CAI Newsletter - Community Action, Inc.

CAI Newsletter
Community Action, Inc.
3 Washington Sq., Haverhill, MA 01830
t. (978) 373-1971 - f. (978) 373-8966
“Opening Doors to Economic Opportunity”
September/October 2015
CAI Board Awards Two Goldman
Memorial Scholarships
www.CommunityActionInc.org
Find us on:
Please Take CAI’s
2015 Client Survey
Community Action, Inc. is committed
to monitoring the quality of services we
provide. We would appreciate your feedback on our performance (all submissions
are anonymous).
Pictured left to right: John Cuneo, CAI executive director; Devan Peterson, post-secondary scholarship recipient;
Hannah McIsaac, high school recipient and Lucinda Nolet, CAI board chairperson.
The Community Action, Inc. (CAI) Board of Directors
awarded two Goldman Memorial Scholarships
in the amount of $1,000 each to local residents,
Devan Peterson and Hannah McIsacc. The scholarships are named after Gerald Goldman, the executive director of Community Action, who passed
away in 1995 and are presented in his honor. CAI
board members and staff congratulate this year’s
recipients and wish them the best in their future
education.
~
If you have received or participated in
services provided by Community Action,
Inc., please take a moment to complete
this survey either online or by visiting one
of our offices. This survey will be available throughout the month of September.
Take survey online or
stop by one of our office
locations.
www.surveymonkey.com/r/
cai2015client
or you can also visit,
www.communityactioninc.org for a link
to the survey. Paper copies are available at CAI Office locations (see back
page for list) throughout September.
CAI News - September/October 2015
CAI Early Head Start Staff Attend 2015
Beginning Together Inclusion Seminar
2015 Rotary Rubber
Duck Race Set for
September 26
Help support the Haverhill Rotary Club’s annual
Duck Race fundraiser that will take place
Saturday Sept. 26 .The event helps the Rotary
provide support to over 40 local organizations
including Community Action, Inc. Over 10,000
yellow rubber ducks will drop into the Merrimack
River from the Comeau Bridge in Haverhill.
Pictured above, left to right: Christine Picanso, CAI Early Head Start Family Child Care Partnership Operations
Manager; Astrid Galindo, Early Head Start Family Child Care Educator and Carmen Robles, CAI Family Day Care
Bilingual Educational Coordinator and Early Head Start Home Visitor Specialist.
CAI Early Head Start staff attended a week long
training in Washington D.C. entitled “2015 Beginning
Together Inclusion Seminar - Caring for Infants with
Disabilities and Special Needs in Inclusive Settings”.
The seminar is part of the Early Head Start Child Care
Partnership.
Early Head Start staff Christine Picanso, Astrid
Galindo and Carmen Robles attended the seminar.
Center for Child & Family Studies with funding from
the Early Head Start National Resource Center. The
seminar covered key areas for inclusion of children with disabilities or other special needs in their
settings. Topics included attitudes, confidentiality,
when concerns arise, building relationships among
teachers, family members and specialists, and inclusive group care.
~
The inclusion seminar was conducted by the
Beginning Together Project of the West Education
50
th
Anniversary Event
Opening Doors to Economic Opportunity
November 12, 2015, 6–10 p.m.
Haverhill Country Club
58 Brickett Lane
Haverhill, MA 01830
Please join us on Thursday, November 12, 2015, for
our 50th Anniversary Event to celebrate the people
and community that have supported our mission
to empower individuals and families to overcome
poverty over the last half century.
This event will look back at the accomplishments
of the organization, bringing together those who
were a part of our beginning and the many who
strengthen it today. Merrimack Valley leaders, our
www.communityactioninc.org
board members, staff, corporate partners, supporters, elected officials and community members will
join together to honor Community Action, Inc.’s
accomplishments.
The event will begin at 6 p.m., at the Haverhill
Country Club, with a raffle, cocktails and hors
d’oeuvres followed by dinner. A live auction and
special guests, including comedian and Humor for
Humanity founder Jimmy Tingle, will follow.
For more information, sponsorship opportunities
and tickets, please contact Kerri Perry at 978-3731971 x 447 or kperry@communityactioninc.org.
More information and opportunities to sponsor
the event and buy tickets are also available at
https://www.communityactioninc.org/get-involved/
events
2
Duck race activities kickoff at noon combined
with the River Ruckus. There will be entertainment for the entire family including boat and
kayak rides, a classic car show, children’s activities, six live bands, delicious food, a beer garden
and weather-permitting, a fireworks show in the
evening.
By adopting one or more ducks you could
win one of several great prizes including the
Grand Prize of $10,000 cash sponsored by
Rockingham Toyota Honda Scion of Salem, NH,
Pentucket Bank’s Weekend Getaway and more.
You do not have to be present to win.
Adopt a Duck today by visiting https://www.
duckrace.com/haverhill. Duck adoptions will
still be available on the Riverwalk until at least
1 p.m., approximately 1 hour before the drop.
~
Onetoughjob.org Parent
Resource is Available
CAI Executive Director John Cuneo encourages
parents to use onetoughjob.org. “Onetoughjob.
org is a great online resource for parents in
Massachusetts. It provides parents with the
most current and reliable parenting information. Created in 2006 by the Children’s Trust, it
now has a fresh design. Visit www.onetoughjob.
org today to connect to resources on parenting in your community and more ways parents
can connect including forums and blogs.”
~
CAI News - September/October 2015
Family and Community Connection (FCC)
is now accepting applications for
no-cost home repair assistance on
Annual Rebuilding Day on Saturday, April 30, 2016
Application deadline is December 31.
Applicant eligibility:
• Own and occupy your home for at least 2 years
• Live in the Greater Haverhill area (Haverhill, Groveland,
Georgetown, Boxford, Merrimac, West Newbury, and
Plaistow, NH)
• Meet Federal HUD low-income guidelines (Call for info)
• Are elderly, disabled, veteran, or a family with young children
Priority is given to homes that need safety and accessibility
modifications. Other restrictions may apply.
If you or someone you know needs help with home repairs, modifications (such as
grab bars or a wheelchair ramp), energy efficiency, please ask for an application by
calling:
Tel: 978-469-0800 or email RTogether@verizon.net.
Rebuilding Together Greater Haverhill, Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
First Time Home Buyer Training Offered
The CAI Family and
Community Connection
(FCC) is a Massachusetts
Coordinated Family and
Community Engagement
program funded by EEC
serving families with children
from 0-8 years of age. We
provide access to comprehensive services, child development information, and educational opportunities to support
you in your role as your child’s first teacher.
All programs are held at FCC, 346 Broadway in Haverhill unless
otherwise noted.
Registration is required for all programs, please call 978-914-7893 to register.
•
Seacoast Play - Wednesdays, Sept. 2–Oct. 28,
10 a.m.–11 a.m., 447 Merrimac St. in Newburyport.
•
Haverhill Play - Wednesdays, Sept. 2–Oct. 28,
1 p.m.–2 p.m.
•
Infant/Toddler Play - Tuesdays, Sept. 1–22 and
Oct. 6–27, 9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
•
Kindergarten Ready - Wednesdays, Sept. 2–Oct. 28,
9:30 a.m.–11 a.m.
•
Messy Mondays! – Monday, Sept. 21 and Oct. 26,
1 p.m.–2 p.m.
•
STEAM - Thursdays, Sept. 3–Oct. 29, 1 p.m.–2 p.m.
The CAI First Time Homebuyer Education Program will offer first
time homebuyer education classes for area residents beginning
Tuesday Sept. 22 from 6 to 9 p.m in the Presidential Gardens
Community Room, 140 Evergreen Drive, Bradford.
•
Music Rocks - Tuesdays, Sept. 1–22 and Oct. 6–27, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. and also at the Brown School Youth Center, 40
Milk St. in Newburyport on Tuesdays, Sept. 1–22 and Oct. 6–27,
9 a.m.–10 a.m.
Participants receive
•
Story Time with Miss Kathy - Monday, Oct. 27, 1 p.m.–2 p.m.
•
Comprehensive information offered by housing professionals
including bank lenders, buyer/seller real estate brokers, housing
attorneys, insurance agents home inspectors and credit
counselors;
•
Parent Advisory Council - Mondays, Sept. 28 and Oct. 19,
1 p.m.–2 p.m.
•
Individual household mortgage pre-qualification;
•
•
Information regarding foreclosure sales;
•
Information regarding area affordable housing lotteries and
services of a buyer broker;
Toddler Playgroups - Monday–Friday, 9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.,
Children ages 18mths–30mths and their parents or caregivers
who live in Haverhill, Merrimac, Groveland or Georgetown.
Developmental, integrated Toddler Group run by certified Early
Intervention staff. Openings are limited.
•
Information about down payment assistance programs and
reduced interest loans.
Please visit our website calendar for more details about these activities.
www.communityactioninc.org/resources/calendar
A Massachusetts Homeownership Collaborative approved certificate
is awarded after completion of the three-night course. The program
is also approved by MassHousing. The dates for the course are
Tuesday, Sept. 22, Thursday, Sept. 24 and Tuesday, Sept. 29th.
The cost is $60 per household. There are no income requirements to
take the training. For more information contact: Richard Lynch at
978-373-1971 or Susan Collins at 978-317-8998.
Family and Community Connection
364 Broadway, Haverhill, MA 01832
(978) 914-7893
…
3
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
ABE/GED/ESOL
Nurse Aide Training
145 Essex St.
Haverhill, MA 01832
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
Head Start / Early Head Start
Preschool program for children 0-5
Administration, CAI Fox Center
75 Elm St.
Haverhill, MA 01830
(978) 372-5052
CAI Heating Assistance
Opens for Season
Affordable Housing Lottery, CAI
Rental Management and First Time
Home Buyer Program.
The CAI LIHEAP (Heating Assistance)
Program opened for the sesaon. The
FY16 re-certification application packages have been mailed for households
that participated in the program last
season and heated with gas, electric,
oil or other delivered fuels.
Income Tax Assistance
The FY16 online appointment calendar will be available in mid-September and will be accessible through
the agency website - communityactioninc.org. New participants will be
asked to answer a few prequalification
Housing Development
3 Washington Square, 4th Fl.
Haverhill, MA 01832
978-373-1971 ext.225
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
(January - April)
3 Washington Square
Haverhill, MA 01830
978-373-1971
Northern Essex WIC
Women, Infants & Children
Nutrition Program
145 Essex St.
Haverhill, MA 01832
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
questions regarding their income and
household size to see if they qualify
for heating assistance. All new eligible
households will schedule an application appointment. Once an appointment is booked and confirmed new
applicants will be emailed the required
documentation to bring with them
based on their response to the prequalifying questions.
~
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
Michelle Barrett, Kristen Derro, Maryann Dower, Donna
Ducharme, Nancy Earls, Helene Fowler, Reggie King, Claire
Koffman, Roger LeMire, Sr., Mary Ellen McEvoy-Lawlor,
Michael Nesson, Richard Pettengill, Ricky Pinciaro, Mary
Ratkevicius and Angelo Zappala.
Executive Director
John Cuneo
Newsletter Writers and Editors:
Richard Lynch and Katrina Heisler