|
|
Greetings!The Asian population is the fastest
growing ethnic group in Massachusetts these days, and
Asian families are living in communities throughout the
state, with enclaves cropping up in suburbs throughout
the region. Public officials are starting to take
notice, and we at ACDC are mindful that we must play a
role to ensure that the Asian Community has a strong
voice as decisions are made about the state's future!
That is why we are excited about two events that
happened in the past couple of weeks: ACDC hosted a
convening of Asian American and immigrant community
leaders to give their input on the Metropolitan Area
Planning Council's Metrofuture project, and the
Commonwealth's establishment of an Asian American
Commission this past week. Both cases illustrate the
degree to which proactive advocacy can usher in greater
representation for our community. We are proud to have
played a significant part in projecting a strong voice
for Massachusetts' Asian communities!
 |
|
|
|
|
MetroFuture
Asians share their vision for regional growth
Over 40 people attended a July 25th convening
hosted by ACDC and the Metropolitan Area Planning
Council to discuss MAPC's
MetroFuture project and give their
input on how they would like to see the Greater
Boston region grow.
MAPC made a presentation informing the group about
recent demographic shifts, and projecting how the
Commonwealth might look in the year 3030. Some of
the projections predict that in 25 years:
- the region will need 300,000 new units of
housing to meet growing demand.
- the fastest growth will be in developing
suburbs along I-495
- Large-lot subdivisions in developing suburbs
may consume over 85,000 acres of land, including
8,000 acres of farmland and 43,000 acres of
wildlife habitat. New development in inner core
cities and mature suburbs may threaten open
space and community gardens.
- The largest employment gains will be in the
professional and business sector (75,000 jobs)
and the education and health sector (65,000
jobs). We are also looking at a skill mismatch,
as there is a huge surplus of workers without a
high school degree, but a major shortage of
workers with higher education levels.
Attendees at Tuesday's convening showed major
support for concentrating new development in the
inner core and maturing suburbs where existing
infrastructure exists, thereby preserving precious
natural resources on the outside. They also
expressed a desire to curb the development of
single- family homes in favor of larger, denser
housing that would preserve resources and make
suburban cities more walkable. Many acknowledged,
however, that there would be resistance to such
smart growth measures from folks clinging to the
ideal of a one- family home with a two-car garage.
MAPC plans to assemble survey results from this
and over 50 other convenings and use them to
create a number of alternative development
scenarios for the next 25 years, which they will
then be presented to policy makers. Community
feedback will play an important role in forming
the plan for regional growth into the year 3030.
Learn more about the Metrofuture project
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asian American Commission
Legislation veto by Romney overridden-
Unanimous in the senate…152-2 in the house
Massachusetts now joins just a handful of states
in the U.S. with a statutorily-created Asian
American Commissions. Others in the U.S. are
executive orders of governors, meaning that their
tenure and ability to affect change are subject to
political forces rather than community needs and
issues.
Massachusetts’ Asian American Commission will have
the ability to raise money, hire staff, have an
office at the State House, and its members will be
appointment by every single
constitutionally-elected office in the
Commonwealth.
Key supporters of this law were Treasurer Cahill,
Speaker DiMasi, and Senate President Travaglini.
The Asian Community Development Corporation played
a key role in the strategy, legislative advocacy,
and community organizing efforts to successfully
advance the AAC bill through the legislative
process, and to ensure that the Governor’s veto
was overridden on the last day of the 2006
legislative season.
This latest victory is a milestone and achievement
for all communities across Massachusetts. The
Asian Community Development Corporation is proud
to advance the cause of Asian immigrants and Asian
Americans across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
through our work in advocacy, community
organizing, affordable housing, economic
development, and leadership development. Our
mission is to improve the quality of life for
Asians and Asian Americans and the communities in
which they live and work. We work to realize
vibrant, healthy, and just neighborhoods for all.
read the bill here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks to our State Street volunteers!
Oak Terrace gets a face lift
Thanks to State Street Bank's Asian Affinity Group
for lending their hard work to brighten up Oak
Terrace Apartments, ACDC's oldest mixed-income
housing development. Ellen Chan, Calvin Cheung,
Victor Lee, Ben Sunoo, Julie Wong, June Wu, and
Jin Yung spent several hours painting and doing
landscaping work which helps us keep our operating
costs low, a big part of keeping the apartments as
affordable as possible.
If you would like to learn about ways your company
can get involved here at ACDC, please contact Mary
Fuller, Director of Communications and Development
at
maryfuller@asi ancdc.org
|
|
|
We welcome your comments, and even more, we welcome
your participation in our work, whether it be as a donor,
a volunteer, or a member. One of the biggest things you
can do right now is help us spread the word about the
accomplishments in this newsletter. Please take a moment
to use the link at the bottom of the page to forward this
message to others who should hear our news so they can
sign up for this service as well!
Thanks for your support!
Sincerely,
|
|
Snow is but a hazy memory and everyone's looking
for entertainment outside at one of many outdoor
fairs in the area. Bring your family and stop by
our booth for more information about our work: 