They want and deserve a voice in school policy. With an appointed School Committee, all we can do is “comment,” as so many of us are doing here today. We can not hold you accountable. We can only hope that you do the right thing. 

The next big reform for Boston Public Schools MUST be an elected School Committee. 

For those interested in advocating for democracy with us: visit our website at BosEdEquity.org and click JOIN US to sign up for our mailing list

蘇維思(Julie Su)將出任美國勞工部副部長

Julie Su，file photo.

 Asian Americans Advancing Justice Applauds Confirmation of Julie Su as Deputy Secretary of U.S. Department of Labor

Washington, D.C.—Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice) congratulates its former Los Angeles-based Litigation Director Julie Su as the next Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor.  

Asian Americans Advancing Justice, an affiliation of five independent Asian American civil rights organizations, releases the following statement: 

“Advancing Justice celebrates the confirmed appointment of our alumnus, Julie Su. Julie is an Asian American leader and civil rights attorney who, for decades through the nonprofit and public sectors, has been dedicated to the well-being of all workers, immigrants, women, and people of color. As Deputy Director, she will bring important considerations of race and equity to policymaking decisions at the Department of Labor.   

For more than 15 years, Julie Su played a pivotal role at Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles by leading the litigation on landmark civil and workers’ rights cases. Most notable was her work on the Thai Garment Workers Case (Bureerong v. Uvawas) where Julie led a legal team that filed a lawsuit on behalf of 102 Thai garment workers who had been exploited and enslaved by sweatshop operators. Julie’s leadership expanded workers’ rights in the state of California and nationally. The suit challenged the sweatshop operators, as well as the retailers and manufacturers that profited off their labor. This was the first federal lawsuit of its kind, not only setting the precedent in holding manufacturers and retailers accountable for the conditions in which their clothes are made, but leading to new federal laws protecting immigrants who are trafficked into the country. In May 1999, the case ended in settlements that exceeded $4 million from more than 10 manufacturers and private label retailers. 

We commend President Biden for bringing AAPI representation to this important federal agency and urge him to continue to include our community in national leadership positions. The fight against anti-Asian racism and incidents of hate remains an urgent issue. We need more voices and advocates at the highest levels of government.” 

美商務部長Raimondo 宣佈斥資1.53億元推廣製藥生產創新

 Secretary Raimondo Announces $153 Million to Promote Innovation in Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing

$83 million in funding comes from the American Rescue Plan to support research and development to prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus outbreaks

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has made two awards totaling $153 million to the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL). The awards were announced today by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo at the NIIMBL annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

NIIMBL is a public-private partnership designed to accelerate innovation in the U.S. biopharmaceutical industry, which produces vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, gene therapies and other medical products derived from biological sources. NIIMBL is a Manufacturing USA® institute sponsored by the Department of Commerce.

“I am so pleased that NIIMBL will continue to bring together organizations of all types to help strengthen our nation through better pandemic preparedness and a more agile manufacturing industry,” said Secretary Raimondo, who was joined at the NIIMBL meeting by Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, Acting Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration Janet Woodcock and Director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Peter Marks. “This important investment for America, funded in part by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, will help meet the nation’s need for lifesaving biopharmaceuticals.”

The first award renews NIST’s federal sponsorship of NIIMBL, providing $70 million over five years with an equal, non-federal cost-matching requirement. This award will allow NIIMBL to continue driving innovation in domestic biopharmaceutical manufacturing by developing flexible, agile and cost-effective manufacturing processes that can be scaled up quickly and are less reliant on foreign supply chains.

NIST will also provide $83 million to NIIMBL over three years from the American Rescue Plan to support research and development to prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus outbreaks.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, scientific and manufacturing innovation delivered vaccines in record time. The new funding will enable NIIMBL efforts to help transform this emergency response into a sustainable, ongoing effort to address the continuing coronavirus threat. NIIMBL will do this by developing efficient, robust processes for manufacturing vaccines and therapeutics for COVID-19 and other coronavirus strains that could emerge in the future.

As part of this effort, NIIMBL will work to increase the shelf life and reduce the amount of refrigeration required for messenger RNA vaccines, boost capabilities for rapid production of antigens used in testing and screening for new variants and develop novel technologies for detecting counterfeit vaccines, among other things.

NIIMBL works on challenges that are too big for any single organization to address. The institute brings together more than 180 members, including biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, raw materials suppliers, equipment and product manufacturers, academic research institutions, state governments and nonprofit organizations focused on global health initiatives and workforce development. Every $1 of federal investment in NIIMBL has been matched by $1.80 in funding from NIIMBL member organizations.

Since NIIMBL was launched in 2017, its efforts have led to better diagnostic testing and plasma donor screening, an injectable antibody therapeutic that reduces the need for intravenous administration, and improved supply chain models for meeting surging demand during COVID outbreaks.

To learn more about NIIMBL, visit the institute’s website.

The Manufacturing USA institutes and their sponsors, the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Defense and Energy, connect more than 2,000 organizations across hundreds of major projects to quickly move technology from laboratory prototypes to industrial capabilities and provide thousands of people with advanced manufacturing knowledge and skills. To learn more about Manufacturing USA, visit www.ManufacturingUSA.com.

NIST promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. To learn more about NIST, visit NIST.gov.

鋼琴家翁來7/24音樂會"向貝多芬致敬"

             (Boston Orange)中華表演藝術基金會將於7月24日(週六)晚上8點，在波士頓伊莎貝拉美術館舉辦“向貝多芬致敬”音樂會，邀紐約音樂家協會全球音樂家甄選2019年冠軍翁來(Larry Weng)演奏。

            中華表演藝術基金會從去年11月以來，在波士頓伊莎貝拉美術館（Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum)可容300人的Calderwood大廳舉辦音樂會，迄今已辦過7場。這第8場的“向貝多芬致敬”音樂會，將由鋼琴家翁來演出舒曼、舒伯特、布拉姆斯等作曲家的經典作品。

            翁來是在南京出生的鋼琴家，五歲時隨父母來美。自小才華橫溢，紐英崙地區所有鋼琴比賽的冠軍，幾乎都被他納入囊中。他就讀Needham高中時，參加紐英崙音樂學院附校的協奏曲比賽，也屢獲首獎，曾與紐英崙音樂學院青少年管弦樂團在喬登廳及波士頓交響廳演出，極獲好評。高中畢業後他考進非常難進入的茱麗亞音樂學院及哥倫比亞大學聯校雙學位項目，獲得經濟學學士及音樂碩士。隨後再進入耶魯大學音樂系進修，獲得鋼琴博士，並兼任教授助理。

            獲紐約時報（The New York Times)稱譽為”力如鋼鐵，節奏精準”的翁來，2019年時曾獲紐約音樂家協會 (New York Concert Artists and Association) 全球音樂家甄選冠軍，2016年曾入圍國際伊麗莎白鋼琴大賽決賽。他在世界各地演出時，都佳評如湧。2021年秋季開始，他將在北卡Wake Forest 大學音樂系執教。

            由於麻州政府已取消新冠病毒疫情禁令，本次音樂會現場出席人數可增至296人，但顧及疫情仍在，主辦單位建議還未接種疫苗者，出席音樂會時仍然應戴口罩。

            本次音樂會仍然免費公開（六歲以下兒童不可入場），但接受免税捐款，並須預先登記。查詢這場音樂會的門票預約及詳情可上網http://www.chineseperformingarts.net/offers/20210724/index.html。

牛頓市一連5起入屋偷盜案受害者都是亞裔 市長訂7/15開網路會議討論

           (Boston Orange 綜合編譯)牛頓市在過去5週內發生一連5起破門入屋偷竊事件，在警察持續調查，亞裔質詢，市長發信回應，參選市長者鼓勵居民參加訂15日舉行的網路會議中，逐漸發酵。

根據牛頓市警察局記錄，第一宗入屋偷盜案發生在6月13日的Walnut街第900區塊。最新一宗，發生在數天前的7月10日，在鄉村俱樂部路上。

所有的入屋偷盜事件，都發生在週末的白天，沒人在家時，而且所有的受害者都是亞裔。匪徒是打破窗戶或側門的進入房屋，偷走了珠寶，現金，手袋等物品。

牛頓市警官Bruce Apotheker表示，除了偷盜之外，沒看到任何仇恨相關因素，但因為最近這5宗偷盜案的受害者都是亞裔，他們正在積極調查，這些偷盜案是否針對亞裔而來。他們已通知否米斗塞郡(Middlesex)地區檢察官Marian Ryan。

警察表示，他們正在每個鄰里逐戶敲門，提醒居民注意居家安全，也增派了人手巡邏。

WCVB電視台報導稱，家中遭人侵入偷盜的Scott Chin表示，他們不在家。匪徒走到屋後，敲碎玻璃門，進屋拿走了屋裡面所有的貴重東西。他父母去年才因為染患新冠病毒辭世，他們正在處理相關事務，所以家中有許多母親留下來的珠寶，現在全都被偷了。

另一名受害者表示，”我嘗試著不去想那是仇恨犯罪，或者我們是被人針對了，但那也，

你知道，那讓我想，你知道，亞裔是不是真的被人針對了?我們是不是在刻板印象下被人看作屋裡有更多東西?”。

這5宗入屋偷盜案發生的日期及區域地點如下:

6/13/21 – Walnut 街第900區。

6/19/21 – Dedham 街第600區。

6/20/21 – Helene 路

6/27/21 – Quinobequin 路第700區。

7/10/21 – 鄉村俱樂部路(Country Club Road)

根據2個偷盜發生地點監視相機捕捉到的畫面，警方已認為一人有嫌疑，正在徵求任何知道該人任何訊息者打電話給牛頓市偵探617-796-2104。在影像畫面中，該人似乎手中拿著寵物遺失的傳單。

            Apotheker表示，任何時候任何一天都可能發生破門入屋案。牛頓市在2021年內，迄今共發生45起案件，和2019年相比增加了35宗。

            牛頓市警察局局長John Carmichael和牛頓市長Ruthanne Fuller將於7月15日(週四)晚上8點舉行網上社區會議，邀請所有市民參加，討論此事。

            刻正參選牛頓市市長的馬惠美(Sangiolo Mah)，今日在臉書上發佈視頻，促請市民出席週四網上會議。

            牛頓市警察提醒居民鎖上所有門窗，出門渡假，或是出門時間較長時，避免在社交媒體上張貼訊息。警察也鼓勵鄰居彼此守望相助，注意不尋常行為，有狀況就打電話617-796-2100。