5 Minutes of Reflection & Inspiration

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Let's be honest. September, and the return to different rhythms, can be energizing, but also overwhelming.

Thankfully, working at the Health Center provides plenty of moments of reflection and inspiration.

For me, one highlight was visiting the Day Center at Eliot Church as part of National Health Center Week to deliver needed items, so that they can continue to care for our unhoused community. Like the Health Center, the Day Center is a space that meets people where they are with understanding and support – a place where everyone’s story matters.

What will stick with me from that visit are the people. There was the young woman who had overcome addiction and was so proud to announce that she was going back to college. The older gentleman who smiled ear to ear when asked how he was enjoying his meal. The woman who thoughtfully selected a t-shirt for herself and her daughter, careful to leave plenty for others in line.

Proud to share in these moments of community connection. Read more below about how #TeamLowellCHC stepped up big time to support our unhoused neighbors.

As you know, the need in our community has grown exponentially in recent years. Thank you for generously, bravely, and compassionately joining with us to meet that need head on.

In gratitude,

Carley Monell

Director of Development

Community Health Takes Center Stage: Congrats, Carla!

Lowell CHC’s Carla Caraballo Receives National Community Health Worker (CHW) Award

We are thrilled to announce that Carla Caraballo recently received the prestigious Esther M. Holderby Extraordinary Community Health Worker Award from the National Association of Community Health Workers.

Over her 15-year career at Lowell CHC, Carla has taken on many roles - always bringing her energy and compassion where they are most needed. Today, as a Program Manager, she leads her team in removing barriers to good health - sometimes one Uber ride, one winter coat, one bag of groceries at a time.

Wow! What a thrill to see a community health champion like Carla be recognized nationally as the Esther M. Holderby Extraordinary Community Health Worker of the year!

Known for her expertise in asthma management, Carla has taken on a leadership role here at Lowell CHC and across the state, providing key resources for patients that enable them to live their healthiest lives possible.

Health Equity: Lowell CHC Goes to the Statehouse

Last month, we took the topic of Health Equity all the way to the Statehouse steps!

Showing up and making sure our voices are heard is a core component of our work to build a Just and Healthy Community. As you may have seen on social media, that took us to the Statehouse in Boston.

We were there to support Lowell CHC Chief Engagement & Equity Officer, Sheila Och, and her work with the Health Equity Compact, a group of 80+ leaders of color who aim to advance health equity and racial justice by realizing bold statewide policy and institutional practice changes.

Her voice was strong and her message clear: equal access to healthcare is a right, not a privilege. #HealthEquity #lowellchc

Sheila Och, Lowell CHC Chief Engagement and Equity Officer, brought our message of Health Equity to Beacon Hill... with a little help from team Lowell CHC!

A LOOK BACK: Coming Together for Our Community

Thanks to the generosity of our staff, a one day service project morphed into so much more.

Shout-out to our Lowell CHC staff, who stepped up in a big way during National Health Center Week to support the Eliot Church Day Center, which provides food and fellowship to all those who are unhoused.

We collected and delivered hundreds of items from the Center's wish list. We also teamed up with Lowell CHC community organizer extraordinaire, Lyla Khut, and her family to provide 85 hot meals.

Our Office-Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT) & Prevention & Screening Services (PASS) teams also answered the call, joining in to provide risk reduction kits, hygiene items, and conversation.

When we learned of the need for durable backpacks, our team stepped up, yet again. At the end of September, we delivered a colorful assortment, purchased with their donations.

Our colleagues stepped up big time to care for unhoused neighbors at the Eliot Church Day Center during National Health Center Week.

Are you or your organization interested in helping us address patient needs with a drive or other support? Click below to learn more.

SUPPORT DIRECT PATIENT NEEDS

Ways to Give: Your Support Builds a Just and Healthy Community

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.

DAF Tool

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

Leave a Legacy

Are you 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 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 Partners!

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.