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Important Letter to the Community Regarding ‘Head Start’ and HEAP

At Community Teamwork and Community Action Agencies across the state, it is business as usual. Head Start classrooms remain open, energy programs are fully operational, and their commitment to serving our communities remains as strong as ever.

To our valued clients, partners, and the Greater Lowell community:

In response to recent news regarding federal workforce reductions and the closure of regional offices affecting Head Start and the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), we want to offer clarity and reassurance.

Our Head Start classrooms remain open, our energy assistance programs are fully up and running, and our dedication to supporting the community remains unwavering. While changes may be occurring at the federal level, Community Teamwork continues to provide the critical services that so many individuals and families count on every day.

With regards to the Home Energy Assistance Program, all current applications for this program will continue to be processed as planned since funding for these applications remains available.  Community Teamwork is on track to process Home Energy Assistance Program applications for more than 9000 households for the current heating season. The Home Energy Assistance Program is a vital lifeline for thousands of Greater Lowell residents, including seniors on fixed incomes, individuals with disabilities, and low-income families with young children. Without this supplemental home energy assistance, it would be nearly impossible for many to make it through the long and cold winter. 

Regarding Head Start and all other Community Teamwork Early Care and Education Services, all programs continue to operate as usual. We provide essential services for over 1200 families with young children. These comprehensive services allow parents to contribute to the workforce, providing employers with the vital human resources needed to operate businesses and organizations countywide, while supporting children’s social, health, educational, and developmental growth. 

We recognize that such headlines may raise questions—especially for those who rely on Head Start and HEAP. Please know: there is currently no disruption to the services offered through Community Teamwork. Our team remains in close coordination with state and national partners, as well as our Congressional Delegation, and we are closely monitoring developments to ensure that any potential impacts are communicated quickly and clearly.

Since our founding, Community Teamwork has stood as a trusted resource for nearly six decades. We have weathered change before—and we will continue to move forward with transparency, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to the assist households and individuals in our community.

We are here for you. We stand with you. And we will continue to advocate, adapt, and fulfill our mission to be a Catalyst for Change to support self-determination and strengthen our communities.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly.

Sincerely,  Community Teamwork

About Community Teamwork

Established in 1965, Community Teamwork is a non-profit Community Action Agency (CAA) serving more than 55,000 individuals and families in the City of Lowell and the seven surrounding towns of Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, and Westford. Community Teamwork also serves as a Community Development Corporation and as the Regional Housing Agency for the Merrimack Valley and the rest of the Northeastern Massachusetts, including 72 cities and towns inclusive of the North Shore and Cape Ann. Community Teamwork is a catalyst for social change. We strengthen communities and reduce poverty by delivering vital services and collaborating with key stakeholders to create housing, education and economic opportunities. Our vision is a community whose institutions, systems, and people support everyone’s opportunity to thrive.

These posts are from the great organizations around Tewksbury that provide updates to the Carnation.

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