Early Learning Program at Community Teamwork

07/24/2025

🌍💖 Happy International Self-Care Day! 🎉 Take a moment today to indulge in what makes your heart sing. Whether it’s a cozy bubble bath, a walk in nature, or enjoying your favorite treat, remember: self-care is essential! Treat yourself with kindness and joy. 💆‍♀️✨ Share your self-care rituals below!

07/17/2025

July is Disability Pride Month

Throughout July, CTI is recognizing Disability Pride Month by highlighting a different color of the Disability Pride flag each week, with each color representing a different facet of the disability community. This past week we focused on red, which signifies physical disabilities, which includes but is not limited to mobility limitations, limb differences, chronic pain, muscular or neurological conditions, and more.

Disability Pride Month is a time to celebrate the stories, strength, and contributions of people with disabilities. First observed in 1990 - the year the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law - this month reminds us of the importance of visibility, advocacy, and justice.

Thank you to all staff who wore red to raise awareness and show solidarity! We look forward to continuing the month with more colors, stories, and learning opportunities.

Wednesday this week (July 9th), staff wore yellow to represent neurodiversity. Neurodiversity is the idea that everyone’s brain works differently, and these differences are part of our collective humanity. Some people think, learn, or communicate in ways that are not as common or expected, but that doesn’t mean they are wrong or less capable. Neurodiversity includes people with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurological differences.

FEATURED IMAGE — WINNER OF WEAR YELLOW WEEK: Sarah Seguin- WIC Program Director and the WIC Team – The WIC Team is WICked in yellow!

Stay tuned as next up is Wearing White – Invisible and Undiagnosed Disabilities!

07/16/2025

Exciting Update! Our Farmer's Market Coupons Distribution Event will be held on Friday, July 18th from 1-5 PM at the Lowell Farmers' Market, 350A Dutton Street, Lowell!

Don't miss out on your WIC coupons for fresh, local produce this summer!

WIC participants love WIC Farmer's Coupons because they provide a wonderful opportunity to access fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. Here are some tips to make use effectively and stretch your budget even more!

07/10/2025

Enjoy CTI's July Newsletter https://conta.cc/4lQgS9V

This month's newsletter includes:

-Message from CTI CEO, Carl Howell
-Announcement of Farmers' Market Grand Opening announcement July 11th
-Report on True Storage and UKG donations
-Information on building emergency shelter for a dedicated women's shelter
-Celebration of Pride Disability Month
-Update on Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Program
-Update on Home Modification Loan Program
-Hot Job(s) of the Week
-News

Email from Community Teamwork   Please Share this newsletter with your network.   July 2025 Dear Friends, July marks the anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — a landmark achievement

07/04/2025

We will be closed on Friday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. We will reopen on Monday, 7th during our regular hours of operation. Happy 4th!

07/01/2025

06/30/2025

Community Teamwork's Dedicated Women's Shelter

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.

And we need your kindness to help give them that chance. On this last day of our Fiscal Year, we are hoping you can make a gift to support this project. Click this link to support this project:

Community Teamwork Giving Page: https://ow.ly/6N0l50WiF7T

And please watch the video below to learn more.
https://ow.ly/zjNY50WiF7Y

Several months ago, we purchased a building near downtown Lowell which will become the home of a new 50-plus bed women’s shelter. Single homeless women have fewer options when seeking shelter. There are far fewer shelters for women than for men in Massachusetts and the majority of women’s shelters are located in Boston.

Opening a women’s shelter will allows us to not only meet the need for homeless women in our service area but also continue combatting homelessness across the state.

We are creating a warm, inviting space where women of all ages will feel welcome. A place where women can get the services they need to move beyond the shelter walls and with our help, secure stable, affordable housing. A place we wish there was never a need to build, yet we are doing so to make sure this overlooked population is no longer forgotten.

If you have already given to support the shelter, we thank you. Together we can ensure that the women in our community have a safe, temporary place to stay as they rebuild their lives.

Help Us Build a Dedicated Women's ShelterOf the 580,000 people in homeless shelters and on streets around America, roughly 38% are women. In 1980, women made...

06/23/2025

COMMUNITY HEAT ALERT! 🔥 Forecast for week of 6/18/25 - 6/24/25 🔥

Summer is kicking things off to a HOT start with an active extreme heat alert for the upcoming heat wave predicted from Sunday (6/22) – Tuesday (6/24).

Data from the Department of Public Health shows that the First is the Worst. The first heat wave increases everyone’s risk for heat related illness and hospitalization but is especially dangerous for vulnerable populations.

Please see pictured the Community Heat Alert in multiple languages you can share with your clients to offer a bit of guidance and encourage them to plan ahead the best they can to stay cool.

Follow these links to learn more:
Extreme Heat Webpage - https://ow.ly/36AS50WeQMX
Climate and Health Factsheets and Resources - https://ow.ly/ftm450WeQMY

Using the Unhealthy Heat Forecast tool https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-unhealthy-heat-forecast (pictured) online can help give a glimpse of if the weather is going to result in potential heat related sicknesses.

06/19/2025

Community Teamwork will be closed on Thursday, June 19th in honor of Juneteenth National Independence Day. We will reopen on Friday, June 20th during our regular hours of operation.

Juneteenth (officially Juneteenth National Independence Day) is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the end of slavery. Its name is a portmanteau of "June" and "nineteenth," as it is celebrated on the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when, in the wake of the American Civil War, Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas. Juneteenth originated in Galveston and has since been observed annually in various parts of the United States, often broadly celebrating African-American culture.

The holiday is considered the "longest-running African-American holiday" and has been called "America's second Independence Day." Juneteenth falls on June 19 and is often celebrated on the third Saturday in June. Historian Mitch Kachun considers that celebrations of the end of slavery have three goals: "to celebrate, to educate, and to agitate."

06/18/2025

Juneteenth is June 19th

Juneteenth is a day of remembrance, celebration, and truth-telling. It marks the moment — two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation — when the last enslaved African Americans in Texas were finally told they were free. As an agency, we take Juneteenth off because it matters, and honoring this history is part of how we build a more just future. It’s a chance to pause, reflect, learn, and acknowledge the legacy of slavery, and also the resilience, brilliance, and leadership of Black communities past and present.

06/16/2025

HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY TO COMMUNITY TEAMWORK!

On this very day (June 16) in 1965, Community Teamwork opened its doors and began offering services to the community.

Below are a couple of links to videos about our timeline, history and the incredible impact of Community Teamwork's services and programs over the past 60 years!!

Community Teamwork Commemorates 60 Years of Community Action ~ Pictures through the Years
https://ow.ly/avHz50W8EH7

LTC Covers | Community Teamwork (CTI) Retrospective 2024
https://ow.ly/HI1l50W8EH3

06/10/2025

CTI's Hot Job of the Week ~ Bus Drivers
!Please Share with Friends!

We are seeking Bus Drivers with their CDL to operate a school bus as required for the purpose of picking up and discharging program participants at authorized points in the Lowell service area. Work as a team with the Bus Monitor to ensure collaborative service in the service area.

At Community Teamwork our employees enjoy best-in-class benefits to support their physical, financial and emotional wellness.

We offer:
Starting at 26.79
Casual work environment
4 weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO)
Medical
Dental
Vision
Paid Life Insurance
Tuition reimbursement
12 paid holidays
Paid sick leave
Career advancement and professional development
5% contribution to your 401K whether you participate on your own or not.
Great co-workers and a great mission, supportive environment with an outstanding Community Action Agency

Duties and Responsibilities:
Safely transport children as assigned on route copy, to include field trips and activities.
Ensure children are released only to authorized individuals.
In conjunction with Bus Monitor, maintain route copy and assist substitute monitor.
Must adhere to FMSCA rules pertaining to Motor Coach/Bus version Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), Head Start and State DOT rules.
Integrate a DE&I lens in all activities, encourage colleagues to engage in DE&I work, and contribute to our mission of building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization for our employees, clients, and partners; requires ongoing investment in a personal and professional journey to understand identity and address unconscious bias, power, and privilege.
Maintain cleanliness of equipment and vehicle with Bus Monitor.
Follow Transportation policies and procedures as outlined.

Successful candidate will have:
High School Diploma or equivalent required.
Valid CDL with S & P endorsements, Mass. School Bus Certificate
Must have reliable transportation to work site.
Bi-lingual skills desired.
Evidence of recent Mantoux test, physical exam, and MMR vaccine.
CORI/DCF review prior to employment.
Pass Pre-Employment Drug Test
Must be able to lift up to 60 pounds minimum.
Must conform to physical requirements of DOT Federal Motor Carriers Regulations
Equal Opportunity Employer – Vets/Disabled

This is an exciting opportunity to become an integral member of an innovative team in an organization committed to excellence.

Job Description: https://commteam.hrmdirect.com/employment/job-opening.php?req=3383463&req_loc=733156&&
All Career Opportunities at CTI: https://commteam.hrmdirect.com/employment/careers.php