Your 5 minute Lowell CHC Update

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Dear Friends,

Just as Fall has brought the return of many traditions, we're creating new ones here at the Health Center.

Over the next few months, we'll be passing the mic so you can get to know other members of our Advancement Team.

This month, it's my turn. Not to worry! Clare will be back in the rotation soon.

The return to in-person events has given me the chance to catch up with many of you on your summer adventures and personal and professional accomplishments, not to mention to relish the ability to gather once again.

It's also been a time to reflect (ok, commiserate) about the trials and tribulations of the past couple of years, and look toward the future. Maybe one day we will all master the art of muting - but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Next time you visit the Health Center, take a few minutes to reflect on the fact that the land on which we stand was once home to thriving indigenous settlements.

Special thanks to local artist Justin Carlson for supplying the breathtaking image of Pawtucket Falls that serves as the background for our plaque. The photo emphasizes the strong connection between Lowell's indigenous settlements and its waterways.

Speaking of reflection, you may have noticed a new addition to each of our lobbies. Coinciding with Indigenous Peoples' Day and the kick-off of Native American History month, we have installed Indigenous Land Acknowledgement and History plaques.

If you haven't seen them, I hope you'll stop by. May they spark reflection, conversation, and action.

And if you do stop by, please let me know. My email address is carleymo@lchealth.org. You can also always reach Clare at claregu@lchealth.org. I’d love to thank you in person for your support, your good will, and your commitment to building a just and healthy community.

With gratitude,

Carley Monell

Development Manager

This photo says it all... a day in the life of Metta.

The "Loving Kindness" of Metta always shines through.

Earlier this fall, a mother and her young daughter arrived at our Metta Health Center, which serves immigrants & refugees.

If you have experience with toddlers, you know how rarely nap schedules line up with the daily to-do list. The little girl was tired and understandably cranky. But, her mother needed to be seen and cared for.

In stepped Lyla, who has been the beating heart of Metta for over a decade. Lyla quickly earned the little girl's trust. She felt so comfortable in Lyla's gentle embrace that she drifted off to sleep. Mom and baby received just the care they needed!

That is the spirit of Metta: caring, kindness, compassion. Always.

They say a picture's worth a thousand words. What do you think this moment meant to this little girl and her mother?

Thanks, Lala Books, for taking the gift of reading to new heights!

We are so excited to partner with our fellow bookworms at Lala Books!

At Lowell CHC, we're big fans of reading. We know many of you are too. We believe in the power of a good book to connect and inspire. That's why we give new board books to children during pediatric well-child visits.

Most recently, Health Center staff were excited to partner with Lala Books on curating and promoting a list of suggested reading around Hispanic/LatinX Heritage month.

Lala even went the extra mile and hosted a used book fundraiser to support our Health Center.

We can't wait for the next chapter in our collaboration with our neighborhood book seller!

Thank you Lala Books for supporting our shared love of reading - and community health!

You're helping us connect students to a health care home!

Time to bring out the confetti!

Thanks to your generosity, we surpassed our goal, raising more than $3k to support students at Lowell CHC school-based health centers.

Your support means that our school-based health teams will be able to provide more students with the care and support they need at school – especially as they emerge from the many shadows cast by the pandemic. Thank you!

There is a lot to cheer about in school-based health this fall.

Thanks to a grant from the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU), we've launched vision services at Lowell High.

Services include in-depth screenings and (fashionable!) glasses, provided to students during the school day. These services have been so in demand, we're looking to expand in the New Year. Thank you, ACU!

Some of our school-based health superstars wanted to say thank you! Meet (left to right) Cindy (Nurse Practitioner), Lynne (BHS Clinician) Erin (BHS Clinician), Lakhana (Medical Assistant), Kristen (Community Health Worker).

Ways to Give: Your Support Creates a Ripple Effect

You can have a significant impact on someone's health and well-being -- and we're making it even easier than ever for you to make a gift. Here's how:

Online Donations

The fastest way to put your gift to work is with a debit or credit card payment. We also update our fund options periodically so you can direct your gift in a way that aligns with your values - and our areas of greatest need.

NEW DAF Tool

Have a Donor Advised Fund (DAF)? You can now give electronically right on our website!

Leave a Legacy

Getting married? Having a baby? Or is another significant life event causing you to create or update your will? It's a great time to consider including a bequest to Lowell CHC in your estate planning.

Matching Gifts

Did you know that an estimated $4-$7 billion in corporate matching gifts go unclaimed each year?* Check with your Human Resources department to see if your company will match your gift to Lowell CHC, and we'll work with you on any paperwork.

Give Today!

We know technology doesn't always cooperate. Trust us, we've been there. As always, contact Clare Gunther or Carley Monell at development@lchealth.org if you need help.

You can also mail a check to:

Advancement Department, 161 Jackson Street, Lowell, MA 01852

*Source: Double the Donation

Thank you to our Annual Sponsors!

These generous businesses and organizations are standing up for healthcare access and equity by supporting our Language Access Fund. Are you interested in supporting the power of understanding? Email development@lchealth.org to learn more.

ABOUT US

Lowell Community Health Center began in 1970 to make sure that everyone in

Greater Lowell has access to quality, compassionate, and culturally responsive

health care, regardless of ability to pay.

In continuing to honor the values of equity and inclusion that our health center was founded on, we recognize racism as a public health crisis. We are committed to acknowledging and eliminating racism - in all of its forms.

As we look to the future, we will continue to honor the transformative power of

kindness and understanding so that everyone in our community receives

exactly the care that they need and deserve.