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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020 Page 13 Mayor announces launch of Revere Works coalition Preparing Revere residents for Revere jobs in growth industries Amazon resumes active hiring A s the unemployment rate in Revere nears 26 percent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Brian Arrigo announced Revere Works, a coalition-led approach to support Revere residents in need of immediate work and help position the city’s workforce to benefi t from long-term growth. Workforce development eff orts total over $1.5 million in combined funding and include the launch of the Revere Works coalition, the kick off of the city’s workforce development planning, and renewed collaboration with partners and neighboring municipalities, all as Amazon resumes active hiring for its delivery station under construction on American Legion Highway. ASSISTANCE | SEE PAGE 9 and Spanish. “The extraordinary challenges that the people of Massachusetts have faced over the last few months have been stressful for so many in various ways,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This crisis counseling assistance program will be another available resource for those who may need it, and we encourage anyone who is in need to call to receive crisis support.” “Essential workers in many industries, from medical professionals and fi rst responders to grocery store workers, transit providers and so many others, have worked hard in challenging conditions throughout this crisis,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “While this program is open to anyone in the Commonwealth who needs support, we also remind our essential workers that this new resource is available to support their unique needs during this time.” “The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted individuals’ mental health in different ways. We’ve emphasized the importance of checking in with loved ones and spending time outside, and other ways to help cope,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “This crisis counseling assistance program is another way that people experiencing stress, fear, isolation, and loneliness can connect with profes“In a matter of two months, we saw our unemployment rate skyrocket from a steady 3 percent up to more than a quarter of our residents. With uncertainty regarding the future of Federal unemployment assistance, and a strong desire among residents to get back to work, there is a new sense of urgency in our eff orts to help position them to take advantage of the immediate and longerterm employment opportunities here in our own city,” said Mayor Arrigo. “This work is a testament to the commitment of our nonprofi t and employer partners to supporting our residents, in the immediacy of Covid-19 recovery and well into the future.” Over the next 20 years, Resional mental health support.” “It’s a privilege to be able to partner with FEMA and Riverside Community Care to launch MassSupport. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a deep emotional toll, but challenging times present opportunities for collaboration. We’re stronger together, we will heal, and this essential service will be a valuable tool in that journey,” said DMH Commissioner Joan Mikula. “We are honored that FEMA and the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health have called upon the Riverside Trauma Center to assist the citizens of the Commonwealth in coping with the behavioral health repercussions of the pandemic. Just as our team has helped people heal after critical incidents including the Boston Marathon bombing, we are prepared to offer resources, strategies, and comfort – as together, we face the eff ects of the pandemic,” said Riverside Community Care Founder/CEO Scott Bock. “This crisis counseling assistance is one of the important programs that the Commonwealth requested, and received under the FEMA Major Disaster Declaration,” said Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Director Samantha Phillips. “MEMA continues to coordinate the disaster assistance programs including this Crisis ASSISTANCE | SEE PAGE 16 For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 781-286-8500 or Info@advocatenews.net pleted, in-progress or planned projects, and additional ongoing investment in the redevelopment of Suff olk Downs and prospective redevelopment of Wonderland. Today, 93 percent of Revere residents work outside the city, and only 19 percent of jobs within the city are held by residents. BRIAN ARRIGO Mayor vere expects to add 22,000 new jobs – more than doubling the city’s current job base – as a result of a robust, private investment pipeline of more than $800 million in recently comA residents-fi rst approach to meet immediate and longterm opportunities Revere Works is a joint eff ort of the City of Revere, The Neighborhood Developers (TND), MGH’s Center for Community Health Improvement, and a growing coalition of municipal, nonprofi t and employer partners. The coalition will work to ensure local businesses, particularly women- and minorityowned, are in the best possible position to benefi t from largescale economic development underway in the city and to fi ll available jobs in a post-COVID-19 world. Revere Works will initially target low-income, lowskilled and mostly fi rst- or second-generation immigrant residents with job training, placement and retention services, as well as fi nancial capability and adult education opportunities. The coalition’s next skills training program is a free, fourweek virtual professional development class facilitated by TND/CONNECT in partnership with the International Institute of New England, beginJOBS | SEE PAGE 16 Baker-Polito Admin. announces Sales Tax Holiday Aug. 29-30 weekend BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration announced this week that the annual sales tax– free weekend will take place from August 29-30. This marks the second sales tax holiday held under the new law signed by Governor Charlie Baker in 2018 that made the weekend an annual occurrence. “The annual sales tax holiday is an opportunity for us to support small businesses and consumers, and this year, it’s a great way to support our economy that’s been impacted by COVID-19,” said Governor Baker. “This pandemic has created enormous challenges for the Commonwealth’s small businesses, and the sales tax–free weekend is one way that we can encourage more economic activity to help Main Street businesses and local economies.” “As the Commonwealth continues its phased reopening process, we recognize that many small businesses continue to face diffi culties,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We are proud that our Administration worked with the Legislature to enact legislation making the sales tax holiday permanent and look forward to this year’s tax-free weekend and the economic activity that will come with it.” “We are proud to continue supporting local businesses and consumers as we work with our colleagues in the Legislature to navigate the evolving COVID-19 environment while adhering to public health guidelines,” said Secretary for Administration and Finance Michael Heff ernan. “The upcoming sales tax holiday will be an opportunity for people throughout Massachusetts to help support local companies and generate much-needed economic activity.”

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