University Reporter: January, 2004
Gerontologist Studies Safety Measures for Elderly Drivers
According
to the U.S. Census, more than 35 million Americans are 65 or over. Experts
say that elders who continue to drive are likely to experience a feeling
of control, independence, and self-sufficiency. However, questions remain
about the safety of older drivers.
Thanks to an $80,000 grant from the medical foundation Charles H. Farnsworth Trust, Nina Silverstein, College of Public and Community Service professor and Gerontology Institute senior fellow, is studying ways of prolonging the safe-driving years of seniors. With co-investigator Elizabeth Van Ranst and research associate Alison Gottlieb, she is also encouraging discussion about safe driving and automobile modifications that would enhance safety for all drivers. read more: Gerontology
Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance David MacKenzie Retires from UMass Boston
David
MacKenzie, vice chancellor for administration and finance, celebrated
his retirement with colleagues and friends at a party in his honor on
December 9. Chancellor Gora praised his service, noting his dedication
in leading UMass Boston through two budget-reduction processes. MacKenzie
worked for four years to safeguard the university's assets in a time of
fiscal uncertainty and oversaw the plans for the Campus Center, the first
new building for the university in twenty years and a significant part
of his legacy at UMass Boston. (Photo by Harry Brett)
Institute for Community Inclusion’s Working Connections Shares Successes
On
December 4, the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) celebrated a program
that helps Massachusetts immigrants, refugees, and people of color find
jobs. The Working Connections program teams One-Stop Career Centers with
ethnic and faith-based organizations to spread the word about One-Stop’s
employment resources. In a year and a half, 568 new people enrolled in
their local One-Stops; 510 attended workshops; 84 started ESL or vocational
training; and 151 found jobs. Working Connections is funded by a $1.3
million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Center for Faith-Based
and Community Initiatives.
The partners devised a range of tactics to bring diverse communities and One-Stops together. Several agencies filmed cable access programs. Boston’s Universal Human Rights International and JobNet distributed over 2,000 flyers to houses of worship to reach sub-Saharan African immigrants. The Southeast Asian Coalition and ValleyWorks Career Center held bilingual career workshops in Worcester. In Brockton, Asociacion San Martin De Porres taught CareerWorks staff about Latino cultural differences.
Labor Secretary Chao’s regional representative, Kathleen Summers,
and several other officers expressed admiration and answered partners’
questions. ICI director William Kiernan complimented the agencies, saying,
"We can watch these great results and share them everywhere else."
Customers shared how Working Connections have helped them move forward.
Thuy Tran moved to Worcester eight years ago and hasn’t worked since 2001. "With the help of the Working Connections project and ICI, Southeast Asian [Coalition] has helped me to get some money for my new career training," she said.
Chung Lao was a mechanic in a manufacturing company in China. He is using a Working Connections stipend to take ESL classes so he can find a similar job in the U.S. Sandra Vargas, from Lawrence, thought that One-Stops offered only unemployment insurance. But after being laid off, she found both a new job and cosmetology training through the Spanish Community Program and ValleyWorks Career Center. She intends to open a salon in two years to support her three children. She said, "I am very happy right now with what I’m doing and planning for the future."
Image: On December 4, members of the Southeast Asian Coalition met at the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) headquarters in Boston to talk about the Working Connections program: Thuy Tran, Bill Kiernan, director of ICI, David Nguyen, Jane Padro, and Kathleen Summers of the U.S. Department of Labor.
Wrap It Up! Volunteers Ready Gifts for the Helping Hands Holiday Toy Drive
UMass
Boston’s Office of Service-Learning and Community Outreach (OSLCO),
led by Jain Ruvidich-Higgins, held its gift-wrapping party for the Helping
Hands Annual Holiday Toy Drive on December 10 in the Wheatley Cafeteria.
The event was organized by OSLCO’s Beyond Our Backyard Service Club.
Every year, students, faculty, and staff donate gifts for children under
the care of the Hyde Park Department of Social Services.
OSLCO held a pizza party later in December to give more than 100 presents to 37 children who are either homeless or in the foster-care system. A truly collaborative effort on campus, this year’s donations included more than $300 dollars in cash, including $100 from the Graduate Student Assembly.
"For some children, it is their fourth year celebrating the holidays with the Helping Hands program. UMass Boston has become a familiar and friendly place for them at the holidays," says Ruvidich-Higgins.
Image: Santa’s helpers display gift-wrapped presents for the children under the care of the Hyde Park Department of Social Services. (Photo by Harry Brett)
Women's Varsity Ice Hockey Wins First Five Games
The
women's ice hockey team at UMass Boston, in its first varsity season and
coached by Northeastern University graduate and former Team Canada player
Laura Schuler, is 5th overall and 3rd in its division. It is the first
varsity team in school history to win the first five games of its inaugural
season. (Photo by Harry Brett)
2004 Emerging Leaders Begin at UMass Boston
The 2004 Emerging Leaders Program inducts its new class of 45 fellows on January 26. The week’s program begins with an overview on leadership by Marshall N. Carter, retired CEO of State Street Corporation. Later that week the new fellows will hear from the Reverend Ray Hammond of the Ten Point Coalition; Judge Sandra Lynch; Robert Mudge, CEO of Verizon New England; Ralph Martin of Bingham Dana LLP; and Micho Spring of Weber Shandwick Worldwide.
Also on hand to greet and speak with the new group are UMass Boston faculty
and staff: Sherry Penney, Karen Suyemoto, Andy Torres, Robert Johnson,
Peter Kiang, Carol Hardy-Fanta, Vicki Milledge, and David Matz.
The 2004 fellows will also begin to work in teams on issues facing the
Greater Boston region and will attend monthly leadership forums from February
through July.
The program is growing steadily, having received more than 100 nominations this fall for the 45 places. In addition to the new fellows, there are now more than 70 alumni of the program.