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Building Communities
Changing Lives
March 2024
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Dear Julia,
This past month I had the privilege of attending the National Community Action Foundation's (NCAF's) Annual Washington Conference and Community Action Fly-In Day with members of our leadership team. The focus of NCAF's conference this year was to celebrate and reflect on 60 Years of Community Action - how far we have come in the War on Poverty, and how much more work we have to do to ensure access to housing, education, healthcare, and access to nutritious food in our communities.
It was truly humbling to be surrounded by so many people from the 1000 Community Action Agencies around the country who continue to be passionate about the work we do to assist those most in need. Hearing from our colleagues across the country each year helps to invigorate us at Community Teamwork to continue to make a difference at the local level. We also took the opportunity to visit our legislators at the Capital to thank them for their continued support of Community Action and our programs.
Also, this month we were thrilled to unveil our Summer Street Apartments at a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony where more than 50 people joined in celebrating the opening of 19 permanent supportive housing units for un-housed individuals. This initiative to find and develop low-threshold housing began as a response to the growing crisis of individual homelessness we have seen in the past few years.
There is much more information below which we hope you take time to read and please feel free to reach out to me or any of our staff if you would like to learn more about our many programs.
As always, thank you for your continued support. We could not do the work we do without you!
Gratefully,
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Karen Frederick, CEO
Community Teamwork
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NCAF's Annual Washington Conference Celebrating and Reflecting on 60 Years of Community Action (1964-2024) | |
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"Participating in the NCAF Conference- National Community Action Foundation, Inc., was truly invigorating. Hearing from current and past elected officials (Tom Graves-R-GA, Steve Israel- D-NY, Cheri Bustos-D-IL, Llena Ros-Lehinen- R-FL) as well as historic figures like Freedom Rider Joan Trumpauer Mulholland Foundation. Loki Mulholland filled me with energy and renewed hope. In a political climate where many feel discouraged, these moments remind us of the power of advocacy and collective action.
"As we celebrate 60 years of Community Action, let's acknowledge the progress we've made while recognizing the work that still lies ahead. Despite advancements, our country remains plagued by segregation, a widening wealth gap, and unequal access to education. It's imperative that we continue our efforts to build a more equitable society for all."
Carl Howell, Chief Program Officer
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CTI Staff: Carl Howell, CPO, Barbara Warren, Division Director Housing & Homeless Services, Nancy Van Alst, CFO, Karen Frederick, CEO & Kathleen Plath, Marketing & Communications Director" | |
Joan Trumpauer Mulholland - One of the original Freedom Fighters | |
Summer Street Ribbon Cutting Ceremony | |
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Community Teamwork (CTI) recently held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Summer Street Apartments, Lowell, MA, to mark the completion of two years of planning and construction on a project that will provide 19 new permanent supportive housing units for individuals experiencing Homelessness. The units are efficiency apartments, each with its own bathroom and kitchenette. Residents will benefit from a permanent supportive housing model which will include addressing their broader needs including access to food, transportation, and healthcare. In addition, Community Teamwork will provide support in areas such as: access to employment, educational opportunities, financial literacy, help accessing state benefits, and legal support.
This project was funded in part through a combination of various public and private sources including, the City of Lowell (ARPA), Massachusetts Alliance for Supportive Housing (ARPA), Mass Housing and Shelter Alliance (MHSA), Theodore Edson Parker Foundation, Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, and Santander Bank.
A special thanks goes to Studio 26 Design Collaborative LLC, Turman Design Services, LM Hayes Engineering Associates, TAJ Engineering, Charters Brothers Construction and its sub-contractors, the City of Lowell Inspectional Services, and the City of Lowell Fire Department.
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Gene Cordes, Director of Facilities, who did much of the project management of this site, did the honor of cutting the ribbon. | State Representative Rodney Elliott | CTI Board Members Bernadette Wheeler, Rita O'Brien-Dee, & Marie Sweeney | Some of CTI's Senior Staff: Carl Howell, Ann Sirois, Lisa Wholey, Barbara Warren | Amy Weatherbee, Director of Planning & Quality Improvement, Bernadette Wheeler & Ann Siriois | Carl Howell, Jay Mason (Architect) & Connie Martin, Division Director Energy & Community Resources | State Senator Edward Kennedy | |  |
Paul Ratha Yem, Vice Mayor, City of Lowell, Karen Frederick, CTI CEO and Carl Howell, CTI CPO | Steve Panagiotakos, Strategic Policy Advisor & Rita Mercier, Lowell City Councilor | John Mcfaun-Manufacturer's Rep for Emerson Swan (HVAC Industry), Colin Heneghan of Action Inc. & Gene Cordes | Jonathan Lunde, Case Management Services Manager - Housing, Bruce Jefferson, Tiffany Cirilo, Lead Residential Counselor & Gene Cordes | Sheila Och, President of CTI's Board of Directors & Ann Sirois, Chief Planning & Development Officer | Karen Frederick & State Representative Vanna Howard | Facilities Staff: Paul Coolong, Bruce Jefferson, Melissa Joyce - Assistant Director | | |
Renata Rourke, Director of Individual Homeless Services, Felicia Noel, Case Manager (on-site at Summer Street), Maria Cubias, Case Manager, Katelynn Travers, Program Manager & Sandra Sheridan, Case Manager | |
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Charters Brothers Construction, LLC
Sean Kimmins, Mike MacLeod, Lucian Greco, Haley Frazier (Sam Marcionek hidden in back and pictured separately right), Heather Prescott, Amanda Wolf, Adam Charters, Alex Croteau & Michael Bean
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CTI is celebrating Women’s History Month by spotlighting the extraordinary women who have shaped our lives! This year, we asked our staff to nominate female friends, colleagues, family members, present-day leaders, and historical figures who inspire them and who have contributed to society. Following is one of our favorites. To view other extraordinary women nominated by our staff, please visit our social media platforms, links to which are located at the bottom of this newsletter. | |
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Marcia Smith
It wasn't until I became fully immersed in my career working in the public health field and a very active community volunteer that I realized the incredible impact my Mom had on those pathways. I grew up in a home in which we often had international visitors as guests. My father, a university professor and world renown scientist, would regularly invite graduate students and colleagues and their families into our home for dinner parties. The spouses and children typically had limited English speaking capabilities. I observed my mom, time and time again, create the most hospitable environment and work through language barriers to engage them into the conversation, to learn about their places of origin, and make every guest to feel like a family member. I believe this is why I have the ability and confidence to provide that same experience to all those that walk through the doors of WIC and in my overall treatment of others. My mom, whose primary role was raising eight children, managed to find time to volunteer at school, at church, and in her community. I, too, proudly serve in various roles in my own community and church, and those experiences give me passion and purpose that may have gone unfound otherwise. And lastly, professionally, I chose a career path in dietetics and nutrition. Growing up, we were so lucky to have a lunch packed from home that always included a sandwich, a fruit, a vegetable, and a nickel for milk. At home, a fresh meal was prepared every night... for ten of us! I am passionate about cooking and nutrition, and I truly believe that she yet again had a lot to do with that! When I wonder how I will keep up with the demands of a family of six, full-time career serving the public, and multiple volunteer commitments, all I need to do is pause., reflect on my Mom, and ask, WWMD/ (what would Marcia do?). I could write pages and pages of the works of Marcia Smith. As this month is the anniversary of her leaving us from this world, I am particularly honored to nominate my Mom for recognition. The parts of my "self" that I am most proud of are directly linked to her.
-Nominated Posthumously by Sarah Seguin, Director of WIC
#DEIBatCTI #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInHistory #HerStory #WomenEmpowerment #Feminism #WomenWhoLead #InspirationalWomen #StrongWomen
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Please Join us to Celebrate
Champions of Community Action
and to Commemorate 60 Years of Community Action
Thursday, May 23, 2024
6 – 9 pm
Honoring
Manager Paul Cohen, Town of Chelmsford
Manager Thomas A. Golden, City of Lowell
Richard Howe, Jr., Lowell Register of Deeds, Northern Middlesex District
Sue Kim, Associate Dean, Professor and Co-Director for the Center for Asian American Studies at UMass Lowell
Vladimir Saldaña, Community Development Professional and Co-Founder of Fortaleza
$100/ticket
Sponsorships and Group Tickets available.
Spring Celebration 2024 Sponsorship Opportunities
For more information, visit: https://onecau.se/ctispring24
Email: maregan@commteam.org
www.commteam.org
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WHO WE ARE: A Chronicle of Racism in America COMMUNITY SCREENINGS | |
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Recently, Harbor of Hope Christian Church and Chelmsford First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in collaboration with Community Teamwork sponsored a film screening of Who We Are: A Documentary of Racism in America at Harbor of Hope in No. Chelmsford. About 30 folks from the community attended and signed the Racial Equity Pledge.
For more information about these screenings or setting one up, please contact Saadia Ahmad, Director Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at CTI: sahmad@commteam.org
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It's Tax Season - Find out more about CTI's FREE Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program
Visit: www.commteam.org/volunteer-income-tax-assistance-vita
Contact:
Eric Rosario at 978.735.6748, erosario@commteam.org
Jackyie Gonzalez at 978.735.4489, jgonzalez@commteam.org
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Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP) | |
CHECK OUT THIS BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURE - See what's possible with the Home Modification Loan Program. Even this simple change, adding solid surface flooring for wheelchair mobility ease can have a huge impact on someone's independence! The program offers 0% interest loans to MA homeowners to help them create a more accessible home. Find out if you qualify www.cedac.org/find-out-if-you-qualify #TransformationThursday #HMLP | |
Guidance for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Security Deposit program
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Effective September 1, 2023 (unless otherwise instructed by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), eligible households in the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities’ (EOHLC, formerly known as Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Housing Choice Voucher program and certain other voucher programs will be eligible for one-time security deposit assistance.
HCV Security Deposition Program Memo
Security Deposit Registration Form
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Calling all Housing Provider Partners -
Do you have and apartment to rent?
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Community Teamwork (CTI)’s Housing and Homeless Service Division is looking to immediately rent apartments in
Lowell, Tewksbury, Chelmsford and Dracut.
- 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom apartments are needed immediately.
- CTI is the “tenant” and we will place those in need referred to us by the State. These participants will receive supportive services.
- CTI pays security and the monthly rent, and is responsible for any damages caused by the participants.
- Apartments MUST be de-leaded and have an occupancy permit.
- 1-3 year lease options available.
If interested, please respond to aglaser@commteam.org - stating the address, # of bedrooms, rent requested, when it will be vacant, and length of desired lease.
You can also submit the form with the information about the apartment(s) you have available by clicking the link below:
https://www.cognitoforms.com/CommunityTeamwork1/VacantApartmentsCTI
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Did you know that as a WIC participant you are eligible for heating and gas assistance? Call your local office today to find out more information: 978.654.7199. WIC is good food and a whole lot more indeed! 45 Kirk Street, Lowell and Lowell Community Health Center.
www.commteam.org/program/women-infants-and-children-wic
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Now Taking Applications for
Fuel Assistance (LIHEAP)
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Thank You to our 2023 Newsletter Sponsor | |
There are ALWAYS Ways to Help | |
If you find yourself in a position to help, your contribution will aid our efforts on every front as we work together to care for our clients and families in their hour of greatest need, and emerge stronger than ever. | |
COMMUNITY TEAMWORK
978.459.0551
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