Greater Lowell Community Foundation establishes Moody Street Relief Fund

Lowell, MA – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation announced the creation of the Moody Street Flood Relief Fund, established to support residents displaced by the water main break that occurred on in Lowell, Monday, Nov. 28 in The Acre neighborhood. A major water main burst spewing thousands of gallons of water into several neighborhood streets, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of elderly and disabled residents from the Lowell Housing Authority City View Towers and several surrounding homes.

“As we have done for the past 25 years, GLCF supports our neighbors. In this case, our neighbors who were displaced by the water main break in The Acre,” says Jay Linnehan, GLCF president and CEO. “We are grateful and fortunate that so many stepped up and contributed to the fund to help those in need.”

To donate to the Greater Lowell Community Foundation’s Moody Street Flood Relief Fund, visit: https://glcfoundation.info/3Fkg0rs

To learn more about how to access the fund, contact Lowell Housing Authority at 978-364-5311.

About Greater Lowell Community Foundation
Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 400 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of more than $55 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $35 million to the Greater Lowell community. 

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Dignity Matters Expands Access to Period Products in Greater Lowell 

By Kathy Register

GLCF’s Jennifer Aradhya with Dignity Matters’ Maureen Winkler Belger, Foundation Relations Officer and Meryl Glassman, Director of Development

It’s a formerly taboo subject that is getting some of the community awareness needed: period poverty.

Many economically disadvantaged women and girls in Massachusetts receive no assistance when it comes to accessing the menstrual products they need every month.

Not covered by federal food-stamp programs, these expensive products are a regular necessity that can cripple low-income family budgets. Consequently, many women and girls often do without and just stay home during their periods – which impacts their ability to attend school or hold down a job.

However, Dignity Matters — with support from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) — has stepped up to help women “manage their whole periods with dignity.”

Each month, 15,000 women in Massachusetts receive period products through Dignity Matters, explained Meryl Glassman, Development. Director. “We are the largest provider of menstrual care products in the state.”

The Framingham-based nonprofit is also educating the public about this under-recognized issue. “We tell people all the time, ‘Look, we don’t talk about menstrual periods. And we don’t talk about what can go wrong with periods. And that’s why so few people are aware that period poverty is happening here in Massachusetts,’ ” said Glassman.

“But more and more people are starting to realize this is an area of great need for women. And the financial impact of the pandemic and rising costs have only made it worse.”

“Families struggling with food insecurity in our community rarely have enough money to keep their households fully fed, much less to purchase period care supplies,” added Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs & Strategy.

“The Foundation wants to create awareness that period poverty does exist, and we are working to fund this important need in Greater Lowell.” 

Studies show that one in four teens are missing school because of period poverty, according to Glassman. “If girls get their periods and have no access to menstrual care products, they often  stay home from school three or four days each month – month after month. That makes it difficult for them to advance in school and eventually graduate.

“We also know that one in three women who work in low-wage jobs miss work due to period poverty. When they miss work, they don’t get paid. And if they miss too much work, they can lose their jobs.”

Dignity Matters currently serves women in Eastern Massachusetts and is one of a growing number of nonprofits around the nation dedicated to helping women-in-need. It provides menstrual products to schools, shelters and food pantries, including many in Greater Lowell. These community partners then distribute pads and tampons to their clients.

One of Dignity Matters’ most successful school partnerships is with Catie’s Closet, a Dracut-based nonprofit that provides clothing, toiletries and other basic essentials to low-income students.

Catie’s Closet sets up free “stores” in schools, where students can “shop” for any items they need to attend class with confidence, explained Mickey Cockrell, Catie’s Closet CEO and co-founder.

“We only build Closets in schools where 50 percent of students are below the poverty level,” she said. “We have grown to 117 locations, in 11 school districts in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and now serve 78,000 children a year.”

Lowell-area girls and teens have access to free menstrual products in Catie’s Closets, courtesy of Dignity Matters, through a GLCF-funded grant, titled Dignity in Lowell Schools.

 “We have Closets in all the Lowell schools: elementary, middle and high schools,” said Cockrell. “And thanks to Dignity Matters, we now offer period products in all of them.  

“Period poverty is a big deal,” she added. “These products are expensive, so students don’t buy them – which means they stay home from school when they have their periods. How can they graduate if they don’t go to school?”

Another Dignity Matters community partner is the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell, which serves kids ages 8 to 18. Approximately 80 teens and girls receive free period products each month through Dignity Matters, estimated Shirley Pimentel, Youth Development Director at the Club.

“A  lot of our families are low income and struggle with general food insecurity,” said Pimentel. “So it only follows that they may need help with providing hygiene products, from soap and shampoo, to period products.”

And while the Boys & Girls Club prioritizes its girls, the organization also distributes menstrual care products from Dignity Matters to members’ families. “Whenever we have a special family event, we always set up Resource Stations and put out pads and shampoos so parents can pick them up,” she explained.

“It’s great that Dignity Matters allows us to supply these products,” said Pimentel. “Our girls are so thankful – and we get good feedback from our families, too.”

Dignity Matters distributes period products to women of all ages through the Wish Project, a nonprofit that helps families in need establish long-term residency. “We supply everything from clothing, furniture, hygiene products, cleaning products, diapers and baby wipes, and menstrual products,” explained Tina DiNino, Volunteer & Social Media Manager at the Wish Project.

Based in North Chelmsford, the Wish Project serves Greater Lowell, Lawrence and the wider Merrimack Valley. “We assist anyone in our community that has a need,” said DiNino. “There is no need for proof of income or proof of services. We just require clients to bring a photo ID to receive these items.”

And community need is growing, added DiNino. “When our fiscal year ended in June, the number of clients we provided clothing to was four times higher than the previous year. And the number of diapers we distributed was eight times higher, compared to the pre-COVID years.”

The Wish Project is also distributing more and more menstrual products, she said. “We now provide period products for almost 250 women each month. About a year ago, that number was 100 women per month.

“We are so thankful for our partnership with Dignity Matters,” said DiNino. “It has made a huge impact on our clients.”

To learn more about GLCF’s work, visit: www.glcfoundation.org.

About Greater Lowell Community Foundation –Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 400 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of more than $55 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $35 million to the Greater Lowell community.

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GLCF Annual Celebrate Giving Event Highlights the Power of Philanthropy with Awards and Panel

LOWELL, MA (Nov. 3, 2022) – On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation hosted its annual Celebrate Giving event at UTEC.

The event featured panelists: Nancy Huntington Stager, President & Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Bank Foundation; Sophy Theam, Trustee of the Theodore Edson Parker Foundation and DEI and Leadership Program Specialist at Enterprise Bank; John Flanagan, Senior Director, Westford Corporate Citizenship for Red Hat; and Siddhi Shah Cheong, Head of Strategy Development, MilliporeSigma and representing the Shruti N. Shah Memorial Scholarship Fund. The panel moderated by GLCF’s president and CEO Jay Linnehan, discussed creating change in the community, the transformational effect of giving time, talent, and treasure, and the future of philanthropy.

WinnCompanies. a proven housing partner in the greater Lowell community, received the 2022 GLCF Business Philanthropy Partner Award for their exemplary work collaborating with people during the pandemic to help keep them in their homes, treating them with respect and dignity. Lawrence H. Curtis, the President and Managing Partner of WinnDevelopment and member of the Board of Directors of WinnCompanies accepted the award.

The 2022 Steven Joncas Community Connector Award recipient was Bopha Malone, Interim Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell. The award recognizes an individual or organization in our community that has advanced the power of philanthropy in Greater Lowell. Malone’s dedication to serving local nonprofits was highlighted with this award.

This year, the inaugural GLCF Newell Flather Legacy Fund Grant was awarded to Coalition for a Better Acre (CBA) for Health Access Programming in Lowell. The Newell Flather Legacy Fund was established by the Theodore Edson Parker Foundation in 2022 at GLCF to support nonprofit projects focused on the arts, immigrant, and refugee communities, and/or advancing equity and inclusion in the city of Lowell. CBA received a grant of $12,500 for their program.

To learn more about the Greater Lowell Community Foundation visit www.glcfoundation.org.

About Greater Lowell Community Foundation
Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 400 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of more than $55 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $30 million to the Greater Lowell community. 

GLCF Celebrate Giving 2022 focused on the power of philanthropy in Greater Lowell with panelists (l-r) Moderator Jay Linnehan, GLCF president and CEO; Nancy Huntington Stager, President & Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Bank Foundation; Sophy Theam, Trustee of the Theodore Edson Parker Foundation and DEI and Leadership Program Specialist at Enterprise Bank; Siddhi Shah Cheong, Head of Strategy Development, MilliporeSigma and representing the Shruti N. Shah Memorial Scholarship Fund and John Flanagan, Senior Director, Westford Corporate Citizenship for Red Hat.
Coalition for a Better Acre (CBA) received the inaugural 2022 GLCF Newell Flather Legacy Fund Grant at GLCF Celebrate Giving 2022. From left to right, Karen Carpenter from the Parker Foundation, with CBA’s Yun-Ju Choi, Cecilia Gutierrez Yapur, and Ivana Dauwer with Jay Linnehan.
Lawrence H. Curtis, the president and managing partner of WinnDevelopment, with GLCF’s Jay Linnehan, received the 2022 GLCF Business Philanthropy Partner Award at GLCF’s Celebrate Giving event.
The 2022 Steven Joncas Community Connector Award recipient was Bopha Malone, center, Interim Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell with Steven Joncas and GLCF’s Jay Linnehan (l-r.)

Resettlement Fund Provides Critical Support to Afghan Refugees

By Kathy Register

With the GLCF grant funds, Marrama helped Afghan refugees work toward achieving three key milestones: learning English, earning a driver’s license, and finding a job. (l-r) Sediqulla Karimi, Zabiullah Karimi and Melissa Marrama from the Andover Islamic Center at the Registry of Motor Vehicles where they successfully received their driver’s licenses.

Melissa Marrama’s initial efforts to assist Afghan refugees started modestly. Last summer and fall, the Andover financial planner rallied members of area mosques to collect household items for Afghani families newly housed in Lowell-area hotels. 

Now, thanks to grants from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation’s Afghan Resettlement Fund, Marrama has developed a network of individuals, businesses and religious organizations throughout the Merrimack Valley focused on helping more than 400 local Afghan refugees adjust to life in the United States.

Working through the Andover Islamic Center, Marrama assists refugee families and individuals living in Greater Lowell locate permanent housing, enroll in schools, line up transportation, learn English, and find jobs.

“Our generous donors who gave to the GLCF Afghan Resettlement Fund provided area nonprofits with the critical support needed to help welcome and resettle our new Afghan neighbors,” said Jay Linnehan, GLCF’s President and CEO. “This grant funding complemented the work of local nonprofits and expanded our community’s capacity to meet the needs of Afghans who fled their homeland to come to the U.S. seeking safety.”

“I’m not a resettlement agency,” stressed Marrama. “I’m trying to build support systems for these Afghan families. My thing is, when I help them, I help them as a group.”

For 25 years, Marrama had done charity work by writing checks. “But during the COVID-19 pandemic, I started volunteering and encouraged others to volunteer,” she said.

In August 2021, Marrama got a call from Patricia Coffey, Director of Community Relations at UMass Lowell, asking if she could help collect household items for newly arriving Afghan refugees. “So, I put out calls for help to my own mosque and other mosques,” she explained. “I thought we’d just do it quietly.”

But a story about their efforts ran in a local newspaper and Marrama’s phone started  ringing. “We got calls from Jewish temples, Christian churches, local businesses and community organizations – they all wanted to help. I would post on Facebook that we needed 50 microwaves or 50 sets of sheets, and the items would just come in.”

At first, Marrama brought everything she collected to resettlement agencies for distribution. But once the refugees arrived in Lowell, she began making home visits and asking them directly what they needed. “I got very close to these families,” she said. “Now, I’m in close contact with 90 percent of them.”

The local refugees fall roughly into two distinct group, she explained. The first group consists of single men who worked with the U.S. military. The second group is made up of large families — married men who came over with wives and often six to eight children.

“Some of these men were military pilots, trained by U.S troops,” said Marrama. Others were military maintenance workers, journalists or medical workers, she added. They come from all over Afghanistan, from many different walks of life. And the vast majority don’t speak English.  

With the GLCF grant funds, Marrama helps the refugees work toward achieving three key  milestones: learning English, earning a driver’s license, and finding a job.

“The biggest challenge is learning English. In order to get a driver’s license, you have to be able to read road signs” she said. “I have airplane pilots who have never driven a car before!”

Marrama has helped many Afghans enroll in driving schools. Once they earn their licenses, they can better travel to and from work – and drive other refugees on the weekends. “I tell all the drivers we have assisted, ‘I will help you, but you need to help others by joining our network.’ ”

Through her local connections, Marrama has also generated a variety of other goods and services. “We work with companies like Timberland, which just gave us 86 pairs of boots for our  men working in factories,” she said. The Bike Connector, a Lowell nonprofit, has donated free bikes  — often the first means of transportation for these refugees, Marrama explained.

“And a number of local businesses have reached out to us with job offers,” she said. “Recently Vicor Corp. hired 25 Afghans to make chips for electric vehicles. Plus, we were able to provide technology to help Afghani pilots training to be pilots here in the U.S.,” Marrama said. And Staples and Leap Year Publishing have donated school supplies for the kids.

However, Marrama realized the youngest refugees needed special attention. “These kids have no sense of normalcy,” she said. “They have been uprooted from their country, lived for months in refugee camps around the U.S., then moved here. They’ve lost their sense of play and how to have fun.”

So, she connected with Leah Okimoto, founder of the Lowell-based nonprofit Aaron’s Presents,  who helped arrange playdates with the refugee children.

“Aaron’s Presents works with local students in grades 4-8 to give them the opportunity to do whatever they want to do — as long as it benefits somebody else,” explained Okimoto. Last winter and spring, middle-school volunteers from Lowell Community Charter Public School elected to arrange fun activities with the Afghan children, to make them feel welcome, she said.

The Lowell-based nonprofit Aaron’s Presents helped arrange playdates with the refugee children. Socialization opportunities funded by a recent GLCF Afghan Resettlement Fund grant.

“We were simply trying to bring an afternoon of joy and fun to these kids,” Okimoto said. “We did about 20 projects this past school year, mostly playdates with our middle-schoolers and the Afghan kids. And we’ll continue arranging them this fall.

“Because of the language barrier, we couldn’t have done it without Melissa,” added Okimoto. “She knows many of these families and made the initial introductions.” And both groups of children benefited.

“It has been so amazing to see how just playing transcends language,” she said. “At the beginning of these playdates, the kids might gather in a circle and pass a ball around in a park. Within minutes, they just start playing together.

“It’s really impactful for our middle-schoolers,” said Okimoto. “They are learning that ‘Yes, these children are from a different country, but they’re just like us. All they want to do is play and be happy and make friends.’ Kids just instantly get that through in-person experiences like this.”

To learn more about GLCF’s Afghan Resettlement Fund, visit: glcfoundation.org

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GLCF to Host Annual Celebrate Giving Event with Focus on the Power of Philanthropy

LOWELL, MA (September 14, 2022) – On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) will host its annual Celebrate Giving event in a hybrid format, with limited in-person tickets. The event will focus on the Power of Philanthropy.

This year’s event will feature a panel discussion moderated by GLCF president and CEO Jay Linnehan. Panelists will include Nancy Huntington Stager, President & Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Bank Foundation; Sophy Theam, Trustee of the Theodore Edson Parker Foundation and DEI and Leadership Program Specialist at Enterprise Bank; John Flanagan, Senior Director, Westford Corporate Citizenship for Red Hat; and Siddhi Shah Cheong, Head of Strategy Development, MilliporeSigma and representing the Shruti N. Shah Memorial Scholarship Fund. Highlighting their philanthropic support, panelists will engage in conversation about creating change in the community, the transformational effect of giving time, talent, and treasure, and the future of philanthropy.

The event will also include awarding three 2022 GLCF awards: Business Philanthropy Partner Award, Steven Joncas Community Connector Award, and the Inaugural GLCF Newell Flather Legacy Fund Grant Award.

“We believe that philanthropy is something everyone can and should engage in, as fundamentally, philanthropy is about civic engagement,” said Jay Linnehan, Greater Lowell Community Foundation President and CEO. “This year’s Celebrate Giving will provide an opportunity to showcase a broad range of philanthropists and hopefully inspire others in our community to get involved in this important work.”

Celebrate Giving reception will begin at 5:00 p.m. and the program will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are $100 for in-person, $25 for virtual and need to be reserved by October 25 online at www.glcfoundation.org. Sponsorships are available.

About Greater Lowell Community Foundation
Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 400 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of more than $55 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $25 million to the Greater Lowell community. 

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GLCF’s Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund awards six grants totaling $52,000

Lowell, Mass. – The Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund, a permanently endowed fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, has announced the recipients of $52,000 in grants. These grants will support local nonprofit programs that empower women and girls to effect positive change in the community.

Mission of Deeds received a $10,000 grant for their Furnishing Homes Program from the Women Working Wonders Fund. From left to right, GLCF Grants Coordinator Sharon Kim, Mission of Deeds Sharon Petersen with WWWF Trustee Carrie Meikle.

“Women Working Wonders is proud to support these six organizations in their work to improve the lives of women and girls in Greater Lowell,” said Marci Barnes, Women Working Wonders Fund board president. “This competitive grant process allows us to address significant community needs through collective philanthropy.” 

Recipients of the 2022 WWW grants: 

  • Alternative House – Juntas Crecemos (Support for Spanish-speaking survivors of domestic violence) $10,000
  • Center for Hope & Healing – Self Love and Wellness Program for Women $10,000
  • Megan House Foundation – Metamorphosis (to provide financial support to residents throughout their journey of recovery and transformation) $10,000
  • Mission of Deeds – Furnishing Homes $10,000
  • UMass Foundation – UMass Lowell’s River Hawk Scholars Academy- Rising Women Leaders & Affinity Group $10,000
  • Women Accelerators – Women Accelerators Peer Circles $2,000

Women Working Wonders provides annual grants in three key areas: assist women in transition, provide leadership development, and/or contribute to the beautification of the environment.

Founded in 2004 by a small group of women coming together to form a collective giving organization that focused on women’s issues, the fund has made more than $300,000 in grants to organizations supporting women and girls in the Greater Lowell area. 

One of the 2022 grant recipients, Mission of Deeds, received funding for their Furnishing Homes Program to provide women and children in Greater Lowell with the household items they need.

“Mission of Deeds is honored to have received a grant from the Women Working Wonders Fund,” said Sharon Petersen, Director of Grants, Mission of Deeds. “One of the biggest challenges for people moving from a shelter to permanent housing is the lack of beds, furniture, and basic kitchen items. We give our clients, free of charge, everything needed for a functional, livable home, and we are so grateful for the support from the Women Working Wonders Fund.”

The Women Working Wonders Fund’s Power of the Purse 2022 event, which raises funds to support the annual grants, is scheduled for October 20. For information about WWW Fund and the upcoming event, visit: www.womenworkingwondersfund.com.

About Greater Lowell Community Foundation

Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 390 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of more than $50 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $30 million to the Greater Lowell community. To learn more, visit: www.glcfoundation.org.

GLCF awards multi-year water resources grants

Merrimack River Watershed Council (MRWC) Board Member and water quality scientist Hamed Majidzadeh tests various water quality parameters on the Merrimack River. MWRC was one of three nonprofits that received multi-year grant funding for GLCF’s Water Resources Initiative Grant.

Lowell, MA – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) awarded $45,000 in grants to three local nonprofits for three-year $5,000/year GLCF Water Resources Initiative Grants. The GLCF Water Resources Initiative Grants for nonprofits that support water-resources projects, with a preference for organizations whose primary mission is to protect, improve and preserve the Sudbury-Assabet-Concord (SuAsCo) River, Merrimack River, or Nashua River watersheds.

“These multi-year grants fund incredible nonprofit organizations that protect our valuable area water resources. Water-related projects supported include biological conservation, habitat restoration, and clean-ups,” said GLCF President & CEO Jay Linnehan. “These grants are made possible from a 1998 grant from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust to GLCF. The Foundation was able to create an endowed fund to protect the water resources in Greater Lowell.”

Among the grantees was the Merrimack River Watershed Council, who received a grant to support their Clean Water for Greater Lowell Program. “Through a multi-year commitment from GLCF, the Merrimack River Watershed Council will continue to grow our capacity to fill gaps in water quality data, analysis, and solutions in Greater Lowell,” said Matthew Thorne, executive director of Merrimack River Watershed Council. “Although the Merrimack River, which provides public drinking water for the City of Lowell, is much cleaner than when we began our work in the 1970s, we have significant challenges with contamination issues that are as critical as ever to address.”

2022-24 Water Resources Initiative Grants

The following nonprofit organizations received three-year $5,000/year funding:

  • Merrimack River Watershed Council (Lawrence) for Clean Water for Greater Lowell Program
  • Nashua River Watershed Association, Inc. (Groton) for Citizen-Supported Water Quality Monitoring, and Expanded Bacteria Sampling
  • OARS, Inc. (Concord) for Tracking down pollution to restore clean water in the Sudbury-Assabet-Concord River Watershed

For more information on the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, visit www.glcfoundation.org. 

About Greater Lowell Community Foundation
Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 400 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of more than $55 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $25 million to the Greater Lowell community. 

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NETSCOUT Awards $15K in Community Grants with Greater Lowell Community Foundation

LOWELL, Mass. – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation, a philanthropic organization comprised of over 390 funds, currently totaling over $59 million, dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns, announced that NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC., (NASDAQ: NTCT), a leading provider of cybersecurity, service assurance, and business analytics solutions, has awarded its Heart of Giving community program’s $15,000 grant through the Greater Lowell Community Foundation to Hidden Battles, Challenge Unlimited and The Edinburg Center.

Hidden Battles Foundation received a recent $10,000 grant funding from NETSCOUT’s Heart of Giving community program. Hidden Battles presenters Chris Hurst and Michael Petterson at the pitch presentation at NETSCOUT in Westford.

Hidden Battles, of Lowell, who received the $10,000 grant works to preserve the healthy minds of veterans, firefighters, police officers and first responders who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder, job-related stress, traumatic brain injuries and the struggles of entering back into civilian life after discharge from the military. The organization offers treatment and counseling through confidential meetings among clients and interactive workshops.

The annual grant program builds relationships with nonprofit organizations and engages employees in learning about service opportunities in the communities of Greater Lowell. This year an additional $5,000 in grant funding was distributed to Challenge Unlimited in Andover and The Edinburg Center in Bedford.

“Connecting philanthropic businesses and individuals to the needs of their communities is at the heart of GLCF’s work. We are proud to be in the 8th year of the NETSCOUT Heart of Giving Community Grant at the Greater Lowell Community Foundation,” said Jay Linnehan, president and CEO, Greater Lowell Community Foundation. “We are grateful for NETSCOUT’s continued commitment to supporting local nonprofits and addressing needs in our community.”

“Through this unique program with GLCF, we can provide financial support to local organizations while empowering our employees to participate in the philanthropic process and build strong relationships in the community through volunteer service,” said Michael Szabados, chief operating officer at NETSCOUT. “With the prolonged impact of COVID-19 taking a huge toll on mental health, especially for caregivers and care providers, we are pleased to support the important work of all three organizations through these grants.”

“Hidden Battles Foundation would like to thank NETSCOUT for awarding us this grant that will facilitate quality, activity driven, mental health programs to veterans, first responders, nurses, and their families. We would also like to recognize GLCF for their hard work and assistance during the grant process,” said Scott Hyder Hidden Battles President and Founder. “The program funded will be focused on post-COVID PTSD and family reconnection activities based on a three-tier mental health model: individual, couple and family.”

About Greater Lowell Community Foundation

Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 400 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of more than $55 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $25 million to the Greater Lowell community. 

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Greater Lowell Community Foundation Elects New Member to Board of Directors

Cherrice Lattimore

Lowell, MA – At the Greater Lowell Community Foundation Annual Board Meeting on June 2, the Board of Directors unanimously approved the election of Cherrice Lattimore to the Board.

Cherrice Lattimore, of Chelmsford, Mass., is a mentor, advocate, mother, philanthropist, and businesswoman. For over 40 years, she has been a trailblazer in the sales industry and a leader in Greater Lowell.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Cherrice began her career with Kellogg Company. In 1988, she relocated to Chelmsford, Massachusetts to work for Merck Pharmaceutical Company. Cherrice was awarded Merck’s 2021 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award and is a four-time winner of Merck’s Vice President’s Club. She was inducted into Merck’s Hall of Fame in 2012, voted District’s Most Valuable Player Award 14-times by her peers in 2011 and 2010, and has the Northeast Vaccine Region Award.

“I am very pleased to welcome Cherrice Lattimore as the newest member of our Board,” said GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan. “Her commitment to equity, justice, and community support is an asset for GLCF and we look forward to working with her to further our mission.”

“I am so excited about joining the GLCF Board. I have been very intentional about making sure what I commit to aligns with my core values and deeper sense of purpose,” said Cherrice Lattimore. “GLCF’s mission and goals fall right into the many things I am eager to do in Greater Lowell. I am so ready to get started.”

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Greater Lowell Community Foundation awards record $300K in community grants to local nonprofits 

From l – r: 1. Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell girls. Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell received a recent grant to fund a social emotional learning (SEL) program. SEL elements are woven into program content, facilitation, practices and nurtured through positive relationships with peers and mentors. 2. A newly seeded tray of cucumbers (“cucumbers” are written on the markers in Khmer) in Mill City’s greenhouse (the UMASS Lowell Rist Urban Agriculture Greenhouse). The crops are being grown by a local Cambodian American farmer, as part of our Merrimack Valley Growers’ Aid program. A GLCF grant will fund a Lowell Food Policy Council, a community-led group that will help to shape and advocate for equitable food access for all. 3. Mission of Deeds, a 2022 Discretionary Grant recipient, to support their Greater Lowell Beds for Kids program. Mission of Deeds executive director Bruce Murison and Sharon Petersen, director of grants; David Berube, logistics coordinator; and Brian Quinn, client service manager, get twin beds ready for children.

Lowell, MA – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) awarded $300,000 in grants to 34 local nonprofits within a framework of Children’s Services, Elder Services, Racial Equity and Inclusion, as well as Nashoba Valley Healthcare initiatives. The focus areas collectively work toward creating a better quality of life for Greater Lowell residents and supporting local nonprofits.

These grant awards are part of a competitive grant process in which nonprofit organizations apply for funds, and an independent committee reviews the proposals and selects awardees. The GLCF Discretionary Grants and Nashoba Valley Healthcare Fund are two of several competitive grant programs offered through GLCF each year. 

“As we honor our 25 years of improving the quality of life in the Greater Lowell region, GLCF awarded a record amount of grants to support the important work of our local nonprofits,” said GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan. “These grants were made possible by the generous contributions from our community. Through these donations and strategic investments, GLCF can provide the critical support for our community.”

Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell received a Children’s Services Grant to support their Strong, Smart, Bold Girls program.“Developing girls’ social and emotional skills is an integral part of the Girls Inc. experience,” shared Ashley Filipp, Executive Director, Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell. “The ‘Strong, Smart, Bold Girls’ is helping prepare girls to navigate challenges and opportunities they are facing through adverse societal influences.”

Mission of Deeds received a grant to purchase beds for kids in need. “When Mission of Deeds was founded in 1993, one of the major objectives of our founder, Tony Triglione, was to give beds, without charge, for children in need,” said Bruce Murison, executive director, Mission of Deeds. “Many of our first client families were in Lowell. It is heartwarming that this generous GLCF grant allows us to continue the same work in our thirtieth year as we did in our first. Mission of Deeds, and our clients, are grateful to the Foundation and its supporters.”

“With the help of the GLCF’s Discretionary Grant, Mill City Grows is thrilled to spearhead Lowell’s first Food Policy Council, a community-led group that will help shape and advocate for equitable food access for all,” said Jessica Wilson, Executive Director, Mill City Grows. “These funds will help us provide stipends for participants, support for childcare, transportation, and technology – items that are integral to ensuring equitable access to participation in the Council.” 

2022 Discretionary and Nashoba Valley Healthcare Grants


Children’s Services Grants

  • $7,500 for Adolescent Consultation Services’ Direct Mental Health Services for Court-Involved Children in Greater Lowell
  • $7,500 for Clarendon Early Education Services, Inc.: Comfort Kits For Foster Kids
  • $7,500 for Dignity Matters’ Dignity in Lowell Schools
  • $7,500 for Discovery Museum’s Especially for Me
  • $7,500 for Girls Incorporated of Greater Lowell, Inc.: Strong, Smart, Bold Girls
  • $6,250 for Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless: A Bed for Every Child
  • $7,500 for Mission of Deeds, Inc.: Beds for Kids
  • $7,500 for Seven Hills Extended Care at Groton: Seven Hills Pediatric Center Assistive Technologies Strengthening Supports for Children with Significant Challenges
  • $7,500 for Wish Project’s Basic Needs for Children

Leclair Elder Services: 

  • $7,000 for Challenge Unlimited’s Touch Therapy
  • $7,000 for Clear Path for Veterans New England’s Neuro Fit Brain Retrain Supporting Older Veterans in Greater Lowell
  • $7,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell’s Seniors aging successfully at home
  • $7,000 for Open Pantry of Greater Lowell’s Food Pantry
  • $6,000 for Power of Flowers’ Project Special Delivery
  • $7,000 for Virginia Thurston Healing Garden’s Addressing Transportation Barriers to Cancer Care for Elderly Greater Lowell Patients

Racial Equity and Inclusion Grants: 

  • $15,000 for Free Soil Arts Collective’s Cookie Referendum by Raysam Donkoh-Halm
  • $15,000 for Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership’s Expanding Down Payment Assistance to improve equity in homeownership opportunities in Greater Lowell
  • $10,000 for Project LEARN’s Students Making Change
  • $15,000 for Coalition for a Better Acre’s Youth-led DEI Training
  • $15,000 for Mill City Grows’ Lowell Food Policy Council
  • $15,000 for The Center for Hope and Healing’s Supporting Wellness of Young Black Women
  • $15,000 for Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell’s Advancement of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy
  • $5,000 for Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s Amplifying Voices of Khmer Theatre Artists and Serving Lowell’s Khmer Community

Nashoba Valley Healthcare Fund Grants:

  • $5,000 for Gaining Ground’s Farm Fresh Food for Nashoba Valley Residents
  • $10,000 for Clear Path for Veterans New England’s Neuro Fit/Brain Retrain Neural Mapping, an Integrated Health, and Wellness Program for Veterans
  • $5,500 for Alternative House, Inc.’s Police Partnership Expansion
  • $16,000 for Our Father’s House – Ensuring Health Wellness in Homeless Children
  • $7,500 for Doctor Franklin Perkins School’s RFK Community Alliance Behavioral Health Services in Nashoba Valley
  • $10,000 for Virginia Thurston Healing Garden’s Expanded Psychosocial Cancer Support Services for Nashoba Valley Residents
  • $5,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell’s Critical home repairs for seniors
  • $9,750 for Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging’s Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Mental Health, and Culturally Competent Meals Initiative 
  • $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity North Central Mass’ Critical Home Repair Program Supporting Economically Distressed Families from Nashoba Valley
  • $7,000 for Kids in Disability Sports’ Membership drive
  • $2,000 for Able To Serve-New England’s Hope for Women with Young Children    

For more information on the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, visit www.glcfoundation.org. 

About Greater Lowell Community Foundation
Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 390 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of more than $55 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $25 million to the Greater Lowell community. 

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