mom and child
mom and child

Jasmine’s Story

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Jasmine’s Story

Jasmine Delgado, 20, first became homeless at age 9 when she spent five months at a shelter in Connecticut with her mother. In 2013, Jasmine moved in with her father when her mother left for Lowell. When her father told her he needed to find somewhere else to stay because he could no longer pay rent, Jasmine called her mother. Jasmine and her three year-old daughter, Jenadie, moved to Lowell last February to stay with her mother in a single room. This single mother had just returned to Massachusetts from Connecticut, determined to create a better life for herself and her daughter.

Jasmine managed to get her GED on August 3, 2017 and earned the Student of the Year Award upon graduation. She discovered Community Teamwork’s YouthBuild Program and soon became part of a new emerging Culinary Training program. Through this program, Jasmine has helped to grow Community Teamwork’s Farmers’ Market and has become a tremendous resource to the culinary instructor. Jasmine’s leadership and professional skills have grown tremendously. She has become an invaluable part of the culinary program. Jasmine helps to bridge the gap between the instructor and the students in the program. As our culinary intern, she has supported other students through tutoring, encouraging their participation, and as a role model for professional growth. She received her OSHA 10, NCCER, SERVSAFE and allergen training and
is now a part of the ACF (Accredited Culinary Federation) curriculum and will be receiving an accredited certificate for culinary. She is currently working as an intern with Two Chefs Catering and will be starting another internship with Cobblestones Restaurant in the near future. In addition, Jasmine was chosen the 2018 YouthBuild AmeriCorps Spirit of Service Member of the Year.

Though she has overcome many obstacles from a young age, Jasmine was afraid that she could once again find herself in a shelter. “I’m scared because they tell me I can be placed anywhere in Massachusetts,” she said. “That’s the thing that worries me because my daughter has been going to the same school for a year and I want her to stay at the same school and I don’t want to change things. I want her to have that stability.”

With the help of Community Teamwork, Jasmine was able to get her first apartment this past July and was thrilled to celebrate her daughter’s 4th birthday in their very own home! With first-hand knowledge of being homeless and living in a shelter, she took part in panels with other homeless youth during a Youth Homelessness Summit hosted by Community Teamwork this past June. The day-long event was part of CTI’s new concerted effort to tackle this issue.

Jasmine has had her daughter enrolled at the Parker Avenue site since June of 2017. While attending the program, Jasmine has
been able to receive transportation services through the school. Jasmine’s daughter was enrolled at the Parker Avenue site because of their transportation needs and where they were living at the time. When the family moved in to their own apartment in June, Jasmine was able to transfer her daughter to a new center while also keeping her transportation. This was very important to Jasmine as she has no other means of transportation. Now at the Houlares Center, Jasmine’s daughter is transported to and from school. With her daughter being at school every day, Jasmine is able to continue her work in both of her internships.

Jasmine exemplifies the ideals of hard work, perseverance, commitment and follow through. She has learned the personal benefit of these qualities and has adopted them into the very fabric of her life. Jasmine stands out as a leader and role model among her peers but it is her strength and her positive spirit that shine through.

school bus
school bus

Community Teamwork is Now Accepting Bids for the Acquisition of School Buses – Bids Due 3/28/18, 4:30pm

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Community Teamwork, Inc., is now accepting bids for the acquisition of School Buses. All bids must be submitted by WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2018 at 4:30pm. Please contact Linda Ardis at 978.654.5659 for exact specifications. ALL BIDS ARE WELCOME.

Community Teamwork, Inc. – 155 Merrimack Street, Lowell MA  01852

Download RFP Here

 

 

 

play, learn, grow together
play, learn, grow together

Lowell Collaborative Preschool Academy

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Community Teamwork, Lowell Public Schools, and Little Sprouts will be hosting a NEW Preschool program called the Lowell Collaborative Preschool Academy located at 554 Pawtucket Street in Lowell. This preschool program has limited seats available and is open to children living in Lowell that are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and have not had an opportunity to attend any preschool program in the past.

The program began in the Fall of 2015.

 

Who is eligible for this FREE, full-day, full-year program?

If you have a child who is:

  • A resident of Lowell and will be 4 years old by September 1, 2016 (born between September 2, 2011 and September 1, 2012)
  • Your child has NOT attended a preschool/center based program, family childcare or Early Head Start/Head Start program

If you provide:

  • Proof of income/eligibility (refer to chart on back)
  • TRANSPORTATION IS NOT PROVIDED

 

                        Registration Information:

                        Monday through Friday

                       8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

                       Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

Please bring the following documents to the

Lowell Public Schools Family Resource Center

151 Merrimack Street, Downtown Lowell:

For More Information Call:

Lowell Public Schools                  Community Teamwork                    Little Sprouts

978-674-4330                                      978-459-0551                                  877-977-7688

Lowell Collaborative Flyer Final (Spanish)

Lowell Collaborative Flyer (Khmer)

Lowell Collaborative Flyer (Portuguese)

Lowell Collaborative Flyer Final

Customer Satisfaction Survey 2020

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WE ARE NOW COLLECTING INFORMATION ON OUR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY FOR 2020.

We are in the process of collecting our Customer Satisfaction Surveys for 2021. If you or a member of your family have received services from Community Teamwork in the past year, please complete the survey and let us know how we’re doing.

We are re-launching the Customer Satisfaction Survey. We have pivoted to a 2 question survey that will only be collected electronically. We’re going to close the survey on 9/11/2020.

Links:

If you have any questions, please contact feedback@commteam.org

Thank you!

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THANK YOUR FOR COMPLETING OUR COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT SURVEY EARLIER THIS YEAR! That survey is now closed. 

Click here to listen to Ann Sirois, Director of Compliance and Quality Improvement and Miranda Allan, Grants Coordinator, discuss the community needs assessment process on 980WCAP radio 12/30/19.

CTI Launches Needs Assessment Survey – Available Online/In Print through February – Lowell Sun, Nicole DeFeudis, January 5, 2020

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Job and Skills Training
Job and Skills Training

Community Connections to Employment & Training

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cti th logo photo taglineFocused on Long-term Stability

CommCET (Community Connections to Employment and Training) is breaking down financial barriers for over 100 disadvantaged families in the Merrimack Valley through an innovative approach that combines job training, education, housing, childcare, case management and follow-up services. This comprehensive strategy ensures greater long-term success for families that were previously homeless or are currently at risk of homelessness.

“Our workforce development efforts combined with permanent housing and essential family supports equip families with tools to maintain long-term stability,” says JoAnn Howell, Community Teamwork’s CommCET Director. “It isn’t about short-term solutions. CommCET helps the client establish a long-term approach by building employment skills; accessing job apprenticeships, training and employment; and preparing for self-sufficiency economically, financially and mentally. Our program’s aim is to successfully create life changing, long-term solutions. I am excited to be part of these changes.”

To date, CommCET has assisted 67 participants to become employed.  At the heart of this success are partnerships with the Lowell Career Center, surrounding vocational technical high schools and area employers. Twenty seven out of 33 participants are currently employed after acquiring new workforce skills at various regional vocational technical schools by training for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certifications, medical administration, business, electronics, welding, and office administration.

Profiles of success:

Jocelyn, a single mother, and her two children lived at the Best Western hotel in Chelmsford, when their family first entered the CommCET program. To accommodate her and other homeless families with children temporarily living at the hotel, staff created a transportation route that drives the children to their childcare programs, allowing the parents to pursue employment training and jobs. In Jocelyn’s case, she was able to confidently attend job interviews, knowing her children were safe and being educated in Community Teamwork’s childcare program. This and other critical case management supports led her obtaining full time employment at Lowell’s Woodbriar Nursing Facility.

Tiffany, who successfully attended the Lowell Career Center’s back-to-work program, struggled to find sufficient employment. Fortunately, thanks to her retraining, expansion of marketable skills and dedication, she landed a job with Community Teamwork, working in our Fuel Assistance department.

 

earth day
earth day

Celebrate Earth Day Today and Everyday

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April 22nd is Earth Day! Below is a list of all sorts of things you can do to make a difference on the planet, in your own lives, and for your loved ones.

Eat local
–  Commercially grown produce travels far distances equaling lots of fuel burned and fewer nutrients for you.
–  Grow your own produce when possible.
–  Shop local farmers markets. Lowell’s will open this summer at the Lucy Larcom Park.  See this listing of those in surrounding towns.

Go organic
–  Non organic produce is grown using pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, ect. Organic animals do not take antibiotics or growth hormones.
–  Remember: non organic produce is always better than no produce! Check out this list of organic foods to try.

Be a chef
–  When you cook your own meals and eat at home you are reducing consumption of packaging and plastic cutlery. Try a new recipe.

Try to eat less meat
–  Eating more plant based food is good for the environment, healthy for you and cheaper!
–  Start by going meatless on Mondays.

Re-useable water bottles
–  Oil is required to make bottled water and we barely recycle them leading to clogging of landfills.
–  Carry a reusable bottle and refill it.

Enjoy nature
–  Pass up the drive thru and plan a picnic, turn off the TV and go for a family hike, skip the coffee date and go for walk together.

Rebecca Foulkes, BS, CLC
Program Nutritionist
Lowell WIC Program
Community Teamwork
rfoulkes@comteam.org
978-654-4931

Brain Building
Brain Building

Brain Building in Progress

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Join Commnity Teamwork as we Dive into the Emotions of the Ocean!

Come read & explore the book “The Pout Pout Fish” with your child! Together  families will grin like a clam, squirm like a jellyfish, count like an octopus a nd shimmer like  a bright brilliant fish!

Date: April 10th
Time: 5pm-7pm
Location: 126 Phoenix Ave., Lowell, MA 01852

This event is open to the public.
Light food and refreshments will be served.

 

eating right
eating right

Challenge Yourself and Better Your Health

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NNM

March is National Nutrition Month. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics wants you to “Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right” this month by exploring some new foods and flavors that will wake up your taste buds – you have 10,000 of them!

Start with a small goal. When you write your weekly grocery list, make a point to try one new fruit, vegetable, whole grain or protein that week. Or one that you have not tried in years. This could be as simple as trying a new type of apple, eating broccoli raw instead of cooked, or brown rice instead of white rice. As you feel more comfortable trying new foods you can add new spices or flavorings.

You won’t love everything you try and that’s okay. Some foods you may like a little and want to experiment with more or you might find a new food that becomes a regular on your grocery list.

To help you with this new adventure, try these websites for ideas on preparing whole grains and healthy ways to cook fruits and vegetables.

 Related Events:

Join WIC on March 8th at the Stoklosa Middle School 11:15-12:30 to learn about shopping on a budget. This event is part of Lowell Womens Week. Please register for this event by contacting Gladys at 978-654-5673 or email gsantiago@commteam.org. Check out the Womens week website for all the other great events happening locally! And regularly check the WIC page this month for more activities.

Globe GRANT envelope
Globe GRANT envelope

Invest in Community Teamwork at No Cost Via the Boston Globe Grant Program

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CTI grant r

Invest in Community Teamwork at No Cost to You!…Are you a Globe digital or print subscriber or know others who are? You and they may be able to help us! But we need you to respond on or before March 1.

The Boston Globe launched the Globe Readers and Non-profits Together (GRANT) program early this month by mailing vouchers to all its current print and digital subscribers. This voucher allows a subscriber to designate a certified 501(c) (3) non-profit such as Community Teamwork to receive free advertising throughout the year – a big plus in helping us spread the word about our important work in the community.

If you are a subscriber and want to show your support, all you need to do is:

On the voucher, where it asks for “Name of Certified 501(c) (3),” write in our full name: “Community Teamwork, Inc.”
Where it asks for “501(c) (3) location” write in: “Lowell, MA”.
Send it back to the Boston Globe by March 1, 2014 in the envelope provided.

If you’re a subscriber, but did not receive a voucher, contact the Globe at 617.929.3198 to designate a non-profit or email grant@globe.com.

This is an incredible opportunity for non-profits to publicize the valuable work we are doing in the community, so please consider the Community Teamwork as your non-profit of choice! For more information, visit www.BostonGlobe.com/GRANT.

Thank you for your support! Please share with anyone you think would like to support us, too!

 

WIC banner x
WIC banner x

WIC’s Incredible 40 Year Legacy – Millions of Healthier Families

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WIC banner x xWIC’s 40th anniversary theme is Strengthening Families for 40 Years.  In partnerhsip with the National WIC Association, Community Teamwork’s WIC staff are promoting and highlighting WIC’s four pillars of health and nutrtion:

  • Healthy Food
  • Nutrition Education
  • Breastfeeding Support
  • Healthcare Referrals

WIC empowers mothers and expectant mothers to be confident caregivers to their children by providing nutrition and health education and free and healthy food . Here are just some of the ways WIC has given back to to families, communities and the country in the past year:

 WIC Fast Facts

  •  90% of infants in WIC received iron-fortified formula
  •  76% of WIC mothers in Massachusetts initiated breastfeeding.
  •  53% of infants born in the U.S. are served by WIC.
  •  52% of pregnant women enroll in WIC during their first trimester of pregnancy.

 Benefits to Your Children

  • Children enrolled in WIC have a regular source of medical care and receive up-to-date immunizations.
  • WIC improves the growth of nutritionally at-risk infants and children, by providing them with a  higher intake of iron, Vitamin C, thiamin, niacin and Vitamin B6.
  • Children who receive WIC benefits demonstrate an improved intellectual development with high vocabulary scores for children of mothers who participated in WIC prenatally.

For more information, visit our WIC program at how-we-help/family-children/wic/.  Also, please visit:

https://www.nwica.org/

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/consumer/basic-needs/food/wic/

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/consumer/basic-needs/food/wic/participants/wic-campaigns.html