Covid-19 Emergency Response
FOR ALL YOUR COVID HOUSING & EMERGENCY NEEDS CLICK HERE OR CALL 978.654.5607
COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE ~ Community Teamwork is here to help…
During this health crisis, Community Teamwork has put in place emergency programming to ensure that we can continue to provide critical service to our clients while maintaining social distancing protocols for the health and safety of our community, our clients and our Community Teamwork staff. While we are closing all our buildings to walk-in traffic, our staff is available by phone, email and, in extreme circumstances, to meet with clients on an appointment-only basis. Please call one of the numbers below and our staff will work with you to find the right solutions for you and your family during this challenging time.
Resource Center
Our Resource Center and Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC) have cancelled all individual meetings, workshops and trainings until further notice. However, all of our staff will be available via phone and email.
The Majority of our emergency services are accessible via phone or email.
We will be using an emergency COVID hotline and general mailbox which will be continuously monitored from 8:30am to 5pm every weekday. We will work to ensure that all calls and emails will receive a response within 2 hours. All emergency contact information on and additional email address information is also available on our website www.commteam.org
Emergency Contact Information
Resource Center and HCEC
(for all general emergency referrals) |
978.654.5607 | CovidResponseCTI@commteam.org |
Fuel Assistance and Heating System Repair
(Please note: As long as the State of Emergency is in effect the Department of Public Utilities has extended the moratorium that all utilities must follow the “no shut off” rule.) |
978.459.6161 | FuelAssistance@commteam.org |
WIC | 978.454.6397 | WICCovidResponseCTI@commteam.org
|
Rental Assistance (Section 8 & MRVP) | 978.654.5726 | CTIRentalAssistance@commteam.org
|
Youth Services | 978.905.7385 | CTIYouthServices@commteam.org
|
Child and Family Services
CTI- Remote Learning |
978.454.5100 | ChildcareCovidCTI@commteam.org |
Updated 3.23.2020
Trust the facts – get the vax! You can trust that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe. Learn more about vaccine safety, how it was developed, and how it works. Hear from doctors across Massachusetts on why we can trust that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective. Learn more at mass.gov/CovidVaccine. Check it out! https://www.mass.gov/info…/trust-the-facts-get-the-vax
20 Things to Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine
Updated on January 22, 2021
The Covid-19 pandemic has been a stressful and often frightening time for many people, including those working on the frontlines. The new COVID-19 vaccine is a much anticipated and exciting next step in our fight against COVID-19. It is natural, as with any new medication or treatment, that people have questions about it. In the age of social media, it is easy for misinformation to spread quickly, and we want you to have your questions answered accurately and honestly. View the common questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and answers from Wellforce’s Infectious Disease experts.
NEW RESOURCE AVAILABLE: Have Questions Multiple Language Flier
More Questions and Answers About the COVID-19 Vaccine
ACCESS THE COVID-19 VACCINE Q&A HERE
Vaccine Information for Pregnant Women
The resource guides below provide vaccine information for pregnant women or women who are trying to get pregnant. The guides are available in multiple languages.
- English Decision Aid (updated 12/28/20)
- Spanish Decision Aid (updated 12/28/20)
- Nepali Decision Aid (updated 12/28/20)
- Portuguese Decision Aid (updated 12/28/20)
- Arabic Decision Aid (updated 12/28/20)
- Turkish Decision Aid (updated 12/28/20)
- Somali Decision Aid (updated 12/28/20)
- Chinese Decision Aid (updated 12/28/20)
- Vietnamese Decision Aid (updated 12/28/20)
- Russian Decision Aid (updated 12/22/20)
9 Things You Need To Know To Protect Yourself and Family at Home
Your greatest risk of acquiring COVID-19 is in your own home, when someone you live with becomes infected. Read this advice from Tufts Medical Center Infection Preventionist Shira Doron, MD.
M E D I A
COVID-19 Housing & Evictions Information – With the Massachusetts Statewide Eviction Moratorium that Gov. Baker passed in April of 2020 scheduled to end in October, there is a lot of uncertainty among many tenants around the Commonwealth. LTC spoke to representatives from Northeast Legal Aid and Community Teamwork, Inc. for more information about what tenants can do if they are worried about their ability to remain safely housed, and programs available to tenants and property owners to help them remain stable during the COVID-19 pandemic. WATCH HERE Video is posted to LTC’s Youtube Channel! It’s also playing on Channel 8 at LTC for the next two weeks (October 16, 2020)
Stay tuned for weekly updates on WCAP 980 am radio and other updates on Lowell Telecommunications Corporation (LTC) local television.
F U N D E R S
GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund
Sandi A. Wilson Youth Homelessness Endowment Fund
Now more than ever it is important to be counted – LET’S MAKE LOWELL COUNT! TAKE THE CENSUS!
CLICK HERE to share in a wish for BETTER THINGS from the Division of Energy and Community Resources
COMMUNITY TEAMWORK RESPONDS TO COVID-19
January Connector Newsletter 1/27/21
COMMUNITY TEAMWORK RESPONDS – Lowell WIC Program Celebrates World Breastfeeding Week – 8/3/2020
COMMUNITY TEAMWORK RESPONDS – Child and Family Services Programs Reopen 7/22/2020
COMMUNITY TEAMWORK RESPONDS – We Celebrate Juneteenth 6/19/2020
COMMUNITY TEAMWORK RESPONDS – We ask ourselves, what can we do? 6/11/2020
COMMUNITY TEAMWORK UPDATES – FINANCIAL EDUCATION CENTER 5/27/2020
COMMUNITY TEAMWORK UPDATES – COMMUNITY ACTION 5/19/2020
COMMUNITY TEAMWORK UPDATES – GIVING TUESDAY 5/5/2020
COMMUNITY TEAMWORK UPDATES 4 / 29 / 2020 – Housing and Homeless Services
COMMUNITY TEAMWORK UPDATES 4/ 23 /2020 – Child and Family Services
COMMUNITY TEAMWORK UPDATES 4 / 14 / 2020
COMMUNITY TEAMWORK UPDATES 4 / 6 / 2020
COMMUNITY TEAMWORK UPDATES 3 / 23 / 2020
MASSCAP Newsletter 4/23/2020: MASSCAP Road to Opportunity: Finding the Way Forward Through COVID-19 and Beyond. (There is a story about Community Teamwork’s VITA program and some money savings found for one of our clients – by Rachana, a CTI Volunteer who found the exemption rule.)
G E N E R A L I N F O R M A T I O N
——————————————–
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS: Call the CTI FUEL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM at 978-459-6161 today to make an appointment and to learn more. We are taking applications now for Nov 1st, 2020 – April 30th, 2021 assistance. You can still use the link on our homepage to make an appointment – but you will still need to do an application by phone: Schedule a telephone interview at https://tinyurl.com/CTIHeat or call 978.459.6161. FUEL ASSISTANCE applications can also be mailed, emailed: FuelAssistance@commteam.org, faxed: 978.458.8594 or dropped in a specially marked mailbox outside the Fuel Assistance office at 45 Kirk Street, Lowell MA 01852.
REMINDER: If you are receiving Unemployment Benefits, it may be important for you to choose to have taxes taken out, as you will be receiving a 1099G form in January when you file taxes. Depending on your income bracket, you may have to pay taxes on their benefits. For more info they can visit https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc418


CENSUS ENUMERATORS are now going door-to-door to contact people who have not yet responded to the census.There is information in links below as to how to identify a census worker. Please share:
English https://bit.ly/33Sx9q4
Spanish https://bit.ly/3gQg1Vn
Portuguese https://bit.ly/31Ot9Et
Khmer https://bit.ly/2PIVu9z
Learn more at 2020census.gov
Stop the Spread – for more info: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread
Got Brain Fog Lately? Blame It On The Coronavirus Pandemic
Read this if you’ve been losing track of time, forgetting things or haven’t been able to concentrate
Lowellians: Assistance and Mutual Aid (LLAMA)
Survey link: www.tinyurl.com/helpfromLLAMAs
And Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2658623527701727
Please CLICK HERE for information on Coronavirus-related scams. Also included is information from our Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) office on how to report these scams. Please share this information with your clients and via your social media accounts. Remember updates are being made often. Please continue to check www.IRS.gov: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center.
Left in Lowell ~ We’re brighter in the sun
Resources Supporting the Local Community
Useful Lowell and Surrounding Area Resource Links and forms
MA Bills Related to the Covid-19 Pandemic
NFI Mass Inc. Family Resource Center – COVID-19 Comunity Support Information
The United Way is offering “one-time grants of up to $2000” to “help families impacted by the COVID-19 crisis meet their basic food, childcare or housing needs.” You can dial 2-1-1 for information on where you can access flexible funds through the COVID-19 Family Support Fund. United Way of Massachusetts Bay
https://unitedwaymassbay.org/get-invo…/covid-19-family-fund/
Providers’ Council: COVID-19 RESOURCES AND DAILY UPDATES
Lowell Community Health Center
LINKS TO TIPS ON STAYING HEALTHY AND SAFE IN SPANISH
C H I L D R E N & F A M I L Y – E D U C A T I O N
10 Tips to Prepare Your Kids and Your Home for Distance Learning – Macaroni Kids www.commteam.org/coordinated-family-community-engagement
The Lowell Public School that the registration period for Kindergarten and Preschool is now past. All students entering grades 1-12 who are new to the district or who want to transfer into the Lowell Public Schools must be registered. If you have any further questions about registration, you can call the Family Resource Center at 978-674-4321. Resources
Community Teamwork Remote Learning – Infants through Pre-School
.
Use this link to connect to LPS home learning and class dojo!
Stay connected and up to date with your child’s class! https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/homelearning
TIME FOR KIDS DIGITAL LIBRARY FREE FOR THE REST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
NFI FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER:
150 Educational Shows to Watch on Netflix
10 Free Learning Websites for Children
Prevent Child Abuse – Covid-19 Resources and Tips for Parents, Children and Others
The National Child traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) Parent / Caregiver Guide to Helping Familes Cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
NetFlix BrainChild Streaming Educational Curriculum for Elementary and Middle Schools
Mindfulness Workshops for Parents, Teachers and Caregivers – Multiple Dates
How Stress Affects Children’s Behavior – a post from our CFCE Program – From a Psychology Specialist
How Stress Affects Children’s Behavior – a post from our CFCE Program – From a Psychology Specialist
Amazon Makes All Kids Shows Free to Stream
F O O D
BIG #UPDATE! U.S. Department of Agriculture has just announced they are extending the Child Nutrition Waivers needed to allow the 900 free meal sites in MA to continue to operate and provide free meals to kids through December! A huge thank you to all our legislators, anti-hunger partners, school leaders, and people like you who took action to tell USDA to extend these waivers to keep feeding hungry kids during this pandemic! #hunger #kids #backtoschool
Click here to see the faces of the WIC staff here to help you! Leave a message at (978)454-6397 and we will return your call. We are also available for phone appointments so you will not be without benefits during this time!! Not on WIC and want to apply? Start your application online at mass.gov/wic!
ATTENTION MA RESIDENTS ~ YOU CAN KNOW USE SNAP BENEFITS TO BUY FOOD ONLINE AT AMAZON AND WALMART!
Project Bread – Food Source Hotline To find food resources in your community, call the FoodSource Hotline:
1-800-645-8333
TTY 1-800-377-1292
Hotline Hours:
Monday – Friday
8 A.M. – 7 P.M.
Saturday
10 A.M. – 2 P.M.
The Salvation Army Food Pantry, Lowell MA is open
Mondays, Wednesdays, Friday 9-11am. 978.458.3396
Special Grocery Store Hours During Covid-19
S E N I O R S & T H O S E W I T H D I S A B I L I T I E S
The Green Book – Resource for Elders and Those with Disabilities
ATTENTION:
If you or someone you know that is 60 years of age or older and still need to have their Tax Returns Prepared – Liberty Tax is offering to do your return for Free!! Click here for
S M A L L B U S I N E S S & E M P L O Y M E N T & O T H E R G O V E R N M E N T R E G U L A T I O N S
Visit the Entrepreneurship Center @CTI
Covid-19 Resources Helpful to Gig Workers and Others Gig workers are independent contractors, online platform workers, contract firm workers, on-call workers and temporary workers.
Also to join the Entrepreneurship Center’s daily zoom call – please fill out this form.
The Small Business Owner Guide to the CARES Act
Massachusetts Workers Emergency Relief Funds – Resource Guide
MA Bills Related to the Covid-19 Pandemic
NFI Mass Inc. Family Resource Center – COVID-19 Comunity Support Information
R E F U G E E S & U N D O C U M E N T E D C O M M U N I T I E S
COVID-19 / Coronavirus Resources for Refugees
COVID-19 Resources for Undocumented Communities
T R A N S P O R T A T I O N
ATTENTION:
If you or someone you know that is 60 years of age or older and still need to have their Tax Returns Prepared – Liberty Tax is offering to do your return for Free!! Click here for more information
The IRS has extended the date for Payments Only!
Filing is still due by April 15th, If, you have to pay, the payment Due Date was Extended to July 15th!!
H O U S I N G & U T I L I T I E S
Here’s some updated information (May 2020) from Northeast Legal Services. It includes the information on the ongoing eviction moratorium as well as contact numbers for the Mass Housing Court and the general services Court Hotline for any client or staff questions – In English and Spanish.

Housing Court Standing Order 2-20: Temporary modifications to court operations arising from the coronavirus (COVID 19) outbreak
Baker-Polito Administration Temporarily Prohibits Shutoffs to Protect Massachusetts Ratepayers