www.CommunityActionInc.org

“Opening Doors to Economic Opportunity”

Community Action, Inc. 3 Washington Sq., Haverhill, MA 01830

t. (978) 373-1971 - f. (978) 373-8966CAI NewsletterJanuary/February 2016

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NEWS BULLETIN: THANK YOU!

We would like to thank all of our staff, supporters, donors and volunteers for their contributions in 2015. Without the support of concerned community members like you, we could not continue to serve our neighbors in need and open doors to economic opportunity and further the goals of CAI’s mission.

WIC HAS MOVED!!

Our Northern Essex WIC Haverhill office is now located at 10 Phoenix Row (please use the side entrance and take the elevator or stairs to the 3rd floor). Please call 978-374-2191 if you need to schedule an appointment, need direc-tions or have any other questions. We look forward to showing you our brand new space!!

ADULT LEARNING CENTER HAS MOVED

The CAI Adult Learning Center in Haverhill has moved. Class registrations and information sessions will now be held at 3 Washington Sq. third floor.

2016 TAX FILING DEADLINE

CAI’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) would like to let you know that in 2016 the tax filing deadline will be Tuesday, April 19 for taxpayers in Massachusetts. VITA offers income tax filing assistance to individ-uals who quality, January–April. Learn more at: www.communityactioninc.org/programs/tax-assistance.

MASS HEALTH AND HEALTH CONNECTOR ASSISTANCE CONTINUES

In partnership with the Greater Lawrence Community Action Counci l (GLCAC), MassHealth and Health Connector intake will continue in January. Assistance will be avail-able on the following dates: Jan. 4th and Jan. 18th. Appointments are held at Community Action, Inc., 3 Washington Sq. in Haverhill, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. If you or someone you know could use this assistance, please make an appointment with GLCAC at (978) 620-4784.

Haverhill Drop-In Center Awarded Nutrition GrantThe Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) recently awarded Community Action, Inc. a $2,000 grant from the Merrimack Valley General Fund. Community Action will use the grant funds to provide healthy, nutritious meals for the guests at the agen-cy’s Drop-In Center.CAI Executive Director John Cuneo said the Drop-in Center offers a safe haven for adults in the Greater Haverhill area who live on the streets, in emergency overnight shelter and in overcrowded, unsafe living environments. “The DIC is a place where guests are protected from the elements and receive a nutritious meal, free clothing, basic medical services, compan-ionship, hope and support.” The Merrimack Valley General Fund (MVGF) was established when the Merrimack Valley Community Foundation merged with ECCF in 2004. The MVGF funds programs serving the community in the areas of arts and culture, education, social and community services, and youth service. The mission of the Essex County Community Foundation is to promote local philanthropy to strengthen the nonprofit organizations of Essex

County. ECCF is a catalyst for philanthropy, manager of charitable funds for both donors and nonprofits, a grant maker, teacher and advisor to nonprofits and their boards and a bridge between donors and organizations matching those who want to give with those in need. Learn more at www.eccf.org.Community Action, Inc. is the largest anti-poverty agency in the Lower Merrimack Valley, providing assistance to families and individuals in the Greater Haverhill and Newburyport Seacoast areas. To learn more about Community Action, please visit www.communityactioninc.org.

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A big thank you for a wonderful evening, commemorating CAI’s 50th Anniversary on November 12, 2015! Congratulations to Kalister Green Byrd, CAI Lifetime Achievement Award winner and a founding board member of the original Community Action, Inc. Board of Directors in 1965.

Thank You & Congratulations to Founding Board Member, Kalister Green Byrd!

Meet CAI Board Member, Claire KoffmanCAI would like you to meet, Claire Koffman, a member of Community Action, Inc.’s all volunteer twenty-one (21) member Board of Directors.

Q Tell me about your family? A I live in Haverhill and have been married to Jay

for 28 years. Together we have 3 boys; Calvin is 24 and is in the U.S. Navy, in California as a Corpsman (medical) with the Marines; Maxwell is 21 years and is also in the U.S. Navy, North Carolina as a Corpsman with the Marines, and Zachary is 15 attending Haverhill High School.

Q What are your hobbies and interests? A I am a big fan of my children’s sporting events.

All three of the boys were competitive swimmers. I spend most of my free time attending swim meets, whether it’s club or high school or simply driving to and from swim practice. Chlorine is the air fresher in my car! At some point in the future I would really like to take up golf lessons; I am not very good but do enjoy playing that one outing a year.

Q Are you involved in other community activities in addition to the CAI Board?

A I am a member on the Haverhill High School Parent Booster’s for the Boy’s Swim and Dive Team.

Q Who do you represent on the CAI Board and why did you want to serve on the board?

A I represent the business sector for Pentucket Bank and became aware of an open position on the board. I wanted to help make a difference by serving on a Board to help those less fortunate than myself. CAI was a great fit for me. CAI’s commitment to valuable training programs that help improve families’ lives is incredibly reward-ing and I am proud to be part of that.

Q How long have you been a board member and what committee do you serve on?

A I have served as a board member for 2 1/2 years and I serve on the Personnel Committee.

Q What goals do you have for CAI programs and services?

A I would like to see CAI continue to think out-side the box to identify new areas of training and education assistance. Education is a key to an individual’s self-esteem. By providing the needed assistance and training programs, CAI will continue to help raise individuals and fami-lies out of poverty.

Q Where would you like to see CAI in 5 years?

A I expect that with the dedicated staff and strong leadership, CAI will continue to thrive and pro-vide valuable assistance to those in need.

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CAI News - January/February 2016

www.communityactioninc.org

NEWS BULLETIN:CAI STAFF RECOGNITIONThe following CAI employees were recognized on December 18th for their combined 300 years of dedicated service to CAI’s mission of helping low income individuals and families. 25 Years of Service: Martha Jean; 20 Years of Service: Thomas Joy, Catherine Johnston, Joy Smith, Evon Tudisco;15 Years of Service: Susan Perrault, Jeanne Santos; 10 Years of Service: Katty Laureano, Lauren Alexa, Adriana Leo, Elizabeth Coz, Petra Ramos, Jill Sullivan, Kirsten Dumaresq; 5 Years of Service: Roberto Prieto, Sharon Smith, Katrina Heisler, Sheldon Tracey, Angela Emo, Milissa Duncan, Gladys Melendez, Lorraine Dorsey, Luz Andino Falu, Shana Bonfiglio, Donna Connor, Colleen Forrest, Lynah Gangi, Sarah Dorsey, Zakia Iandolo“Thank you to all CAI employees for your hard work this past year”– John Cuneo, CAI Executive Director

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CAI Offers Free Tax PreparationCAI will again offer free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) for area residents who need help preparing their 2015 federal and/or state tax returns. Evening and Saturday appointments will be available through April 16th. VITA will be available in Haverhill on Tues. and Wed. evenings and Sat. mornings at 3 Washington Sq. 1st floor. IRS certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. Appointments are required. The VITA tax preparation service is available to low to moderate income earn-ers. For more information or to set up an appoint-ment, please call 978-373-1971 or visit our website https://www.communityactioninc.org/programs/tax-assistance .CAI is also anticipating offering Virtual VITA, which will be a drop off program to assist tax payers during

periods of excessive demand. More information to follow.

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT? People who generally earn $54,000 or less from wages, self-employment, or farming last year, may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit - or EITC. EITC eligibility is based on several factors, including the amount of earned and other types of income, or combined income if married and whether you have one or more qualifying children. Workers without children may also qualify.

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25 and 20 Years of Service

10 Years of Service

5 Years of Service

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CAI News - January/February 2016

Family and Community Connection 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.

• Infant/Toddler Play - Tuesdays, January 5-26 and February 2-23, 9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.

• Kindergarten Ready - Mondays & Wednesdays, January 4, 6, 11, 13, 20, 25 and 27 and February 1, 3, 8, 10, 17, 22, 24 and 29, 9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

• Messy Mondays! – Monday, January 25th and February 22nd, 1–2 p.m.

• STEAM - Thursdays, January 7-28 and February 4–25, 1–2 p.m.

• Children’s Story Time and Activity - January 11th and February 8th, 1–2 p.m.

• Gym Time - Fridays, January 8-29 and February 5-26, 1–2 p.m., at the Haverhill YMCA, 81 Winter St. Haverhill, MA.

• Music Rocks - Tuesdays, January 5, 12, 19, & 26 & February 2, 9, 16 & 23 in Newburyport 9–10 a.m. and Haverhill 11 a.m.–12 p.m. Newuryport location is at the Brown School Youth Center, 40 Milk St. in Newburyport.

• Georgetown Peabody Library - January 22nd ~ Magical Math, 1–2 p.m. and February 26th ~ Planets, 1–2 p.m. Georgetown Peabody Library 2 Maple St, Georgetown, MA.

• Groveland Langley Adams Library - January 21st ~ Magical Math 10:15–11:15 a.m. and February 25th ~ Planets 10:15–11:15 a.m. Langley Adams Library 185 Main Street Groveland, MA 01834

• West Newbury G.A.R. Memorial Library - January 29th ~ Magical Math 10:30-11:30 a.m. and February 26th ~ Planets 10:30-11:30 a.m. G.A.R. Memorial Library, 490 Main St., W. Newbury, MA

Please visit our website calendar for more details about these activities. www.communityactioninc.org/resources/

calendar

Family and Community Connection 364 Broadway, Haverhill, MA 01832

(978) 914-7893 …

CAI Adult Learning CenterESOL REGISTRATION & PLACEMENT TESTING

Registration and Placement Testing for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Classes will be held on Tuesday, January 26th, 2016 at 10 a.m. Applicants must pre-register with the Advisor and arrive on time, please call Eva Balogh, (978) 373-1971 ext 264. to register. **Please note:** The CAI Adult Learning Center in Haverhill has moved. Class registrations and information sessions will now be held at 3 Washington Sq. third floor.

First Time Home Buyer Training OfferedThe CAI First Time Homebuyer Training Program will offer first time home-buyer education classes for area residents beginning Thursday, Jan. 14 from 6 to 9 pm in the Presidential Gardens Community Room, 140 Evergreen Drive, Bradford. The dates for the course are Thursday, Jan. 14, Tuesday, Jan. 19 and Wednesday, Jan. 20. The cost is $60 per household. There are no income requirements to take the training. Participants receive: Comprehensive information offered by housing professionals including bank lenders, buyer/seller real estate brokers, hous-ing attorneys, insurance agents home inspectors and credit counselors; Individual household mortgage pre-qualification; Information regarding foreclosure sales; Information regarding area affordable housing lotteries and services of a buyer broker; Information about down payment assistance programs and reduced interest loans.AMassachusettsHomeownershipCollaborativeapprovedcertificateis awarded after completion of the three-night course. The program is also approved by MassHousing. For more information contact Richard Lynch at 978-373-1971 or Susan Collins at 978-317-8998.

ESOL Student, Yadira Jiminez Esmeralda, Earns Employee of MonthYadira Jimenez Esmeralda is a successful student in the CAI level 3 ESOL class, who recently was named the employee of the month by her employer.According to her teacher, Marnie Ketcham, “Yadira has been at Community Action, ESOL program since September, 2014. Her quick sense of humor and good business sense have likely contributed to her winning the award at the hotel where she works.” Yadira was born in the Dominican Republic and came to the US to pursue her goal and find good education for her children. She has two sons 12 and 7 years old. She studied business for two years in her former country and

currently manages the house-keeping department at Hampton Inn.

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Administration 3 Washington Square, 4th Fl. Haverhill, MA 01830 978-373-1971

Adult Education & Training 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 Sys-tem Assistance, Weatherization 3 Washington Square, 1st Fl. Haverhill, MA 01830 978-373-1971

Family & Community Connection Resources, activities and play-groups 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

Head Start / Early Head Start Preschool program for children 0-5 Administration, CAI Fox Center 75 Elm St. Haverhill, MA 01830 (978) 372-5052

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

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.

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.

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, ChairpersonPatricia Gleason, Vice-ChairpersonHarry Korslund, TreasurerNancy Doyle, Clerk/SecretaryHarold Lloyd, Assistant Clerk/Secretary

Current Board MembersDonna Ducharme, Nancy Earls, Helene Fowler, Reggie King, Claire Koffman, Roger LeMire, Sr., Mary Ellen McEvoy-Lawlor, Michael Nesson, Richard Pettengill, Ricky Pinciaro, Mary Ratkevicius, Samuel Sasso and Stephanie Welch.

Executive DirectorJohn Cuneo

Newsletter Writers and Editors:Richard Lynch and Katrina Heisler

Visit us on the web: www.CommunityActionInc.org

Thank You for Supporting CAI Amesbury Center During the Holiday SeasonCAI Amesbury Center Director, Dianne Halloran, extends a heart-felt thank you to the Amesbury Cub Scouts Pack 4 for their hard work and generosity putting together Thanksgiving baskets for residents this past November and Michael’s Harborside in Newburyport for their generous Thanksgiving basket donation. Ms. Hallloran would also like to thank area residents for their support during the Amesbury Holiday Parade on December 5, with a special thank you to volunteer Lisa Halloran for march-ing with CAI this year.

Pictured above center: Dianne Halloran, CAI Amesbury Center Director, at the

Amesbury Holiday Parade