Month: March 2023

State Senator Ed Kennedy and Lowell School Committeeman Dominik Lay met with Ms. Miranda’s eighth grade class at the Daley School on Monday, March 27. During their visit the State Senator and School Committeeman engaged in a lively discussion about state and local government and how best to address the issues impacting the transportation infrastructure in the Commonwealth.

Thank you to Ms. Miranda and the Eighth Grade Class at the Daley School for inviting State Senator Ed Kennedy and School Committeeman Dominik Lay to speak to the class.

State Senator Ed Kennedy was honored to be one of the speakers at the Annual Lowell Women’s Week Breakfast on Monday, March 27 and to present citations from the Massachusetts State Senate to the three Because of Her Award recipients – Maria Aybar, Leeanne George and Pauline King. The annual breakfast was held at Lenzi’s in Dracut.

The Because of Her Awards are meant to recognize women who have performed extraordinary acts and/or exemplary deeds to help our community as a whole, or individuals who live in our community. Helping to resolve persistent community problems such as hunger or homelessness is another reason to receive a Because of Her Award. As in past years, this year’s award recipients are generous and compassionate activists who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the Lowell Community.

State Senator Ed Kennedy held office hours for constituents at the Coalition for a Better Acre’s storefront located at 450 Merrimack Street in Lowell on Wednesday, March 22. Senator Kennedy’s office holds bi-monthly evening office hours at the public libraries in Dracut, Dunstable, Pepperell and Tyngsboro, and at various locations in Lowell.

State Senator Ed Kennedy helped AgeSpan Site Manager Joyce McCarthy Dastou deliver Meals on Wheels to several residents in the Lowell area on Monday, March 20.

AgeSpan (formerly known as Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore) is a private, nonprofit agency dedicated to helping people in northeast Massachusetts maintain their highest levels of independence, health, and safety as they age.

AgeSpan is seeking drivers and on-call volunteers to support our home-delivered meals program particularly in the Dracut area. Volunteer drivers deliver daily nutritious meals. The role requires a three-hour commitment, a valid driver’s license, and a background check. AgeSpan provides a stipend and free training for adults aged 18 and over. For positions in Dracut, call Joyce Dastou at 978-651-3021 or email jdastou@agespan.org

State Senator Ed Kennedy toured the Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell Center at 220 Worthen Street in Lowell on Wednesday, March 15. The tour included the programs that were underway and the portion of the Center that is currently undergoing renovation and redevelopment. Once complete, the $3 million capital improvement plan will increase the campus size and provide program opportunities. The Worthen Street center will expand to include the building next door – the historic Greek American Veterans building at 228 Worthen Street.

The Girls Inc. Afterschool Program is available Monday through Friday 2:00p.m.-6:00p.m. when school is in session. Members arrive at the center via contracted transportation, drop-off, or via a school bus. Full day programming is offered during school vacations and holidays from 7:30a.m. – 5:30 PM. Girls, Inc. also offers research-based academic enrichment and support. and provides summer camps for girls who are between 5 and 14 years of age. The summer camps with lunch and snacks are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

State Senator Ed Kennedy took a tour of the African Community Center located at 99 Church Street in Lowell on Wednesday, March 15. The mission of the African Community Center in Lowell is “to equip African immigrants and refugees in the Greater Lowell area with resources to be actively engaged community members, through educational, social and cultural initiatives”.

The African Community Center offers a summer school program, tutoring for students throughout the school year, and workshops to assist parents and guardians to the US educational system. Tutoring is available as needed, as well as assistance with college applications. The African Community Center also provides information on job opportunities for immigrants from the countries in Africa.

In November of 2016, Mayor Ed Kennedy was at the ribbon cutting ceremony when the African Community Center first opened on Merrimack Street in Downtown Lowell. In June of 2022 the African Community Center moved to the First United Baptist Church at 99 Church Street in Lowell.

Future goals, according to Executive Director Gordon Donkoh-Halm include setting up programs offering computer literacy; African cultural tradition classes; college readiness and preparedness; mental health services; and cultural orientation to Greater Lowell for African immigrants, refugees and international students.

The African Community Center of Lowell is a 501(c)(3) organization. Gifts are tax-deductible to the full extent allowable under the law. EIN: 84-2740360

Pictured: State Senator Ed Kennedy met with African Community Center Executive Director, Gordon Donkoh-Halm before touring the Center on Wednesday, March 15.  

State Senator Ed Kennedy joined several other Merrimack Valley legislators at Nevins Farm and Equine Center in Methuen on Friday, March 3. Nevins Farm and Equine Center is an animal shelter and veterinary hospital located on a 55-acre farm in Methuen, Massachusetts. Nevins Farm is operated by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Located 30 miles north of Boston, Nevins Farm is the only open-door horse and farm animal rescue center in New England. Each year the center serves about 7,000 animals. The farm primarily serves the Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire.