Building Communities
Changing Lives

October 2021

Giving Tuesday is November 30th
Dear Friends,

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
An Inspiration ~ Rita O'Brien Dee
Center for Behavioral Health and Development

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.

“Rita's love for children is unparalleled as is her passion for giving back to the community,” said Siembor. “It truly is an honor for me and the staff across the Division of Child and Family ser­vices to be able to develop this Center in her hon­or.”



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.

Community Teamwork’s new Center for Behavioral Health and Development is dedicated to longtime parent, employee and board member Rita O’Brien Dee, much to her surprise. From left are CTI CEO Karen Frederick, and CTI Board Members Marie Sweeney and Rita O'Brien Dee. ~Julia Malakie / Lowell Sun
Murals Representing the Diversity of Lowell
RIGHT: by Artist David Zayas ~ Puerto Rico @Zayasart

LEFT: by Artist Angurria ~ Dominican Republic @Angurria

Thanks to amazing artist Angurria from the Dominican Republic, Beyond Walls, and Project Learn for this stunning mural on Community Teamwork's Youth Services Building at 167 Dutton Street (recently named as a National Network to Freedom site).

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.
The Worker's Credit Union Donates over $10,000 to
Community Teamwork as part of the Annual GiveBack Program
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.
 
About the GiveBack Program

The Workers GiveBack started in 2014 in celebration of their 100th 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
Lowell Votes - Volunteers Needed

The local election is only a few days away, and we all know local decisions impact our families' lives most.

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

Phones: M/T/Th 5-8pm
Doors: Sat 9:30am-12pm, Tuesdays before the election or come on one's own time once trained.

Heating Assistance Annual Household Income Guidelines (2021-2022)
You work hard. Heat is expensive! Do you need help keeping warm this winter?

Y​our family ​may qualify for payments towards  winter heating bills, discounts on monthly utility bills, a no-cost home energy assessment, free appliance replacement, and other energy-saving improvements for your home, all at no cost to you.

CTI Fuel Assistance Telephone #: 978-459-6161
Fax #: 978-458-8594
Email: fuelassistance@commteam.org

Financial Education Center
First Time Home Buyers Webinar (FTHB)
The next monthly FTHB workshop is being held via Zoom November 3, 4, 9 and 10. 6pm-8:30pm -- Must attend all 4 sessions. Cost $75.

Click HERE to Register or visit www.commteam.org

Join us this November for the Financial Literacy Academy! A free 6-session course covering all the hot topics such as Budgeting, Credit, Saving and so much more! Sessions will be held virtually via Zoom on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6pm to 8pm!
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!

Toys for Tots and Sun Santa
Accepting Applications ONLINE ONLY
November 1 - November 7, 2021
These are two separate programs working with Community Teamwork and each requiring the completion of an online application through the links provided below.

Toys for Tots

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

The Sun Santa Fund

  • Full name and date of birth for EACH child 16 and under required
  • Applicants will self-certify their information
  • Due to COVID-19, no hard copy/uploaded documents will be required

Only one person for each family may apply to Sun Santa. Any family applying through more than one agency will not be eligible. Toy vouchers will be available for eligible children through age 16. Children over age 16 years not eligible.

For Questions/Assistance Contact: Christine DeFeo, cdefeo@commteam.org
CAREERS AT COMMUNITY TEAMWORK

Housing Development Project Manager
 
The Housing Development Project Manager will oversee a number of affordable housing development projects in various stages of planning and construction. They will receive support as needed to learn pieces of the work that are new to them, and have opportunities for growth and increased responsibility over time. Reports to experienced Housing Developer.




This newsletter is sponsored by our Premier Partner, Enterprise Bank, who continues to support Community Teamwork's mission each and every day.

We appreciate all of our Sponsors whose continued generosity allows us to fulfill our mission.
NEW ENGLAND MEDICAL INSURANCE AGENCY | STEVE MALLETTE

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 defeat COVID-19, care for our clients and families in their hour of greatest need, and emerge stronger than ever. 
GIVING TUESDAY IS NOVEMBER 30TH

To make a donation to help Community Teamwork fulfill its mission, please
COMMUNITY TEAMWORK
978.459.0551