On Wednesday, Massachusetts Governor Charles Baker signed into law the FY 2020 budget which includes $75,000 allocated for the Immigrants’ Assistance Center (IAC). The IAC will use these funds to support citizenship and workforce readiness training classes.

In a first-of-its kind partnership, with capital support from the Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation, the IAC collaborated with MassHire Greater New Bedford Career Center to build a technology classroom and establish a Citizenship and Workforce Readiness Program. Clients attend technology-based language and civics classes until they are ready to apply for citizenship, and once citizenship is attained, are invited back to the classroom for computer-based job training. This program enables our new citizens to be job-ready, and for the companies in the area to have a viable candidate pool for their employees.

“The IAC is uniquely positioned to leverage these funds in support of immigrant families. There is no program in the SouthCoast that provides this start-to-finish service, designed to reduce barriers to economic mobility for new citizens and positively impact the region’s work force,” said Director of Development Kristin Batstone Morrissey.

The new funding will enable the IAC to respond to the current human services crisis around immigration by stepping up to meet the increased demand in clients seeking U.S. citizenship and better-paying jobs.

Advocacy from lawmakers made this funding possible. “We are deeply grateful to Sen. Mark Montigny, Chairman Michael Rodrigues and Rep. Tony Cabral for their unwavering support of immigrant families and the IAC,” said Executive Director Helena DaSilva Hughes.

PACE Head Start is currently accepting applications for the upcoming school year which will begin in September 2019. Head Start provides a free family-centered school readiness program for approximately 300 children ages 3-5 from income-eligible families living in New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, and Acushnet.

Head Start children benefit from an individualized early education curriculum which supports their growth in a variety of learning domains and prepares them for kindergarten. The program’s comprehensive approach to learning includes a creative education curriculum, comprehensive health services, parent education, meaningful family engagement and support services.

Part and full-day preschool options are available at Head Start. Children are free to explore, experiment, socialize, problem solve, master new skills and gain self-confidence while guided by qualified early childhood professionals in a classroom environment.

All children enrolled at PACE Head Start receive nutritious meals and snacks. Free bussing services are available to and from school. A small fee based on family income is charged to parents whose children are enrolled in the full-day option. Childcare vouchers are accepted for full-day services. Ten percent of enrollment opportunities are reserved for children with special needs.

For more information and an application, call PACE Head Start Family Services Office at 508-999-1286 or 508-984-3557, or visit us at www.paceheadstart.org.

People Acting In Community Endeavors, Inc.
166 William Street,
New Bedford, MA 02740,
508-999-9920
www.paceinfo.org

The Buttonwood Park Zoo is now home to not one, but two, endangered red pandas.

In its monumental 125th year of operation, the Buttonwood Park Zoo opened its very first red panda habitat by welcoming a young red panda named Jacob. Jacob arrived in June of 2018 from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and has easily been the SouthCoast’s cutest resident ever since.

Jacob wasn’t able to hold that title alone for long! In May of 2019, Marie, the Zoo’s newest red panda, arrived and began her mandatory 30 day quarantine period. Marie was born in the Greenville Zoo in South Carolina on June 12, 2018. Marie and Jacob enjoyed a joint “birthday party” to celebrate their 1st and 2nd birthday respectively with frozen biscuit cakes and brand new enrichment items. While both red pandas are sweet and inquisitive, Marie is more agile, adventurous and is the first one to try new things.

Marie was brought to New Bedford based on a recommendation as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), which the Buttonwood Park Zoo is actively participating in. The goal of the SSP is to cooperatively manage animal populations to ensure the sustainability of a healthy and genetically diverse population while enhancing the conservation of this species in the wild.

Red pandas reach sexual maturity around 1 ½ years of age and in the northern hemisphere, they breed in January–February and give birth in June–July.

“As the Zoo celebrates its 125th anniversary, we are excited to introduce red pandas to our community for the first time,” said Buttonwood Park Zoo Executive Director, Keith Lovett. “While at the Zoo, guests will be able to witness these beautiful, playful animals and learn what the Zoo is doing to help protect this endangered species.”

Red pandas, which are native to Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar and Nepal, are listed as Endangered. They are faced with threats from habitat loss, illegal hunting, trapping and poaching. There are fewer than 10,000 red pandas living in the wild today with less than 220 in AZA accredited institutions, one of which is the Buttonwood Park Zoo.

Red pandas live in high-altitude temperate forests with bamboo understories. Primarily bamboo eaters, red pandas need to eat 20-30% of their body weight each day due to the high amount of indigestible fiber present in bamboo. Thanks to the success of the Zoo’s new Community Bamboo Program, the animals enjoy various species of bamboo harvested from private landowners throughout the community.

The Zoo offers “Keeper Chats”, an opportunity to learn more about two of the Zoo’s cutest residents, daily at 2:00 pm at the Red Panda Habitat. The Zoo is located at 425 Hawthorn Street in New Bedford and is open from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm daily.

New Bedford’s Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods is recommending to the City Council that the Administration allocates $250,000 for the construction of a rear entrance to the Pulaski School to alleviate the traffic flow issues in the area.

The recommendation will be heard at tonight’s New Bedford City Council meeting.

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New Bedford High School officially added Hospitality and Tourism to its Career Vocational Technical Education program, continuing its expansion of vocational education in the district. The program is connected to the National Academy Foundation (NAF), and the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism is the 5th NAF program at the high school. The announcement was made at the organization’s national conference in Detroit earlier this month.

“We are excited to offer Hospitality and Tourism as our newest NAF academy,” said Bernadette Coelho, Headmaster of New Bedford High School. “We consider NBHS to be a flagship high school for NAF, and we value our strong partnership with them as they continue to support enriching career experiences for our students.”

The high school implemented a pilot hospitality program in the spring semester, in where students enrolled in an event planning class. Notably, the students in the class facilitated major events, including the Mayor’s State of the City address and the groundbreaking ceremony for the school’s finance lab.

“Our hospitality students have already distinguished themselves through implementing two successful events and have set the standard for excellence for future initiatives”, said Chris Cummings, manager of CVTE programs. “We are committed to providing rigorous career technical skill training through the facilitation of events connected to the hospitality industry.”

In addition to offering multiple classes and planning events, the program will strive to place students in paid internship experiences at area hospitality businesses.

As is a component of all CVTE programs, the Hospitality and Tourism program will include an active advisory committee comprised of industry representatives, post-secondary faculty, representatives from the MassHire workforce board, and school staff members. This committee will drive initiatives related to internship placement, employability skill training, and career pathway development.

“We are most fortunate to have a committed advisory committee to support the growth of our new program,” said Cummings. I view them as partners in assisting us in leveraging emerging opportunities in the industry,” he added.

The high school will host an official kickoff event for the school community in October.

New Bedford High School’s Hospitality program is part of the school’s offerings of Career Vocational Technical Education programming. In addition to Hospitality, the school offers career pathway programs in Business, Finance, Instructional Technology, Health Sciences, Engineering, Early Childhood Education, and Criminal Justice. For more information about Career and Technical Education at New Bedford High School, please contact Christopher Cummings, Manager of CVTE at 508 997 4511, ext. 20799.

For students looking to explore graduate business degree options, UMass Dartmouth is hosting an open house on Wednesday, August 7 from 4-6 p.m. in the Charlton College of Business lobby.

The Charlton MBA is responsive to the changing demands of the global, technology-driven economy. Taught by leading business scholars and seasoned industry professionals, this advanced degree offers the option to concentrate in specific areas such as Business Analytics, Organizational Leadership, Accounting, and many more. Students can also create an individualized option to customize their experience. In addition, there are four Master of Science Programs in Technology Management, Accounting, Healthcare Management, and Finance. There are also several 12 credit Graduate Certificate Programs that allow credit transfers into other UMassD graduate business programs.

Graduate business programs at UMass Dartmouth are convenient, local, and reasonably priced. In addition, there are now multiple options for GMAT waivers, as well as an expedited online application process. Most programs can be taken either fully or partially online, and all programs are offered face-to-face on campus at times convenient to working professionals.

To learn more and sign up, please visit the open house’s registration link here.

The New Bedford Chapter of the Prince Henry Society of Massachusetts awarded $52,500 in scholarships to Greater New Bedford college-bound students. For the 39th consecutive year, the society held its annual scholarship brunch at the Century House in Acushnet on June 16.

In 1980, Milton Ferreira and the late Anthony S. Catojo, Jr. and Gabriel Moura founded the Prince Henry Society, a brotherhood of business and professional men of Portuguese descent. The goals of the society are to promote the civic, cultural, economic, educational and social betterment of persons of Portuguese descent and to be of service to the community. In order to accomplish this, they established a three-pronged plan of charities, scholarships, and service to the community.

Since 1980, Prince Henry Society has awarded educational scholarships totaling $997,700 to a total of 998 students from the Greater New Bedford area. Fifty-two scholarships were awarded:

Monica Eires, a graduate of New Bedford High received the Father Fortuna Memorial Scholarship given in memory of the late Father Fortuna, pastor of the Immaculate Conception Church.

Emma Tomaszewski, a graduate of Apponequet Regional, received the Attorney & Rose Ferreira Memorial Scholarship made possible by Mrs. Charles Baker and Dr. Joseph and Lisa Ferreira.

Patrick Clark, a graduate of Bishop Stang, received the Gabriel Moura Memorial Scholarship.

Erin Tetrault, a graduate of Dartmouth High School, received the Manuel Moinheiro Memorial Scholarship. This award was made possible by Patricia Moinheiro in memory of her late husband.

Hunter Bulis, a graduate of Apponequet Regional High School, received the Henry Rodrigues Memorial Scholarship. This award was made possible by Dolores Rodrigues in memory of her late husband.

Brianna Furtado, a graduate of Dartmouth High School, received the second Henry Rodrigues Memorial Scholarship also made possible by wife Dolores Rodrigues.

Taylor Alves, a graduate of Dartmouth High, received the Matt Bernardo Memorial Scholarship made possible by his sister Dolores Rodrigues.

Marcel Sousa, a graduate of New Bedford High School, received the Armand Fernandes, Sr. Memorial Scholarship for a student-athlete. This award was made possible by Judge Armand Fernandes in memory of his father.

Sophia M. Arribada, a graduate of New Bedford High School, received the James Fernandes Memorial Scholarship. This award was made possible by Judge Armand Fernandes in memory of his brother.

Jasmine Davidson, a graduate of Fairhaven High School, received the Todd Christopher Pereira Memorial Scholarship made possible by a friend of the Prince Henry Society.

Justin Pereira, a graduate of Greater New Bedford Voc/Tec, received the second Todd Christopher Pereira Memorial Scholarship made possible by the Pereira Family.

Marissa Freitas, a graduate of Greater New Bedford Voc/Tec, received the Rockland Trust Scholarship made possible by Rockland Trust.

Hayden Parker Lens, a graduate of Apponequet Regional High School, received the Bristol County Savings Bank Scholarship, made possible by the Bristol County Savings Bank.

Alexandria Macedo, a graduate of Greater New Bedford Voc/Tec, received the Bay Coast Bank Scholarship made possible by Bay Coast Bank.

Michael T. Barry, a graduate of Old Rochester Regional High School, received the Michael Demakis Memorial Scholarship. It was made possible by Jocelyn daLuz, Lisa and David Wright, Chris Demakis and Vince Cragin, Nicole Demakis and Michelle and Thomas Barry.

Jacqueline C. Racine, a graduate of Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech, received the Dr. Norbert P. and Elsie Rodrigues Fraga Scholarship made possible by Mrs. Elsie Rodrigues Fraga.

Benjamin Resende, a graduate of Bishop Stand High, received the Raymond H. and Eleanor Aragao Teachman Memorial Scholarship given by Ronald E. Teachman in memory of his parents.

Helena Farias, a graduate of Dartmouth High School, received the Joseph M. and Rose F. Souza Memorial Scholarship made possible by daughters Pam and Elizabeth Souza.

Natasha Moniz, a graduate of Fairhaven High School, received the Joseph and Lucy Bernardo Memorial Scholarship.

Andrew Sullivan, a graduate of Greater New Bedford Voc/Tec, received the Anthony S. Catojo Jr. Memorial Scholarship given by the Prince Henry Society.

Alexia Macaroco, a graduate of Greater New Bedford Voc/Tec received the Manuel R. And Olivia Cabral Memorial Scholarship. This award was made possible by the Cabral children, sons Oliver & Adalino and daughters Maria Galego and Dortina Marder.

Victoria Cameron, a graduate of Dartmouth High School 2017, received the Christopher Jon Souza Memorial Scholarship, made possible by Antone and Elsie Souza in memory of their son and the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts – Christopher Jon Souza Fund.

Meagan Sebastiao, a graduate of Dartmouth High School 2017, received the second Christopher Jon Souza Memorial Scholarship, made possible by Antone and Elsie Souza in memory of their son and the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts –Christopher Jon Souza Fund.

Bailee Amaral, a graduate of Old Colony Regional, received the DBS Dartmouth Building Supply Scholarship. This award was made possible by Joseph Delgado and family.

Sean Sebastiao, a graduate of Dartmouth High, received the Arnold B. Camara Memorial Scholarship, given by Michael Camara & Family of the ABC disposal service of New Bedford.

Isabella Freitas, a graduate of Dartmouth High School, received the Salvador & Katherine Fernandes Memorial Scholarship, given by member Michael Fernandes and Family of the Northern Wind Co., Inc., in memory of Michael’s parents.

Sarah Fernandes, a graduate of New Bedford High School, received the Carlos Pacheco Memorial Scholarship made possible by wife Hazel, daughter Judy Young and family and friends of the late New Bedford school committeeman.

Reilly S. Leconte, a graduate of Dartmouth High School, received the Pinto’s Garage and Auto Body Inc. Scholarship by Mr. & Mrs. Gus Pinto & Family.

Samantha Costa, a graduate of Fairhaven High School, received the Milton Ferreira Memorial Scholarship.

Alexander Faria, a graduate of Dartmouth High School, received the Fernando A. Gaspar Memorial Scholarship, made possible by the family of Fernando A. Gaspar.

Chloe Martinez, a graduate of Dartmouth High School, received the Youth Investment Foundation Scholarship made possible by the Youth Investment Foundation.

Ruth Amado, a graduate of New Bedford High School, received the Shelley A. Carvalho Memorial Scholarship made possible by the family of Shelley A. Carvalho.

Davi’an L. Goncalves, a graduate of Greater New Bedford Voc-Tec, received the Everyday hero scholarship by member Barry Sylvia and BENCOR.

Caroline Lambert, a graduate of Apponequet Regional, received the Cameron Jeffrey Goulart Scholarship provided by Cameron’s Kids.

Courtney Carreiro, a graduate of Greater New Bedford Voc/Tec, received the Flavio S. Duarte Memorial Scholarship provided by Julianne and William Viveiros.

Rachel Pereira, a graduate of New Bedford High School, received the Jose (Joe) Helder Freitas Memorial Scholarship by Mrs. Alice Freitas and Family.

Jamie Read, a graduate of Wareham High School, received the Stoico/FIRSTFED Scholarship, made possible by the Robert F. Stoico/FIRSTFEDC Charitable Foundation.

Zachary O’Brien, a graduate of New Bedford High School, received the Ernest Simmons Memorial Scholarship given by Peter Simmons and Family in memory of Peter’s father.

Selena Marie Arruda, a 2018 graduate of Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech, received the Taylor Leigh Alves Memorial Scholarship. It was given by Dr. Gary Alves of the Alves Chiropractic Center and the Prince Henry Society.

Joshua Correia, a graduate of New Bedford High received the “Castelo Family Scholarship” made possible by Mr. & Mrs. Jose S. Castelo and Family.

Michele Silveira, a graduate of New Bedford High, received the Cristina (Pinto) Azinheira Memorial Scholarship made possible by husband Lee Azinheira in memory of his late wife.

Chandler Goulart, a graduate of Old Rochester Regional, received the Joaquim “Jack” Nobrega Memorial Scholarship, made possible by the membership of the Prince Henry Society.

Devon Walsh, a graduate of Bishop Stang, received the Rudolfo Ribeiro Memorial Scholarship given by daughters Leslie Vicente and Juraci Capataz in memory of their father.

Mackenzie Vieira, a graduate of Old colony Voc-Tec received the Natalio Gomes Memorial Scholarship made possible by son Andy Gomes and family in memory of his father.

Nicole Cunha, a graduate of Dartmouth High School, received the Noah Fernandes Memorial Scholarship given in memory of Noah Fernandes and made possible by the Noah Foundation and the Fernandes Family.

Lucas Pacheco, a graduate of Fairhaven High, received the second Noah Fernandes Memorial Scholarship given by the Noah Foundation and the Fernandes Family.

Kaitlyn Rose Furtado, a graduate of Dartmouth High School, received the Portuguese Continental Union/Lodge #4, New Bedford, MA Scholarship.

Sarah Furtado, a graduate of Greater New Bedford Voc/Tec, received the Prince Henry Society Scholarship.

Cameron Costa, a graduate of Greater New Bedford Voc/Tec received the second Prince Henry Society Scholarship.

Clinton Hegarty, a graduate of Bishop Stang, received the third Prince Henry Society Scholarship.

Navi Cabral and Misael Tavares, both graduates of Greater New Bedford Voc/Tec, received the Amarino Franco Tavares Memorial Scholarships made possible by son Joseph & daughter in law Lenore Tavares and family and friends of Amarino Tavares.

The Portuguese United for Education, Inc. Scholarship was presented by the Prince Henry Society of MA, New Bedford Chapter to the Portuguese United for Education, Inc. School (Discovery Language Academy).

To celebrate the release of its newest book — Under Sun, Stars and Sails: A Whaling Family’s Life at Sea by Marsha Hall Brown, Spinner Publications will hold a book launch event and signing on Thursday, July 11, 2019 from 5:00 to 5:45 p.m. at the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s Cook Memorial Theater, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford. The event is free to the public.

Come meet author Marsha Hall Brown and be among the first to get a personalized copy of the book. Ms. Brown will read brief passages from this intimate true-life account of a 19th-century Nantucket family’s adventures at sea during whaling expeditions that included everything from visits to exotic seaports to deadly hurricanes, serious illness, snake-infested rivers, and dangerous jungle crossings.

Learn about whaling Master Captain Joseph Marshall and his wife, Malvina Pinkham Marshall, who became partners in the whaling industry while creating a distinctive family life with their young daughter, Helen during their nine years together at sea.

The author will read from actual family letters and journals, which were used in the book’s compilation. Contributing Editor Tom Hall will talk about the extraordinary narrative of the Marshall family and their Pacific voyages during turbulent times in American history.

Guests will be invited to ask questions during the presentation.

“Marsha Hall Brown brings us on an exhilarating and vicarious voyage around the world as she pieces together, through meticulous research, the unusual childhood of Helen Marshall. In doing so, we are treated to an intimate look at a seafaring family and equally engrossed in the global business that was Yankee whaling.” –James Russell, Gosnell Executive Director, Nantucket Historical Society.

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Spinner Publications, is a non-profit publishing house in New Bedford whose mission is to record and promote the history and culture of southeastern New England. For more information, log on to spinnerpub.com, visit Spinner Publications’ Facebook page, call (508) 994-4564, or email sgrace@spinnerpub.com.

Southcoast Health announced today that the St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary awarded five $1,000 scholarships to area high school seniors entering college in the fall to pursue careers in healthcare.

• Sandra Allen, the auxiliary scholarship chair, presented the awards to:

• Samantha Landry, a graduate from Bishop Stang High School, who will enter the nursing program at Clemson University in Clemson, S.C.

• Courtney Carreiro. a graduate of Greater New Bedford Regional High School, who will enter the nursing program at University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.

• Erin Tetrault, a graduate from Dartmouth High School, who will attend Lipscomb University in Nashville, T.N., to study Psychology and Behavioral Therapy.

• Isabella Freitas, a graduate from Dartmouth High School, who will enter the Pre-Dental program the University of New England in Biddeford M.E.

• Sharon Jacob, who graduated from Greater New Bedford Regional High School, who will attend Johnson and Wales University in Providence, R.I. entering the fast track Physician’s Assistant Program.

“Our applicants were all outstanding, multi-talented students and the selection process was very challenging,” said Allen. “We chose the best of the best!”.

The St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to render services to St. Luke’s Hospital, its tax-exempt subsidiaries, and its patients and to assist in promoting health and welfare of the community. Members serve as ambassadors to the community on behalf of the hospital. St. Luke’s Hospital is located in New Bedford and is part of the Southcoast Health hospital system. For more information or to join, please call Anne Porter at 508-982-3130.

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About Southcoast Health
Southcoast Health is a not-for-profit, charitable organization and the largest provider of primary and specialty care in the region, serving communities in Rhode Island and across Southeastern Massachusetts. Southcoast Health was named to Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2019 inaugural list.

Connect to Southcoast Health through social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Southcoast® is a registered trademark of Southcoast Health System.