Month: September 2019

Each year the proceeds of Lowell’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner benefit a community organization that works with city youth.

This year’s beneficiary was the Lowell Community Health Center’s Teen BLOCK (Building Leadership Opportunities in the Community), a variety of programs founded in 1988 that provide education, support and leadership opportunities to young people in the community.

On Friday morning, State Sen. Ed Kennedy and City Manager Eileen Donoghue, the co-hosts of the dinner, presented a $12,000 check to Lowell Community Health Center staff and leaders in the Mayor’s reception Room at Lowell City Hall. 

“The way to create the next generation of leaders is to guide and empower the youth of the city,” said Kennedy. “Teen BLOCK has done an exemplary job of doing that, as well as providing much needed support, a sense of belonging, and mentorship for young people in the city. I am very proud that we were able to provide this donation to help them to continue this important work.”

Donoghue, who has watched Teen BLOCK evolve over the years during her time as a city councilor. Mayor, state senator, and now city manager, expressed gratitude for the work the program has done and continues doing in Lowell.

“Teen BLOCK has continually responded to a critical area of need in our city by connecting young people with mentorship opportunities and other valuable resources that help them succeed in all aspects of their lives and to contribute as leaders in our community,” Donoghue said.  “We are pleased to be able to support their work through this donation.”

Lowell Community Health Center leaders and staff were very happy to receive the donation and that their Teen BLOCK program was recognized as a key resource for the city’s youth.

 “Thank you City Manager Eileen Donoghue and State Senator Ed Kennedy for selecting Lowell Community Health Center Teen BLOCK to be the recipient of this year’s 32^nd Annual Lowell St. Patrick’s Day Dinner,” said LCHC CEO Susan West Levine. “The funds will help vital youth programs that support the healthy development of young people, ages 13-18, and empower them to become leaders in the community.”

“On behalf of the youth, I thank Senator Kennedy and City Manager Donoghue for hosting the St. Patrick’s Dinner benefiting Teen BLOCK,” said Teen BLOCK Director Ruth Ogembo. “This support not only adds resources but reaffirms the commitment the city has in investing in our youth.”

Sen. Ed Kennedy is proud to announce he has named James Ostis, of Lowell, his new Legislative Director.

Ostis was Sen. Kennedy’s assistant when he served as the Mayor of Lowell and stayed on as Mayor Bill Samaras’ assistant. This will be a return to Beacon Hill for him, having previously served as a legislative aide for Rep. Colleen Garry (D-Dracut) from 2006-2012.

“I am excited to be bringing James on board and that we will be working together again,” said Sen. Kennedy. “His deep knowledge of the First Middlesex District, as well as of the State House and the legislative process, coupled with his writing and research abilities will be a huge asset to my office and a great addition to my team.”

Currently a PhD candidate in the Public Policy program at UMass Boston’s McCormack School of Policy and Global Studies, Ostis was the first person from Lowell to be awarded the Rappaport Institute’s Public Policy Fellowship at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. In that role, he worked for a year on economic development projects in Gateway Cities in the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development under the guidance of former Secretary Jay Ash. 

“During his time in the Mayor’s office, James routinely went above and beyond the position’s job description by contributing greatly on issues such as the new Lowell High School project, the 2020 Census Complete Count Committee, Lowell’s application to be the first UNESCO City of Learning in the United States, and numerous others,” said Mayor Samaras. “He will be missed at Lowell City Hall, but I am very happy for him and for Senator Kennedy’s office.”

Ostis holds a master’s degree in Public Affairs from UMass Boston and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UMass Lowell.

An active member of the Lowell community, he is the current President of the Lowell Heritage Partnership, a member of the Board of Directors for the Angkor Dance Troupe, a member of the Lowell Festival Foundation Advisory Board, a long-time volunteer for the Lowell Folk Festival, former Chairman of the Lowell Cultural Council, and a former member of the Cultural Organization of Lowell (COOL) board.

 “I am excited to be joining Senator Kennedy and his team at the State House,” said Ostis. “I have long been looking for a position that would allow me to focus on policy making and legislative issues and apply my academic research background in a professional setting. I look forward to this new opportunity to continue to work on behalf of the people of the Commonwealth and the First Middlesex District.”

Ostis will step into his new role later this month, taking the reins from Phil Geoffroy, who left to become the Executive Assistant to Lowell City Manager Eileen Donoghue.