CAI Newsletter - Community Action, Inc.

CAI Newsletter
“Opening Doors to Economic Opportunity”
Find us on:
Community Action, Inc.
3 Washington Sq., Haverhill, MA 01830
t. (978) 373-1971 - f. (978)-469-8392
July/August 2016
www.CommunityActionInc.org
Haverhill’s Mt. Washington
Neighborhood Awarded $475,000
Federal Reserve Grant
House Ways and Means Chairman Brian Dempsey
and Mayor James Fiorentini jointly announced that
Haverhill will receive $475,000 in the second round
of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s Working
Cities Challenge. Working Cities is a competition for
smaller cities in New England focused on building
collaborative leadership, a critical element that is
needed to promote economic growth for struggling
postindustrial cities. Five cities received awards.
The City of Haverhill, Greater Haverhill Chamber
of Commerce and Community Action, Inc. are the
lead organizations in the program. The initiative will
focus on neighborhood revitalization, workforce
development, and improving access to economic
opportunity in the Mt. Washington neighborhood
over a three-year period, accompanied by technical assistance and a learning community for bestpractice sharing.
“As a former Mount Washington resident, I am
thrilled that this unprecedented coalition has won
this prestigious grant to improve the economic,
educational, and social conditions of this gateway
neighborhood,” said Mayor Fiorentini. “Improving
economic outcomes and expanding opportunities
for residents of Mount Washington requires a multi-
– Continued on Page 2
CAI offices will be closed on Monday, July
4, in observance of Independence Day. We
wish you all a safe and happy holiday!
CAI Northern Essex WIC participants (6
months and older) can receive $20 to spend
on fruits and vegetables at a certified Farmers
Markets on the following distribution dates
and locations. The vouchers are available
on a FIRST COME FIRST SERVE, WHILE
SUPPLIES LAST basis.
pronged, cross-sectoral approach. I am gratified
that the Federal Reserve has recognized our efforts
and approach by deciding to invest in our community. I am proud to be part of the Mt. Washington
Alliance,” added the Mayor.
“This grant will enhance access to job opportunities
and educational activities while improving neighborhood conditions in Haverhill’s Mount Washington
District,” said State Rep. Brian Dempsey. “Bringing
together a strong cross-section of partners through
the Mt Washington Alliance, the Working Cities
EBT/SNAP Card Accepted at Haverhill and
Newburyport Farmers Markets
Hope Davenport, CAI WIC director said in addition, grants from the Community Action, Inc. (CAI)
“Stronger Families for Stronger Communities”
campaign and from the Vela Foundation will allow
CAI to double a WIC participant’s dollars when
they use their EBT/SNAP cards at the Haverhill and
Newburyport Farmers Market. For every SNAP dollar
spent at the Farmers Market, CAI will match it (For
example: $20 on a EBT card plus $20 in bonus cash
= $40 to spend…while supplies last).
HOLIDAY NOTICE JULY 4
WIC FARMERS MARKET
VOUCHERS DISTRIBUTION DATES
ANNOUNCED
– Continued on Page 2
EBT/SNAP Cards will be accepted at the Haverhill
Farmers Market and Newburyport Farmers Market
this year. WIC and Senior vouchers will also be
accepted.
NEWS BULLETIN:
• Beverly Farmers Market
Veterans Memorial Park
Monday, July 11 from 3-6 p.m.
• Amesbury WIC office
44 Friend Street
Wednesday, July 13 from 3-6 p.m.
• Gloucester Farmers Market
Stage Fort Park
Thursday, July 14 from 3-6 p.m.
• Haverhill Farmers Market
40 Baily Blvd
Saturday, July 16 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
FIRST TIME HOME BUYER
WORKSHOP BEGINS JULY 11
The Community Action Inc. Home Buyer
Education Program is pleased to be
offering a first time home buyer counseling
workshop that begins on July 11, & will run
for 3 evenings: Monday, July 11; Tuesday,
July 12 and Monday, July 18. The class runs
6–9 p.m. and costs $60.00 per household.
Class is held at the Presidential Gardens
Community Center, 140 Evergreen Drive in
Bradford, MA. Come and learn all the steps
to buying your first home. The July workshop
is sponsored by Pentucket Bank.
Contact Susan Collins to register s.c.c.hanley@
juno.com or call 978-317-8998 or Richard
Lynch, 978-373-1971 for more information. The
class is CHAPA and MassHousing certified.
CAI News - July/August 2016
Working Cities Grant - Continued from Page 1
collaboration ensures a commitment to the Mt
Washington District and its community.”
“This Working Cities Challenge grant is a testament
to the strong public-private sector collaboration
embodied in the Mt. Washington Alliance, which
has worked diligently to produce an innovative
plan to spark economic growth and provide greater
opportunities for families in the Mt. Washington
Neighborhood of Haverhill,” said State Senator
Kathleen O’Connor Ives.
“I want to congratulate the winners of the Working
Cities Challenge. Collaborative leadership is at
the heart of this competition, and these five cities
demonstrated significant capacity to reach across
sectors and advance efforts on behalf of low-income
residents in their communities,” said Boston Fed
President Eric Rosengren. “I look forward to following the progress in the communities in the coming
months and years.”
According to a statement from Fed President
Rosengren, Massachusetts Governor Charlie
Baker said, “Together with our partners in the
private, philanthropic, and non-profit sectors, we
are proud to leverage greater resources to support
and prepare communities for success. The Working
Cities Challenge elevates local leadership, amplifying solutions from the community level to increase
cross-sector collaboration and improve economic
outcomes for low-income residents.”
John Cuneo, executive director of Community
Action, Inc. which will administer the grant, said
Haverhill’s initiative, a cross-sector partnership
called the “Mt. Washington Alliance” will work to
close the social and economic “opportunity gap”
between the Mt. Washington neighborhood and the
rest of the Haverhill community. The initiative will
include efforts to improve employment, education,
and an array of neighborhood conditions including
housing, health, and safety. Residents will play a
prominent role in shaping and evaluating the work
of this Alliance. The Alliance’s core team includes:
residents of Mt. Washington, the Mayor’s office,
Haverhill Public Schools, Rehoboth Lighthouse
Full Gospel Church, Northern Essex Community
College, Fantini Baking Company, Merrimack Valley
Workforce Investment Board, Merrimack Valley
Music & Arts, Inc., Team Haverhill, Mann Consulting,
Haverhill Bank, Pentucket Bank, POSE, Inc., Urban
Kindness, Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce,
Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, Emmaus,
Inc., Veterans Northeast Outreach Center, St. James
Church, Jaffarian Toyota, Tilton Elementary School,
Haverhill YMCA, Girls Inc., the Haverhill City Council,
Massachusetts 2020, and Community Action, Inc..
…
Funding for the competition is not provided by
the Boston Fed, but by a consortium of partners
including the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, the
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Kresge
Foundation, the Barr Foundation, the Smith Family
Foundation, and Living Cities.
The other four winning cities are Lowell, Pittsfield,
Springfield, and Worcester.
A celebration of these five cities’ initiatives will be
held at the Boston Fed on July 18.
For more information on the Working Cities
Challenge, visit:
http://www.bostonfed.org/workingcities
For more info about the Mount Washington Alliance,
visit “Mt. Washington Alliance-Strengthening
Community – Building Opportunity” on facebook.
~
CAI receives Essex County Community
Foundation Grant
The Trustees of the Essex County Community
Foundation, upon recommendation of the Grants
Management Committee, awarded Community
Action, Inc. a grant for $7500 from the Fund for
Nonprofit Excellence.
CAI thanks ECCF and is grateful and honored
by their support. CAI also thanks board member,
Nancy Earls, for formerly accepting the award on
behalf of CAI at the ECCF Community Leadership
Breakfast on May 5 at the Double Tree in Danvers.
CAI congratulates all recipients of the Fund for
Nonprofit Excellence award.
~
www.communityactioninc.org
Farmers Markets Continued from Page 1
“These grants are dedicated to promoting
improved nutrition and wellness with an emphasis on underserved communities. The funds
allow WIC participants access to fresh, local
foods while supporting our local farmers at the
same time.”
Haverhill Farmers Market
The Haverhill Farmers
Market opens for
the 2016 season on
Saturday June 25 and
runs through Oct. 29.
The market is located
next to the Haverhill
Police Station at 40
Bailey Blvd. and is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Farmers Market is easily accessible by car,
bike, walking, or public transportation, and has
plenty of free parking nearby.
Customers will find farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, honey, jams, meats, local
wines, artisan cheeses, fresh breads, doggie
treats and other items. The family friendly market
also includes live, local music, food demonstrations, and children’s activities each Saturday.
Visit online at:
http://www.haverhillfarmersmarket.org
Newburyport
Farmers
Market
The Newburyport Farmers Market will be accepting EBT from July 10, 2016 through September
25, 2016. The market is located at the Tannery
Marketplace, 50 Water Street and is open from
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Farmers Market is easily
accessible by car, bike, or walking and has plenty
of free parking nearby.
Customers will find farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, honey, jams, meats, local
wines, artisan cheeses, fresh breads, doggie
treats and other items. The family friendly market
also includes live, local music each Sunday.
Visit online at:
http://www.thenewburyportfarmersmarket.org
For further information, please contact:
DeAnna Tashjian, Community Action, Inc.
by phone at 978-373-1971 x259 or
dtashjian@communityactioninc.org
Pictured above: CAI Board Member Nancy Earls (back
row, left) with fellow grant award recipients at the ECCF
Community Leadership Breakfast on May 5 at the
Double Tree in Danvers.
2
~
CAI English for Work Students and Haverhill
Business Members Collaborate
Students of the English for Work program successfully participated in a mock interview with the generous assistance of local business members on June
9. The mock interview was designed to help the
English for Work students practice their job interviewing skills and become more comfortable with
the interviewing process.
English for Work is a 12-week program serving
people who wish to increase and develop English
language skills, with job search instruction and
guidance and with career exploration advice. This
program is one of many educational and training
programs offered by the CAI Haverhill Community
Adult Learning Center.
~
NEWS BULLETIN:
HISET CLASS REGISTRATION &
PLACEMENT TESTING AUGUST 10
In the photo, the students, who did so well and put in so
much effort, from left to right: Ms. Betsy Pagan, Ms. Claudia
Coronado, Ms. Maria Munoz, Ms. Nancy Fabian, and Mr.
Carlos Lima.
To prepare for the mock interview students first had
to acknowledge and become aware of their unique
strengths, abilities, skills, and attitudes. Then they
had to learn how to articulate them confidently
and clearly. For people who are not native English
speakers, this means that they had to continue to
improve on vocabulary, tense use, word sequence,
pronunciation, and other nuances particular to learning another language.
The students were given six questions to prepare
for the mock interview. In preparation, they wrote
and rewrote answers to each question over and
over. They practiced in class and outside of class
for three weeks before the mock interview. And, of
course, they had to manage their fear of the actual
interview. Aside from the act of interviewing, the
students learned how to present themselves with
confidence and professionalism, as well as gaining
practice with writing, reading, and understanding
English. Lastly, they interviewed with local business volunteers who gave them feedback on their
performance and advice for improvement. Students
learned that the formalities of interviewing in the
United States require considerable research, preparation, and non-verbal projection of confidence.
CAI News - July/August 2016
The next waitlist registration & placement testing date for HiSET prep classes
will be Wednesday, August 10, 9 a.m. at
Community Action, Inc., 3 Washington Sq.
3rd Floor in Haverhill. For more information contact Alisa Povenmire, Career and
Education Advisor, 978-373-1971, ext. 216 or
apovenmire@communityactioninc.org
Please arrive on time!
ENGLISH FOR WORK EVENING
ENGLISH (ESOL) CLASSES
FALL ENROLLMENT SEPT. 13 & 15
Designed for High Intermediate-Advanced
Level ESOL Students. Improve English reading and writing, communicate better at work,
create a job-winning resume, improve interviewing in English, Explore career interests,
Prepare for college or job training and create
strategies to meet your goals.
Thank you to the local business people who volunteered
as mock interviewers and provided such considerate and
thoughtful feedback for the students. In the photo, from left
to right: Ms. Cynthia Faulkner, Director of Education and
Training, Haverhill Community Adult Learning Center, Ms.
Dianne McDermott, President, McDermott & Company
Marketing, Mr. Bob Lijana, Director of Quality Assurance,
Hans Kissle Company, Ms. Lori Callahan, Vice President/
Senior Mortgage Underwriter, Haverhill Bank, Ms. Dede
Tully, Mortgage Officer/Underwriter, Haverhill Bank, and
Mr. Hector Pena, Operations Manager, Joseph’s Gourmet
Foods. Thank you, also, to Ms. Beverly Donovan, Director
of Economic Development, Greater Haverhill Chamber of
Commerce, and to Ms. Ally Vallieres, Marketing Specialist,
Haverhill Bank for their considerable logistical support.
The next classes run Mon., Wed. and Thurs.,
6–9 p.m. for an intensive 12-weeks, September
26–December 22, 2016.
Registration Dates:
• Tuesday, September 13, 6 p.m.
• Thursday, September 15, 6 p.m.
Community Action, Inc.
3 Washington Square
Haverhill, MA 01830.
For more information, contact:
Peter Espiefs, 978-373-1971 ext. 249
pespiefs@communityactioninc.org
Join the Best ESOL Adult Education Program in Haverhill
Growing up Maria Aguilar learned Spanish from her
parents but never had a chance to learn English.
Once she moved to the US she realized she had to
learn English. “To feel that you’re part of the community, English language is important.” she said. After
arriving to her new country, her basic English was
just not quite enough to get a job. In 2013, she
decided to come to a waitlist registration session at
Community Action Inc., (CAI) She wanted to change
her life and began working on her English.
Living in a new country far from home is not easy but
Maria has managed to find happiness and accomplishment through hard work and dedication. In
2016, she finally established better housing and
achieved the highest-level ESOL class at CAI. Her
dream is to complete high school and go to college
one day She has been very determined, dedicated,
and eager to learn more. By now she can freely
communicate with her boss, with her doctor and
feels more confident and secure.
Community Action has the largest ESOL program
in Haverhill. Its mission is “to provide resources
and opportunities for individuals, families, and
communities to overcome poverty”. Most of ESOL
educational programs cost money for participant.
CAI programs are free. The only requirement is to
be dedicated and goal oriented. Our excellent ESOL
team is ready to help any individuals who can take
on the commitment.
If you’re ready to take the challenge and learn
English by joining in any of our classes, feel free
to come to one of our registration sessions. ESOL
classes run 2-3 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00
p.m. Class days depend on your class placement.
Pictured Right: Last day of ESOL Classes
3
UPCOMING REGISTRATION DATES:
Returning students: August 30 at 10 a.m.
New students waitlist registration:
August 31 at 10 a.m.
For more information please contact: Eva
Balogh, ESOL Advisor, 978-373-1971 ext. 264.
www.communityactioninc.org
Community Action, Inc. (CAI) provides resources and opportunities for individuals, families
and communities to overcome poverty. Vision: CAI envisions strong, thriving communities
free of poverty. Values: We build hope and offer assistance with respect and understanding.
Our Programs serve the following Massachusetts cities and towns: Amesbury, Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland,
Haverhill, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury, and West Newbury. Some CAI programs also serve:
Beverly, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Lawrence, Manchester, Rockport, Topsfield and Wenham.
Administration
3 Washington Square, 4th Fl.
Haverhill, MA 01830
978-373-1971
Adult Education & Training
Head Start / Early Head Start
Preschool program for children 0-5
Administration, CAI Fox Center
75 Elm St.
Haverhill, MA 01830
(978) 372-5052
ABE/GED/ESOL
3 Washington Sq. 3rd Fl.
Haverhill, MA 01830
978-373-1971
Community Services
Housing, food and clothing
resources & referrals, Drop-in day
program
Haverhill - 978-373-1971
Amesbury - 978-388-2570
Drop-In Ctr. - 978-241-9621
Consumer Services
Consumer Protection
North Essex Mediators
3 Washington Square, 4th Fl
Haverhill, MA 01830
978-373-1971
Energy Programs
Heating Assistance, Heating System Assistance, Weatherization
3 Washington Square, 1st Fl.
Haverhill, MA 01830
978-373-1971
Housing Development
Affordable Housing Lottery, CAI
Rental Management and First Time
Home Buyer Program.
3 Washington Square, 4th Fl.
Haverhill, MA 01832
978-373-1971 ext.225
Income Tax Assistance
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
(January - April)
3 Washington Square
Haverhill, MA 01830
978-373-1971
Northern Essex WIC
Women, Infants & Children
Nutrition Program
10 Phoenix Row, 3rd Fl.
Haverhill, MA 01830
978-374-2191- Haverhill
978-388-2575 - Amesbury
978-922-2110 - Beverly
978-281-4540 - Gloucester
Family & Community Connection
Resources, activities and playgroups for families with children
0-8 years
Presbyterian Church
346 Broadway
Haverhill, MA 01832
978-914-7893
Family Day Care
Community-based network of
Family Child Care providers
CAI Fox Center
75 Elm St.
Haverhill, MA 01830
978-373-1971
Visit us on the web: www.CommunityActionInc.org
Family Day Care Provider Earns Early
Childhood Associates Degree
CAI would like to congratulate Family Child Care Educator, Melissa
Lopez, for earning her Early Childhood Associates Degree from Northern
Essex Community College on May 21. Melissa has worked as a sub
contracted Family Child Care Educator for the CAI Family Day Care
program since 2013. Her business started with 6 children and she is
eager to expand her license to 10 children. Melissa also recently joined
the Early Head Start Partnership program. Melissa provides a caring,
and nurturing as well as educational environment for the children
enrolled in her home. Congratulations Melissa.
This is the newsletter for Community Action, Inc., a private
non-profit corporation established in 1965 to serve the Greater
Haverhill, Amesbury and Newburyport areas.
Board of Directors
Lucinda Nolet, Chairperson
Patricia Gleason, Vice-Chairperson
Harry Korslund, Treasurer
Nancy Doyle, Clerk/Secretary
Harold Lloyd, Assistant Clerk/Secretary
Current Board Members
Dianne Avazian, Jennifer Carter, Tabatha Colon, Donna
Ducharme, Nancy Earls, Helene Fowler, Reggie King, Claire
Koffman, Roger LeMire, Sr., Mary Ellen McEvoy-Lawlor, Michael
Nesson, Richard Pettengill, Ricky Pinciaro, Michelle Roldan,
Samuel Sasso and Kathleen Shaw.
Executive Director
John Cuneo
Newsletter Writers and Editors:
Richard Lynch and Katrina Heisler