Early Learning Program at Community Teamwork

12/02/2025

For 60 years, Community Teamwork has stood beside our neighbors with integrity, equity, and compassion. Today, as federal cuts threaten essential community programs, hundreds of families are turning to us each week for help, hope, and stability.

You can Make a Difference ~ Donate Today!

ONLINE:
https://donate.onecause.com/supportcti

BY MAIL:
Community Teamwork
155 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor
Lowell, MA 01852
ATTN: Giving Tuesday

CONTACT:
Margot Regan, Director of Development
mareagan@commteam.org
978-654-5813

12/02/2025

Due to the snowstorm, all Early Learning program sites will be closing today at 4:00 pm. Please plan accordingly to ensure timely pick up of your child. Stay safe and warm!

11/28/2025

Community Teamwork will be closed Friday, November 28th in celebration of Thanksgiving. We will resume our regular hours of operation on Monday, December 1st.

11/27/2025

Community Teamwork will be closed Thursday, November 27th and Friday, November 28th in celebration of Thanksgiving. We will resume our regular hours of operation on Monday, December 1st.

11/18/2025

Reminder that all Early Learning sites will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, November 19th , for professional development.

11/18/2025

On Wednesday, November 19th, all CTI Offices are closing at 3pm for staff day. Early Learning Programs will be closed all day.

The School Age Program and Shelters remain open.

Regular hours will resume Thursday, November 20.

Questions, contact 978.459.6161
www.commteam.org

11/11/2025

Head Start cuts rip across region
80% of program funding cut during shutdown
Lowell Sun, 11/10/15

“At Community Teamwork, we have done everything possible to remain open,” CEO Carl Howell said during the event held at the James Houlares Early Learning Center on Phoenix Avenue. “We are relying on temporary non-federal funds, adjusting operations and shifting staffing — because families need us, and closing our doors would devastate this community."

LOWELL — Head Start is on the federal shutdown chopping block, and a coalition of leaders addressed the dire situation during a press conference Monday calling for an end to the government shutdown…

11/10/2025

Community Teamwork joined the Head Start Association today at CTI's James Houlares Early Learning Center to advocate for approval of the Head Start Federal Funding. We heard from staff and parents of Head Start students whose lives have been directly impacted by the government shutdown.

"Head Start is more than a childcare program, it is a lifeline. It is where children gain the foundational skills they need to succeed in school and in life. It is where families find support and guidance, where access to essential services can mean the difference between thriving and struggling. And it is where our staff bring their hearts, expertise and patience every single day. We need the government to reopen, and we need our Head Start Programs funded."
~ Shawna Doran, VP Child and Family Services.

11/04/2025

Some Head Start Programs Shutter During Government Shutdown Despite Infusion of State Funds
Boston Globe, Sadaf Tokhi, 11.3.25

At Community Teamwork Inc. In Lowell, which runs five Head Start and Early Head Start Centers and serves about 550 children, administrators have been scrambling to stretch emergency state dollars while waiting for Congress to act. About 135 staff positions - including teachers, bus drivers, kitchen works, and behavioral health specialists - are funded directly through federal Head Start programs representing roughly $12 million in annual federal support for the Greater Lowell community....

"Head Start is an economic mobilizer and stabilizer of our communities," CTI CEO Carl Howell said. " It allows families to go to work and keeps local economies running. When class rooms close, parents can't go to work - that impacts small business and local industry, and people don't always understand the trickle-down effects when child care goes away."

Read the full article:
https://ow.ly/rEqT50XmE8L

11/04/2025

Due to high demand, SUN SANTA 2025 APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
TOYS FOR TOTS APPLICATIONS ARE STILL OPEN through Friday, November 7!
Visit www.commteam.org for details.

11/03/2025

In Lowell, Community Teamwork’s Head Start program is increasing class sizes to reduce building space costs. The program is operating on a month to month basis, and said the air of uncertainty is weighing heavily on staff and families.
“When you realize that funding could dry up, it’s very frightening for staff—will they have a job, should they be looking in the private sector?” said Carl Howell, Community Teamwork’s CEO. “We’re also receiving a ton of calls from parents asking what’s going to happen next. There’s a lot of concern around what their child’s care is going to look like and how it will impact their job

https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.wgbh.org%2fnews%2feducation-news%2f2025-10-31%2fwith-a-few-weeks-of-funding-from-the-state-almost-all-mass-head-start-programs-staying-open&c=E,1,ZwCiNlCQoRMuRXzxp7jSBFBwE6Gw8BXezLzdf7yTbcQoFOwn5Wru_EZ-Cm5Ei9baaPYkmyb_8R1uL8aVS1am_PqtUbP1BA8BZt8XQT5AoF2NNXxRbOUPsbHULc8,&typo=1

10/31/2025

Head Start agencies in Mass. expect cuts to programs due to federal shutdown | WBUR News

As a Community Action Agency, CTI is uniquely positioned to connect with families in need and efficiently run programs like Head Start, which provides high-quality early childhood education to hard-working families who need assistance. Community Teamwork’s Head Start grant lapses on November 1st. At this time, we have reserve funding to keep classrooms open through November, but there will be impacts on program operations. If the shutdown were to continue into December, families in our community will be at risk of losing vital services that make it possible for children to learn and for parents to work. We encourage all to check our website for the latest updates on any program changes. www.commteam.org

https://ow.ly/r69R50Xl46b

In Massachusetts, six Head Start agencies won't get their funding on Nov. 1 if the shutdown continues. Advocates and state leaders are worried that children and their families will suffer.