Over these past several months, women have been challenged with making choices about how they manage work, family and their relationships during COVID - 19. Now that the boundaries between work, school and home life have blurred in new and unusual ways, it is time to consider ways to preserve healthy boundaries between work life and personal priorities. Join us as we will look at some practical resources to help manage these challenging demands and discuss strategies for how to juggle it all.

Presenter: Leslie Strachan, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Addiction Specialist and Certified Executive and Career Coach

Effective last Friday, Massachusetts enacted a series of targeted measures to disrupt the increasing trend of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. These measures are meant to disrupt rising trends now, so the Commonwealth can keep the economy and schools open for residents and to prevent the need to roll back to Phase I or Phase II of the reopening plan.

The revised Stay At Home Advisory instructs residents to stay home between 10 PM and 5 AM. The Advisory allows for activities such as going to work, running critical errands to get groceries and address health needs, and taking a walk.

Read the revised Stay At Home Advisory

Early Closure of Businesses and Activities: Governor Baker issued a new executive order that requires the early closure of certain businesses and activities each night at 9:30 PM. The 9:30 PM closure requirement is aligned with the Stay At Home Advisory and together the two new initiatives are designed to further limit activities that could lead to COVID-19 transmission. Read the Advisory

Read the revised Face Coverings Order.

Read the revised Gatherings Order.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made $50.8 million in grants available to support small businesses, microenterprises, and their employees, families and communities. Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) will be administering these funds to businesses experiencing economic hardship and a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grant funding is intended to help businesses adversely impacted by the pandemic. Preference will be given to small businesses whose owners are women, minorities, veterans, members of other underrepresented groups, who are focused on serving the Gateway Cities of Massachusetts, and those most negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Preference will also be given to applicants that have not been able to receive aid from other federal programs related to COVID-19.

Things we've found out about the grants:

The pandemic hasn't stopped Chamber members from networking. Our Referral Exchange Networks (REN) are all meeting virtually.

They are also accepting new members. If you would like know more about how the groups work, you can attend one of their meetings as a guest. REN is a great way to develop and solidify personal business relationships in a relaxed but structured environment.

To learn more about REN, check out our video here.

To see when each group meets click here.