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Dear Friends,
The month of March has become an important time of reflection for me personally. As we move through this month, there is still a lot of uncertainty across the country and within our community. In the face of this uncertainty, I’ve found stability and grounding in my habits and personal practices—one of the most meaningful being my observation of Ramadan.
A few years ago, I came across an article about Ramadan and why Muslims engage in fasting. The idea that millions of people intentionally go without food and water from sunrise to sunset—not just as an act of faith but as a way to cultivate humility and empathy for those who don’t have a choice—struck me deeply. It motivated me to learn more about the tradition and inspired me to try fasting myself. While I am not Muslim, the intentional practice of experiencing hunger and discomfort to better understand the struggles of others was a profound and humbling concept.
Fasting during Ramadan has become a powerful personal tool for cultivating awareness and deepening my connection to the work we do here at Community Teamwork. We serve the most vulnerable in our community—those facing food and housing insecurity, economic instability, and limited access to essential resources. During the 29 to 30 days of Ramadan, the discomfort I experience through fasting serves as a reminder of the daily realities that so many of our clients face. It strengthens my resolve to continue advocating for those in need and ensures that our focus remains on what truly matters: building a more just and compassionate community.
Discomfort, I’ve found, holds tremendous value. We do not grow—physically, intellectually, or emotionally—without it. Growth often requires stepping into discomfort and staying there long enough to learn from it. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the weight of national and global challenges, but real change happens one person at a time, one day at a time. By leaning into discomfort rather than avoiding it, we open the door to greater understanding, resilience, and empathy.
As we navigate the challenges ahead, I am reminded that hope and optimism are often born from difficult experiences. By grounding ourselves in humility and humanity, we not only become stronger but also more connected to each other and to the community we serve. My hope for this month is that we all find ways to lean into discomfort, reflect on what truly matters, and emerge with greater compassion and purpose.
Thank you for all you do. Your work and support matters.
Warmly,
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Carl Howell, CEO
Community Teamwork
| | Community Teamwork Heads to D.C. | | |
Members of CTI's Leadership team, including Carl Howell - CEO, Ann Sirois - Chief Planning & Development Officer and Lisa Wholey - Chief Human Resource Officer, travelled to DC last week for the National Community Action Foundation, Inc. (NCAF) Annual Conference and DC Fly-in.
The NCAF Conference brings together local Community Action Agencies and their State and Federal Partners in Washington D.C. to dive into policy topics key to Community Action as well as to update as many members of Congress as possible on Community Action in their district.
Congresswoman Katherine Clark and Congresswoman Lori Trahan
| | Pictured L-R: Carl Howell, Lisa Wholey, two staff members from Making Opportunity Count, Inc., Fitchburg, Kerri Perry – CEO of Community Action, Inc., Haverhill and Ann Sirois | | Governor Healey Visits CTI to Discuss Energy Affordability Agenda | | |
Community Teamwork welcomed Governor Healey and her Energy Team recently. The Governor's Energy Affordability Agenda will deliver immediate relief, lower bills, avoid unnecessary spending, and stabilize prices. Overall, the plan saves about $5.8 billion.
This plan will deliver savings to residents and businesses across the state and provide them with additional opportunities to lower bills through money saving programs.
Speakers included Governor Maura Healy, Secretary Rebecca Tepper, Mayor Daniel Rourke, Lowell City Manager Thomas Golden, Mary Wambui - Asset Manager at the Planning Office of Urban Affairs and Appointee to the Mass. Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC), and Carl Howell, CEO of CTI. (Other attendees included Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, State Rep. Tara Hong and State Rep. Rodney Elliott.)
Carl Howell, CEO at CTI, stated "We have helped our clients avoid shut off of their electric and gas bills, and have helped to restore utilities for families in need. We know the need is growing due to the increased energy costs we have seen over the past years. These past 5 months alone, we have processed more than 9000 applications for fuel assistance ... and we have more than a 10% year-over-year increase in first time applications for Fuel Assistance." [APPLY FOR HEAP: www.commteam.org/fuel]
Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Energy Affordability Agenda to Deliver $220 Million in Immediate Relief, Save $5.8 Billion over 5 Years | Mass.gov
Energy Affordability Flyer
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| Included below: Sec. Tepper, Lt. Gov. Driscoll, St. Rep. Hong, Gov. Healey, CTI CEO Howell, City Mgr. Golden, St. Rep. Elliott, and Asset Mgr. Wambui | Pictured above L-R: CTI Board Members: Bernadette Wheeler, Bopha Boutselis, Rita O'Brien-Dee, Marie Sweeney, Lynn Roderick, and Sheila Och - Board President | | Dwelling House of Hope ~ Mighty Mover Women's Awards ~ Celebrating International Women's Day | | |
On March 8th, International Women's Day, our own Sonia Ruas, Chief Executive Assistant, was one of seven local women honored at the Dwelling House of Hope’s Mighty Mover Women’s Awards. Sonia also serves as the President of the Board of Girl’s Inc. of Greater Lowell and has been a longtime community volunteer.
Community Teamwork’s former CEO, Karen Frederick was the event’s keynote speaker. She praised the women who were being honored, noting that they were “examples of strength, resilience and impact” in our community. She also shared what it means to be a leader including being open to change, asking tough questions and trusting others.
Sonia shared, “Thank you to Vanna Howard for nominating me, to the Dwelling House of Hope, to my colleagues at CTI for supporting me, to Karen Frederick for her beautiful keynote speech, and to everyone in the community who showed up, and who ALWAYS shows up in a myriad of ways.”
Congratulations to Sonia and to all the other honorees: Jacky Wangutusi, Dawn Sauma, Julia Lemire, Cecilia Gutierrez Yapur, Olga Madrid, and Latifah Phillips and thank you for all the incredible work you do in our community!
Sonia continued, “I'm humbled and proud to have been standing alongside you and look forward to working with you as we continue to be Mighty Movers in this community we love so much. Today was...magic. that's the word. Magic."
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Head Start Celebrates 60 years!
Join us in celebrating 60 years of Head Start by signing the birthday card!
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On May 18, 2025, Head Start will celebrate its 60th anniversary. [See Head Start timeline]. Sixty years ago from this date President Lyndon Johnson signed the law creating Head Start.
Sixty years ago from this date President Lyndon Johnson signed the law creating Head Start. The premise of Head Start is simple: every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, has the ability to reach their full potential.
Community Teamwork is proudly celebrating Head Start’s 60th birthday by spreading the word about the monumental impact Head Start has had on children, their families, their communities, and the country.
To wish Head Start a Happy Birthday - Click HERE or scan the barcode in the image below.
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#HappyBirthdayHeadStart
#HeadStartAwareness
| | Volunteer Income Tax Assistance | |
Community Teamwork's Financial Education Center offers FREE tax return preparation for individuals and families making under $67,000.
You have 3 filing options available February 3rd through April 8th:
Online: www.getyourrefund.org/cti
Drop Off: Monday-Thursday, 10am-5pm; Friday/Saturday, 9am-1pm
In Person: Schedule an appointment - call 978-935-6505 or 978-995-0739
For more information -
Visit: www.commteam.org/volunteer-income-tax-assistance-vita
Call: Brenda Jimenez, 978-935-6505 | Mildred Sena De Disla, 978-995-0739
Email: bjimenez@commteam.org | msenadedisla@commteam.org
Community Teamwork
165 Merrimack Street
Lowell, MA 01852
| | Most refunds are issued in less than 21 days; EITC refunds for many will be available starting March 3, 2025 - Read more. | | Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) | |
Massachusetts households can now apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) to help cover heating costs for the 2024-2025 winter season. It is also known as Fuel Assistance. Keep your home warm and safe this winter – apply online or through your local agency: www.commteam.org/fuel
Don't ever go cold because of a faulty furnace. HEARTWAP is a year-round program serving #HEAP eligible households with heating system repair, replacement and maintenance services.
Community Teamwork
45 Kirk Street, 2nd Floor Lowell, MA 01852
Fuel Assistance
Ph: 978-459-6161 - Fax: 978-458-8594
fuelassistance@commteam.org
Energy Conservation Programs
Ph: 978-654-4904
energyprograms@commteam.org
For more information about HEAP and our Weatherization programs click here
.
The HEAP Brochures are available in various languages:
English, Spanish, Khmer, Portuguese
| | If you are outside of Community Teamwork's service area, you can locate your local agency here. | | Lazy Cat Lounge Celebrates Ribbon Cutting | |
Last week, we had the pleasure of celebrating the official ribbon cutting and soft opening of Lazy Cat Lounge Lowell.
A huge congratulations to Brandi Jong, the passionate owner, who has worked tirelessly to bring this incredible concept to life with the support of the Lowell Economic Development Department and the Entrepreneurship Center.
Brandi has navigated business challenges, received valuable business coaching, completed the QuickBooks program at MassHire, and secured an SBA Microloan to make her dream a reality.
"From the moment I contacted the E-Center at Community Teamwork, I felt like I wasn’t alone in my journey. My mentor Ani Vong was always there to answer questions and help me break everything down into manageable steps. Thanks to the support from the E-Center and the City of Lowell, I’ve been able to bring my dream to life!"
— Brandi Jong, Owner of Lazy Cat Lounge
Lazy Cat Lounge isn’t just a place to relax with a cup of coffee or a delicious baked treat from Pizzelle Bakery—it’s a space to connect with adoptable cats through Lowell Humane Society. We encourage everyone to stop by and experience this unique, feline-friendly gem in our community.
The Entrepreneurship Center is thrilled to see Brandi’s hard work and determination pay off and watch her business grow right next to our center. We are proud to have been a part of her journey, and we look forward to continuing our support.
To learn more about Lazy Cat Lounge in Lowell or make a cat lounge appointment, please click HERE.
The Lowell Sun - Cats, Coffee and Community
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IIn January, we launched our Teen Entrepreneurship Idea Program at UMass Lowell’s Innovation Hub, where students from YouthBuild and Greater Lowell Technical High School kicked things off with hands-on activities that sparked creativity and collaboration.
Over the next 16 weeks, these young innovators will dive deep into the world of entrepreneurship, learning everything from cultivating a growth mindset to turning their unique ideas into real business plans.
The program will wrap up with an exciting pitch contest, where students will showcase the skills, knowledge, and creativity they’ve gained!
The best part? These teens are building the confidence and skills to make their dreams a reality. We can’t wait to see where their entrepreneurial journeys take them!
| | Youth Opportunity Center Newsletter | | Home Modification Loan Program Updates | | Child & Family Services Newsletters | | |
Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
Sponsorship Packet
Tickets, and online registration will be available soon! For more information, and/or to become a sponsor, please contact Margot Regan, Director of Development at maregan@commteam.org or at 978-654-5813.
| | Thank You to our 2025 Newsletter Sponsors | | 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 care for our clients and families in their hour of greatest need, and emerge stronger than ever. | | | | |
