Building Communities

Changing Lives


January 2024




Dear Friends,


Happy New Year!


2024 is a year to commemorate 60 Years of Community Action. It is also a time to reflect on the impact Community Teamwork's programs have had on our community. Our programs have helped improve the lives of more than 55,000 families and individuals this past year, including the:


2704 children who participated in Coordinated Family and Community Engagement playgroups, workshops and events, 212 parents in the School Age Program who were able to maintain their employment because of reliable childcare, 543 households who filed tax returns through the VITA program, 3559 families at risk of homelessness who were able to remain housed through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, 5829 WIC participants who received improved access to healthy, nutritious food each month, 360 Seniors participating in Bone Builders classes,

89 businesses receiving Technical Assistance through the Entrepreneur Center - resulting in 16 new jobs, 58 families living in Emergency Family Shelters who we found permanent housing for,

168 Individuals experiencing homelessness who received emergency shelter, 37 Section 8 Voucher holders who gained employment through our partnership with MassHire, 36 YouthBuild students who were employed at program completion, 34 young adults experiencing homelessness who we placed in permanent housing, and the 6179 households who received services from our Resource Center - to name a few.


We look forward to continuing this work in 2024 and could not do so without your ongoing support, and the support of our community partners. We are truly grateful.


Lastly, as the year comes to a close, click on the slideshow here to take a look back at 2023.


Gratefully Yours,

Karen Frederick, CEO

Community Teamwork

Toys for Tots ~ Santa's Elves Strike Again!


Pictured left is the CTI team (L-R: Meg Gaffney, Gladys Santiago, Karonika Brown, Evelyn Crespo, Jackyie Gonzalez and Cathy Pilgrim-Smith who is not pictured) at the Wish Project picking toys for the 13 and older youth to supplement for the Toys for Tots program.


A special Thanks goes to:

  • Enterprise Bank, Sarah Goldoni and Manpreet Singh
  • Donations from Daniel and Kara McCarthy
  • Donations from CTI's Chris Defeo
  • CTI's JoAnn Howell for helping T4T out with gifts from the Wish Project
  • Hellenic Academy



CTI held a very successful Toys for Tots Event recently, thanks to the help of many volunteers. Their efforts and the generosity of donors will surely put a smile on the face of many children.


Pictured L-R: CTI Staff: Margot Regan - Director of Development, Eddie Martinez - Case Manager, Alexander Guittarr - Grants Coordinator

Nick DiGiammo Appointed New Director of Community Teamwork's Youth Services Program



Community Teamwork (CTI) is pleased to announce that Nicholas DiGiammo has been selected to lead its Youth Services Organization. In his new role, Mr. DiGiammo will oversee all Youth Services programs, including; Intake and Assessment, Youth Navigation, Youth Family Foundations, Youth Housing Pathways, Housing Workshops, Crisis Transitional Housing and the Mill You Drop-In Center, as well as oversee its Youth Build programs.


Youth Services of Community Teamwork offers supportive services to youth and young adults ages 16 – 24, who struggle with housing instability and/or are pregnant or parenting. In its 6th year of service, Youth Services programming has expanded to serve more than 900 youth and young adults in Lowell and Greater Lowell.


“Nick has been with Youth Services since its early stage, starting as a Housing Case Manager, Program Manager and now as a Director. He moved to Lowell and integrated himself into the community early on. He has been instrumental in learning the unique needs of young adults in Greater Lowell and developing and expanding programming to meet those needs”, said Barbara Warren, Division Director, Housing and Homeless Services. “We are thrilled to promote Nick into this new role.”


Following his studies at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Mr. DiGiammo spent several years working with low-income communities in Massachusetts and across the United States, before joining Community Teamwork in 2019.


“I am very excited for this new opportunity and role as the Director of Youth Services.”, said Mr. DiGiammo. “I have been fortunate to be able to grow with the program, both professionally and as an individual and am looking forward to continuing my support of the youth and young adult population in Lowell and Greater Lowell.”

Click Here to See a List of All of our Event Sponsors

E-Center Client Spotlight

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The story of Mira Ve began with a discovery—a notebook bursting with recipes and aspirations. In 2020, two friends, Carolina Pino and Carolina Rios, stumbled upon a dream that not only captivated taste buds but also intertwined threads of connection within the Lowell community.


Carolina P., raised within the bustling rhythm of restaurants, held the dream of venturing into her own culinary world. In contrast, Carolina R., brought a flair for digital design, and together, their distinct talents seamlessly intertwined, paving the path for their joint culinary pursuit.


One day in 2020, Carolina R. stumbled upon a notebook belonging to Carolina P., filled with recipes. Upon questioning its contents, Carolina P. revealed her lifelong dream—"Mira Ve," translating to "Hey, look" in English, a phrase reminiscent of Cali, Colombia, where inspiration struck.


This inspiration fueled their ambition, yet reality loomed large—neither knew how to cook beyond the basics. Undeterred, they embarked on a culinary journey, envisioning a menu centered around crafting hotdogs and burgers. During brainstorming, Carolina R. swiftly recognized a missing element: the need for homemade sauces and distinctive flavors. Enter Carolina P., who held the key to these secret recipes.


Their venture began casually, serving friends and family, and swiftly expanded as people sought solace in good food during the pandemic. As their food drew crowds, it dawned on them that this passion could evolve into something bigger. The solution emerged as a food truck—an idea aligning with the demand for quick, delectable take-out meals. However, finances posed a hurdle until they found a lifeline at the Entrepreneurship Center.


Read the entire article here

Now Taking Applications for

Fuel Assistance (LIHEAP)

Fuel Assistance & Home Energy Assessment

45 Kirk Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell MA 01852


Brochures

English

Spanish

Khmer

Portuguese


Fuel Assistance Program

Call: 978.459.6161, Email: [email protected]


Apply Online: www.commteam.org/fuel


Energy/Weatherization Program

Call: 978.654.4904, Email: [email protected]

IMPORTANT UPDATE

Please find our updated 2023 Community Needs Assessment, Annual Report, and Constituency Guide on our website at Annual Reports & Documents - Community Teamwork (commteam.org). Hard copies are available upon request.


Thank You to our 2023 Newsletter Sponsor


CAREERS AT COMMUNITY TEAMWORK





 Early Learning Division is Hiring Teachers, Assistant Teachers and more

Teachers, Assistant Teachers, Teacher Aides

Special Career, Excellent Benefits

Sign-On Bonus $3k* Full-Time (*Teachers, Assistant Teachers, Bus Drivers),

$1k Part-time

ENJOY THE VIDEOS ~ GROW YOUR CAREER AT COMMUNITY TEAMWORK


Top Pay and Benefits


Supportive Culture


Teach with Impact


CLICK HERE to see all career opportunities at Community Teamwork


ENJOY THE VIDEO ~ Come Join Us

IN THE NEWS


Nicholas DiGiammo Selected to Lead Community Teamwork's Youth Services Organization - The Sun 12/11/23


Mayor Sokhary Chau Helps Community Teamwork Raise Over $50k for Youth Homelessness -The Sun 12/7/23


'Who We Are' sparks conversations about racism - The Lowell Sun 10/31/23


Town Boards, Staff, Agencies Gather for Housing Summit - Tewksbury Carnation 10/24/23


CTI: An opportunity to embrace those seeking refuge in our city Lowell Sun 9/11/23


U.S. Small Business Administration to Fund Entrepreneurship Center Lowell Sun 9/7/23


Community Teamwork Promotes Nancy Van Alst to Chief Financial Officer Lowell Sun 9/5/23


Community Teamwork responds to MA State of Emergency Lowell Sun 8/24/23


Lowell Farmers’ Market returns in new location for 2023 - Lowell Sun 7/7/23


Community Teamwork’s Common Ground Development Corporation Celebrated the Opening of Acton Senior Affordable Housing Development 6/5/23

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. 

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