Left In Lowell

Do you want to get involved?

by Mimi at 10:29 am.

In Lowell civic life, that is. If the answer is yes, here is your chance. The City is seeking volunteers for the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). The committee is responsible for reviewing grant applications and recommending funding allocations to the City Manager for the HUD programs, CDBG (Community Development Black Gran), HOME, and ESG (Emergency Shelter Grant). The City is also seeking volunteers for another Citizens Advisory Committee. This one reviews grant applications and recommends funding allocations to the City Manager for the HOPWA Program.

The HUD program grants are “distributed annually through a competitive proposal process. CAC members review written grant applications, hear testimony from applicants at a public hearing, and meet during the winter months to formulate a recommended plan for awarding grants.”

And the HOPWA grant program is “designated to serve persons throughout Middlesex County who are living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Funds are distributed annually through a competitive proposal process to non-profits countywide whose programs serve this population. “

The CDBG/HOME/ESG CAC not only reviews the applications but listens to each applicant make a public presentation. In the past, I have attended a few of these marathon sessions and the CAC and the DPD should be commended for their efforts. Most of the non-profit organizations in this City present a proposal and because these past few years, funding has been cut back or eliminated in some cases, I would think next year’s process will be extremely competitive.

Here is the link to the current roster of the two CACs. I see that there will be at least one available position. City Council-elect Frankie Descoteaux will have to resign from the CAC since it is the City Council that has the final approval of the disbursement of these funds.

[Filed under Local politics, Citizen Governance, Volunteering] [link]

One Response to “Do you want to get involved?”

Jack Mitchell Says:
November 16th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Another way to get involved.

Organizing For America - Greater Lowell is a community service based volunteer group that is actively engaged in a variety of important projects. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

The events described below could use your assistance. We have organizers in place that can help you join right in. For details or any questions regarding these events or OFA- Greater Lowell, please contact me, Jack Mitchell, at ofama.greaterlowell@gmail.com

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*Lowell Transitional Living Center* - We provide and serve a monthly spaghetti & meatball dinner for the LTLC on the 4th Monday of every month. Our next dinner is on Nov.23rd from 5-7. We could use several food donations of dry spaghetti, meatballs, red sauce, garlic bread or garden salad. If you can help, please contact OFA-GL at ofama.greaterlowell@gmail.com

Also, anyone interested in volunteering on Thanksgiving to serve a special meal at the Center should visit the LTLC website: http://ltlc.org/
Or contact then here:
Lowell Transitional Living Center
205 - 209 Middlesex St.
Lowell, MA 01852
978.458.9888

——————————————————————
*The Lowell WISH Project-Sorting Clothes* We will be sorting the winter clothes on Monday, December 14th. We will be sorting clothes/donated items on a regular basis once a month on the 2nd Monday of the month evenings and on some selected Saturday mornings. Please contact OFA-GL at ofama.greaterlowell@gmail.com to help with this effort.

**The Lowell WISH Project Collection ** The Lowell WISH Project is collecting used and clean blankets and coats - and new hats, coats, mittens, and gloves for families in need. Items can now be brought directly to The WISH Project, website: http://lowellwishproject.org

The Lowell WISH Project
1 A Foundry Street
Lowell, MA 01852
978-441-WISH (9474)

——————————————————————
*Women’s Financial Counseling Project* - Members of OFA-GL are working to provide financial counseling to lower-income women in the Lowell area. They would like to find volunteers willing to participate in a focus group to discuss some of the specifics of the project and/or to be counselors for this project. Please contact OFA-GL at ofama.greaterlowell@gmail.com

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November 15, 2009

Do you want to get involved?

One Response to “Do you want to get involved?”

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