NoteWorthy – 5/3/20
Around the Valley
GLCF Announces $75,000 in COVID-19 Emergency Response Grants
The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) recently provided phase one emergency response grants to Greater Lowell nonprofits serving vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Totaling $75,000, these 60 grants are the first to be distributed from the newly established GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, created to meet the need for nonprofit resources and services for the elderly, low-income, immigrants and homeless during these uncertain times. Categories of funding included: food insecure, essential/front line workers, homeless, immigrants, individuals with disabilities/elders, technology support/educational supplies and essential supplies.
An Update on the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center
The support Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (GLFHC) continues to look for new and innovative ways to raise philanthropic support and donations of personal protective equipment. They wish to thank those that have given to the GLFHC COVID-19 Response Fund, as well as the individuals and organizations who have donated to help recognize our hardworking staff.
Their monthly Mobile Food Market at the 34 Haverhill Street site, in partnership with the Greater Boston Food Bank, continues to serve the community as it has for the past three years. Their community support services team leads a group of over 30 staff volunteers on the last Saturday of every month in preparing bags of food and produce for patients in need. Over 750 Lawrence families received assistance this month. Here is short video from Saturday: GLFHC Mobile Food Market.
Pentucket Bank Processes Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Applications Through the Night
On April 27, Pentucket Bank processed over 100 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications through the night, securing critical funds for business owners who had applied with the bank.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) released the anticipated second round of PPP funds at 10:30 a.m. in the amount of $351 billion. Despite complications with the SBA portal, the Pentucket Bank team committed to securing funds for their customers, and they worked straight through until just before 3 a.m. when the last of their applications in queue was submitted and authorized.
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Business and Community Leaders Launch One Haverhill Fund
Haverhill community leaders launched the One Haverhill Fund to mobilize resources to provide emergency assistance to individuals and families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The One Haverhill Fund — convened by Rep. Andy Vargas and established by community leaders including Mayor James Fiorentini, Rep. Christina Minicucci, the Greater Haverhill Chamber, Community Action, Inc., Emmaus, Haverhill food pantries, and United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley — will mobilize resources for emergency assistance and expanded food distribution, with a focus on those who are most economically vulnerable during the pandemic. The fund will deploy resources through nonprofit partners to prevent financial crises and displacement for the residents of Haverhill.
Groundwork Lawrence Helps Eight Local Restaurants To Provide 1600 Meals A Week To Families
Groundwork Lawrence (GWL) recently reached out to community and funding partners to collaborate on a COVID-19 relief response. Working with funding partner MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) — a state program for Gateway Cities designed to accelerate economic growth within focused districts — GWL contracted with 8 local downtown Lawrence restaurants to launch a COVID-19 relief response that provides much needed meals to families while also providing critical dollars to local businesses and supporting local jobs.
Blue Lounge Restaurant, Cafe Azteca, Coco’s Cafe & Catering, El Taller Cafe & Bookstore, Grumpy G, Lu’s Cafe & Bakery, Tu Kasa, and Vaka Restaurant have entered into an agreement with Groundwork Lawrence to provide catered meals that are delivered to three community partners: Lawrence YMCA, Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence, and Bread and Roses.
Align Credit Union Donates $10,000 to Hospitals and Food Banks on Pay It Forward Day
Align Credit Union announced that it has donated $10,000 to a group of local hospitals, food banks and food pantries that are helping Massachusetts communities battle the spread and effects of COVID-19. On Pay It Forward Day, which takes place every year on April 28 and is meant to inspire acts of kindness globally, Align donated $1000 to each of the following organizations: A Place to Turn, Anna Jaques Hospital, Danvers People to People Food Pantry, Holy Family Hospital, Lowell General Hospital, Merrimack Valley Food Bank, MetroWest Medical Center, North Shore Medical Center, Our Neighbors’ Table and Wilmington Community Fund Food Pantry.
Speechapalooza Speakers And Speeches Announced
Students from Northern Essex Community College hosted an online public speaking event, Speechapalooza, on Instagram, Facebook and Youtube. Taking place April 29 through May 1, this event was used to collect donations for the college’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund.
The fund helps to provide laptops and/or internet access, tuition assistance, and stipends for students dealing with food insecurity, the switch to remote learning and other needs connected to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Uncommon Threads Wins $1,500 From Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union
Mark Van Weelden has been appointed to the Northern Essex Community College Foundation Board. Van Weelden is business manager of the Greater Boston, New Hampshire and Maine district for Covanta, the corporation behind the Haverhill Resource Recovery facility located at 100 Recovery Way. A resident of Eliot, Maine, Van Weelden is a U.S. Navy veteran and a board member of the Environmental Business Counsel, New England. As the child of a retired school teacher who serves as an executive dean at Sauk Valley Community College and McHenry County Community College in Illinois, Van Weelden says, “The importance of a strong community college is vital to both the local and state education system. NECC has a proven track record in providing vital educational options to students before and after graduation.”
Lawrence Student Wins 2017 Congressional Art Competition
The Professional Center for Child Development Holds Annual Swing into Spring Fundraiser
Northern Essex Community College President Lane Glenn has been appointed to the STEM Advisory Council by Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. The council is a statewide group committed to expanding access to education in science, technology, engineering, and math for students across the Commonwealth. The 29-member council includes leaders from business and industry, education, and government, and is co-chaired by U.S. Representative Joseph Kennedy III and Lt. Governor Polito. Glenn is the only community college representative on the council.
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