Minutes for TCC Meeting from October 8, 2015
BCNC, 4th Floor. 9:30-11am
Attendees: Mark Liu, Giles Li, Helen Chin Schlichte, Bet Har Wong-Chan, Courtney Ho, Barbara Rubel, Debbie Chen, Kate Chang, Helen Wong, Ling-Mei Wong, Lydia Lowe, Enoch Liao, Michael SooHoo, Angie Liou, Christopher Blackler, Richard Goldberg, Lori Sylvia, Shifu Wang, Mary Knasas, Huiling Chen, Julie Burros,
I. Boston Creates Community Vision Process: Julie Burros, the City’s Chief of Arts and Culture, gave an overview of the community engagement process known as Boston Creates to date. The goal is to create a draft Arts and Culture plan for the City by June 2016, followed by the first round of implementation projects.
II. Just Cause Eviction Initiative: Mark Liu from the Chinese Progressive Association introduced the Just Cause Eviction campaign that CPA has been part of. Currently, landlords do not have to provide a just cause for evicting tenants. This law would offer more protection for tenants at risk of eviction and displacement. CPA and other organizations are collecting signatures to support this law.
III. Adult Education Update – BEST Corp.: Lori Sylvia, Program Director from BEST Corp, provided an overview of BEST Corp’s free training programs for hospitality workers and workers interested in the hospitality industry. Participants are mostly Boston residents, unemployed or underemployed. Job placement rate for the housekeeping program is over 90% and participants generally see a significant increase in their wages.
IV. Announcements:
- South Cove Manor recently hired a new Executive Director, Wendy Lee.
- The Chinatown Library group has asked the City to fund a feasibility study for a library branch in the China Trade Center.
- The annual Tufts Biosafety Committee will hold an open meeting on October 29 at 5:30 pm at 150 Harrison Avenue, Behrakis Auditorium Room 130.
- BCNC will hold a civic engagement session for the planned Chinatown Arts and Cultural Center onOctober 21 at 6:15 PM at the Josiah Quincy Elementary School Cafeteria.