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Greetings!
March provides a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the countless ways women have shaped our culture and society. Throughout history, women have driven progress in ways both visible and unseen. They have led movements, strengthened families, advanced innovation, and quietly sustained the fabric of community life even when their contributions were overlooked or undervalued.
For me, this reflection is deeply personal.
I was raised by a single mother who worked multiple jobs while raising two children. As a child, I saw resilience. As an adult, I came to understand the depths of her strength. She navigated systems and spaces that often dismissed or marginalized her, yet she never allowed those barriers to define her or the future she envisioned for her children. She taught me, not through lecture, but through the consistent example of how she lived each day. She showed me how to move forward with dignity, how to be aware of the open doors where others see walls, and how to lead quietly with power and purpose.
Many of us carry similar stories. We often credit ourselves for our perseverance as we travel, yet the foundation of that perseverance is frequently built by the women who raised us, mentored us, and stood beside us. Their influence shapes how we respond to adversity, how we extend compassion to others, and how we remain rooted in our values, despite uncertainty awaiting.
I want to honor the women whose leadership may never make headlines but whose impact is felt in every corner of our communities. They are the mothers, sisters, grandmothers, aunties, mentors, colleagues, and friends who continue to show up each day with grace and resolve. They hold families together during times of instability. They create opportunities where none seem to exist. They advocate for fairness and belonging in spaces that have not always welcomed their voices. Despite experiences of inequity or hardship, they continue to lead with courage and an unwavering commitment to those around them.
At Community Teamwork, we are guided by values that call us to act with integrity, lead with compassion, and advance equity in meaningful ways. These values are not abstract ideals. They are lived out every day by women who choose to care deeply, to persevere, and to invest in the wellbeing of others. Their example reminds us that lasting change is often built through consistent acts of love, responsibility, and quiet determination.
As we recognize Women’s History Month, we celebrate not only historic milestones and prominent leaders, but also the everyday acts of strength and humanity that continue to shape our world. We honor the women who taught us our first lessons about resilience, who protected us when we felt vulnerable, and who demonstrated that true leadership is measured not by recognition, but by impact.
To all the women who have shaped our lives and strengthened our communities, thank you. Your influence reaches farther than you may ever realize. Through your unconditional love, your perseverance, and your belief in a better future, you continue to shape culture, opportunity, and hope for generations to come.
Happy Women’s History Month.
Sincerely,
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Carl Howell, CEO
Community Teamwork
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Community Action Agencies attend the
National Community Action Foundation (NCAF) Conference and Fly-In Day in Washington, DC
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Community Action Agencies attended the NCAF Conference and Fly-In Day in Washington to defend the mission of Community Action. This year's theme is "Understanding the New Washington" ~ including Lessons Learned from Year One of Trump 47.
The conference took place March 17–20, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Carl Howell and Ann Sirois were amongst those representing Community Teamwork and Community Action Agencies.
Members of Congress and Administrative Officials spoke on issues of vital interest to the Community Action Network, timely legislative updates were received, agencies particpated in Hill meetings, and colleagues connected from across the country.
Summary - NCAF 2026 Washington Conference
MA Commnity Action Agency Leaders visit the offices of Congresswoman Katherine Clark and Congressman Jim McGovern.
Carl Howell, CEO of CTI and Ann Sirois, Chief Administrative Officer were there representing CTI. Also in attendance was Joe Diamond Executive Director of MASSCAP.
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Advocating for Early Education Programs
and Providers
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Community Teamwork was at the Massachusetts State House recently, advocating for the early education programs and providers who show up every single day for our lowest-income families.
Our asks are clear:
1. $30M to support a provider rate reserve and help stabilize wages for early educators.
2. $475M to maintain C3 grants that keep programs open and staffed.
3. $31.2M to expand access for 2,000 children currently sitting on a waitlist while their parents try to stay in the workforce.
These aren’t abstract budget numbers. They represent real programs, real educators, and real families who cannot wait.
Kayombo Kamawu, Chief Program Officer at CTI, was amongst those proud to be in those halls making the case on behalf of Community Teamwork and providers across the Commonwealth.
Thank you Senator Vanna Howard, Representative Jim Arciero, Representative Tara Hong and Senator Barry Finegold, for meeting with Community Teamwork.
To learn more about our Child Care and Early Education Programs, visit:
commteam.org/program/childcare-early-education
| Common Ground Development Corp is Accepting Applications for The Avenue at Greenmont | | |
Are you interested in learning more about The Avenue at Greenmont, a new Senior/Disabled living community consisting of 56 one-bedroom units in Dracut? Applications are open through March 27th. Click on the Flyer below for more detail.
Flyer
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UKG Donates Books in Celebration of
Black History Month
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UKG's BUILD Community Outreach Employee Group collected 40 children's books for Black History Month and stopped by Community Teamwork's James Houlares Early Learning Center recently to drop them off. The staff is excited to share them with our young learners.
Thank you to the staff at UKG for thinking of the children here at Community Teamwork!
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Pictured L-R:
Zach Grant - Workplace Services UKG, Tracy Looney – Parent Engagement Manager, Joselyn Lebron Torres – Education Coach, Shawna Doran – VP C&FS, Kristen Tremblay – Compliance Director, Rose LaFargue - Lead Business Development UKG, Rosa Robles – Program Coordinator with grandson Camden, Sinead Downing – Family Services Worker with son Finn, Margot Regan – Director of Development
To learn more about our Child Care and Early Education Programs, visit:
commteam.org/program/childcare-early-education
| YouthBuild of Greater Lowell | A job well done for the YouthBuild Culinary team, serving their legendary Black Bean Soup to a hungry crowd at Lowell's Winter Fest Soup Competition. | | Culinary Team- including with Culinary Arts Supervisor, Anna Jabar-Omoyeni | | Culinary Team serving black bean soup | | Culinary Team with Mayor Gitschier | | YouthBuild and Youth Advisory Board Participate in Youth Mural Competition | | |
Make sure to stop by Rockland Trust on Merrimack Street to view your favorite mural. CTI’s YouthBuild students and the Youth Advisory Board members outdid themselves!
This year's Youth Mural Competition theme was "Lowell at 200". Teams were asked to draw inspiration from and honor Lowell’s bicentennial, particularly the city’s history of innovation.
The murals are now on display on the fence lining Rockland Trust's parking lot at 222 Merrimack Street.
Participating schools and programs:
@refugeartschool
@youthbuildlowell
@lowellcommunitycharter
@greaterlowelltechhs
@girlsinclowell
Youth Advisory Board at @communityteamwork
@bgcglowell
Kids Week Lowell
| | Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) ~ aka Fuel Assistance | | |
Spring is Here, But Heating Help is Still Available
Even as the days get longer, those chilly spring nights can still make your heating bills spike. If staying warm is a concern, there’s still time to apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) before the heating season ends on April 30.
HEAP can help eligible households cover heating expenses, keeping your home safe and comfortable as the seasons change. Don’t wait – apply now online at www.commteam.org/fuel or visit us in person to see if you qualify.
www.toapply.org/MassHEAP
If you have questions about the program or need help completing your application, our team is ready to assist you.
Stay connected with us by following Community Teamwork on social media for the latest updates, resources, and tips to help manage your heating needs.
| | CTI's Financial Education Department (VITA) Partners with UMass Manning School of Business | | Community Teamwork’s Financial Education Center has once again partnered with UMass Lowell’s Manning School of Business to gather volunteers for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). This partnership has been paramount for the program’s success in assisting hundreds of clients with free tax preparation. Over the years, UMass Lowell has brought in dozens of volunteers, this season we were able to engage with 16 knowledgeable students who are eager to use their education to help the community. | | Child & Family Services is Recruiting! | | Child & Family Services Newsletters |
Construction continues at
CTI's New Women's Shelter
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The new Women's Shelter is taking shape but we need your help!
Transformation continues at the future home of our new 50-plus bed dedicated women’s shelter. With interior demolition and portions of exterior site work complete, elevator shaft construction commences, and roofing, structural and interior framing, as well as mechanical rough ins, are right around the corner.
Our design and construction partners continue to focus on delivering on the aggressive construction schedule and budget, even as winter in new England rears its head.
Since 2020, nearly 40 percent of the individuals served in Community Teamwork’s emergency shelter program have been women, and nearly half of those women were older than 45 years old.
They are mothers. They are sisters. They are aunts. They are friends. And they all need a second chance.
We thank all our supporters who have helped us raise the funds needed to get to this important milestone, but we still have a long way to go to close our funding gap.
We ask that you please consider making a gift to support this important project by clicking here.
Together we can ensure that the women in our community have a safe, temporary place to stay as they rebuild their lives.
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.
Naming opportunities still available!
| | Please watch the video above to learn more. (Click the Image) | | |
Together we can ensure that the women in our community have a safe, temporary place to stay as they rebuild their lives.
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.
Naming opportunities are still available.
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“Housing is a human right. There can be no fairness or justice in a society in which some live in homelessness, or in the shadow of that risk, while others cannot even imagine it.”
--John Flaherty
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Sponsors for the Event
Visionary: Rockland Foundation
Trailblazer: United Way of Massachusetts Bay
Sustainer: Washington Savings, Nancy L Donahue
Advocate: Anonymous Donor, Davis Square Architects, Lowell Five Bank, The Peabody Companies
Partner: Greater Lowell Community Foundation
Friend: Eno Martin Law PLCC, Middlesex Community College, Partners in Child Development
| | Thank You to our 2026 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 | | | | |
