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

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.

• English
• Spanish
• Portuguese
• Russian
• Chinese
• Vietnamese
• Haitian Creole
• Khmer

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.

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 

A Statement from Community Teamwork –  A voice for those unheard, silenced, and marginalized since for over 56 years -We cannot stand idly by – 6/2/2020

A Statement from Community Teamwork’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee about John Robert Lewis, Civil Rights Icon and Congressman 7/23/2020

VOTE. YOUR VOICE MATTERS. The Massachusetts State Primary is Tuesday, September 1st – Community Teamwork’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee 8/31/2020.

COMMUNITY TEAMWORK RESPONDS – Celebrates 56th Anniversary of Community Action / LIHEAP / Customer Satisfaction Survey – 8/20/2020

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

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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

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

COVID-19 Resources

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 

Coronavirus stimulus-package tax relief: Withdraw $100K from your IRA — and repay in 3 years with zero tax liability. Learn more

MA Bills Related to the Covid-19 Pandemic

NFI Mass Inc. Family Resource Center – COVID-19 Comunity Support Information

City of Lowell EOC now active to assist residents and provide resources/information related to coronavirus. 978-674-4052.

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

3/23/2020 Governor’s list of essential businesses/functions, non-essential businesses must close their doors by noon on Tuesday, but can work remotely if applicable. 

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

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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

Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) May/June Newsletter – INCLUDES LINKS TO MANY COVID  RESOURCES

TIME FOR KIDS DIGITAL LIBRARY FREE FOR THE REST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR

NFI Massachusetts/Family Resource Center: Virtual Tutoring for Community Members Impacted by Covid-19

NFI FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER:

Here is a good idea about what you and your family can do during “rest time”! Use this site and put on a kid-friendly podcast! There’s so many to choose from that the whole family can listen to together- children can color, play with playdough, or just rest while they listen!

Educational Resources

Home School Resources

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!

Flyer – English

Fact Sheet – English

FAQs

Flyer – Spanish 

Fact Sheet – Spanish

Community Teamwork has received an update from the state for our clients who are receiving an emergency SNAP allotment for the months of March and April. Click the link for details are attached along with some answers to frequently asked questions should you be speaking with any clients who are SNAP recipients.

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

www.GROWYourBusinessAtCTI.org

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

YouTube

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.

There is assistance coming for self-employed, independent contractors, etc (i.e. 1099 workers). This chart is a helpful cheat sheet in how to access those benefits

THE INTERIM FINAL RULE RE: ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN PLEDGES OF LOANS   The new Final Interim Rule is released and addresses self-employed and 1099 PPP applications

Also to join the Entrepreneurship Center’s daily zoom call – please fill out this form.

The Small Business Owner Guide to the CARES Act

ONE FAIR WAGE – Emergency Fund for tipped workers and service workers. You can apply for aid or donate.

Massachusetts Workers Emergency Relief Funds – Resource Guide

Updated info from the IRS regarding the stimulus check for people how haven’t yet filed their 2019 tax returns.  4 6 2020

Coronavirus stimulus-package tax relief: Withdraw $100K from your IRA — and repay in 3 years with zero tax liability. Learn more

MA Bills Related to the Covid-19 Pandemic

NFI Mass Inc. Family Resource Center – COVID-19 Comunity Support Information

City of Lowell EOC now active to assist residents and provide resources/information related to coronavirus. 978-674-4052.

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!!