Health Resource Directory – Updated 5/4/20

Because of the recent pandemic, organizations like Lawrence General Hospital and Lowell Community Health Center are doing everything they can to help. Here, you will find a list of services being provided to fight the spread of COVID-19. We’ll update this directory with new information as it becomes available.

 

Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center Supporting Victims of Domestic Violence During Crisis

The center is offering virtual support to survivors of domestic violence, including advocacy, consulting, legal assistant and support groups. While social distancing is important, the center knows that it is an especially difficult time for those who experience domestic violence. The 24-hour hotline can be reached at (978) 388-1888. You can also email at GetHelp@jeannegeiger.org.

 

Bread & Roses Participates in #GivingTuesdayNow With Call to Action

MA – For #GivingTuesdayNow happening May 5, Bread & Roses – a community soup kitchen serving Lawrence and surrounding communities – is issuing a call to action for support on this global day of generosity in response to COVID-19. During this unprecedented crisis, Bread & Roses has activated their Community Food Outreach Program to provide critical food support across the Merrimack Valley. Donations will support these efforts now and enable the agency to better meet the skyrocketing food insecurity of Lawrence’s homeless and most vulnerable in the wake of COVID-19.

To participate in #GivingTuesdayNow and support Bread & Roses’ COVID-19 response in Lawrence, visit Charity.GoFundMe – donate, share or start your own fundraising page on or before May 5.

 

Community Teamwork Emergency Programming   [ updated March 31, 2020 ]

During this health crisis, Community Teamwork (CTI) has put in place emergency programming to ensure that they can continue to provide critical services to their clients while maintaining social distancing protocols for the health and safety of community, clients and Community Teamwork staff.

While CTI has closed all of their buildings to walk-in traffic, staff is available by phone and email. Under extreme circumstances, they are available to meet with clients on an appointment-only basis.

CTI is using an emergency Covid Hotline and general email, which is monitored from 8:30am – 5pm daily. They are making every effort to return calls and emails within 2 hours. For more information about available services, please use the contact information below.

Covid Hotline: (978) 654-5607
Email: CovidresponseCTI@commteam.org

Please also check their website frequently for updates at www.commteam.org/covid-19-Emergency-Response

 

Public Service Announcement from Holy Family Hospital   [ updated March 23, 2020 ]

There is a lot of misinformation circulating regarding testing for coronavirus (COVID-19). Here is what you need to know:

In order to be screened for COVID-19 at Holy Family Hospital, patients must meet the following criteria:
–  Patients must have a lab order from their doctor to be screened.
– Patients must have symptoms of COVID-19.
– If you believe you have COVID-19 or have been exposed to COVID-19 and it is not a medical emergency, please consult with your doctor.

Please remember, you must have a doctor’s order to be screened for COVID-19. Holy Family Hospital is here to serve you and to make sure you have accurate information.

 

Lawrence General Hospital Offering Coronavirus Community Screening Resources

In response to growing community concern surrounding the disease, Lawrence General Hospital is now offering two new coronavirus community screening resources where patients, families and providers in the community can obtain an assessment of a person’s COVID-19 risk, possible need for testing, and recommendations for next steps.

The Lawrence General Hospital COVID-19 Community Screening line is staffed by Lawrence General nurses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be reached by calling (978) 946-8409.

The community can also use Lawrence General’s new online screening tool at LawrenceGeneral.org, where they will be prompted to answer several screening questions before being contacted by a nurse for follow-up guidance.

 

Lowell Community Health Center Working With Lowell Health Department And Lowell General Hospital

If you are a patient and have traveled abroad or to affected areas or who has a respiratory illness, LCHC asks you to call the Health Center at (978) 937-9700 before coming in, to limit exposure. The Health Center also has protocols in place to isolate and treat those symptomatic patients who do present at the Health Center.

LCHC suspended hosting all outside groups at the Health Center until further notice. Additionally, they have suspended all work-related travel to conferences, events and meetings.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to  claregu@lchealth.org.

 

GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation announced that they have established a new fund to help vulnerable communities in Greater Lowell dealing with the COVID-19 virus.

“Due to the rising concern of the impact of COVID-19, particularly on vulnerable populations in our community, such as the elderly, low-income and homeless, we know many want to support organizations that are frontline in dealing with those most critically affected by the virus,” said GLCF President & CEO Jay Linnehan.  “The Greater Lowell Community Foundation is starting the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to support the unanticipated needs of those nonprofits serving our community during these uncertain times.”

To help us help those most vulnerable in our community, donate to the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund can be made online at Glcfoundation.org or by mail to the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund c/o GLCF, 100 Merrimack Street, Suite 202, Lowell, MA 01852.

 

Dani Kaye Seeks to Donate Masks and Body Suits to Medical Professionals

The North Andover-based clothing retailer Dani Kaye announced March 19 on Facebook that they have “picked up 1000 masks and 40 disposable body suits today and are trying to get them into the right hands.”

They are planning drop-offs and are searching for more opportunities. If you are a medical professional and could use a box (there are 50 units in each), please contact them via their Facebook page.

Dani Kaye thanked Sun Nails and Spa in Chelmsford for the generous mask donation.

 

A Message from Emmaus’ CEO Regarding COVID-19

Emmaus is concerned about the health and safety of their clients, volunteers and valued employees. Emmaus is taking preventative efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and is asking the community for assistance.

Any donations you can provide, either monetary or in-kind, will be deeply appreciated. Emmaus anticipate costs will only increase as support continues to be provided for those in care. Financial gifts can be made by clicking here.

The high-priority in-kind wish list includes: canned/dry goods, cereal, tuna, shelf-stable milk, juice boxes, all types of beans, sun butter, fruit cups, granola bars, hygiene products (shampoo, conditioners and body wash), and towels.

 

Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce Updates Resources

The Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce is here to assist you during this time of uncertainty.

Please note the following changes:
• All GLCC in-person events are canceled through the end of April. New dates TBD
• Your membership will shift into a digital membership model for the time being including virtual events and increased marketing through social media, email, etc.
• GLCC Staff will be working remotely for the time being.

For a list of valuable information and tools, please visit the coronavirus resource page on their website.

 

Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce Collecting Data to Assess C-19 Impact

The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce is working with city and local leaders to collect data that will help provide assistance to businesses in our area. They are also looking for people who are in a position to provide assistance to others who might be in more difficult circumstances.

With Rep Vargas and Mayor Fiortentini, the Chamber is collecting information via this Community Information Form, created by Rep Vargas’ office:

Separately, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s website has a section that’s full of useful info for businesses and employers.

 

City of Lowell Activates Emergency Operation Center

The City of Lowell has activated its Emergency Operation Center (EOC). The EOC will serve to assist Lowell residents in situations related to coronavirus and to provide immediate responses to inquiries related to the situation. The center will provide Lowell residents with pertinent local information, resources and updates regarding the status of coronavirus.

The EOC will be staffed by City of Lowell trained employees representing several key departments including the Police Department, Fire Department, Health Department and the City Manager’s Office and will be operational from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, until further notice.

The EOC can be reached by phone at (978) 674-4052.

 

United Way Organizations Provide Additional $55,000 to Mass 2-1-1

United Way chapters across the Commonwealth are committing an additional $55,000 to the operations of Mass 2-1-1 to help staff meet the high call volume due to inquiries about COVID-19 resources and assistance.  Since Mass 2-1-1 was designated on March 13, 2020 by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Association as the official COVID-19 resource and referral line for residents, it has fielded more than 12,800 calls related to the crisis.

 

Department of Public Health Will Now Provide Real-Time COVID-19 Information, Resources and Referrals in Multiple Languages.

Hotline: Residents with questions about COVID-19 should dial 2-1-1 from any landline or cellphone. Callers dialing 2-1-1 will hear an automated menu of options. Press 2-6 for coronavirus. Residents can also reach 2-1-1 through a live chat option on the Massachusetts 2-1-1 website. Massachusetts 2-1-1 is open to callers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Operators fluent in Spanish are available, and more than 150 other languages are supported through an interpreter services line that is available 24/7.

Text Alerts: A new messaging tool, AlertsMA, will allow residents to subscribe to real-time notifications by texting the keyword COVIDMA to 888-777. After signing up, state and public health officials will send short messages and links to information directly to your cell phone or other mobile device.

 

Department of Public Health Partnered With Massachusetts-Based Buoy Health for the Launch of COVID-19 Health Web App

This new online, 24/7 resource does not replace emergency medical care but can be used as a helpful tool for residents to connect with health care resources and providers. It is free for Massachusetts residents and uses the latest COVID-19 guidance from both the CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Please visit the new Health Web App to learn more and check out this tool.