MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES NEXT STEPS TO ENHANCE COASTAL RESILIENCE IN EAST BOSTON

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES NEXT STEPS TO ENHANCE COASTAL RESILIENCE IN EAST BOSTON

The City will launch the first coastal resilience project that will span multiple private properties to protect the East Boston community from current and future flooding

BOSTON - Thursday, November 2, 2023 - Today, Mayor Wu announced that the City of Boston is seeking proposals to build climate resilience for the central Border Street waterfront in East Boston. Under this procurement, the City will award up to $1.5 million for technical services, facilitation, and engagement support for this project. Identified as a critical flood risk area in Coastal Resilience Solutions for East Boston (Phase I), this is the first Climate Ready Boston project to advance the design of a district-scale coastal resilience strategy solely on private property. The City released a Request for Proposals (RFP) on Monday, October 30 to design coastal resilience strategies on a near-term flood pathway to protect residents in an environmental justice community. 

Through this process, the City seeks technical services to complete engineering assessments and site investigations, landscape design, and permitting as well as facilitation support to work with the property owners, the East Boston community, and state agencies. The City aims to develop coastal resilience strategies that reflect the needs of diverse stakeholders and community members by facilitating a process that provides long-term flood risk reduction, allows property owners to incorporate specific site needs, and reflects the community’s priorities for open space and waterfront access.

 “It is critical that we equip East Boston with climate-resilient infrastructure to ensure that generations of residents can thrive in the neighborhood without being harmed by coastal flooding and its effects,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m excited to release this request for proposals and work toward our mission to protect East Bostonians from the harms of climate change through coastal resilient development and supports.”

The focus area will extend from approximately 40 New Street/60 Border Street to the Mario Umana School, involving private properties between Border Street and the water. The entire project area and its surroundings fall within state-designated environmental justice block groups. When this area floods, surrounding residences, businesses, and critical infrastructure, such as the MBTA Blue Line, are at risk.

“The City of Boston is committed to prioritizing the flood risks in our coastal neighborhoods,” said Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space. “Residents in East Boston bear a disproportionate burden of climate impacts in our City. The core of our coastal resilience work on Border Street will focus on protecting our residents from the danger of flooding.”

Design work will focus predominantly on the water's edge and complete a range of design concepts that could successfully protect the area from flooding while holistically reflecting the needs and desires of the East Boston community. The design process will explore opportunities for coastal resilience infrastructure that reduces flood risk while working within the Designated Port Area boundary that spans the majority of the project area. With the combination of green infrastructure, such as trees, bioretention features, and porous paving, and gray infrastructure, such as elevated structures and seawalls, the City aims to deliver multiple benefits to the East Boston community. These benefits include improving stormwater management, reducing the urban heat island effect, and enhancing connectivity along and access to the East Boston waterfront.

“District One is the perfect spot to launch this initiative dedicated to funding for coastal resilience, recognizing the sheer amount of coastline to protect right here,” said City Councilor Gabriela Coletta. “East Boston is uniquely vulnerable to coastal flooding and this initiative is vital to protecting residents in the Maverick Central area. Boston’s coastline is vital to our culture and economy and we must engage in district-wide coastal resilience because the climate crisis is real, it’s here now, and we need action.”

“This initiative is going to protect not just a few parcels of land along the water, but whole areas of the nearby neighborhood – from Maverick Landing to Atlantic Works – from flooding in the near future,” said Sal Colombo, Deputy Director of East Boston Community Development Corporation. “We could not be more excited that Mayor Wu and her administration are prioritizing this type of resiliency work in East Boston, where we are facing the threats of climate change every day.”

This work builds on Mayor Wu’s Green New Deal and the City’s priority of creating resilient and thriving communities. Last month, the City of Boston was awarded a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant of $330,500 to advance the design of coastal resilience strategies extending along Bennington Street in East Boston and Frederick's Park in Revere. The City of Boston has also completed coastal resilience plans for Boston’s 47-mile coastline, including neighborhood-level studies in East Boston, Charlestown, Downtown/North End, Dorchester, and South Boston. Additionally, Climate Ready Boston released the 2022 Heat Plan that outlines 28 strategies to address the effects of heat on Boston’s environmental justice neighborhoods.

波士頓市一連第2日第2日率眾說明清理美沙酮英里概況 (市府視頻)

 

麻州政府提案把麻州復健局改名為麻州能力局

(Boston Orange 編譯) 麻州政府今 (1) 日遞出法案，要把麻州復健局 (MRC)改名為麻州能力局 (MassAbility)，以更恰當形容該局的角色是要幫助殘障人士重新獲得獨立自理生活能力。

提議改名是該局為施展殘障服務及獨立生活而持續擴大服務的一部分。

麻州政府經由大量研究，焦點小組，調查，和殘障社區級企業，共應商級支持組織對話而挑選出來的。藉由這一提案，麻州加入全國遠離”復健”一詞，並使用以殘障人士的技能及優勢為主要詞彙的趨勢。

麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey)、副州長Kim Driscoll，健康及人民服務廳廳長 Kate Walsh，以及MRC局長Toni Wolf等人都支持這一改名方案，強調麻州致力讓所有人都得到公平、公正，受尊重，無歧視標籤的對待。

麻州政府並列出波士頓殘障局局長Kristen McCosh，可行性 (Viability)董事長兼執行長Colleen Holmes，生活及工作中心執行長Meg Coffin，家庭包容大使Roxi Harvey、Kristen Flynn、Liz Topaz、Gillan Wang，殘障包容領袖George Farrington、Destiny Maxam、Jaemily Torres等人。

 

Governor Healey Files Legislation to Change Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission’s Name to ‘MassAbility’ 

 

BOSTON – Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration filed legislation to rename the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) to MassAbility to better represent the agency’s role in helping those with disabilities gain autonomy and independence. The proposed name change is part of the office’s ongoing efforts to expand its reach and usher in a new, more expansive model for disability employment services and independent living.  

 

The name was selected following significant research, focus groups, surveys, and conversations with the disability community, businesses, providers, and advocacy organizations. With this proposal, Massachusetts joins a national trend moving away from the term “rehabilitation,” and instead uses terminology that centers the skills and strengths of people with disabilities.  

 

“The name ‘MassAbility’ centers the strengths and capabilities of the community we serve, and it more fully captures the range of services that the agency offers. We are proposing this change to reduce stigma for the disability community and to help ensure that no one is left behind as we pursue a strong economy for everyone in this post-pandemic era,” said Governor Healey. “Our administration is grateful for the stakeholders who engaged with us during this process, and we look forward to working with our legislative partners to make it official.” 

 

“In renaming MRC to MassAbility, we are recognizing that everyone, regardless of disability, deserves to be able to live life on their own terms without barriers in the way,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The name broadens the prospective on what this agency does, and why it matters, in a way that engages and excites participants, jobseekers with disabilities, team members, partners, and advocates across the state.” 

 

“The new name MassAbility reflects our agency’s mandate to promote pride and self-determination, rights and equal access,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh. “This evolution of their name mirrors the progress of the disability rights movement. What began as demands by veterans with disabilities for rehabilitation and vocational training became a worldwide movement to break down barriers to self-determination for all people with disabilities – not just in the workplace, but in every aspect of life.” 

 

“We want people to see the true agency today and where we are headed in the future - progressive, thoughtful, caring, and committed to breaking down barriers for people with disabilities," said MRC Commissioner Toni Wolf. “Our work is both at the individual and societal level. One of the biggest barriers for people with disabilities is how society disables them. Now is the time to change the perception for those in the Commonwealth to view disability as an attitudinal, systemic, and communication barrier created by society. As the Healey-Driscoll Administration has made a significant commitment to equity, the change in language including the name of our organization, will shift the stigma for the disability community–and ensure individuals with disabilities are not left behind as we re-build the economy in this post-pandemic era.” 

  

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to reducing barriers to employment while also lifting up opportunities that will drive an inclusive workforce and workplace for our residents,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “The proposed change to ‘MassAbility’ recognizes the capabilities for a community we are dedicated to advancing job training and career pathways to help empower the skills for individuals with disabilities in our workforce today and in the future.” 

 

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission provides services that break down barriers and empower people with disabilities to live life on their own terms. The agency supports people with physical, cognitive, intellectual or mental health conditions throughout the job-seeking and employment process and offers a range of programs focused on job training and employment, independent community living, and disability determination for federal benefit programs. 

 

Statements of Support 

 

Kristen McCosh, City of Boston Disability Commissioner: 

“The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission has a longstanding partnership with the City of Boston that supports residents with disabilities who are seeking employment. We know that language matters, and that it evolves over time. I applaud the agency's commitment to ensuring that its new name conveys inclusion and respect for people with disabilities.” 

 

Colleen Holmes, President & CEO, Viability, Inc.: 

“In the name ‘MassAbility,’ I hear an unequivocal proclamation that every one of us has capabilities of value; that what is broken are systems and perceptions built on bias, and not the individual with a disability. The new brand undercuts the falsehood that a disability is all there is to know about a person with a disability and reinforces the truth – a disability is a single aspect of multidimensional identities. I applaud Governor Healey and Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commissioner Toni Wolf for their leadership furthering dignity and equity.” 

 

Meg Coffin, CEO, Center for Living & Working, Inc.: 

“The Center for Living & Working supports this name change. MassAbility reflects the spirit of the independent living movement and the fact the people living with a disability are able to live full lives.”    

 

Richard Ackerman, Vice President, Educational Services, Red River: 

“The new name MassAbility is a more empowering nomenclature to better support people with disabilities and continue changing perceptions community-wide. The purpose of this organization is to shine a light on the 'mass abilities' this community brings and the equal rights and access they should have. This name is just one more critical step toward removing long-standing barriers and reflecting the intrinsic value of this community in every aspect of life.” 

 

Roxi Harvey, Family Inclusion Ambassador: 

“The name change from Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission to MassAbility begins the systemic transformation that is needed to focus on the strengths and skills that individuals with diverse abilities bring to Massachusetts communities and employers. Individuals with disabilities and their families need to be inclusive members of every decision made in Massachusetts and beyond moving forward. MassAbility welcomes individuals with disabilities and their families to sit at the table, have agency and choice.”  

  

George Farrington, Disability Inclusion Leader: 

“The new name says it all. I’m a brain tumor and brain injury survivor, and I belong to the New Start Brain Injury Community Center, which is a program that falls under the vast umbrella of MassAbility. Thanks to New Start, I realized that I still had the ability to live a meaningful life and the ability to still chase my dreams. One of which is furthering awareness and helping better the lives of people with disabilities. This name change puts the emphasis more on people with disabilities actual abilities, which is a sign that the state is ready and willing to do the same thing now and for generations to come.” 

  

Destiny Maxam, Disability Inclusion Leader: 

“Having my voice truly heard and knowing my opinion makes a difference have restored my confidence in not only myself but in this administration. To know they are listening to the disability community as a whole and taking our ideas and acting on them has been assuring. I’m looking forward to a brighter future knowing my voice has an impact.” 

  

Kristen Flynn Family Inclusion Ambassador: 

“The name change to MassAbility is the public facing representation of the commitment of this agency to continue to ask questions and challenge the norms in support of all people with disabilities. It has been an exciting time to be part of the progressive effort that MassAbility is making as Massachusetts continues to be a leader in disability advocacy and inclusion.” 

  

Jaemilly Torres, Disability Inclusion Leader: 

“MassAbility, I love it! We are able to still feel love, support, and respect. Focus on the positive. Focus on what we can do. Don't focus on the things we need to fix. We still can smile. We do have hearts.” 

  

Liz Topaz, Family Inclusion Ambassador: 

“According to the dictionary, the word ‘rehabilitate’ literally means ‘to help a person who has acquired a disability to readapt.’” My young adult son has had his disabilities since birth; our family can't relate to readapting when our son needs to acquire work skills for the first time. This new name puts the spotlight on his many skills instead of focusing on the things he can't do.” 

  

Gillan Wang, Family Inclusion Ambassador: 

“I am excited about this rebranding as it reflects the renewed energy and commitment within the agency to make improvements to the way it supports families. As far as the name itself, the emphasis on ABILITY seems to better convey the intention of supporting individuals and families where they are and to empower them to live their best lives.” 

 

紐英崙中華專協第46屆年會 鍾彬嫻、孔祥重、黃義安分享經驗

部分出席者和嘉賓合影。(周菊子攝)

                   (Boston Orange 周菊子劍橋市報導) 從名列「富士比」雜誌全球百大最具影響力女性，哈佛大學電腦科學教授，綠色建築專家到劍橋市有史以來首名華裔市經理，紐英崙中華專業人員協會的第46屆年會，10月28日在哈佛大學西北大樓讓近百名與會者備受啟發。

主辦單位和嘉賓合影。右起，譚嘉陵、中華專協董事長周萬欽，孔祥重，
史美芳，蔣宗壬，波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏，中華專協會長林致中，康雅雰，
波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮。(周菊子攝)

                 駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長廖朝宏，波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮當天應邀出席蔬食晚宴，向中華專協董事長周萬欽、會長林致中盛讚主廚蕭蕙菁和Veggie Factor團隊的手藝。

                  這場年會的主題是「來自有遠見者的鼓舞人心觀點 (Inspiring Perspectives from Visionary Leaders)」，4名講者鍾彬嫻 (Andrea Jung)、孔祥重(H. T. Kung) ，Matthew H. Lewis，黃義安 (Yi-An Huang) 在各自領域都成就不斐，或有專長。

鍾彬嫻 (左二)從中華專協會長林致中(左起)，董事長周萬欽，
以及董事譚嘉陵(右一)手中接過感謝狀。(周菊子攝)

             父親是紐英崙中華專協第一任會長鍾耀星的鍾彬嫻 (Andrea Jung) ，不但從1999到2012，當了13年雅芳執行長，成為這財富500強國際化妝品牌有史以來的第一位女執行長及主席，她創辦的雅芳婦女基金還募得近10億元來賦能女性，支持健康，讓她於2010年獲頒柯林頓全球公民獎。

中華專協會長林致中(左一)和董事長周萬欽 (右二)，主持人
Kai Wang，送上感謝狀給孔祥重教授(左二)。(周菊子攝)

             28日這天，她和中華專協董事譚嘉陵在訪談對話中，侃侃敘述生活經歷，直言” 聽父母的話很重要” 。她透露，從普林斯頓大學畢業後，獲奢侈品百貨店Bloomingdale錄用為實習主管，卻被要求先做銷售員，是聽從父親指示，忍了下來，從而學得整個產業鍊的上下游相關環節，這才奠定了她後來在時尚化妝品行業一路攀升的基礎。

             2012年鍾嫻彬離開雅芳後，很快的，2014年她就被諾貝爾獎得主Muhammad Yunus找去當Grameen America的執行長，為有心創辦或拓展小企業的婦女提供金融支持。

中華專協會長林致中(左一)和董事長周萬欽 (右一)邀劍橋市市經理
黃義安(右二)及其父母黃正剛、沈瑢一起接受感謝狀。(周菊子攝)

             鍾彬嫻坦言，為追求心中理想，有時也不得不逼自己改變起居作息。

中華專協會長林致中(左一)和董事長周萬欽 (右二)，和主持人Trinity Kao，
以及ARC合夥人王本仁(左二)一起頒發感謝狀給講者Matthew H. Lewis夫婦。(周菊子攝)

             孔祥重是哈佛大學的比爾蓋茲電腦科學教授，古根漢學者，中央研究院院士，擔任中華民國政府科技顧問多年，還是臺灣人工智慧學校創辦人兼校長。他這天以「迎接生成式AI個人與企業需要的準備 (Preparing for Generative AI: Meeting the Needs of Individuals and Business)」為主題，以臺灣產業界的台中精機AI風火輪項目，車床加工品質和刀具磨耗，AI預診，台塑的蒸餾塔用

中華專協董事譚嘉陵(右)和鍾彬嫻的父是多年好友多年好友。 (周菊子攝)

AI來極小化能源消耗為例，綜論人工智慧的應用已無所不在，而ChatGPT更是突破性的科技，人工智慧也是雙面刃，最基本的原則包括機械語言學習中所強調的，「垃圾進，垃圾出」，如何控制人工智慧採納進數據庫內的資料都是正面，並且正確的，成為非常重要課題。人工智慧的兩大挑戰，就是數據偏差 (data biases)，數據標籤成本 (data labeling cost)。孔祥重表示，現在是個很讓人興奮，正進行著大轉變的年代，人們對身邊的一切，都得急起直追。

             ARC公司的LEED綠建築專家Matthew H. Lewis，這天藉由ARC的幾項建築工程，闡述「氣候+建築回應」。他逐一解釋了2013年獲得LEED銀色認證的泰廟NMR中心，2017年獲得LEED金質認證的Hackley學校Johnson健康與保健中心，2018年獲得LEED白金認證的Bentley大學多目的場所，以及正在建造，估計可得LEED金質認證的麻州大學陳氏醫學院這些建築工程的綠化設計。

蕭蕙菁(右)親自操持蔬食宴。(周菊子攝)

劍橋市是個人口約12萬的麻州第4大城市，由於建於1636年的哈佛大學，建於1861年的麻省理工學院這2所舉世聞名高等學府都座落在此，劍橋市一直是個備受人矚目的城市。

去年才應聘上任劍橋市市經理的黃義安 (Yi-An Huang)在開場的介紹劍橋市時，還不忘指出，近年各大生物製藥公司紛紛搬遷而來，無論是就業機會或投資金額，劍橋市在生醫領域的指標，都高居麻州第一，早已成為世界生醫樞紐。

劍橋市在2021年擴大辦理發給低收入家庭每月500元的社會實驗計畫，市政府結構是市長及市議會有如董事會，市經理有如企業執行長，也彰顯了劍橋市在麻州的與眾不同。

也是哈佛校友的黃義安，他以自己歷任人口健康分析師，波士頓醫療中心臨床營運主任等等，到成為劍橋市市經理的經歷，提點座中的年輕人，在思考自己的未來發展時，要先了解自己，問自己什麼樣的工作才是對自己好的工作。他也描述了在職場上，因為自己身為亞裔所遭遇的一些狀況，強調同理心的重要。

中華專協董事長周萬欽、會長林致中指出，該會使命之一是為會員們提供機會，增加知識，豐富生活。這次的年會能在哈佛臺灣學生會協辦，蕭蕙菁和Veggie Factor支援，波士頓經文處、僑教中心等的贊助中盛大舉行，令人欣慰。