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Dear Julia,
Building on 60 Years: A Time to Celebrate, Reflect, and Act
We stand at the intersection of remembrance, celebration, and action. June offers us a powerful lens into our collective identity—as individuals, as an agency, and as a community. From celebrating Pride and Juneteenth to honoring Community Teamwork’s 60 years of impact, this is a month that reminds us what’s possible when people come together to challenge injustice and build a more compassionate future.
Whether we’re commemorating Juneteenth—the final emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S.—or recognizing Pride Month in support of LGBTQIA+ communities, June invites us to honor progress and recommit to the work of inclusion. It’s also a time for us to mark a remarkable milestone close to home.
On June 16, 1965, Community Teamwork opened its doors to the public.
Sixty years later, we’ve grown from a small workforce development program for youth to an agency offering more than 35 programs—spanning across early education, housing, financial assistance, and emergency support. That’s 60 years of showing up for our neighbors, listening to community voices, and implementing solutions that respond to real needs.
As we move into our 61st year, we do so with pride—and with vigilance. Critical funding streams that sustain our work—like Fuel Assistance (LIHEAP), AmeriCorps, YouthBuild, and Community Services Block Grants—are facing unprecedented scrutiny at the federal level. These programs don’t just help individuals in crisis; they ripple outward to stabilize entire communities, supporting local businesses, landlords, banks, oil companies, grocery stores, and more.
It’s easy to see assistance programs as lifelines only for those in need. But in truth, they’re part of a broader economic ecosystem that benefits us all. Ensuring a family has heat in the winter or food on the table not only prevents hardship—it supports local economies and upholds our collective humanity.
So as we celebrate 60 years of service, I ask that we also reflect on what it will take to sustain this work in the years ahead. Whether you're a staff member, partner, legislator, or friend of our agency, your voice matters.
To every staff member, partner, funder, and supporter—thank you for walking this journey with us. Together, we’ve built something extraordinary. And together, we’ll keep building. Let’s make our 61st year one of deeper belonging, bold advocacy, and community-rooted action.
With gratitude and resolve,
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Carl Howell, CEO
Community Teamwork
| | CTI Celebrates Staff and 6o Years! | | |
Appreciation was bestowed on all of our staff recently on a chilly May day at Boarding House Park in Lowell. We recognized our outstanding staff for for years of service, and we were proud to honor several outstanding team members below:
The Bill Lipchitz Community Action Award – Sean Wilson, Deputy Division Director, Family Homeless Services
The Karen Frederick Leadership Award – Shawna Doran, Deputy Division Director, Early Learning
The Unity in Action Award – Aaron Ginsberg, Program Manager, Fair Housing Program
The Calmer of Storms Award – Veasna (Mao) Kang, Youth Housing Manager
Team of the Year – The Food and Nutrition Services Team, Child & Family Services
Managers of the Year – Lisa Hanley, Director of Financial Planning & Analysis, Nick DiGiammo, Director, Youth Services Tanya Gary, Family Resource Director, Michele Horn, Program Manager, Volunteer Center
Rockstar Rookies – Chloe Diamond, Learning & Development Specialist, HR, Maria Zaroulis, Emergency Services Manager, Charlene Taber, Family Services Worker, Thani Abreu, Lead Housing Search Specialist
Please join us in congratulating these remarkable staff members—and thank you to everyone who uplifts our mission each and every day.
Celebrating our staff and 60 years of Community Action!
| | More than 300 Community Teamwork Inc. employees braved the chilly temperatures on May 21 at Boarding House Park for CTI’s 2025 All Staff Day. KEVIN HARKINS PHOTOGRAPHY — | | From left, Community Teamwork Division Director of Child and Family Services Meghan Siembor and CEO Carl Howell congratulate Mary Harmon, Senior Administrative Assistant, C&FS, for her 40 years at CTI. KEVIN HARKINS PHOTOGRAPHY — | | Despite the chill in the air -- The staff still enjoyed some monstah cookie ice cream! KEVIN HARKINS PHOTOGRAPHY — | | Energy and Community Resources Staff enjoyed a special brunch hosted by Division Director, Connie Martin (moonlighting as Martha Stewart!) | | |
Community Teamwork Board Leadership attended the National CAPLAW Conference in Boston. The conference brings together leaders of Community Action Agencies and other Grant-Funded organizations across the country to navigate the legal and governance challenges they face as they deliver essential services in their communities.
Pictured are CTI Board Members L-R: Sothea Chiemroum, Safeena Niazi, Bernadette Wheeler (Treasurer), and Shiela Och (Chair)
| | Meet Ancel Tejada, New Director of the E-Center | |
Please join us in welcoming our new Director of the E-Center, Ancel Tejada.
Ancel brings his experience leading community-centered initiatives that promote financial stability, small business growth, and equitable access to economic opportunities.
During his time with the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP), Ancel expanded statewide partnerships, grew free tax preparation coalitions, and led strategic outreach to improve financial outcomes for low- and moderate-income households.
With a strong foundation in the financial industry, he has also held leadership roles in banking—where he developed lending strategies, increased lending accessibility, and supported clients in building long-term financial health. Known for his collaborative and equity-driven approach, Ancel continues to foster cross-sector partnerships and strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems that drive lasting community impact.
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Teen Entrepreneurship Finals ~
YouthBuild of Greater Lowell & GLTHS Students
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On a recent day in May, the Teen Entrepreneurship Idea Program at CTI wrapped up the Teen Entrepreneurship Finals, the culmination of five months of hands-on learning, creativity, and growth. Students from Greater Lowell Technical High School (GLTHS) and YouthBuild took the stage to pitch their business ideas — and they absolutely delivered. From unique product concepts to thoughtful community-based services, the ideas shared showed just how much work these teens have put in.
At YouthBuild, our very own Melissa Rost and Ani Vong from the Entrepreneurship Center at CTI led the way as instructors, guiding students every step of the journey. We were also lucky to partner with Project LEARN and DifferenceMaker, all under the support of Urban Agenda.
A big thank you to our panel of judges: Carl Howell, Laura Lamarre Anderson (lala books), Thao Lan (Push Muscular Restoration), and Liam Skinner (City of Lowell). Their feedback and encouragement made a real impact.
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Lowell Farmers' Market ~
Grand Opening Friday, July 11th
| | Eastern Bank Foundation Recognizes Lowell’s Community Teamwork for Advancing Immigrant Services | | |
Eastern Bank Foundation is honoring Lowell’s Community Teamwork CEO, Carl Howell, as one of the 2025 recipients of its Community Advocacy Awards. The annual awards recognize outstanding leaders and organizations dedicated to advancing services and support for immigrants and refugees in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
“Immigrants in our communities face extraordinary challenges everyday—and yet they continue to pursue the American dream: to work, go to school, raise families, and prosper. Twenty percent of the Massachusetts workforce and 8% of the New Hampshire workforce are immigrants and they pay more than $21 billion in taxes and contribute more than $55 billion in spending power in these states,” said Nancy Huntington Stager, President & CEO of the Eastern Bank Foundation. “The leaders of these organizations show up everyday guiding with vision, courage and care to help our newest neighbors. We are proud to celebrate the work of these inspiring trailblazers and to learn from their powerful examples of resilience, equity, and community transformation.”
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| | Ann Sirois, Chief Planning & Development Officer at Community Teamwork, is 4th from the left in the front row. Shown here with representatives of the Eastern Bank Foundation -including Nancy Huntington Stager, President & CEO (4th from the right in the front row), Turahn Dorsey, Chief Impact Officer (far right), and Thomas "Doc" Daugherty, Volunteer Engagement Officer (2nd left in the back row next to Turahn Dorsey) and from Eastern Bank - Robert (Bob) F. Rivers, Executive Chair and Chair of the Board of Directors (far left) - along with the other Award Recipients. | | Thank you to all who helped make our 2025 Spring Celebration a Huge Success! | | |
We honored three incredible Champions of Community Action; Sophy Theam, Lenis Perez and Joe Hungler; enjoyed great food, music and birdhouses, all while bringing awareness to our newest project--a dedicated Women's Shelter to serve adult women who are housing insecure.
Click HERE to view a short video from the evening
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While we may have reached our fundraising goal at the event, this is not an an inexpensive project, and we are not yet at the finish line. We are hoping YOU can help us.
To learn more about this project and how you can support us, we invite you to watch this short video by clicking HERE or the clicking the image below.
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We thank all who attended this event, our sponsors and of course our honorees. If you were unable to attend, but wish to support our new Women's Shelter, click HERE to donate.
For more information about how to support the Women's Shelter, please contact Margot Regan, Director of Development at maregan@commteam.org or at 978-654-5813.
| | Mental Health Awareness Month | | |
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Belonging and Compassion committee designed, assembled, and distributed mental health care goodie bags for all of our staff. Each bag was filled with thoughtful items, including fidget toys, chocolate, a “Talk About It” mental health awareness rubber ducky, and information about mental health resources. These bags were designed to support our employees’ well-being and to provide gentle reminders to practice both self-care and community care: not just this month, but year-round. These kits are part of our continued efforts to support both self care and community care at work.
We believe mental health support should be ongoing, accessible, encouraged, and discussed openly without fear, stigma, or discrimination – not just in May, but all year long. These kits are a small step toward cultivating a culture where everyone feels seen, supported, and valued. At CTI, belonging and compassion are not just ideals — they’re part of our daily practices.
| | We Celebrate PRIDE Month in our Community | | Greater Lowell Pride, the annual celebration of Lowell's LGBTQ+ community, was held on Saturday, June 7th at DCR Lowell Heritage State Park on Pawtucket Boulevard. The festivities kicked off with a flag raising at Lowell City Hall, followed by a festival at the park. The rain didn't put a damper on the fun! | | Tracey Looney, Content Area Manager, Child & Family Services | | |
Bubbles McGee with Tracey Looney
| | Child & Family Services Newsletters | | Youth Opportunity Center Newsletter | | 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. Please note, Donations of $1000 or more qualify for a 50% refund or credit under the Massachusetts Community Investment Tax Program (CITC). Contact Margot Regan, Director of Development, for more information at maregan@commteam.org, 978-654-5813 | | | | |
