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Community Teamwork Connector
Spring 2019
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Save the Date
Mill City Mentors Comedy Night
(formerly known as Big Brothers Big Sisters)
Thursday, April 11th, 5:45pm-9pm
Lenzi's - Dracut
For Tickets & Sponsorships/more info visit:
Questions? Contact Bridget Quinn
Event for CTI's Housing Providers
Monday, May 20th, 6:15pm-9:30pm
Double Tree by Hilton
123 Old River Road, Andover MA
Registration Required. For tickets visit:
Info/Questions contact:
CTI's Spring Celebration
Leading the way home...
Honoring local leaders working to end youth homelessness!
Thursday, May 23rd, 5:30-8:30pm
James Houlares Early Learning Center
126 Phoenix Ave, Lowell
Lowell Farmers' Market 2019
July 12th - October 25th,
Every Friday, 12-5pm
Lucy Larcom Park
Looking for Vendors - Interested?
or for more information/application
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A MESSAGE FROM CEO
Karen Frederick
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Spring is here…and like the new season, our hopes, plans and initiatives here at Community Teamwork are growing to better meet the needs of our communities and to better assist people in achieving their own hopes and dreams of economic independence. Spring is also a busy legislative season as budgets are prepared, programs reauthorized, and new initiatives are launched. On the local, state, and federal levels, we are pleased to work with great partners in our elected and appointed officials and with government staff from programs which support all types of programming from housing needs to early education and care and school age programs.
So, what is new this spring?
We have launched our Youth Homelessness work, housing young adults and working with them to find the best path forward in education, training or the workforce. As of this writing, 12 young adults experiencing homelessness have been housed and over 40 have received services.
Community Teamwork (along with partners Little Sprouts and UTEC) was awarded a new Early Head Start expansion grant which will allow 54 more infants, toddlers and their families to receive high quality, two-generation early education and care and related services.
We are also launching (as a pilot for the Dept. of Housing and Community Development) a program to help individuals who have a housing subsidy move to “areas of high opportunity” if they choose to move. This pilot will look at barriers to moving and strategies to eliminate those barriers.
Lastly, we are working with our partners in the Health Sector to better align our services with their services. This recognizes the impact that stable housing, access to good nutrition, and other social determinants of health has in positive health outcomes.
Many thanks from the Board and staff of Community Teamwork for your ongoing encouragement and support. Building stronger communities takes a village!
Karen
Karen N. Frederick
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L-R: Karen Frederick, CEO CTI, State Senator Barry Finegold, Steven Panagiotakos
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Legislative Lunch and Round-Table Discussion at CTI
Community Teamwork is so appreciative of the area's legislators and staff members who came to CTI on Friday 3/29/19 to attend our
Legislative Lunch and Round-Table discussion. Among those in attendance were new State Representative
Tram Nguyen
,
Patti Kirwin-Keilty, Chief of Staff for State Senator
Edward Kenned
y,
State Senator
Barry Finegold
and his aide Tom Mahoney,
State Senator Diana DiZoglio, State Representative David Nangle, State Representative
Dave Robertson
and Somong Rattanayong, staff aide to State Representative
Rady Mom.
There was a lot of g
reat listening, learning, exchange of ideas and information and expression of support - both ways.... Topics discussed included housing for domestic abuse victims - especially regarding those with a job, RAFT and transitional housing, youth homelessness at the high school and expanding the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program throughout the state. Each of our Division Directors (Connie Martin - Energy and Community Resources, Meghan Siembor - Child and Family Services, and Carl Howell - Housing and Homeless Services) presented their main topics of concern and need for support.
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Greater Lowell Community Foundation, Community Teamwork and Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Partner in Drug Court Transportation Project
Meghan Siembor, Community Teamwork Inc. s Division Director of Child and Family Services and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan SUN/DAVID H. BROW
CTI, GLCF and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office are announcing a first-of-its kind partnership to provide transportation to individuals to and from Drug Court. Last year, CTI received a $10,000 grant from GLCF to help start the pilot program, which kicked off in October, and is currently providing services for three women who are being picked up from a Lynn Sober House and transported to their court appearances. The goal is to accommodate up to 13 individuals each week.
“This partnership with the office of District Attorney Marian T. Ryan, Community Teamwork and the Drug Court is the capstone of a multi-year commitment to fund programs for opioid prevention and treatment in our area and help ensure success for participants. In response to the opioid epidemic, the Community Foundation has awarded
more than $160,000 in discretionary funds to support local nonprofits,” said Greater Lowell Community Foundation President and CEO Jay Linnehan.
“By providing this transportation option we are filling a service gap that was prohibiting some individuals from easily accessing the courts, which is essential to successful completion of drug court,” said District Attorney Ryan. “We continue to work with the courts and our community partners to ensure the criminal justice system is not just
punitive. To do this we need to think outside the box to come up with innovative solutions that will hopefully lead to a successful
outcome and ultimately interrupt the often cyclical effects of substance use disorders.
“Most often, these defendants are in need of other basic services which CTI can provide, such as housing, financial literacy, child care, etc. Through this pilot program, which can send employees from CTI to work with the probation officials and social workers, we are able to identify the various resources available to the defendants. We could not have taken this novel approach without the help of this grant from GLCF,” stated Meghan Siembor, Director of Child and Family Services.
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Director of
NEW
YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAM Joins CTI
Amanda Mallardo
Amanda received her BS in Psychology from Suffolk University and later her MSW from the University of New England. As an undergraduate student, she was intrigued by Spare Change News, Boston. The content was written by homeless folks and this was her first introduction to homelessness. She worked at
Building Blocks with Toddlers in Early Intervention, 0-3 years with Autism and at Childrens Behavioral Health Initiatives (CHBI) Youth Services in In Home Therapy. These experiences increased her interest in social work. More recently, she worked with Bridge Over Troubled Waters as a Counselor to Adolescent Youth (ages 14-24) and having earned her MSW, she focused on program development and management for youth services.
Amanda enjoys working with youth because they are impressionable, which allows more opportunity to shape the behaviors of 14-24 year olds. They have an abundance of resilience, mixed connections, and she feels she can still make a difference along with sharing their joy for life (e.g., their performance of magic tricks along with practicing survival techniques). The youth are curious and still able to make great choices about their future.
Like us on Facebook: @LowellYouthSpeaks
On Instagram:
lowell_youth_speaks
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CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES
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Family Child Care is hosting several upcoming trainings open to Family Child Care Providers in Region 3.
“SIDS” Training presented in English
Tuesday, April 9
th
, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
126 Phoenix Ave, 3
rd
Floor, Training Rms 2 & 3
Presented by EEC Region 3 Licensors
To Register, call Lynne Eriksen @ 978-654-7173
“SIDS” Training Presented in Spanish
Tuesday, May 14
th
, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
126 Phoenix Ave, 3
rd
Floor, Training Rms 2 & 3
Presented by EEC Region 3 Licensors
To Register, call Jackie Harrington @ 978-654-7107
“CLASS” Classroom Assessment Scoring System
Saturday, May 18
th
, 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM
126 Phoenix Ave, 3
rd
Floor, Training Rms 2 & 3
Presented by the Collaborative for Educational Services
Training Hours: .5 CEU’s Cost is $15 includes CLASS tool
CTI School Age Program
Published Authors by using Write Brain Curriculum
The children in the School Age Program are in the process of becoming published authors. They have recently completed writing their group books. Staff are in the process of sending the information off to the publishers.
What is the Write Brain Curriculum?
WRiTE BRAiN is a narrative and creative writing program designed to help students of all ages succeed in English Language Arts classes, as well as prepare for academic rigor and tests through evidence-based, engaging curricula that build essential literacy skills. WRiTE BRAiN’s K-12 curricula enhance and develop 21st Century learning skills in young people who are preparing for higher education, community impact, and eventually, career environments, as well as for real-life scenarios that will shape their futures. The in-depth lesson plans and unique content help student writers learn not only myriad writing skills, but also practical application tools in areas such as decision-making, idea development, problem-solving, task completion, peer-to-peer feedback, diplomacy, collaboration, and more.
What is the McAuliffe Center?
School Age won the scholarship for the Space Station Explorers for Out of School Time to the McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Learning over February Vacation. Through this scholarship, the program was able to send 25 middle school students to the event.
The Christa Corrigan McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Learning offers integrated science learning opportunities that help K-16 students develop the skills and knowledge they will need to meet the challenges of work, life and citizenship for the 21st century.
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Women Infant and Children (WIC)
Supplemental Nutrition Program
Happy National Nutrition Month from the Lowell WIC Program!
The Massachusetts Lowell WIC program is celebrating National Nutrition Month! Throughout the month of March, children who participate in the WIC program are voting for their favorite vegetable. As of this week, broccoli is in the lead! Broccoli is a veggie superstar
loaded with fiber, antioxidants to fight cancer, and vitamin C to aid in iron absorption.
Broccoli is a nutrient-rich vegetable that may enhance your health in a variety of ways, such as reducing inflammation, improving blood sugar control, boosting immunity and promoting heart health. Lowell’s WIC kids are smart in choosing broccoli and, with all the positive benefits, we hope you do, too!
Nutrition staff created a bulletin board highlighting 19 health tips for 2019. For more information and tips to
be at your best this year, click
here
.
Every week, the nutrition staff lead cooking demonstrations in the waiting room showing WIC participants simple ways to create healthy recipes using WIC food benefits. In honor of National Nutrition Month, the weekly cooking demonstration in March highlighted a nutritious way to make a healthier alternative to traditional Asian take-out. The recipe uses fresh vegetables and whole wheat spaghetti to create a lighter, fiber-rich and delicious version of veggie lo-mein!
The Massachusetts WIC Program is a welcoming place for all families including refugees and immigrants!
Pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women and children up to the age of five can qualify for WIC benefits regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) state foreign born individuals (immigrants and their families) will NOT be considered a ‘Public Charge’ for receiving WIC benefits and participation will not affect immigration or permanent status
. Please help spread the word that WIC is not included in the public charge rule! Families fearing public charge may be missing out on valuable WIC services.
May 2
nd
is Massachusetts WIC Day!
On May 2
nd
, community partners are invited to celebrate with us and learn more about our program highlights from 9-10am at CTI Lowell WIC office 45 Kirk Street in Lowell.
Financial Education Center
Happy National Financial Literacy Month from the Financial Education Center!
April was declared
Financial Literacy for Youth Month
back in 2003 by President Bush. In 2010, President Obama designated April as
National Financial Literacy Month
as a result of “both irresponsible actions on Wall Street and everyday choices on Main Street.” (
www.daveramsey.com
)
Why is Financial Literacy so important that two Presidents would declare a whole month around it? Here is what I think…
Ignorance isn’t bliss when it comes to personal finance management.
The more you know about your money, credit score, banking, credit cards, loans, savings, investing, the better off you’ll be. And it isn’t that you need to know it all at once. Start with one thing…for example spending. What are you spending every day, week, month? Here’s a tip- Write it down, everything you spend for a month. It’ll be an eye opener.
Educate yourself. Read. Research online. Enroll in Community Teamwork’s Financial Literacy Academy or a Financial Coaching session.
Ignorance is not bliss…knowledge is.
Look for CTI’s Financial Education Center’s Financial Tip of the Day during the month of April. Give our office a call to learn more about our free financial education programs- 978-654-5673 -
Gladys Santiago
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SPOTLIGHT ON OUR SPRING CELEBRATION
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Sisters of Charity of Ottawa and Eric Cousineau
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Mayor Bill Samaras & State Senator Ed Kennedy
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CTI's Spring Celebration
Leading the way home...
Local leaders working to end youth homelessness!
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Honorees
Jay Linnehan
,
CEO, GLCF
for his ongoing commitment to addressing homelessness
The Sisters of Charity of Ottawa at Bachand Hall
and Eric Cousineau
for their work with girls aging out of the foster care system
State Senator (and former Mayor) Ed Kennedy and Mayor Bill Samaras
for their work to end homelessness through hosting the successful Holiday Rock N' Roll Festival Fundraiser for the past 2 years
Thursday, May 23rd, 5:30-8:30pm
James Houlares Early Learning Center
126 Phoenix Ave, Lowell
T
his is our largest fundraising event. Now more than ever, in the wake of proposed budget cuts, we need your support to ensure another successful year. A formal invitation is to follow.
Please note that your donation/sponsorship of $1000 or more qualifies for the Community Investment Tax Credit Program (CITC), which provides you with a 50% tax credit/refund on your donation. Please contact us for details.
We hope you can join us May 23
rd
to celebrate and honor these local leaders making a difference.
Sponsor Opportunities
Event Sponsor
$20,000.00
Two (2) tables of 10 with preferred seating
Logo displayed at Event and on event program, on website and social media
Check presentation photo op (will also appear on www.commteam.org)
Mention from podium and in all media releases (including Newsletter, TV & Radio)
Acknowledgement as sponsor for 2 additional CommTeam events or programs
First right of refusal as Premier Sponsor for 2020 Gala
Premium Sponsor
$10,000.00
Two (2) tables of 10
Logo displayed at Event and on event program, on website and social media Check presentation photo op
Mention from podium and on all social media
Acknowledgement as sponsor of an additional CommTeam event or program
Gold Sponsor
$ 5,000.00
One (1) table of 10
Logo displayed on website
Name included on event program
Mention from podium and on social media
Silver Sponsor
$ 2,500.00
One (1) table of 10; Name in event program
Bronze Sponsor
$ 1,000.00
One (1) table of 10; Name in event program
Individual Ticket Price $100.00 or $175/pair
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Receive Tax Credits - - Another reason to donate to CTI!
Community Teamwork has more than $100,000 in Community Investment Tax Credits available to provide tax credits and refunds to those who give to CTI this year.
Each year, Community Teamwork serves more than 50,000 people. We could not meet the needs of so many people of all ages without your support. No matter the size of your gift, know that your donation helps people right here in your community every day.
For more information on how you can take advantage of 2019 Tax Credits, please contact Community Teamwork, Inc.,
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Need an Event Catered?
YouthBuild's Culinary Program continues to grow under the culinary expertise of instructor
Anna Jabar-Omoyeni
, chef and former owner of La Boniche. YouthBuild is available to cater your next event!
For all your catering needs, contact 978.905.7377. Like us on Facebook @YBLCulinary
Interested in Volunteering?
Community Teamwork offers many opportunities.
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Thank you for your continued support of Community Teamwork
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New
Financial Business Advisor - Financial Education Center
Mill City Mentors Coordinator - Volunteer Center
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Administration
155 Merrimack St.
Lowell, MA 01852
(978) 459–0551
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Resource Center
17 Kirk St.
Lowell, MA 01852
(978) 459–0551
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