Merrimack Valley Magazine

NoteWorthy – 11/1/20

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AROUND THE VALLEY

Lazarus House Ministries Awarded 10-year Cummings Grant

In June, Lazarus House received news that the ministry was one of 130 local nonprofits to receive a 4-year $100,000 grant through Cummings Foundation’s $20 Million Grant Program. In September, Lazarus House learned that the 4-year grant was elevated to a $250,000 grant paid over 10 years.

Lazarus House will use the grant to sustain and expand their services and advocacy for families in its emergency shelter and Capernaum Place transitional housing programs.

Last year, 33 families and singles moved from on from the Lazarus House’s programs into long-term housing and improved their financial position by building income or reducing debt.

LifeLinks CLASS Announces New Brand and New Identity

LifeLinks CLASS, a human services agency serving nearly 800 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families throughout Greater Lowell and Greater Lawrence, announced a new brand and new identity. The agency will now be known as Incompass Human Services. As part of the shift, a new logo, tagline and web domain are all being rolled out.

After the merger between LifeLinks, Inc. and CLASS, Inc. was announced on July 1, 2019, establishing a brand that more accurately represented the services and impact of the combined agency was deemed an immediate priority.

“Since the merger was announced, our focus has been bringing together two human services agencies with a combined 111 years of experience in providing critical services and supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Jean Phelps, chief executive officer of Incompass Human Services. “Today’s announcement reflects the culmination of a year-long process to present ourselves as a unified agency with a longstanding tradition of doing whatever it takes to enrich and transform the lives of others.”

 

UMass Lowell Plans Increased In-Person Operations for Spring Semester

UMass Lowell will expand its on-campus population and in-person course offerings for the spring 2021 semester, thanks to the lessons learned navigating the pandemic during the fall and a successful surveillance testing program that has identified only two positive COVID-19 tests this semester.

The university, which begins spring course registration for students Nov. 2, expects up to 30 percent of its 3,000 course sections will be offered in in-person and hybrid formats. UMass Lowell also plans to more than double the residential student population in the spring up to 2,000, about 40 percent of the total capacity.

Anna Jaques Hospital Now Offering First-of-its-Kind 3D-Guided Biopsies for Exceptional Breast Biopsy Results

Anna Jaques Hospital now offers 3D-guided breast biopsy as an advanced, minimally invasive technique.

This state-of-the-art technology helps physicians localize and accurately target lesions that may be challenging to detect using conventional imaging techniques. It allows for minimally invasive needle biopsy of lesions that would have previously either not been possible or would have required open surgical biopsy.

The biopsy system has several key advantages over standard X-ray biopsy procedures, including faster targeting and fewer X-ray exposures, resulting in shorter patient procedure times and reduced radiation dose.

MCC Makes Positive Impact on Mass. Economy

A recently released report revealed that Middlesex Community College has strengthened the Massachusetts economy and generated $358.7 million for the economy with the college’s well- prepared and knowledgeable graduates and lucrative financial investments.

For 50 years, MCC has been a valuable institution to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. With a mission to help every student reach success, Middlesex has served 26,000+ alumni and educates 12,000 credit and noncredit students every year.

The benefits of MCC’s economic impact affect many across the Commonwealth. Students who paid for college – including additional fees, supplies and interest on loans – will increase their future earnings for the duration of their careers. Because of their investment in their education, the annual rate of return for students is 20.9 percent, $5.70 for every dollar students invested – for a total of $324.5 million.

Greater Haverhill Chamber Recognizes Supporting Strategies as Business of the Month

The Greater Haverhill Chamber recognizes Supporting Strategies for their outstanding commitment to providing bookkeeping and controller services as well as operational support to small and medium businesses, with the honor of the chamber’s October 2020 Business of the Month.

Specializing in a wide range of personalized bookkeeping services, Supporting Strategies empowers businesses across industries by taking operational support functions off their plate and allowing them to focus on their core business.

Founded in 2004 with the concept of a “go-to resource,” Supporting Strategies success led the organization to franchise in 2013 and now has offices throughout the United States locally owned and operated by business professionals.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

GLFHC President and CEO John Silva Announces Retirement

John Silva has announced his retirement as president and chief executive officer of Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (GLFHC) effective June 30, 2021. Silva has led GLFHC since February 2016, guiding the organization through a period of expansion including increasing overall patient access, creation of the Merrimack Valley Accountable Care Organization (MVACO) in collaboration with Lawrence General Hospital, opening new health center locations in Methuen and Haverhill, expansion of the Lawrence Family Medicine Residency (LFMR) and increasing both Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse services.

Silva has had a long and successful career in the community health center movement. Beginning with his appointment as the Executive Director of the Hull Medical Center in Hull, Massachusetts in 1979, Silva has led community health centers in several states as well as serving as the President of State Primary Care Associations in Missouri and Oklahoma. He also was elected as President of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) in 1992. During his term as President he was appointed to First Lady Hillary Clinton’s Universal Health Care Task Force in 1993 representing the nation’s Community Health Centers.

Greater Haverhill Chamber Transitioning Leadership

The Greater Haverhill Chamber will soon be kicking off a search for its next leader. Dougan Sherwood has served as President/CEO since 2018 and will be transitioning to the organization’s Board of Directors in January.

“I came to Haverhill because I see the potential in its diversity. It’s a complicated place but it has so much going for it.” said Dougan Sherwood. “This chamber sees itself as a driver for important growth and change throughout Haverhill. It’s been a wonderful experience working with so many talented people working together to make this organization a leader in Haverhill. I’m excited to move onto the board to continue this work and to offer my support to our next president.”

Dougan will remain on the board and will continue his guidance of the several on-going programing that have come to define the Greater Haverhill Chamber. His deep commitment to the principles of equity and inclusion have helped to shape the new chamber. They remain corner stones as we forge ahead in pursuit of new opportunities and in support for our loyal and valuable business community.

 

NoteWorthy – 10/25/20

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AROUND THE VALLEY

UMass Lowell Secures $11.7M in Research Funding

UMass Lowell research projects, ranging from developing new protective gear and sensors to ensure food and water are safe to advanced wireless communications, were recently awarded nearly $12 million in federal funding through the Fiscal Year 20 Defense Appropriations bill.

“UMass Lowell’s HEROES collaborative has a long history of developing vitally important initiatives that keep our troops safe and healthy,” said Rep. Lori Trahan. “When I toured the center last year, I saw firsthand the incredible work being done to reimagine new uniforms that protect our troops and come up with innovative ways to protect their food and water supplies. This increase in funding shows just how necessary their work is to our men and women in the armed forces. I look forward to joining Senators Warren and Markey in continuing to support the innovation of the university, the HEROES program and the Combat Capabilities Soldier Center.”

“The scale of this funding is a powerful demonstration of the expertise of our outstanding faculty and researchers as well as clear evidence of the important role UMass Lowell plays as a national research institution,” said UMass Lowell Chancellor Jacquie Moloney. “We are especially grateful to Rep. Trahan and other members of the Massachusetts legislative delegation for their help in securing this research funding as well as their ongoing support of this university.”

Two dozen projects are being conducted through UMass Lowell’s HEROES (Harnessing Emerging Research Opportunities to Empower Soldiers) collaborative, which works with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (CCDC SC), formerly known as Natick Labs.

Lawrence Emergency Rental Assistance Program Announced

Low-income Lawrence residents and families who owe back rent or are homeless as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic may qualify for the City of Lawrence’s emergency Rental Assistance Program. Residents will qualify if they owe back rent since March 10, they owe six months or less in back rent, they are a permanent resident of Lawrence, or they owe back rent or are tieless due to the pandemic.

To apply, email ESGCovid@glcac.org or call (978) 620-4993. Applicants can also visit GLCAC.org for more information.

 

Blue Cross Grants Additional COVID-19 Relief Funding to Lowell Organizations

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, announced an additional $400,000 in grants to nonprofits and regional funds across Massachusetts — including to three organizations in Lowell — to support communities of color most impacted by COVID-19, address the ongoing food insecurity crisis and provide support to teachers and students to aid in the safe reopening of schools. These recent donations bring Blue Cross’ total value of community COVID-19 support to $10.6 million.

A total of $270,000 will be distributed as part of Blue Cross’ COVID-19 Rapid Response Grants. This second round of grants is awarding $10,000 to 27 organizations serving communities of color most impacted by COVID-19. Lowell recipients for this wave include the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, Lowell Community Health Center and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell. The first round of grants, distributed in April, provided $240,000 in funding to 24 community organizations supporting essential and frontline organizations addressing food access, basic needs, and support to first responders, health care and retail workers.

Greenbelt and Town of Ipswich Working to Conserve Kamon Farm 

Essex County’s Land Trust is working with the town of Ipswich to permanently protect Kamon Farm, 93 acres on Pineswamp Road in Ipswich. At the October 17 Town Meeting, Ipswich residents voted unanimously in favor of allocating up to $450,000 in Open Space bond funds to support the project. Greenbelt has committed to privately fundraise $400,000 to acquire and conserve the land, and the potential for $400,000 from the Massachusetts Local Acquisition for Natural Diversity (LAND) grant program is still pending.

Kamon Farm holds tremendous conservation value, and preserving it will help protect Ipswich’s drinking water supply, conserve breathtaking rural views and wildlife habitat, allow public access to trails connecting to Turkey Hill Conservation Area and provide the potential for farming compatible with drinking water supply goals. Learn more, see photos and videos at ECGA.org.

Local Senior Transportation Program Wins a National Aging Achievement Award

Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore has received a 2020 Aging Achievement Award from the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) for its CareRide program, an on-demand transportation initiative that provides subsidized rides to non-emergency medical appointments for adults age 60 and over in the Greater Lowell area. CareRide was among 44 local aging programs to receive honors at the n4a Virtual Conference and Tradeshow on September 22.

Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore Receives $20,000 Grant 

Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore has received a $20,00 grant from Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation (EBCF). The grant is part of a commitment from the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation to provide financial support to local organizations focused on COVID-19 relief.

EBCF is providing a total of $8 million in COVID-19 philanthropic support in the communities it serves. It is receiving a grant for its work in helping elders, older adults with disabilities, and their families in our communities, as they cope and adjust to new circumstances in food insecurity, financial challenges, and isolation brought on by the virus.

Researchers to Track How Coastal Storms Impact Groundwater Quality

UMass Lowell researchers are working to determine how severe coastal storms contribute to water pollution in an effort funded by a $784,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.

Led by UMass Lowell’s James Heiss — assistant professor in the Department of Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences — the team will use computerized sensors installed at sites along the shoreline to measure groundwater flow to track how such storms may affect the amount of saltwater in beach aquifers. The team is collaborating with UMass Lowell computer science professor Fred Martin to develop the sensor network.

Catie’s Closet Fills the Bus With 51,200 Pieces of Clothing

As Catie’s Closet’s Fill the Bus initiative ends, the organization is celebrating the successful collection of over 51,200 pieces of clothing to support local students experiencing poverty.

The organization gathered over 2,048 bags of donated clothing, received more than 162 “Confidence Packs” and welcomed 287 participants in its 5K. Catie’s Closet exceeded all goals for this year’s event, and numbers are expected to grow as drives are still ongoing and donations continue to roll in.

Each piece of clothing, toiletry item and school supply will go directly to students living in poverty across Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Catie’s Closet currently serves 55,000 students in need of basic essentials.

Fill The Bus ran from August 5, 2020 through September 30, 2020. Due to restrictions caused by COVID-19, Catie’s Closet, which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year, offered several virtual opportunities for individuals and companies to participate, including hosting virtual company and individual drives, dropping off donations, shopping from Amazon Smile wish lists and participating in the first virtual Catie’s Closet 5K.

New Section of Haverhill Riverfront Boardwalk Officially Opens

Andy Vargas and developer Sal Lupoli officially opened a new section of the Rep. Brian S. Dempsey Boardwalk behind The Heights at Haverhill development on Friday afternoon. The new section was made possible through a coordinated effort by the city, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through a MassWorks grant and Lupoli.

The boardwalk now runs the full length of Merrimack Street beginning at the Basiliere Bridge behind Harbor Place. The city hopes to further extend the boardwalk to the Comeau bridge in the future. The boardwalk was named after former state representative Brian S. Dempsey who as chairman of the House Ways and Means committee secured funding for the redevelopment of several parcels that are now part of Harbor Place.

Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union Awards $1,500 to Place of Promise

Place of Promise is the latest nonprofit organization to be awarded a $1,500 donation from Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union’s We Share a Common Thread Foundation, as part of the third-quarter (June-September) Give-a-Click program.

The Give-A-Click program runs quarterly on the We Share a Common Thread Foundation website. Community members visit the site, learn about the worthy non-profit contestants, and cast their vote for the one they would like to support. The organization with the most votes at the end of the quarter is awarded a $1,500 donation from the Foundation. Place of Promise is a locally operated, faith-based, nonprofit organization in Lowell.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Alan Collopy Joins Haverhill Bank as Vice President, Information Technology

Alan Collopy recently joined Haverhill Bank as vice president, information technology. Prior to joining Haverhill Bank, Collopy worked as information technology officer at Cambridge Trust Company and has 25 years of banking and information technology experience. Collopy is an active member in the DRI Organization for Disaster Recovery Professionals. “Alan brings a depth of knowledge of information technology that will be an asset to the bank,” said Haverhill Bank President and CEO Thomas Mortimer.

 

NoteWorthy – 10/11/20

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AROUND THE VALLEY

State Sen. Walks to Raise Money for MV Youth

State Sen. Diana DiZoglio (D-Methuen) is planning a mid-October walk across the Commonwealth to raise money for the Youth Innovation Program, which is designed to prepare students for life beyond school.

DiZoglio aims to raise $1000 per mile, amounting to $166,000. Along the walk, she will be joined by community leaders, residents, students, volunteers and sponsors. She will be assisted in the planning by Lane Glenn, president of Northern Essex Community College, and William Shuttleworth, an Air Force veteran and Newburyport resident who completed a 109-day walk across the United States in 2019. You can learn more by clicking here or donate here.

 

Palace Theatres Celebrate Re-Opening with Complementary Tickets to The British Rock Experience

The Palace Theatre is welcoming the community into their venues once again with great caution and care. To celebrate re-opening, The theatre is offering complimentary tickets for the next show in their Citizens Bank 2020-2021 Performing Arts Series, The British Rock Experience.

“Come Together” to enjoy a night of dazzling musical entertainment. The British Rock Experience, a Carl Rajotte original production, promises a night of song and dance that will have you on the edge of your seat! This performance features the greatest hits by musicians from across the pond. Enjoy the music of The Beatles, David Bowie, The Kinks, The Police, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Adele and more!

The British Rock Experience is playing at the Palace Theatre from Oct. 23 through Nov. 14. To reserve your free tickets, simply visit the Palace Theatre website, or call the box office at (603) 668-5588.

 

GLFHC Awarded 10-year Cummings Grant

Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (GLFHC) is one of 30 local nonprofits to share in $10 million in funding from Cummings Foundation. The organization will receive $500,000 over 10 years.

The $500,000 will support the expansion of services for GLFHC’s Mobile Health Unit (MHU), which provides health care to the homeless throughout the Merrimack Valley. The MHU serves more than 1,000 patients a year, and the Cummings Foundation grant will enable the MHU to make more frequent visits to places along its route and add new locations. Services provided include primary and other specialized care, substance addiction treatment, and behavioral health counseling.

This long-term funding is part of the Cummings $20 Million Grant Program, which supports Massachusetts nonprofits that are based in and primarily serve Middlesex, Essex and Suffolk counties.

The complete list of Cummings Foundation grant winners is publicly available here.

 

The Reinvent Cogswell Campaign Enters Final Phase

The Reinvent Cogswell campaign is entering the final phase of the capital drive to fund the opening of the Cogswell ArtSpace. To date, $2.035 million of the $2.8 million budget has been raised with the support of the community, various foundations and the Mass Cultural Council.

A fundraising committee of community volunteers has been assembled to ensure that the goal is met by the end of next year. Construction is expected to begin by early summer of 2021, and after numerous initiatives are launched throughout the next year, the Reinvent Cogswell campaign will be closed out by the end of 2021. The opening of the Cogswell ArtSpace is planned for the fall/winter of 2021.

The first fundraiser to launch this final phase is called Donate for Desks. The Cogswell building is full of antique children’s desks and chairs that used to fill the grade school. To learn more, or to secure your desk, visit here.

 

Women Working Wonders Fund (WWWF) Presents Power of the Purse Plus Online Auction

The Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund, a permanently endowed fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, are hosting their annual Power of the Purse Plus fundraising event as an Online Auction and Raffle from Oct. 10 to 16, 2020.

This year’s Power of the Purse Plus features exclusive Tory Burch and Louis Vuitton Raffles. Tory Burch raffle tickets are $20 each, with 500 available total.  Louis Vuitton raffle tickets are $50, there are 250 available. Additionally, there will be over 50 auction items available. Raffle tickets may be purchased here.

Proceeds from the Power of the Purse Plus event support local programs that empower women and girls to effect positive change in the community. Women Working Wonders provides annual grants in three key areas: assisting women in transition, providing leadership development, and contributing to the beautification of the environment.

 

NECC’s Licensed Practical Nursing Program is One of the Top in the State

Northern Essex Community College’s Licensed Practical Nursing Program has been ranked one of the top LPN programs in Massachusetts by Practical Nursing, a national nursing advocacy organization.

The rankings were based on graduate passing rates on the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses) exam, which is used by state boards of nursing nationwide for testing proficiency and granting licensure.  Sixteen programs in Massachusetts were ranked, and Northern Essex received an overall score of 97.62 out of 100, missing first place to Mass Bay Community College by just .22 points.

LPN’s are in high demand in Massachusetts, due in part to the nationwide nursing shortage. According to the Practical Nursing website, LPN’s earn an average hourly wage of $28.36 or an annual salary of approximately $58,990.

 

UMass Lowell Enrolls Largest Student Body Ever

Despite the pandemic’s effect on higher education nationwide, UMass Lowell enrolled its largest student body ever this fall, nearly 18,400 students.

This semester, 11,389 undergraduates, 4,572 graduate students and 2,433 continuing education students are enrolled at UMass Lowell, for a total of 18,394, up from 18,338 last fall. Among them are nearly 3,000 new first-year and transfer students. Together, the student body represents all 50 states and more than 120 countries.

Because of the pandemic, the majority of students are attending courses virtually. A small percentage of students who are participating in labs and other specific in-person learning needed to advance toward their degrees are attending some courses on campus. Approximately 700 students are living in university housing.

 

Lori Trahan Applauds $400k in Grant Funding to Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc.

This week, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) applauded the awarding of $400,000 in federal grant funding from the Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Community Services to The Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc.

“Now more than ever, child care is essential as we work to get our economy back. This critical federal investment will help bring a new child care center to Lawrence, a community full of essential and frontline workers who have consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty during this public health crisis. This kind of investment is needed in communities across the Commonwealth and our nation, and it’s for that reason that I cast my vote for the Child Care is Essential Act months ago. The Senate should do the same,” said Congresswoman Trahan.

“We are overjoyed to have been awarded these funds which will go a long way to allow us to realize our dream of creating a new child care center on Andover Street in Lawrence for the children we serve. I can’t thank our Congresswoman Lori Trahan enough for supporting GLCAC in obtaining this grant,” said Evelyn Friedman, Executive Director and CEO of the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council.

The mission of the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council is to fight poverty in and around Lawrence. In addition to providing child care for low income families, their programs focus on education, social services, health, housing, and youth employment. Each year, the facility serves 29,000 individuals with the goal that people will take advantage of opportunities to achieve self-sufficiency and lift themselves out of poverty.

 

Volunteers From Across Lawrence Clean Neighborhoods to Take Part in Annual Event

Over the weekend, Groundwork Lawrence’s Spicket River Cleanup went virtual. Residents from across the city pitched in to clean the streets, sidewalk and greenspaces around their neighborhood. The cleanup, in its 19th year, would typically have taken place along the Spicket River Greenway. With an eye to maintaining social distance, Groundwork Lawrence advised groups to wear masks and socially distance while cleaning public areas nearest to their homes, with the City of Lawrence joining in to pick-up all the trash collected.

This year’s cleanup was made possible by GWL’s partners at 99 Degrees, Lawrence General Hospital, and the City of Lawrence. Celebrating the effort, participants in the cleanup took to social media to post pictures of their efforts, uniting the volunteers across this virtual space. Scanning through these posts online, it is clear the event had a large impact across the city and beyond. The array of pictures demonstrates the volunteers’ commitment to keeping their neighborhoods clean, a tradition that presses on despite a year that has been anything but traditional.

 

Fresh Beets Hosts Free Outdoor Concert and Picnic in Lowell

Fresh Beets will be hosting a free outdoor concert and picnic on Sunday. Located at Kerouac Park, this show features indie pop-rock group Slow Loris, acoustic duo Dyer Holiday and funk fusion band Off Broadway.

Claim your spot at 1:30 p.m. Click here for more info.

 

The Town and The City Festival Moves Online for 2020

The Town and The City Festival will be presenting a special online program for 2020, bringing more than a dozen acts together for the third year of the festival. The eclectic lineup will feature many past festival participants as well as new artists performing Americana, Folk, Rock, Blues, Poetry and Indie music. The program will be broadcast via ONCE Somerville’s “ONCE Virtual Venue” platform and will be streamed on both ONCE Virtual Venue’s and The Town and the City’s facebook pages as well as the ONCE Virtual Venue YouTube channel.

The Town and the City Festival will stream online Saturday, October 24 at 8pm EST on the festival’s Facebook page, the festival’s website and the ONCE Virtual Venue YouTube channel. A special Zoom link may also be used to view the program via OnceSomerville.com. There is no cost to view the stream, but donations are encouraged.

NoteWorthy – 10/4/20

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AROUND THE VALLEY

Lift for a Cure: N.H. Resident Lifts 4.5 Million Pounds for Cancer

American Cancer Society Real Men Wear Pink of New Hampshire candidate Tae Kang hosted the Lift for a Cure fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 9 a.m. The 24-hour event, which was held at Kang’s Massage Chi Holistic and Fitness Center in Windham, N.H., featured Kang benching, shrugging and pressing a total of 4.5 million pounds to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

“COVID is not just threatening people’s lives; it’s also threatening cancer societies,” says Kang, who noted that donations for American Cancer Society are down 50% since COVID began. Kang says that inspiration for this event comes from watching clients and family members fight battles against cancer.  He aims to use his talent and platform to celebrate life and lead the fight for a world without cancer.

“This is all about not giving up,” says Kang. “Nothing is impossible.”

Kang kicked off the event with the bench press and broke the world record for most weight pushed in two minutes. The original record was 8,994.86 lbs. From there, Kang repeated a circuit of shoulder shrugs (315 lbs), leg pressing (525 lbs), incline chest pressing (225 lbs) and rowing (225 lbs) for the remainder of the 24 hours.

At approximately 6:27 p.m. on Saturday, Kang had lifted 2,207,550 lbs during a live stream on the Real Men Wear Pink Facebook page. This broke the record for the most weight lifted in 24 hours, according to his support team.

This Sunday morning, at 7:44 a.m, an exhausted Kang crossed the 4.5M lbs mark while surrounded by an enthusiastic group of supporters. He was, according to a witness, able to beat his goal in 22 hours  and 45 minutes, under the allotted time. The total amount lifted was 4,513,905.

Kang has raised over $15,000 so far, and donations will be accepted through Dec. 3 at PledgeIt.org.

Civil Rights Icon to Headline UMass Lowell’s Peace Scholar Program

Fania Davis, a civil rights attorney who pursued her path as a justice-seeker and healer after the murder of two of her childhood friends, will serve as UMass Lowell’s Greeley Scholar for Peace Studies.

A lawyer, writer and scholar, Davis will headline programs at UMass Lowell to cap a public event series that will examine issues raised by the Black Lives Matter movement.

Davis joins an esteemed list of humanitarians – including Nobel Peace Prize recipients Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman — as a UMass Lowell Greeley Scholar for Peace Studies. She will be in virtual residence at the university in April, when she will lead online programs for the campus and community.

 

Massachusetts Awarded ‘Future of Manufacturing’ Grant from National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a new Future of Manufacturing grant of $499,955 awarded to a collaboration of Massachusetts organizations, which will help the region’s manufacturers pivot their operations to address emerging crises.

The project, called Rapid Execution for Scaling Production Of Needed Designs or RESPOND, will create a diverse network of transdisciplinary stakeholders across academia and state government that will support and sustain critical “super nodes” that will boost communication between organizations, help accelerate product development and drive increased manufacturing capacity to address crises like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Announced on National Manufacturing Day, the grant will be led by UMass Lowell in collaboration with Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech).

GLCF Annual Celebrate Giving Event Highlights Strong Community Connection During Pandemic

On Oct. 1, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation hosted its annual Celebrate Giving event virtually.

The event featured First Lady of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Lauren Schadt Baker, co-founder of the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund, as its keynote speaker and was hosted by Christa Brown, founder of Free Soil Arts Collective.

Throughout the spring and early summer, Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund provided support for populations most impacted by COVID-19 such as essential frontline workers, seniors, children and youth, the food insecure, and vulnerable populations including the homeless, immigrants, undocumented, and those with disabilities.

With funding from the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund, GLCF was able to distribute 70 grants to 48 Greater Lowell nonprofits totaling $2,161,030.

UMass Lowell Students RAMP Up for Success

New UMass Lowell students interested in studying engineering got a head start this summer through a program specifically designed for them.

UMass Lowell’s Research, Academics and Mentoring Pathways (RAMP) Program offers incoming first-year and transfer students the chance to start their coursework early, collaborate on research projects and get a sense of what the engineering field — and college life — is like.

Held virtually this year for six weeks in July and August, the program helped 25 students to learn about data analytics and the Internet of Things, then work in teams to build Wi-Fi connected devices. Assisting them along the way were professionals from the region’s leading technology and aerospace companies and UMass Lowell student mentors.

For its first two years, the program enrolled only women. This summer, RAMP included a half-dozen men, expanding the program to underrepresented students in engineering of both genders and to those who expressed interest in being part of the college’s effort to add to the diversity of the student population.

Promise Program Benefits Recent Haverhill and Lawrence High School Grads

 

Eighteen recent Haverhill and Lawrence High School graduates, who are enrolled at Northern Essex Community College this fall, will earn their associate degrees for free, thanks to the Promise Program.

The program is open to Haverhill and Lawrence students who take Northern Essex Early College courses while in high school and decide to pursue an associate degree at Northern Essex after their high school graduation. All costs are covered including books and a laptop.

Those interested in learning more about how they can support the program and make a meaningful impact on students, can contact Dolan-Wilson at adolanwilson@necc.mass.edu or (978) 556-3624.

Greenbelt’s Bailey Reservation in Haverhill is Open

Greenbelt, Essex County’s Land Trust, is welcoming visitors to the 21- acre Bailey Reservation in Haverhill. Open to the public free of charge, this beautiful property offers an easy, quarter-mile trail loop through woodlands and along the shore of Chadwick Pond. It’s an ideal spot for families of all ages to explore, with plenty of wildlife to observe!

Donated in 2017, this property was the second gift from Janis Bailey and her late husband Perley of Haverhill, whose desire it was to see all of the family’s land protected.

Now through Oct. 22, kids and parents can enjoy a StoryWalk along the trail, featuring Kate Messner’s children’s book “Over and Under the Pond!”

UMass Lowell Named a Top Sierra Club ‘Cool School’

UMass Lowell is one the “coolest” schools in North America, according to Sierra magazine’s 14th annual ranking of eco-friendly colleges and universities.

UMass Lowell ranks 16 on the 2020 Cool Schools list of “green” institutions — cracking the top 20 for its highest placement ever. Last year, the university came in at 28, a jump from 165 in 2016.

Last year, UMass Lowell became the highest-rated STARS campus in Massachusetts — and one of the top 10 in the country — with a STARS Gold score of 77.56. That helped give UMass Lowell a Cool Schools score of 80.04 from the Sierra Club this year.

Established in 2015, UMass Lowell’s Office of Sustainability serves as a focal point for the university’s commitment to the environment, providing resources and support for campus operations, education, research, student engagement and community partnerships.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

MCC Nursing Alumna Returns 19 Years Later as Professor

Kelliann Bazemore was inspired to pursue a career in nursing after a personal experience at Lowell General Hospital (LGH). With a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology from UMass Boston already in place, she started the nursing program at Middlesex Community College (MCC) in 2000. Nineteen years later, Bazemore returned to Middlesex to work as a professor of nursing.

Bazemore teaches the pediatrics section of MCC’s program. Before COVID-19, she guided her students through clinicals at LGH. For now, students are able to practice with a simulation lab and in online courses.

The ability to be able to offer this technology is essential for students to gain the experience they need. Bazemore has witnessed how technology and research has shifted how nurses work. Now that everything they do is grounded in evidence-based research, she believes they are training students to become “nurse scientists.”

Nursing is always changing, according to Bazemore, so she believes nurses never stop learning and being a student. MCC’s program ensures students are prepared for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and “to provide safe, holistic care for their patients.”

Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union Staff Announcements

Mark S. Cochran, president and chief executive officer of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, together with the Executive Team, announced the recent promotions of four employees and two additions to the Jeanne D’Arc team.

Emily Farnham to vice president, electronic services: Farnham began her career at Jeanne D’Arc in 2004 and has been intricately involved over the last 16 years working to grow the Credit Union in Member and Electronic Services. She recently held the role of assistant vice president, until promoted to her new role as vice president of electronic services.

Nisa Fagundes to assistant treasurer, mortgage operations: Fagundes has worked in mortgage lending for more than 25 years. She joined the Jeanne D’Arc team in 2005 as a senior real estate loan underwriter. In 2015, she was promoted to mortgage operations supervisor. Now with her most recent promotion to assistant treasurer, mortgage operations, she will be overseeing staff and managing the day-to-day activities of the mortgage department.

Christine Alward to assistant treasurer, member experience officer: A Jeanne D’Arc veteran of 19 years, Alward has experience in many areas of the Credit Union. In her most recent role as the applications support analyst, Alward specialized in core processing, digital platform and account solutions.

Katie Allard to assistant vice president, system applications: With well over 20 years of Credit Union experience, Allard has been a steady part of the Jeanne D’Arc team since 1993 when she started as a teller. Most notable is her contribution in the creation and implementation of online and mobile banking. In her new role, Allard will continue to lead all essential technology application updates, including data reporting and project management.

Patrick Coen named vice president, technology operations: Patrick Coen, a seasoned tech professional, brings to Jeanne D’Arc his diverse background in IT corporate policy development, process optimization, and operational planning and execution. With his strong background in technology, Coen has been crucial in enhancing Jeanne D’Arc’s most critical system updates and maintenance.

Fady Sidhom joined as assistant treasurer, outbound contact manager: Sidhom joined Jeanne D’Arc in March 2020, entering the Credit Union with years of experience in banking and management, acquiring multiple banking awards along the way. In his new role, Sidhom has been tasked with the oversight of the outbound contact and digital contact teams in the member contact center.

NoteWorthy – 9/27/20

by

AROUND THE VALLEY

MVH Provides 100-Year-Old Lawrence Patient With Tablet to Ease Isolation

While the physical effects of COVID-19 have been widely documented, 100-year-old Rita Ducheneau has struggled with isolation at Marguerite’s House Assisted Living on the Mary Immaculate Health/Care Services campus in Lawrence.

To ease her patient’s loneliness, Merrimack Valley Hospice Case Manager Meredith McNeilly recently presented a tablet to Ducheneau and taught her how to conduct video chats. In addition to communicating with her caregivers, social worker, chaplain and a music therapist, Ducheneau is thrilled to have more personal contact with her two daughters, Jeanne and Shirley, who have been restricted from visiting from their respective homes in New Hampshire.

Ducheneau, who moved to Methuen and ultimately retired from Raytheon, enjoyed swimming, boating, snowmobiling, ballroom dancing, playing cards, quilting and traveling. She remained active by participating in exercise classes and playing bingo and Pokeno after moving in September 2016 to Marguerite’s House, where she is known as a fashionista whose jewelry and shoes — some of which she made — match her carefully styled outfits.

Given her patient’s outgoing nature, McNeilly said she wasn’t surprised that Ducheneau was eager to tackle new technology.

“I don’t have the tablet by my side every minute like some people,” Ducheneau said, “but I’ll enjoy it until we can get back to hugs and kisses.”

Elena Finney, hospice and palliative care clinical manager at Merrimack Valley Hospice, said video visits have given the home health and hospice industry an additional way to provide face-to-face support to patients, caregivers and families.

WBCN and The American Revolution Goes Digital

Film festival sensation “WBCN and The American Revolution” is now available for home screening.

Boston’s WBCN radio went underground in 1968, giving people a voice during a time of profound social, political and cultural change. As a WBCN newscaster then, Bill Lichtenstein helped give power to the people. Now, as an award-winning filmmaker, he is offering home screenings of his documentary, “WBCN and The American Revolution,” to help pay for nonprofit local news reporting.

The documentary may be rented for $10 at WHAV.net. All film rentals include an invitation to join a free WHAV panel discussion, “Power to the People — Then and Now,” on Oct. 1, at 7 p.m., with Lichtenstein, radio historian Donna Halper and media writer Dan Kennedy.

A high-energy feature-length documentary, “WBCN and The American Revolution” follows a compelling cast of characters as their lives connect and intersect during the rise of the legendary radio station that became both a player in, and a platform for, the explosive rock ‘n’ roll counterculture, passionate anti-war movement and burgeoning civil rights, women’s rights and gay rights movements.

 

MCC to Host Career Development Webinar for Alumni

For 50 years, Middlesex Community College (MCC) has helped over 26,000 alumni on their academic and professional paths. In collaboration with MCC’s Career Development Office, the college’s free Alumni Association will host a webinar for alumni, current students and faculty at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8.

Part of the MCC Career Development and Alumni Career Readiness Series, this webinar will focus on the hospitality industry and feature panelists who are active in the field from local businesses and organizations.

Visit here to register for the event.

Wayfinding Master Plan Survey

The City of Lowell is developing a pedestrian-focused Wayfinding Master Plan. The plan will include a small pilot program to replace the current pedestrian signs and a plan for future phases.

The City is asking residents to take a survey that will help determine what destinations to guide people to and what the feel of the signs should be.

For further information and mini-surveys about destinations, colors and more, the project website has also been translated into several languages: English, Español, Português and ភាសាខ្មែរ (Khmer).

Local Senior Transportation Program Wins National Aging Achievement Award

Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore has received a 2020 Aging Achievement Award from the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging for its CareRide program, an on-demand transportation initiative that provides subsidized rides to non-emergency medical appointments for adults age 60 and over in the Greater Lowell area. The awards program is supported by Centene. CareRide was among 44 local aging programs to receive honors at the n4a Virtual Conference & Tradeshow on Sept. 22.

With funding provided by Lowell General Hospital, the referral based CareRide program launched in June 2019. Since then, it has already provided more than 800 rides for consumers to doctors’ appointments, dialysis and chemotherapy treatments.

NECC Creates Free Wi-Fi Hotspots in Its Parking Lots

Northern Essex Community College surveyed students last spring after the pandemic hit to find out what challenges they were having with remote learning. What they learned is that some students were struggling with spotty internet access from home and finding a quiet place to study. To address that, the college has created Wi-Fi hotspots in parking lots on the Haverhill and Lawrence Campuses.

Students, faculty and staff can log-in with their college credentials, and anyone not attending Northern Essex can choose the “visitor” wireless network. Wi-Fi coverage is provided at the Technology Center, Student Center, and Library parking lots in Haverhill and the Dimitry Building , El-Hefni Allied Health Technology Center and Haffner Education Center parking lots in Lawrence.

UMass Lowell and Analog Devices Collaborate on Fellowship Program

A new collaboration between UMass Lowell and Analog Devices Inc. enables employees of the global semiconductor manufacturer to advance their education through tuition assistance offered by the company.

The Analog Devices/UMass Lowell Master’s Fellowship Program provides a fully funded, accelerated path for employees in the company’s Aerospace and Defense Business Unit to pursue master’s degrees in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or computer science. The aerospace and defense industry continues to grow at a rapid rate and the scholarship program is designed to help Analog Devices meet its need for skilled engineers to design innovative technologies for this market.

Analog Devices employees in the new program enroll at UMass Lowell through its Division of Graduate, Online and Professional Studies and attend classes online as full-time students for four semesters. While pursuing their education, the students work part time for 20 hours a week at Analog Devices and continue to receive their full-time salary and benefits.

GLCF Awards 8th Round of COVID-19 Emergency Response Grants to 15 Community Organizations

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) announced it deployed a new round of COVID-19 related grants, providing an additional $67,000 to area nonprofits.  The grants were part of the eighth round of distributions to assist area nonprofits serving vulnerable populations during the coronavirus pandemic.

The 15 nonprofits receiving grants in the latest round of the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund include Lowell Community Health Center, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell, Massachusetts Military Support Foundation and more.

Since March, through grants from its GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund and the Massachusetts COVID Relief Fund, the foundation has supported 105 local nonprofit organizations with 185 grants totaling over $2.7 million.

Donations 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.

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