As the Holiday Season nears, I would like to extend our sincere thanks for your support for the work that we do here at Community Teamwork.

It was been a stressful year and a half. The pandemic most certainly has changed the way we do business. Efforts to connect clients to all of our services have been quite successful, as most of our programs are accepting online applications, ensuring that we can continue to provide quality assistance to individuals and families in need.

As we inch closer to winter, please be reminded that we have begun taking applications for our Fuel Assistance Program. With fuel prices on the rise, it is more important than ever that we remind anyone who might need assistance with their energy costs to reach out to us by phone (978-459-6161) or online: FuelAssistance@commteam.org. 

Thanksgiving and Christmas are also fast-approaching. As we do every year at this time, we work to provide individuals and families in need with the food, toys and other items to make their celebrations joyful. The applications to Toys for Tots and Sun Santa are included below.

The needs in our communities are great. With your support, we can continue to make a positive difference for so many. For that, we are truly grateful.

Karen Frederick, CEO

Community Teamwork

Through a generous anonymous donation and a subsequent grant from the Greater Lowell Com­munity Foundation, Com­munity Teamwork was able to announce the establishment of the Rita O'Brien Dee Center for Behavioral Health and Development, located at the James Houlares Early Learning Center. The Center will be the headquarters for programs and services that promote healthy social-emotional development for children, in­crease children’s success in school, strengthen children and families, and mitigate adversity through trauma-inform­ed care.

According to Child and Family Services Division Director Meghan Siem­bor, “This opportunity could not have come at a better time… It enables us to meet a critical need and ad­dress a significant public health issue — children’s mental and behavioral health.” The program will be a resource for CTI and providers throughout the area who are working with children with behavioral, emotional and developmental challenges or who have experienced trauma.

If you would like to donate to help support the new Center, please contribute to the Greater Lowell Family Foundation c/o The Rita O’Brien Dee Center for Behavioral Health and Development Fund, 100 Merrimack Street, #202, Lowell, MA 01852 or online at glcfoundation.org/donate.

RIGHT: by Artist David Zayas ~ Puerto Rico @Zayasart

LEFT: by Artist Angurria ~ Dominican Republic @Angurria

This cultural, creative initiative was put forth by the collaboration of Project LEARN, Inc., Like Lowell-Cultural Arts & Special Events (C.A.S.E.), and Beyond Walls.

Other Sponsors include: Refuge Lowell, Community Teamwork, Arts League of Lowell (ALL), and BRM Production Management. If you haven't yet seen these two new murals yet, please go check them out. They are located right down the street from each other on Market Street downtown.

As part of the GiveBack Program, Douglas Peterson, CEO and Caroline Santangelo, VP of Marketing (far left) presented a check for $10,690.14 to Community Teamwork's Karen Frederick, CEO and Kathleen Plath, Director of Development.

The Workers GiveBack started in 2014 in celebration of their 100^th anniversary. The GiveBack rewards members in cash for banking with the Workers Credit Union and they pay out to members each April. In 2015, they began offering a charitable contribution to GiveBack where members can opt to donate their GiveBack through Workers Credit Union online banking system. They select two to three organizations each year that impact a large percentage of the membership. This year, Community Teamwork and the Worcester County Food Bank were the two recipients. Over the course of the last few years, members have donated more than $125,000 to eight organizations.

Workers supports a wide range of not-for-profit organizations across Massachusetts, with a focus on food security, community social services, financial wellness & education, culture and arts, and youth programs. www.wcu.com

Do you know of anyone (like yourself) who you could send our Lowell Votes phone and canvassing volunteer opportunities to? Lowell Votes is trying to line up a few more people for each session! Please share: https://tinyurl.com/Lowell-Votes-Sign-Up

CTI Fuel Assistance Telephone #: 978-459-6161

Fax #: 978-458-8594

Email: fuelassistance@commteam.org

Website: www.commteam.org

First Time Home Buyers Webinar (FTHB)

Click HERE to Register or visit www.commteam.org

Dates: Nov 30, Dec 2, 7, 9. 14 and 16

Call 978.770.3037 or email Tracy Parenteau to register.

If anyone you know is looking for help with their financials, please feel free to reach out to us. We’re here to help. Call 978.770.3037 or email Tracy Parenteau to register or schedule your appointment and safeguard your financial future!

These are two separate programs working with Community Teamwork and each requiring the completion of an online application through the links provided below.

For Questions/Assistance Contact: Bridget Quinn, bquinn@commteam.org

For Questions/Assistance Contact: Christine DeFeo, cdefeo@commteam.org

CTI Community Needs Assessment underscores need for affordable housing in Greater Lowell or https://bit.ly/3x0FDXC