New Foreclosure Prevention Office

 

As we are all aware, the nation is in the midst of a foreclosure crisis. The foreclosure crisis is the result of the declining real estate values, questionable lending practices, and homeowners overextending themselves by taking on too much debt. The result of lenders foreclosing on properties is people losing their homes and buildings being vacated. Lowell is not exempt from this crisis. According to the North Middlesex Registry of Deeds, 283 properties in Lowell were foreclosed upon in 2007. This number is sure to increase in 2008.

 

Unfortunately, the foreclosure crisis impacts all of us, even those whose are not foreclosed. What cities and towns across the country are seeing are foreclosed properties being abandoned and left unmaintained. Abandonment creates an attractive nuisance, inviting illicit use of these properties. This can lead to fire, which poses a threat to anyone in the building, to public safety personnel, and to nearby properties. Abandoned properties also depress area home prices and lead to deterioration of neighborhoods, which can spread throughout the city. As can be seen, it is a downward spiral that ripples across the community.

 

In light of the negative effects of foreclosures, it is with great excitement that the City of Lowell greets the opening of a foreclosure prevention office of the Home Preservation Coalition (HPC) of the Merrimack Valley. The HPC will provide group foreclosure education clinics, one-on-one foreclosure counseling, budget counseling, help with hardship letters, technical assistance and support in obtaining loan forbearance and modification, counseling and technical assistance to access local refinancing programs, and access to rescue funds when available. All participants will receive additional support through the national HOPE Hotline (1-888-995-HOPE).

 

The HPC office is located at 450 Merrimack Street, just down the street from Lowell City Hall. A Grand Opening will take place on Friday, May 16, 2008, from 3:00-4:00PM.

 

I urge all residents potentially facing foreclosure to visit the Home Preservation Coalition at 450 Merrimack Street. You can’t afford not to.

Summer Jobs for Youth

At a recent Community Forum hosted by the Gang Task Force Initiative, I implored the business community to consider the importance of jobs for the youth of the City.  This summer promises to be an especially tight job market however the value of jobs is more important than ever.  Summer jobs represent a real life investment in our youth with tangible benefits both now and in the future.

For the second year, the Career Center of Lowell has initiated a Summer Jobs for Lowell Youth Campaign inviting the private sector to pledge to provide job opportunities for teenagers.  Jobs for teens provide them with the opportunity to develop important workplace skills and connect to the world and its expectations beyond their immediate environment. 

A recent story by WCVB Channel 5 news on the importance of jobs for teens featured the Career Center of Lowell and the Spinners as the life changing catalyst for a local teen.  http://www.thebostonchannel.com/station/16087857/detail.html 

The Career Center/Greater Lowell Workforce Investment Board is prepared to do its part by providing job readiness , interview skills and resume writing programs for youth.  In addition to the youth hired through this campaign, the City of Lowell will commit to the subsidized hire of 200 youth through several state funded programs. What is crucial to the success of the program is a commitment from our local businesses, no matter how large or small to hire teens for the summer.  

I cannot stress enough how important it is to keep our youth invested and involved in the community and I hope you will agree.  If you are a business interested in this program please contact www.glwib.org or contact Bruce Akashian at the Career Center 978.805.4815. 

If you are a teen or the parent of a teen who is looking for a job, I invite you to attend the 12th Annual Youth Job Fair 2008sponsored by the GLWIB, Career Center and Middlesex Community College.  The Fair will be held this Thursday, May 8th from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.  Area employers will be present to answer questions, accept resumes and interview.  Employers interested in participating are strongly urged to contact Cathy Sturtevant 978.805.4812, Maria Cunha 978.656.3104 or Beatriz Sierra 978.805.4813.

 

Edward J. Early Garage Ribbon Cutting

At 11 a.m. today, the official opening of the Edward J. Early Garage on Middlesex St. will be marked with a ribbon cutting ceremony.  I’m very pleased to report that the garage, which has been open for about a month has been met with enthusiasm.  Response has been very positive; users have complemented the new facility and usage has already greatly exceeded projections with approximately 400 passcards issued in the first month.

The realization of this project can be credited to hard work of many, starting with the vision and commitment of former City Manager John Cox and the prior administration.   As planned, the Early Garage has catalyzed development in the neighborhood.  Several developers and owners of neighboring properties have enthusiastically responded to the City’s commitment to build the garage.  The Banc of America CDC and Architectural Heritage Foundation will be starting construction on the redevelopment of 165 and 31 Jackson Street in a few months.  Owners of 160 Middlesex Street and 306 Jackson Street have initiated plans for redeveloping their properties.  The new facility will also meet some of the parking needs for the first phase of the Hamilton Canal District, planned for Spring 2009, Middlesex Community College’s reuse of the Rialto Building, and the new Trial Court.  Over the next several months, we hope to have tenants in place in the commercial space which will continue to move this district forward.   The transformation is beginning.  Take a drive over to Middlesex and check it out for yourself.

Senior Counts - New Training Dates

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

 

The Lowell Senior Center, in conjunction with UMass Lowell, is currently recruiting volunteers for “Lowell Seniors Count,” a door-to-door census and needs assessment of all adults 60 and older living in the city.  This ground-breaking outreach effort, scheduled to begin on May 1 and continue for several months, will help us better serve the needs of our diverse community of older adults.

 

Volunteers are needed to…

 

• Conduct door-to door surveys in your building, on your street or in your neighborhood (working in pairs).  If you are interested, please arrange to attend one of the following training sessions, co-sponsored by the Lowell Police Department:

 

Tuesday, May 6th  & May 20th 9:00 to 11:30

Saturday May, 10th 9-11:30 & Saturday May, 24th 9 -11:30

Tuesday May, 20th at night 5-9

Thursday May, 22nd  5-9

 

You do not need to attend a training if you would like to stuff bags. Stuffing bags will begin Monday, May 12th.

 

 

• Stuff 15,000 free resource bags for every senior we meet

 

Flexible Times…No long term commitment required!

·         Free T-Shirts

·         Digital Name Tags

·         Free Canvas Bags

·         Invitation to our recognition party

CORI SCREENING NECESSARY

Call our Lowell Seniors Count Hotline 978-446-7200, press 9 when prompted, enter extension 2000 & leave a message!

or Munty Pot at 978-275-6328

 

 

National Older Americans Month

The focus of blog lately has been the Seniors Count program.  I want to take the opportunity to thank Lynne Brown Zounes of the Senior Center for her work in coordinating this program in conjunction with UMass Lowell.  The ambitious goal of “Seniors Count” is not only to get a true count of the number of seniors in the City of Lowell but also to assess their needs and make them aware of the many resources available to them.  The success of this program depends on volunteers to take a little time to reach out to their neighbors and the community.  I hope many of you will take advantage of the opportunity.  The following is from Lynne:

 

“May is National Older Americans Month, a great time to bring attention to the issues that affect older adults. This year’s theme is “Working Together for Strong, Healthy, and Supportive Communities,” which speaks to the opportunities we have to create better care and reinforce healthier societies for all ages. Working together, our communities can improve older adults’ overall quality of life by helping them:

 

Make behavioral changes in their lifestyles that can reduce risk of disease, disability, and injury.

 

Obtain the tools they need to make informed decisions about, and gain better access to, existing health and long-term care options in their communities.

 

Have more options to avoid placement in nursing homes and remain at home as long as possible. We must all work together to ensure that every older person in this country is treated with dignity and respect and moreover, has the opportunity to make the choices they desire to enjoy a healthy rewarding future.

 

The Lowell Senior Center is very excited about launching our “Lowell Seniors Count” project during Older Americans Month. This project is a way of getting to know all the seniors living in Lowell and also an opportunity to bring them resources to help them “age in place” with dignity and respect. Beginning this month teams of people will be going into neighborhoods interviewing seniors and brining them resource bags. The project begins in the downtown neighborhood and in senior housing. As the months go on we will be in every neighborhood. Members of the committee have been attending neighborhood meetings and recruiting volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering or want more information about “Lowell Seniors Count” call 978-446-7200 Press 9 when prompted and enter extension 2000. Celebrate your month! Hope to meet you on my journey throughout the city. Lynne Brown-Zounes”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volunteers Needed - Seniors Count Program

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

The Lowell Senior Center, in conjunction with UMass Lowell, is currently recruiting volunteers for “Lowell Seniors Count,” a door-to-door census and needs assessment of all adults 60 and older living in the city.  This ground-breaking outreach effort, scheduled to begin on May 1 and continue for several months, will help us better serve the needs of our diverse community of older adults.

 Volunteers are needed to…

• Conduct door-to door surveys in your building, on your street or in your neighborhood (working in pairs). 

If you are interested, please arrange to attend one of the following training sessions, co-sponsored by the Lowell Police Department:

Saturday, April 19 and April 26,   9:00 AM – 1:00 PM*

Tuesday, April 22 and April 29,    9:00 AM – 1:00 PM*

Thursday, April 24                        5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

* Light lunch will be provided

Training Location: Lowell Senior Center, 276 Broadway Street, Lowell

• Stuff 15,000 free resource bags for every senior we meet

 Flexible Times…No long term commitment required!

·         Free T-Shirts

·         Digital Name Tags

·         Free Canvas Bags

·         Invitation to our recognition party

CORI SCREENING NECESSARY

Call our Lowell Seniors Count Hotline 978-446-7200, press 9 when prompted, enter extension 2000 & leave a message!

or Munty Pot at 978-275-6328

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you heard about Lowell Seniors Count?

  

Lowell Seniors Count is a comprehensive, door-to-door census and needs assessment of all seniors 60 and older living in Lowell. It will begin in May of this year. In addition to surveying the seniors we will be bringing resources, these resources will educate and inform the seniors about services available to help them as they age in place.

 

We will work in teams and begin our data gathering in elderly housing complexes located in Lowell.  We will need many volunteers from all neighborhoods and from the ethnic minority populations, including our Cambodian, Vietnamese, African, Portuguese, Brazilian, and Latino communities.  The success of Lowell Seniors Count will depend largely on volunteers that will assist us with the door-to door collection of data and helping us prepare resource bags that we will distribute to the seniors during our visit.

 

Volunteers will receive t-Shirts, picture, identification cards, training and a great sense of satisfaction “getting acquainted” with the seniors living in Lowell.  If you would like to register in our Lowell Seniors Count project please call 978-446-7200 Press 9 when prompted and enter extension 2000. Leave a message.

 

Are you a non-profit? Would you like to place something in our resource bags?

We will need 3,000 pieces for our first round of visits. Remember, seniors have families and raise grandchildren, some are still working. Does your organization need donations or do you have day care slots to fill? Send us your brochures and flyers.

 

Your commitment to this effort is appreciated. Lowell Seniors Count partners include Mass Partnership for Healthy Communities, Mass Department of Public Heath, University of Mass, Lowell, City Managers, Senior Committee to End Homelessness, Lowell Senior Center and Lowell Community Health Center. Questions? Give me a call at 978-446-7185 Lynne Brown-Zounes

 

World Series Trophy Tour Comes to Lowell - Saturday, 4/19/08

As an avid baseball fan in general and Red Sox fan in particular, I am very pleased to announce that the Boston Red Sox are to visit Lowell as a part of the World Championship Trophy tour sponsored by the Massachusetts State Lottery.  Tommorow, Saturday April 19, 2008, the 2004 and 2007 trophies  will be on display in the Tsongas Center Lobby from 10:00 am - 2:30 pm.  This is a unique opportunity for fans to see both trophies up close. 

The traditional ballpark fare of pizza and hot dogs will be served courtesy of local restaurants Hookslide Kelly’s and Bad Dawgs.  So bring the family and take part in this little piece of history right here in Lowell.

Small Business Fair

The City of Lowell is presenting the first Small Business Fair on Tuesday, April 29, 2008. This event will bring together close to 30 public and private sector organizations and companies who deliver financial and technical support to starting and growing businesses. This is the event for those needing assistance to boost revenue, considering starting a business, or for any number of concerns.

Understanding that small business owners are pressed for time, the Small Business Fair strives to bring as many resources together under one roof to facilitate access to useful and valuable information. Participating entities include government lending and technical support agencies and procurement specialists including the Small Business Administration, SCORE, MassDevelopment, State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance and MA PTAC. Local economic development partners at the Fair include the Small Business Assistance Center, Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, Lowell Development & Financial Corporation and many of the banking institutions. In addition there will be organizations focused on women businesses, workforce development, real estate development, and energy efficiency for businesses, as well as various departments from the City of Lowell.

The Small Business Fair will be held on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the retail space of the Edward J. Early, Jr. Parking Garage, 135 Middlesex Street. There will be free validated parking in the garage.

For more information on the Lowell Small Business Fair please call Theresa Park, Division of Planning of Development at 978-446-7200, x1432 or email her at tpark@lowellma.gov.

Kitchen Incubator Program

New Entrepreneurial Opportunity

Is Coming to Lowell

 

The City of Lowell announces plans for a new program, the Lowell Kitchen Incubator, to establish a pathway to successful food entrepreneurship for all Lowell residents.

The Lowell Kitchen Incubator will make it financially feasible for start-up food businesses to take advantage of professional kitchen space to help develop their businesses.
Most start-up food enterprises begin in a home kitchen. However, once a recipe is perfected for the marketplace, the home kitchen becomes a liability. Home kitchen business owners cannot obtain necessary licensing from the state or product liability insurance because legally they must manufacture their product from a professional kitchen.

Kitchen incubators offer the solution by making available long- or short-term professional kitchen leases at a reasonable rate on a flexible time-share basis. More than being just a rental space, the Kitchen Incubator is a full-service program whereby participants are mentored in every aspect of starting a business, from managing catering accounts and retail sales to completing tax and health regulation paperwork.

This is particularly relevant for all start-up small businesses as the US Small Business Administration has stated that “businesses launched by entrepreneurs acting on their own have only a 20% chance of surviving five or more years.” While “businesses launched through a period of nurturing in business incubators fare much better, with an 80% rate of success” according to National Business Incubation.

This innovative endeavor by the City of Lowell to establish a Kitchen Incubator is encouraging news to aspiring and existing food entrepreneurs. Currently, the City of Lowell is soliciting public input to help guide the outcome of this effort. In doing so, the city has set-up an online survey to properly assess the needs and concerns of the Lowell community. To fill out the survey go to www.lowellma.gov/ki_survey to offer your feedback. The survey form will be available for completion until April 11, 2008.

For more information on the Lowell Kitchen Incubator please call Theresa Park at (978-446-7200) or email her at tpark@lowellma.gov.