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Building Communities
Changing Lives
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Dear Friends,
While there are a number of needs in our community, homelessness is the one most on the rise - not just here, but everywhere.
For the first time since counting began, the number of individuals sleeping outside is greater than the number using shelter beds. Nearly 18,000 people are experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts on any given night. More than 1,200 of those individuals are outside - and that's just those we could count.
We know, through evidence and research, that housing is how we end homelessness. From our previous work with the Lowell Homelessness Task Force, we know that there is an immediate need for 300 units to house homeless individuals in our community alone.
We, together with the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce and The Lowell Plan, have begun reaching out to the community to start a conversation: We have to talk about housing. From basic data, to opportunities for change, to details from the lived experiences of those on the streets, we want to get the message out there - housing is how we end homelessness - and we are committed to working toward the goal of creating 300 units of housing for individuals.
We’re asking you to spread the message to help us reach this goal. From your social media posts, to your annual meetings, to your chats in line at the local coffee shop, we have to talk about housing.
Please watch for additional details in future newsletters and media campaigns on how you can help in the coming weeks and months.
Gratefully,
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Karen Frederick, CEO
Community Teamwork
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We Need to Talk about Housing |
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Carl Howell, Chief Programming Officer at CTI shared the following,
"Housing and homelessness are emergencies in our community that both require the same solution to end each crisis.
Creating more housing is the only way to end homelessness and the housing crisis.
More housing for all income levels- housing that creates more diverse neighborhoods and communities- more affordable housing for individuals along with families.
If the minimum wage is going to be $15 per hour, we need housing options for those who make only $30k per year, which means housing options that are roughly $800 per month. Per HUD estimates, the average household should not pay more than 30% of their gross income.
The reality is that it is costing us more per year to ignore homelessness and to provide bandaids to the crisis than it would to actually house those who experience bouts of homeless.
We must invest in housing - housing is the only solution - and housing solutions are not limited to specific neighborhoods or communities. It’s a need in all communities and neighborhoods."
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Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC) |
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The CDC field began in the 1960s as an offspring of the Civil Rights Movement, with many communities of color organizing to save their neighborhoods from urban renewal, disinvestment, and speculative development. During the ensuing decades, dozens more CDCs were formed under varying circumstances and contexts and some non-profits joined the CDC field as their priorities and programs evolved.
Throughout, racial justice has been a core value for the movement and for MACDC itself. At the same time, the community development field itself has struggled with the same issues that impact our larger society; our reality has yet to match our aspirations, even as we continue the work.
CTI has discussed the pledge with board members and staff and signed the pledge as a step toward our collective effort to make our movement and our organizations more diverse, inclusive, and equitable. CTI encourages all members to do the same. We are excited to join our fellow early adopter Community Development Corporations (CDCs) in taking the MACDC Racial Equity Pledge.
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Shelby Neto - A Success Story |
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Shelby Neto was referred from the HomeBASE program to the Secure Jobs Program in 2019. Shelby is a young, single parent with two young children and a very limited support system. She started working as a Dietary Aide at a Nursing Home in 2019. However, she always wanted to pursue a career in the medical field where she could help people. Shelby was a Dietary Aide for about a year. Due to the pandemic, changes occurred that required her son to be home-schooled and Shelby had no daycare for her baby. She was now at home full-time, making her unable to keep her job.
Shelby and her Secure Jobs Coach worked on a career plan pursuing her interest in the medical field. Due to a lack of childcare, they decided to pursue the option of virtual career training. Shelby was enrolled with the Ed2go (by Cengage) course to become a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) that was projected to take her 6 months or 160 hours. Shelby was focused and dedicated and completed the course in one month.
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March is Nutrition Month
WIC and Coordinated Family and Community Engagement
Promotes Eating Meals Together
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Over the years, life has gotten more hectic with the increased demands of parenting, the work place, caring for elderly parents, etc. An important way to combat this overload and stay connected is to develop or stay in the habit of preparing and eating your meals together. This gives everyone the chance to talk and share and gives parents the opportunity to listen and learn about their child’s feelings and experiences. Communication is key to a good parent-child relationship. |
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you eat, you talk, you listen,
you laugh, you learn
We have included here some suggestions on mealtime communication and some quick, nutritious recipes from our friends at the WIC Program. Mealtime is also a great opportunity to introduce children to basic cooking as they help prepare the meal. Keep safety and age-appropriateness in mind, but meal prep and cooking are STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) activities. Children learn basic math, sequencing, science, language skills and more all while assisting/observing as you prepare food. You may have a budding chef on your hands!
These recipes are also posted on CFCE's Online Parent Board, which is connected to CTI's webpage.
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Financial Education Center |
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VITA is up and running and our volunteers are ready to help you and your family prepare their taxes for the 2021 year. Please share these flyers with your networks and let’s try to help as many community members as possible.
The VITA program has operated for over 50 years, offering free tax help to help those who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. In order to properly process your return quickly and efficiently, please visit: www.getyourrefund.org/cti
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English 2021
Spanish 2021
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First-Time-HomeBuyer Webinars
To register for an upcoming webinar, choose one of the links below. You must attend all four ZOOM classes. 6:30pm-8pm.
The Financial Education Center at Community Teamwork is hiring! Come join our team and make an impact in our community. Looking for a Career Coach - Learn more here!
Visit our website for information about all of our programs:
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Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC)
Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT)
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Does someone you know need emergency rental assistance?
Click the link below to access the central application:
Does someone you know need help with mortgage assistance?
Click the link below to access the HAF application:
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Visit Community Teamwork's website for more information:
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Heating Assistance Annual Household Income Guidelines (2021-2022) |
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You work hard. Heat is expensive! Do you need help keeping warm this winter?
Your family may qualify for payments toward 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 Program is currently accepting FY2022 Fuel Assistance applications.
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New clients can apply online at: toapply.org/CTI (you must have a valid email address to submit an online application).
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Call the Fuel Assistance office at 978-459-6161 to make an appointment to apply for Fuel Assistance over the telephone.
- If you applied for Fuel Assistance in previous years, call the office at 978-459-6161 and we can mail you an application.
OTHER WAYS TO SUBMIT COMPLETED APPLICATIONS
Fax #: 978-458-8594
Email: fuelassistance@commteam.org
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YouthBuild of Greater Lowell
Culinary Program Participates in Winterfest 2022
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YouthBuild culinary students working hard prepping smokey broccoli and cheddar with bacon and scallion garnish soup for WinterFest 2022 Soup Competition held Saturday, 2/19/22. |
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For more information about the Culinary and Construction Programs, Contact Tim Caldwell - 978-905-7375 or Janise Rosario - 978-770-8543
167 Dutton Street, Lowell Ma 01852
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This workforce Product was funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. This product was created by the Grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. |
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Couch surfing refers to young people without support from parental homes who frequently “move from one temporary living arrangement to another, without a secure 'place to be'".
Couch surfing is considered being homeless and you are eligible to receive services and support to #EndYouthHomelessness.
Youth Services is geared to provide supports for youth and young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who struggle with housing instability and emotional barriers.
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CAREERS AT COMMUNITY TEAMWORK
Special Career, Astonishing Benefits
Sign-On Bonus $2k Full-Time, $1k Part-time
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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.
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NEW ENGLAND MEDICAL INSURANCE AGENCY | STEVE MALLETTE |
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There are ALWAYS Ways to Help |
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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. |
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COMMUNITY TEAMWORK
978.459.0551
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