Community Spotlight

Community Action Continues to Accept Head Start/Early Head Start Applications

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Even though physical Head Start and Early Head Start classes are currently closed, Community Action is accepting new applications for children ages 0–5 years old. Programs offer center-based preschool at no cost, home-based services, services for pregnant women, nutritious meals and snacks, developmental screenings, family support services and more. An application may be completed online at communityactioninc.org. Community Action is a member of the National Head Start Association, New England Head Start Association and Massachusetts Head Start Association.

Community Spotlight

Various Organizations Providing Relief Funding for the Art Community

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Creative Haverhill has created a list of money sources for artists and art organizations to combat the COVID-19 challenge they’ve facing in the creative community. The list includes emergency relief funds to preserve the creative ecosystem to continue the appreciation and awareness in Haverhill and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Money and grants come from various relief programs such as the Essex County Artist Relief Fund, Massachusetts Cultural Council COVID-19 Relief Fund, Americans for the Arts Relief Fund and the CARES Act. For a full list of resources and registrations, visit CreativeHaverhill.org.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill Public Library Hosts Weekly Virtual Craft Sessions

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The Haverhill Public Library is hosting a virtual crafting hour through Zoom on Fridays. The craft meetings provide opportunities to connect with others while working on various crafts virtually from home. The sessions are weekly on Fridays at 2 p.m. Register in order to receive a Zoom invite, allowing access to the virtual session. Register at haverhillpl.org or contact Brendan Kieran at [email protected] for more information.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill’s Common Ground Café is Providing Food During Pandemic

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Haverhill’s Common Ground Café, in partnership with Feeding America and the Boston Food Bank, is providing food and other support for the city’s low-income and homeless. Common Ground Café’s goal is to care for Haverhill’s low-income and homeless residents by providing food, clothing and additional support. During the pandemic, is is acting as a food pantry. Anyone who needs food may call Common Ground Café at 978-372-3336 to schedule a pickup appointment from Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., at 194 Winter St., Haverhill. Deliveries are available for residents who are handicapped or do not have transportation to Common Ground.

Region

U.S. Rep. Trahan Hosts Tele-Town Hall Thursday with Harvard’s Dr. Jha and Labor Secretary Acosta

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Congresswoman Lori Trahan will be joined by state Labor Secretary Rosalin Acosta and Harvard Global Health Institute’s Ashish Jha for a tele-town hall session Thursday to answer questions about the COVID-19 Pandemic and how workers may access benefits. Acosta is joining Trahan to provide information on the Commonwealth’s management of worker benefits and how workers can receive them, while Dr. Jha is providing updates on responses to the health crisis. The session, taking place Thursday, April 16, at 3:10 p.m., provides an opportunity for the public to ask questions. Those who register will receive a call to join at the start of the event. Register at trahan.house.gov/forms/form/?ID=22 and to submit questions in advance.

Business Bulletin

Ward Hill Textile Firm Sends 20,000 Medical Pillows to NYC; Provides Masks and Medical-Grade Pillows

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A Haverhill pillow manufacturer is helping to put minds at rest in the nation’s COVID-19 hotspot, New York City. Early last week, Borden Textile, of 175 Ward Hill Ave., helped equip a temporary hospital at the Javits Center in New York with medical pillows. The company—with 15,000 hypoallergenic polyester-filled bed pillows in stock—also hopes to help closer to home. “We have reached out to local representatives and companies but have ran into stone walls everywhere…No one is responding to us,” said Guy T. Pappalardo, plant manager and manager of manufacturing operations. He said the company is looking for Massachusetts hospitals and medical centers that need help.

Merrimac Fire Department Extinguishes Aggressive Fire; No Injuries

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There were no injuries after a single-alarm house fire Tuesday afternoon in Merrimac. The Merrimac Fire Department extinguished what it called an “aggressive” fire that broke out about 4:30 p.m., at 2 Mechanic St. In a statement, Fire Chief Larry S. Fisher said, “Upon arrival, Merrimac firefighters found heavy flames and smoke outside of the home. First responders worked aggressively to put out the fire and were assisted by members of the Amesbury Fire Department at the scene after calling for a one-alarm response.”

The fire was under control just before 5 p.m.

West Newbury and Newton, N.H., Fire Departments provided mutual aid station coverage. While on duty, those departments put out a separate bush fire on Winter Street where 1/10 of an acre burned.

Community Spotlight

Team Haverhill: From Possible Dreams to Today’s Haverhill Progress

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WHAV’s Community Spotlight is turning its microphones to those civic and charitable organizations that make Greater Haverhill a wonderful place to live. Beginning in 2005 as a “community visioning” initiative sponsored by the Greater Haverhill Foundation and the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, Team Haverhill emerged in 2006 as its own organization. With the purpose of making Haverhill a “better place to live, work and play,” officers were elected, and the group was organized into a self-directing association. Team Haverhill’s signature events, River Ruckus and Possible Dreams, are annual events planning and celebrating Haverhill’s progress. The River Ruckus festival features a day of live music, classic cars, local food and drinks, raffle and a conclusion with fireworks.