FOR ALL YOUR COVID HOUSING & EMERGENCY NEEDS CLICK HERE OR CALL 978.654.5607

Listen to Kristin Ross-Sitcawich, Director HCEC and Karen Frederick, CEO, address Community Teamwork’s response to Covid-19 ~ WCAP Radio 3/31/2020

Listen to Karen Frederick, CEO, address Community Teamwork’s response to Covid-19 ~ WCAP Radio 3/26/2020

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 

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

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

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  

COMMUNITY TEAMWORK UPDATES 4/ 23 /2020

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

   

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

THE AUGUST 3-7  DATES  AT THE ROBINSON MIDDLE SCHOOL ARE BEING OFFERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AFRICAN COMMUNITY CENTER OF LOWELL

Drive through and walk-up testing are available AND Interpretation services are available at this site.

Stop the Spread  – for more info: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread

The Commonwealth is launching a strategic testing program in communities across Massachusetts that have continued to see a higher number of residents testing positive for COVID-19. The Commonwealth urges residents of these communities to get tested for COVID-19: Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Marlborough, and New Bedford. This testing will be provided at no cost to you. This testing will be available July 10-August 14.

Eligibility

• Open to everyone
• You don’t need to have any symptom(s)
• No cost to you
• Testing at these sites is not restricted to residents of the city or town

Test results

• Will be provided to each participant confidentially
• Participants are encouraged to share these results with their doctors

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 underway. All students entering grades 1-12 who are new to the district or who want to transfer into the Lowell Public Schools can also register now. Registration will now be done online. In addition to English, online registration forms are also available in Arabic, Khmer, Portuguese and Spanish (Resources). Please contact the Family Resource Center for support in other languages. The link to the online registration form is available on the district website and on the Family Resource Center website. Please note that the cutoff deadline to be eligible for the preschool and kindergarten lottery is June 30, 2020 at noon. After this deadline, students who register for preschool and kindergarten will be added to a waitlist and will not be included in the lottery. If you have any further questions about registration, you can call the Family Resource Center at 978-674-4321.   Resources

For students in Lowell, the Lowell Public Schools announced that they will be running their very popular IDEA Camp – a hands-on, interactive opportunity for middle and high school students to explore topics in the field of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). Plans are to hold all summer programs remotely. However, there is the possibility for a transition to a limited in-person school environment later in the summer pending guidance from the state. Registration for IDEA Camp starts June 1, and more information can be found here: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/ideacamp.

Community Teamwork Remote Learning – Infants through Pre-School

 NEW From CFCE Parent Home Curriculum pages: Please use the ideas and links here to extend your child’s at-home learning experiences in FUN ways.  The page focuses on the many ways parents can promote/strengthen learning in the different areas of child development. GROWING FLOWERS (HOME CURRICULUM)

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

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

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

Lowell Public Schools are transitioning to a summer schedule for meal service starting Tuesday, June 16. At these sites, students will receive two breakfasts and two lunches on Mondays and Wednesdays and will also receive meals for the weekend days on Fridays. Students at the STEM site will also receive meals for the weekend days on Fridays. When visiting our lunch sites, please remember that the Governor has ordered that everyone must wear a mask or face covering in public spaces. As always, you can also contact the Family Resource Center with any additional questions at 978-674-4321, or fill out the online form.

Grab and Go Meals – Lowell Technical High School

Grab and Go Meals – Billerica Schools Nutrition Services

Grab and Go Meals – Chelmsford Public Schools

Grab and Go Meals – Andover Public Schools

Grab and Go Meals – Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell

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!!