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Building Communities
Changing Lives
October 2022
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Dear Friends and Supporters,
October has been a busy month at Community Teamwork. We are happy to announce new and exciting additions to our leadership team as we congratulate Ann Sirois on her promotion to Chief Planning and Development Officer, and welcome Charles Smith as our new Director of the Entrepreneurship Center.
We will be hosting an Open House on Wednesday, November 2nd at Mill City BBQ to meet Charles and to learn about the services the Entrepreneurship Center brings to our small businesses.
We are also working with Mayor Sokhary Chau to bring awareness to the problem of youth homelessness, and raise funds for our expanding Youth Services program . We hope you can join us for An Evening to End Youth Homelessness on Thursday, November 10th at Mill 5.
Our Fuel Assistance program is gearing up to accept new applications, our Financial Education Center is offering new classes, and The Farmers Market will continue for the next two Fridays. In addition, we have launched a new Fair Housing Program and will soon begin surveys and focus groups for our upcoming Community Needs Assessment which will help to drive our Strategic Plan.
With all that is going on, we happily celebrated the recent graduation of our YouthBuild Culinary and Construction students with a beautiful day at Shedd Park.
Details for all these events and programs are below but, as always, feel free to reach out to us directly. We are so appreciative for your continued support which helps us continue to do the work we do.
Gratefully,
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Karen Frederick, CEO
Community Teamwork
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Ann Sirois Promoted to
Chief Planning and Development Officer
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Please join us in congratulating Ann Sirois who has been promoted to the position of Chief Planning and Development Officer for Community Teamwork. In this position Ann will oversee Development including Grants, Marketing, Communications (internal and external), Planning and Compliance.
In the coming months, she will build a team to respond to our growing needs in these areas. Ann has been with Community Teamwork since January of 2013 and has served as Director of Family Support, Director of Compliance and Quality Improvement and as Director of Planning and Quality Improvement. She has successfully led the implementation of Community Teamwork’s Case Management System implementation and our Data Warehouse work as well as overseen Data, Strategic Planning and Grant Management.
Prior to joining Community Teamwork, Ann worded as an Advocate and Family Partnership Coordinator in Kansas and Missouri, managing family services, enrollment and community partnerships. She has a Master’s Degree in Family Mediation from the University of Missouri.
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Charles Smith Joins Community Teamwork to
Lead the Entrepreneurship Center
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Charles Smith has joined Community Teamwork as the new Director of the Entrepreneurship Center (E-Center). The E-Center provides business coaching, consulting and funding for local entrepreneurs, ensuring community businesses thrive. With over 14 years of SBA experience and 20 years of government lending experience, Charles has been involved in lending for his entire career.
“I am excited to be working with the entrepreneurs in the Merrimack Valley and look forward to the challenge of providing access to capital in these communities. I believe in giving entrepreneurs from all walks-of-life, no matter their stage of business, a chance to grow their business using all of the programs available to entrepreneurs in our communities, including conventional and SBA lending,” Charles stated.
Charles is an Adjunct Professor and PH.D candidate in 2026 at UMass Lowell, a graduate of Texas Tech School of Law, Rawls College of Business and Texas and Prairie View A&M University. When not working or in school, Charles enjoys downtime with his family, including a young son and daughter.
Please note, The Entrepreneurship Center will host an Open House to meet Charles Smith and the Entrepreneurship team on Wednesday, November 2nd, 4 -6pm at Mill City BBQ in Lowell. Open to all community members.
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Please join Youth Services and Mayor Sokhary Chau on November 10th for an informative evening and enjoy some music, small bites and cocktails with friends!
Youth Services at Community Teamwork provides programing for more than 600 at-risk youth and young adults who are struggling with housing instability or those in need of emotional supports from within the Greater Lowell community.
A Special Thank You to our Sponsors
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John and Alyce Moore
Bernadette Wheeler
Sandi Wilson Foundation
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Visit Community Teamwork’s
Lowell Farmers' Market
OPEN THROUGH OCTOBER 28th!
Mack Plaza
Corner of Shattuck & Market Streets Fridays, 11am-3pm
Only TWO Market Fridays left!
Come out and enjoy some crisp, fresh air and sip on some hot or cold homemade cider made by our youngest entrepreneur, 11-year old MELODEE. She will be serving the delightful beverage during the remainder of our market days!
For more information about the Lowell Farmers' Market, contact Jessica MacDonald: [email protected]
There are some WIC Farmers' Market Coupons still available. Clients need to come to the Lowell WIC office to collect them. WIC does not issue coupons to anyone who has already received them this year. You must bring ID and WIC card. Participants must be active and children must be at least 4 months old as of August 5th.
or call us at (978) 221-8815; (978) 454-6397.
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Congratulations to our YouthBuild Graduates
Class of 2022
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Over 3,400 culinary hours performed
5,000 Construction Service hours
120 HISETS TAKEN -- 23 Students completed the entire series.
Special Congratulations to:
James Camara - Elected Speaker and Student Leadership Award
Angie Ayala - Excellence in Culinary Award
Jose Molina - Excellence in Construction Award
Ashley Tran - Excellence in Education Award
Xavier Close-Courtois - FIRST "Armand Milot" Spirit of YouthBuild Award
Thank you to all the Community Partners of YouthBuild of Greater Lowell
VERY SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO owner Renay Wolterding (2nd from left) and her wonderful team at Mill City BBQ & Brew who stepped up big time when our original caterers had to cancel. THANK YOU @renaywolterding @millcitybbqandbrew #millcitybbqandbrew
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YouthBuild of Greater Lowell
is accepting
Applications for the Fall Cohort
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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
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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Introducing our new Fair Housing Program |
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Fair Housing Happens when:
Tenants know their rights;
Landlords know the law; and
Advocates intervene.
Who we help:
•Tenants/homebuyers
•Housing providers (landlords/property managers)
•Case managers and people providing supports
What we help with/provide:
•Tenant complaints, technical assistance, referral to legal services
•Trainings on fair housing for tenants, landlords and support providers
•Fair Housing outreach, advocacy, and promotion
CONTACT THE COMMUNITY TEAMWORK FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM
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Financial Education Center (FEC) |
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Please welcome Cathi Tammany to the FEC Team as the Home Modification Loan Program Coordinator!
Cathi was born and raised in Chelmsford and has three grown children, Eric (33), Garrett (32) and Alaina (29). Cathi graduated from Chelmsford High School in 1982 and attended Fitchburg State College. In 1995, Cathi had the opportunity to work as a secretary for a small Mortgage Company which led to a 27 year career as an underwriter, processor, loan originator and post-closer. Her work with correspondent lenders, retail brokers and credit unions has given her a well-rounded knowledge of the entire lending industry and will be instrumental to her job at Community Teamwork, Inc. Cathi’s hobbies include singing, bowling, playing pool and paranormal investigating. She is excited to be a part of an organization that provides resources to those who need it the most and is eager to make a contribution to the great work done here.
Do you know about the Secure Jobs program? We’re able to help anyone living in a DHCD funded shelter who is receiving RAFT assistance or HomeBASE funding to advance their career and job training efforts. Our coaches can help create robust resumes, aid in job search, and even help enroll in career training and education programs. Those qualifying for Secure Jobs have the opportunity to advance their careers as well as receive aid to help break down any barriers that could be holding them back from retaining work. This can include some help with overdue bills, transportation, and paid education and training.
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First-Time-HomeBuyer Classes
You must attend all classes. Upcoming classes include a two-day session: October 8, and 15, 8:30am-1:30pm and the other is a 4-day night session: October 18, 20, 25, and 27, 6-8:30pm.
For more information, email Cathy Dyl and to register, visit our website:
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In addition to the great programming we offer, our social media pages offer tips and tricks focused on financial literacy and education, as well as any updates or important notices. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. |
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Visit our website for information about all of our programs:
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Accepting New Applications for Fuel Assistance |
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Electric and Gas prices have recently skyrocketed. Individuals and Families at most income levels are struggling to keep up with inflation and souring food and energy prices. Fortunately, help with fuel costs is available to more families than may be realized.
Please see details below and/or visit our website to see if you or your loved ones qualify.
To find out more, visit
How to Apply
Online: New & Returning applicants
We are now offering an online portal (starting 10/1/22) for new and returning applicants to complete a Fuel Assistance application. Please do not use the portal if you have already sent in your beige application for the current fuel season.
Telephone interview: New applicants only
First-time applicants who do not want to apply online can schedule an interview/appointment to have a representative call you and start your application over the telephone.
Schedule a telephone interview by calling 978.459.6161 today to make an appointment and to learn more!
Returning applicants:
Applications can also be emailed to [email protected], faxed to 978.458.8594 or mailed/dropped in a specially marked mailbox outside the Community Teamwork Fuel Assistance office 45 Kirk Street, Lowell MA 01852.
Returning applicants must apply each year; applications are mailed to households after the first year. If you did not receive your application or you have moved, please call or email the office with your updated information. An application will be mailed to you.
Fuel Assistance Benefits:
Fuel assistance payments for actual usage or fuel delivery are made directly to the heating vendor for primary energy needs from November to April except when cost of heating is included in the rent.
Discounted rates on gas and electric bills.
HEARTWAP provides emergency heating system repair and replacement services to eligible, income-qualified households.
WAP provides eligible, income-qualified households with home energy conservation services.
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Calling all Housing Provider Partners
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Community Teamwork is looking for 2 and 3 bedroom units in Lowell, Lawrence and surrounding towns.
Units must be deleaded. We can offer longer term leases. This is a special program and provides some extra benefits to the owners.
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CAREERS AT COMMUNITY TEAMWORK
Special Career, Excellent 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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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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